Mongolia
Explore wild Mongolia
Uncover the secrets of Mongolia across the verdant steppe and the curiously contradictory Gobi Desert. Mongolia is a free and fair democratic country filled with rich cultural contrasts and a people that have embraced modernity but hold strong to nomadic traditions. If the untouched countryside doesn’t fill your heart then the nation’s famous smiles will.
Ulaanbaatar
An eclectic and pulsating knot of contrasts, commerce, traffic, and people set amid a backdrop of majestic mountains. Wander in museums and elegant cashmere boutiques, soak up a moment’s serenity in a monastery courtyard, and sip cocktails in a New York style bar.
Regional Highlights
- National History Museum – Take a journey through Mongolia’s history from pre-historic times to current day. See remarkable gold treasures, examples of 12th Century Mongol armour, an exquisite display of traditional Mongolian costumes and culture.
- Zaisan Memorial – It’s a long climb to the top however you will be rewarded. From here the entire city is visible, the perfect photo spot.
- Bogd Khaan Observatory – Peer through the telescope that astronomers have used to observe what is beyond Mongolia's clear skies for over fifty years
- A performance of traditional music and dance is a highlight in Ulaanbaatar and should not be missed! It is a great opportunity to hear the unique Mongolian throat singing and see some incredible costumes.
- The Winter Palace of Bogd Khan – This is the palace where Mongolia's eighth Living Buddha, and last king, Bogd Khan lived for twenty years. For reasons unknown the palace was spared destruction by the Russians and turned into a museum. The Summer Palace was completely destroyed.
Terelj National Park
A protected area for good reason, you’ll be enchanted by its rolling meadows carpeted in wildflowers, interrupted only by fascinating rock formations, pine forests, mountainsides and sonorous streams. Stroll, hike, trek, ride, try archery, interact with nomads and marvel at their relationship with nature. Remember to look up at the night sky from your charming ger (yurt) camp.
Regional Highlights
- Spend the night amid stunning scenery on the Mongolian steppe, under a spectacular canopy of stars and experience life of the Mongolian people that has changed very little in five hundred years.
- Biking in Mongolia is absolute heaven. Pedal through the vast steppes, rolling hills and the rugged peaks. Meet friendly nomads and a rich culture brimming with history that extends far beyond the famous conqueror and his horde that once inhabited this land.
Kharkhorin
Genghis Khan’s 13th-century trading centre has been lost to time but not forgotten. The city became the capital of Mongolia before being moved to Beijing by Kublai Khan. Today, people visit the area to take in the verdant steppe and the enormous Erdene Zuu Khiid Monastery - built from the remains of the original city.
Regional Highlights
- Erdene Zuu Khiid Monastery - The beautiful white walls with 108 stupas that surround the monastery house extraordinary collections of Buddhist paintings, priceless religious objects, special dresses for Tsama religious dance and beautifully made Buddhist iconography in true Mongolian and Tibetan style.
- See ruby-robed monks going about their daily lives, it is fascinating to see, hear and smell the live experience
- Plan your itinerary around Naadam Festival in Kharkhorin - for a more rustic experience away from the capital city.
Gobi Desert
Shift your perceptions from empty expanse to biodiverse ecosystem. Rich in flora and fauna, with a collection of flaming canyons, thunderous waterfalls, sharp mountains, abstract rock formations and of singing sand dunes. It’s also the centre of the world’s spiritual energy according to Mongolian Buddhism.
Regional Highlights
- Spend the night under a twinkling canopy of stars and ee the morning sun beaming across the diverse landscapes.
- Enhance your experience by exploring Bayangobi and its dunes aboard a camel – the ‘ship of the desert’
- Being welcomed into the home of a nomadic family is bound to be a highlight of your Mongolian travels.
Hustai National Park
A protected national treasure and sacred to the people of Mongolia. Conservationists reintroduced wild horses to the region – the only true wild equines on earth and boy do they behave like it! It’s incredible to see these beautiful creatures frolic in their natural habitat. Mongolian’s considered them as messengers to god, calling them ‘takhi’ which means spirit.
Khovd
Khovd aimag is divided by the mighty Mongol Altai Nuur range; away from the mountains the land is a barren semi-desert dotted with salt lakes and smaller mountains. The melting snow from the mountains recharges the rivers and lakes every spring yet none have an outlet to the sea. The mix of desert rock, salt lake, snowy peaks and Kazakh culture makes Khovd one of the most beautiful and appealing aimags in Mongolia.
Mankhan
A district of Khovd province known for the Gurvan Senkher Cave where there are traces of ancient people that had lived about 10 000 - 15 000 years ago, located in the middle of the South Senher river.
An eclectic and pulsating knot of contrasts, commerce, traffic, and people set amid a backdrop of majestic mountains. Wander in museums and elegant cashmere boutiques, soak up a moment’s serenity in a monastery courtyard, and sip cocktails in a New York style bar.
Regional Highlights
- National History Museum – Take a journey through Mongolia’s history from pre-historic times to current day. See remarkable gold treasures, examples of 12th Century Mongol armour, an exquisite display of traditional Mongolian costumes and culture.
- Zaisan Memorial – It’s a long climb to the top however you will be rewarded. From here the entire city is visible, the perfect photo spot.
- Bogd Khaan Observatory – Peer through the telescope that astronomers have used to observe what is beyond Mongolia's clear skies for over fifty years
- A performance of traditional music and dance is a highlight in Ulaanbaatar and should not be missed! It is a great opportunity to hear the unique Mongolian throat singing and see some incredible costumes.
- The Winter Palace of Bogd Khan – This is the palace where Mongolia's eighth Living Buddha, and last king, Bogd Khan lived for twenty years. For reasons unknown the palace was spared destruction by the Russians and turned into a museum. The Summer Palace was completely destroyed.
A protected area for good reason, you’ll be enchanted by its rolling meadows carpeted in wildflowers, interrupted only by fascinating rock formations, pine forests, mountainsides and sonorous streams. Stroll, hike, trek, ride, try archery, interact with nomads and marvel at their relationship with nature. Remember to look up at the night sky from your charming ger (yurt) camp.
Regional Highlights
- Spend the night amid stunning scenery on the Mongolian steppe, under a spectacular canopy of stars and experience life of the Mongolian people that has changed very little in five hundred years.
- Biking in Mongolia is absolute heaven. Pedal through the vast steppes, rolling hills and the rugged peaks. Meet friendly nomads and a rich culture brimming with history that extends far beyond the famous conqueror and his horde that once inhabited this land.
Genghis Khan’s 13th-century trading centre has been lost to time but not forgotten. The city became the capital of Mongolia before being moved to Beijing by Kublai Khan. Today, people visit the area to take in the verdant steppe and the enormous Erdene Zuu Khiid Monastery - built from the remains of the original city.
Regional Highlights
- Erdene Zuu Khiid Monastery - The beautiful white walls with 108 stupas that surround the monastery house extraordinary collections of Buddhist paintings, priceless religious objects, special dresses for Tsama religious dance and beautifully made Buddhist iconography in true Mongolian and Tibetan style.
- See ruby-robed monks going about their daily lives, it is fascinating to see, hear and smell the live experience
- Plan your itinerary around Naadam Festival in Kharkhorin - for a more rustic experience away from the capital city.
Shift your perceptions from empty expanse to biodiverse ecosystem. Rich in flora and fauna, with a collection of flaming canyons, thunderous waterfalls, sharp mountains, abstract rock formations and of singing sand dunes. It’s also the centre of the world’s spiritual energy according to Mongolian Buddhism.
Regional Highlights
- Spend the night under a twinkling canopy of stars and ee the morning sun beaming across the diverse landscapes.
- Enhance your experience by exploring Bayangobi and its dunes aboard a camel – the ‘ship of the desert’
- Being welcomed into the home of a nomadic family is bound to be a highlight of your Mongolian travels.
A protected national treasure and sacred to the people of Mongolia. Conservationists reintroduced wild horses to the region – the only true wild equines on earth and boy do they behave like it! It’s incredible to see these beautiful creatures frolic in their natural habitat. Mongolian’s considered them as messengers to god, calling them ‘takhi’ which means spirit.
Khovd aimag is divided by the mighty Mongol Altai Nuur range; away from the mountains the land is a barren semi-desert dotted with salt lakes and smaller mountains. The melting snow from the mountains recharges the rivers and lakes every spring yet none have an outlet to the sea. The mix of desert rock, salt lake, snowy peaks and Kazakh culture makes Khovd one of the most beautiful and appealing aimags in Mongolia.
A district of Khovd province known for the Gurvan Senkher Cave where there are traces of ancient people that had lived about 10 000 - 15 000 years ago, located in the middle of the South Senher river.
Featured Journeys
Wild Mongolia and Golden Eagle Festival
Inspiration and stories
FAQs
Capital city: Ulaanbaatar (population 1.2 million)
Population: 3 million
Language: Mongolian
Currency: MNT Mongolian Tugrik
Time zones: GMT+08:00
Electricity: Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)
Dialling code: +976
Citizens of the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and most EU countries (German citizens do not require a visa for stays under 30 days) will need a Tourist visa to enter Mongolia, valid for stays that do not exceed 30 days. Citizens of Canada will not need a visa for visits up to 30 days and citizens of the USA will not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries should check with the relevant consulates or contact our Travel Advisors for further information. If a visa is required, you will need to apply for it in advance. It is not possible to obtain a visa on arrival in Mongolia at land or air borders.
Sundowners Overland will provide all required invitation letters including a cover letter outlining your itinerary, travel arrangements and the details of the inviting organisation who will be looking after you while you are in Mongolia. Your visa will be valid for entry 90 days from the date of issue.
Consular/Visa Fee
Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information on the cost and method of payment. Cash is generally not accepted and often payment will need to be arranged before you apply with the embassy/consulate. The actual application process will vary depending on your nationality and the consulate/embassy at which you will be applying. Please check the appropriate consulate website for specific information.
Travel Insurance is mandatory for all group journeys and Sundowners Overland strongly recommends travel insurance for other journeys. You must ensure that your insurance policy covers you for the entire duration of your journey, for all activities you will be participating in and that you have purchased the highest level of cover available to you for medical emergencies (including repatriation/evacuation cover) which are relevant to ALL the destinations that you will be visiting. Contact us for further information and quotes.
If you are taking special medication, it is a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor and your prescription, to show authorities if necessary. Since some medications can also be affected by changes in temperature or require special care, we recommend you discuss this with your doctor before departure.
Every day of the year offers its reasons to travel to Mongolia, with each season bringing its own special magic. Imagine waking up to a crisp, winter wonderland on the Mongolian steppe November to February. Springs sprouts carpets of colourful wildflowers covering endless rolling hills. July brings a flurry of excitement as Naadam Festival commences in the capital. As the temperatures begin to cool (September – October) the annual Golden Eagle Festival kicks into gear in one of Mongolia’s most beautiful wilderness areas. Please refer to our climate chart for more detailed information.
The Mongolian Tugrik is the local currency. As Mongolia has a closed currency, we suggest you carry US Dollars (or your local currency) to exchange on your arrival. Credit cards are generally not accepted in Mongolia, however there are plenty of ATMs in Ulaanbaatar. We recommend you withdraw cash in Ulaanbaatar before travelling to remote areas of Mongolia.
Ulaanbaatar
- 2 course meal and a drink in a decent restaurant. USD$20-25
- Bottle of local beer. USD$1.00-$3.00
- A Coke. USD$1.00
- Short taxi ride. USD$0.50 per km
- A litre bottle of water. USD$1.00-$2.00
- A Shashlyk. USD$5.00
*Prices are approximate average costs based on prices at 11/03/17 and are based on the equivalent amount of local currency.
Borders are an integral part of our journey – patience, a sense of humour and a positive outlook will ensure you enjoy this experience. Border crossings take a long time due to customs and immigration searching trains – often full of traders – bogey changes (an amazing sight at the China/Mongolia border), and train schedules. Most formalities take place on the train, you should not have to remove your luggage or leave the train.
Upon arrival/departure you will need to complete an arrival/departure card and hand this to immigration officials, with your passport. Once every traveller in Mongolia had to show a customs declaration detailing the amount of currency taken in and out of the country however this is now being phased out.
The officials will then leave the train with your passport and paperwork to process it in the station, and only after they return with your passport, can you leave the train (if you choose). Be mindful that the train toilets are locked for the duration of your border crossing (can take around 3 hours on each side), and you are not always able to leave the train compartment.
- Respect and manners go a long way in Mongolian culture, as they do in any culture. Learning a little of the language, reading as much about the history and culture of the region and observing the local conventions is a great way to start.
- Always receive objects with your right hand. Keep your palm facing up when holding and accepting things.
- Always accept gifts. And take a bite or a nibble of offered food, even if you are not hungry.
- Sharing a snuff bottle is quite an occasion. Always accept it with your right hand and with an open palm. You may take a pinch of snuff or just sniff the bottle's top. Before passing the bottle to another person, you should offer it back to its owner. Do not replace the cap firmly before passing the bottle back - simply leave it on bottle, with the snuff blade inside.
- Never point your index finger at anyone.
- Avoid touching other people’s hats, they are considered very personal items.
- Dress modestly and respectfully. Shoulders to knees should be covered, especially when entering places of worship.
- Be respectful of monks. Refrain from taking photos of them and women should avoid touching or handing items directly to monks.
- If by accident you tap someone’s foot with yours, immediately shake hands with them (failing to do so will be seen as an insult).
- Respect local lands, homes and national parks by cleaning up after yourself, leaving no trace of you ever visiting.
- When Mongolians arrive at a ger, they yell, "Nokhoi khor!" (Нохой хор!). This translates literally to "hold the dogs!", but means "can I come in?"
- Mongolians do not speak to each other across the threshold of the door, or stand on the threshold of the door.
- Always enter the a ger in a clockwise direction and never stand on the threshold.
- Do not lean against the support columns of the ger, the walls, or the furniture. The two centre posts have symbolic significance you should always walk around them, never between them.
- Stay seated while drinking tea and other beverages.
- Even when sleeping, the feet never point to the altar (in the back), but always to the door. Don’t whistle inside a ger.
- Fire is considered sacred and no waste should be thrown in it.
- The orientation of the ger is also significant, the entrance to the ger always faces south. No need to bring a compass!
- Try nomadic food.
- Engage in the daily lives, traditional activities and chores of the nomads.
Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Mongolia we recommend drinking bottled or filtered water. For environmental reasons we suggest filling a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered or boiled water. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and to peel fruit and vegetables before eating to avoid stomach upsets.
A handful of internet cafes can be found in Ulaanbaatar and other cities. A number of restaurants, cafes and hotels have Wi-Fi, however this is less common outside the capital. While travelling through Mongolia it’s a great idea to pick up a SIM card. They are cheap, easy to reload and come in handy. MobiCom tends to offer the most coverage throughout the country, they also have a main office in Ulaanbaatar with some English-speaking staff.