What is the best time to visit Mongolia?

Best Time to Visit Mongolia

The best time to travel to Mongolia is during spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October).

Spring in Mongolia

Spring in Mongolia is a beautiful time to visit, with temperatures ranging from a comfortable 10-15°C. The days are longer and the sun is brighter, making it the perfect time to explore the country’s stunning landscapes. The snow has melted and the grasslands are lush and green, while the flowers are in full bloom. This is also the time when the traditional Naadam Festival takes place, with its traditional Mongolian sports and activities.

Autumn in Mongolia

Autumn is another great time to visit Mongolia, with temperatures ranging from a mild 5-10°C. The days are shorter and the sun is less intense, making it the perfect time to explore the country’s stunning landscapes. The grasslands are still lush and green, and the flowers are still in bloom. This is also the time when the traditional Golden Eagle Festival takes place, with its traditional Mongolian sports and activities.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Mongolia

Mongolia in January

Weather

January in Mongolia is a cold and dry month, with temperatures ranging from -25 to -10 degrees Celsius. Snowfall is common, and wind speeds can be quite high.

Events

• The Tsagaan Sar festival is held in January to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This is a time for families to come together and exchange gifts.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is held in the western province of Bayan-Ölgii in January. This festival celebrates the traditional Kazakh hunting technique of using trained golden eagles.
• The Ice Festival is held in Ulaanbaatar in January. This festival features ice sculptures, ice skating, and other activities.
• The Mongolian National Horse Racing Festival is held in January in Ulaanbaatar. This festival celebrates the traditional Mongolian sport of horse racing.
• The Great Winter Festival is held in January in Ulaanbaatar. This festival features traditional music, dance, and other cultural activities.

Mongolia in January

Weather

January in Mongolia is a cold month, with temperatures ranging from -20 to -30 degrees Celsius. Snowfall is common throughout the month, and the days are short.

Events

• The Lunar New Year is celebrated on the first day of the month. This is a traditional holiday in Mongolia, and festivities include traditional music, dance, and food.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is held in the western province of Bayan-Ölgii. This festival celebrates the traditional hunting skills of the Kazakh people, and includes competitions, music, and food.
• The Ice Festival is held in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. This festival celebrates winter sports, such as ice hockey and ice skating, as well as traditional music and dance.
• The Mongolian National Day is celebrated on the 11th of January. This is a national holiday, and festivities include parades, concerts, and traditional music and dance.
• The Ice Marathon is held in Ulaanbaatar. This is a 42-kilometer race on an icy track, and is open to both professional and amateur runners.

Mongolia in March

Weather

March in Mongolia is usually a cold and dry month, with temperatures ranging from -4°C to 5°C. Snow is still common in the northern parts of the country, while the south may experience some rain.

Events

• The Naadam Festival is a traditional Mongolian event that takes place in the beginning of the month. It is a celebration of Mongolian culture, featuring sports such as wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
• The Mongolian New Year is celebrated on the 21st of March. The holiday is celebrated with traditional Mongolian food, music, and dancing.
• The Tsagaan Sar Festival is a traditional holiday that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is celebrated with feasting and gift-giving.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is a celebration of the traditional sport of eagle hunting. It takes place in western Mongolia and features demonstrations of eagle hunting, as well as traditional music and dancing.
• The Ulaanbaatar Marathon is an annual event that takes place in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. It is a popular event for both locals and tourists, and features a 5K, 10K, and half marathon.

Mongolia in April

Weather

April is a transitional month in Mongolia, with temperatures ranging from the low 20s to the mid-30s Celsius (75-95 Fahrenheit). Rainfall is common, and snow is still possible in the northern and western parts of the country.

Events

• The Naadam Festival is one of Mongolia’s most important events, and takes place in July. It features traditional Mongolian sports such as wrestling, archery, and horse racing.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is held in the western part of Mongolia in April. It celebrates the traditional nomadic lifestyle and features competitions between eagle hunters.
• The Mongolian National Day is celebrated on the 11th of April. It marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Mongolian People’s Republic in 1924.
• The Tsagaan Sar Festival is a traditional holiday that marks the start of the lunar new year. It is celebrated in late March or early April and features traditional Mongolian food and activities.
• The Red Flag Festival is held in the city of Ulaanbaatar in April. It celebrates the culture and history of Mongolia and features traditional music, dance, and art.

Mongolia in May

Weather

May in Mongolia usually has temperatures ranging from 3-17°C. The weather is usually dry and sunny, with some occasional rain showers.

Events

• Naadam Festival: The Naadam Festival is a traditional Mongolian event that takes place in the beginning of July. It is a celebration of Mongolian culture and includes sports, music, and dancing.
• International Children’s Day: International Children’s Day is celebrated on June 1st in Mongolia. It is a day to celebrate and honor children and their rights.
• White Moon Festival: The White Moon Festival is an annual celebration of the Mongolian New Year. It takes place in May and includes traditional music, dance, and food.
• Golden Eagle Festival: The Golden Eagle Festival is a traditional Mongolian celebration of the eagle hunting tradition. It takes place in the western part of the country in May and includes competitions and demonstrations.
• Mongolian Horse Festival: The Mongolian Horse Festival is a celebration of the traditional horse culture of Mongolia. It takes place in May and includes horse races, music, and traditional Mongolian food.

Mongolia in June

Weather

June in Mongolia is generally warm and sunny. Temperatures range from an average low of 16°C (61°F) to an average high of 28°C (82°F). Rainfall is minimal, with an average of only 7mm (0.3 inches) of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The Naadam Festival is one of the most important events in Mongolia. Held on the 11th and 12th of June, the festival is a celebration of Mongolian culture and includes traditional sports such as horse racing, archery, and wrestling.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is held in the western province of Bayan-Ulgii in June. It is a celebration of the traditional hunting practices of the Kazakh people, who use trained golden eagles to hunt foxes and other small animals.
• The Ulaanbaatar Marathon is held every June. The marathon is a popular event for both locals and tourists, and includes a 10km, 21km, and 42km race.
• The Mongolian International Film Festival is held in June. The festival showcases the best of Mongolian cinema, and includes screenings of feature films, documentaries, and short films.
• The Mongolian Horse Racing Festival is held in June. The festival is a celebration of the traditional horse racing practices of the Mongolian people, and includes races of varying lengths and difficulty levels.

Mongolia in July

Weather

In July, the average temperature in Mongolia is around 17°C (62°F), with highs of around 25°C (77°F) and lows of around 9°C (48°F). The month is generally dry and sunny, making it a great time for outdoor activities.

Events

• Naadam Festival: The Naadam Festival is a traditional Mongolian festival that takes place in July. It is a three-day celebration of Mongolian culture, featuring competitions in archery, horse racing, and wrestling.
• Ulaanbaatar Beer Festival: The Ulaanbaatar Beer Festival is a popular event that takes place in July. It is a celebration of beer culture, featuring live music, beer tastings, and other activities.
• International Children’s Day: International Children’s Day is celebrated on July 1st in Mongolia. It is a day to celebrate and recognize the rights of children, and to promote their welfare.
• Tsagaan Sar: Tsagaan Sar is a traditional Mongolian holiday that takes place in the beginning of July. It is a celebration of the lunar new year, and is marked with feasting, gift-giving, and other festivities.
• Golden Eagle Festival: The Golden Eagle Festival is an annual event that takes place in the western part of Mongolia in July. It is a celebration of the traditional practice of hunting with eagles, featuring competitions and demonstrations.

Mongolia in August

Weather

August is the warmest month of the year in Mongolia, with temperatures ranging from a low of 10°C (50°F) to a high of 25°C (77°F). The days are sunny and dry, with occasional rain showers in the evening.

Events

• The Naadam Festival is held in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar from July 11-13. It is an annual celebration of Mongolian culture, featuring traditional sports such as horse racing, wrestling, and archery.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is held in the western province of Bayan-Ulgii from August 6-9. This festival is a celebration of the traditional art of hunting with eagles, and features demonstrations of eagle hunting, horse racing, and traditional music and dance.
• The Mongolian National Holiday is held on August 11. This holiday celebrates the anniversary of Mongolia’s independence from China in 1921.
• The Mongolian Horse Festival is held in the eastern province of Khentii from August 16-18. This festival celebrates the traditional art of horsemanship, featuring demonstrations of horse racing, wrestling, and archery.
• The Tsagaan Sar Festival is held in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar from August 28-30. This festival marks the beginning of the lunar new year, and is celebrated with traditional music and dance, as well as feasts of traditional Mongolian dishes.

Mongolia in September

Weather

September in Mongolia is generally mild and sunny. Temperatures range from highs of around 25°C (77°F) to lows of around 5°C (41°F).

Events

• The Naadam Festival is held in Ulaanbaatar in mid-September. This festival celebrates Mongolian culture with traditional sports, such as archery, wrestling, and horse racing.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is held in the western province of Bayan-Ulgii in September. This festival celebrates the traditional hunting practices of the Kazakh people, who use eagles to hunt foxes and hares.
• The Mongolian National Day is celebrated on the 11th of September. This is a national holiday that commemorates the declaration of independence from China in 1921.
• The Ulaanbaatar Marathon is held in late September. This is a popular event that attracts runners from all over the world.
• The International Children’s Festival is held in Ulaanbaatar in late September. This festival celebrates the creativity and imagination of children from all over the world.

Mongolia in October

Weather

October is the beginning of the cold season in Mongolia, with temperatures dropping to as low as -20°C in some regions. The days are shorter and the nights are longer, with an average of 8 hours of daylight. The average temperature during the day is around 4°C, but can drop to -10°C in the evenings.

Events

• The Naadam Festival is a traditional Mongolian festival that takes place in Ulaanbaatar in October. It includes competitions in wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is a traditional festival that takes place in the western part of Mongolia in October. It celebrates the ancient Mongolian tradition of hunting with eagles.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is a traditional festival that takes place in the western part of Mongolia in October. It celebrates the ancient Mongolian tradition of hunting with eagles.
• The Mongolia Marathon is an annual marathon that takes place in Ulaanbaatar in October. The race is open to both professional and amateur runners.
• The Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place in Ulaanbaatar in October. It showcases the best of Mongolian and international cinema.

Mongolia in November

Weather

November in Mongolia is generally cold and dry, with temperatures ranging from -10 to -25°C. Snow is common in some parts of the country, and the days are short.

Events

• The Naadam Festival is held in Ulaanbaatar on November 11-13. This traditional festival includes sports competitions, such as archery, wrestling, and horse racing.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is held in western Mongolia in the first week of November. This festival celebrates the traditional practice of eagle hunting, and includes traditional music and dance performances.
• The Winter Solstice Festival is held on November 21. This is a traditional celebration of the winter season, and includes activities such as ice skating, sledding, and bonfires.
• The Ulaanbaatar Marathon is held on November 24. This event includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K race.
• The Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival is held in late November. This festival showcases films from around the world and includes screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.

Mongolia in December

Weather

December is the coldest month in Mongolia, with temperatures dropping to -20°C in some parts of the country. Snowfall is also common during this time of the year.

Events

• The Mongolian National Holiday is celebrated on December 29th. This is a national holiday that commemorates the Mongolian Revolution of 1911.
• The Winter Festival is celebrated in Ulaanbaatar in December. This festival features traditional Mongolian music, dance, and food.
• The Golden Eagle Festival is held in Bayan-Ulgii in December. This festival celebrates the traditional hunting practices of the Kazakh people, who use eagles to hunt.
• The Ice Festival is held in Ulaanbaatar in December. This festival features ice sculptures, ice skating, and other winter activities.
• The Reindeer Herder’s Festival is held in Ulaanbaatar in December. This festival celebrates the traditional culture of the reindeer herders of Mongolia.