Exploring Mongolia is a unique and off the beaten track experience due to its vast and untouched landscapes, rich nomadic culture, and the opportunity to witness traditional customs and rituals. With its expansive steppes, rugged mountains, and …
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Backpacking Mongolia in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Mongolia with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Mongolia
Embark on a nomadic adventure in Mongolia, where vast landscapes, nomadic culture, and untamed beauty define the backpacker's experience. Pros? Immerse in the endless steppes, experience nomadic hospitality, and relish the budget-friendly cost of living. Mongolia offers a truly off-the-grid escape. However, the remote terrain and lack of developed infrastructure can pose challenges. For the intrepid backpacker seeking solitude and cultural immersion, Mongolia stands out as a unique destination, where the spirit of the nomadic lifestyle and the untouched wilderness create an unparalleled and unforgettable journey.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Mongolia
Uniqueness
Scenery
The best sceneries to explore in Mongolia are its vast and diverse landscapes. The country is known for its stunning natural beauty and offers a wide range of scenic locations to explore.
One of the most iconic landscapes in Mongolia is the Gobi …
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One of the most iconic landscapes in Mongolia is the Gobi …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Mongolia
- Explore the Gobi Desert: The Gobi Desert is one of the most unique and diverse landscapes in the world, with its vast sand dunes, rocky mountains, and rare wildlife. It offers opportunities for camel trekking, fossil hunting, and experiencing the nomadic way of life.
- Visit the Mongolian Steppe: The Mongolian Steppe is a vast grassland that stretches as far as the eye can see. It is home to nomadic herders and offers a chance to experience their traditional way of life. Horseback riding and staying in a traditional ger (yurt) are popular activities here.
- Discover the Ancient Capital of Karakorum: Karakorum was once the capital of the Mongol Empire and is now home to the Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. Exploring the ruins of the ancient city and visiting the monastery provide a glimpse into Mongolia’s rich history.
- Hike in the Altai Mountains: The Altai Mountains are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. With their breathtaking peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife, they offer opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, and wildlife spotting.
- Experience Naadam Festival: Naadam is Mongolia’s biggest and most important traditional festival, featuring the ”Three Manly Games” of wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Attending this festival allows visitors to witness the country’s rich cultural heritage and traditional sports.
But Mongolia offers more...
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Mongolia
Least densely populated country
Mongolia | Mongolia! The least densely populated country in the world, sandwiched between the two largest non-Western countries on Earth, always had an indescribable allure for me. Hard to say why. Was it the Donald Duck-like name of the capital city, the fact that it’s the complete opposite of my own country in terms of population density (outside the capi...
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Avoiding airport taxi mafia by a simple walk to the bus
Mongolia | After landing and the joy of seeing that your debit card can convert a PIN code into a stack of local currency in this country, the taxi mafia comes into play. But I can proudly say that, thanks to a short side note in the Lonely Planet, I managed to avoid them for the first time after arriving in a new country by walking straight to the bus stop 5...
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Writing a letter of recommendation yourself to extend your visa
Mongolia | Feeling tired from a super funny night of club hopping, it was a good day to extend my visa. In Mongolia, you can roam around carefree for 30 days, but for the 31st day, you’ll have to face the bureaucracy. I took a number and waited until it became clear that those who waited for their number to be called only got their turn after everyone who j...
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Taking a Mongolian haircut, to prepare for Naadam, the Mongolian Olympics
Mongolia | After two days in the country, I thought I had been in Mongolia long enough to get a Mongolian haircut. Her English was as good as my Mongolian, so I had to indicate the desired length of my hair with mixed success: after an hour, I looked just like a local!With a 35-day visa and a Mongolian haircut in my pocket, I was ready for Naadam, the annua...
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5 year old youngsters competing for the prestigious Naadam horse race trophy
Mongolia | For this, I traveled to a small village (Kharkhorin) to watch the preliminaries and later returned to UB (sounds cooler than Ulaanbaatar) to see the finals. The kickoff, even before the opening ceremony, was the horse race. When I asked if women also participate in this event, the answer was an indignant “no, of course not. It’s very dangerous,...
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Wrestling, horse riding, archery, ankle archery, shooting dominoes and yak polo
Mongolia | Now I understand why Mongolia rarely wins Olympic medals or qualifies for the World Cup in football. The order of importance for sports is: wrestling, horse riding, archery, ankle archery, shooting dominoes with a pebble, yak polo, then a long time of nothing, and finally basketball and football.The evening after Naadam, I practiced for next year...
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Naadam yearly festival, the grand finale
Mongolia | After the preliminaries in the small village, the final rounds in UB were waiting: an opening ceremony on the level of the Olympic Games, raising the question of whether the North Korean mass choreography will surpass it next month. Everything here was bigger, stronger, faster, and more beautiful, but also much less intimate. Now I was sitting in r...
Read more Ordering my first meal in fluent Russian (but no clue what I ordered)
Mongolia | It was time to leave UB and Naadam behind and head to Kovsköl, a gigantic mountain lake that holds 2% of the world’s drinking water supply (do whatever you want with that information). Halfway through the fourteen-hour bus ride, my previously invested time in learning the Russian alphabet became crucial: I could order food. The menu was hanging ...
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What happens in Kovsköl stays in Kovsköl
Mongolia | In Kovsköl, I was greeted by a super diverse and cool group of travelers who had celebrated Naadam there and were now waiting for the rain to pass, which meant two days of card games. Here, I discovered that the cardgame I had learned in Kyrgyzstan turned out to be a real Russian card game called Durak, which came in handy a week later when we had...
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Our horse escaped, giving some extra hangover recovery time
Mongolia | Mongolia is not a morning country. With a super cool English couple and a bizarrely strange German guy, we were about to start a two-day horse riding trip at 9:00 am. We were supposed to gather between 9:00 and 10:00 am, which already made us suspect that we wouldn’t be on the horses at exactly 9:00 am. In the end, we left at half past twelve, as...
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Trying to control the most difficult horse
Mongolia | The guide was extremely cautious. The German guy wasn’t allowed to ride freely and was led on a leash by the guide (which led to a small explosion at the end of the second day, more on that later, and I promise to wrap up the current cliffhangers before opening new ones). I turned out to have the most difficult horse and had to keep the reins sup...
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Surviving a forest run without decapitation
Mongolia | After fifteen minutes, the German guy claimed he couldn’t walk any further because his knee couldn’t handle that kind of distance, even though I distinctly remembered him asking me the day before if he could join me for a two-day hike in the mountains in case horse riding didn’t work out. Anyway, the English guys and I preferred being on the ...
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Left alone, hoping to get some food
Mongolia | And then we were in front of our ger. The guide was nowhere to be found. We were starving because we hadn’t had lunch yet, and it was already 7:00 pm, watching another family emptying a sheep’s skull (oops, why are my cliffhangers still open?). “Where are we?” our eyes spoke to each other. After a few aimless rounds of card games, we decide...
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Meeting the village’s wrestling champion
Mongolia | After drinking the noodle soup in the grass in front of our ger and as it started to rain lightly, another family felt sorry for us and invited us into their ger. And that completely changed the evening. We talked a lot with hand gestures, both sides took many photos of each other (they took even more of us than we did of them) until we found out t...
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A German calling brrrr in vain to get his galloping horse to a stop
Mongolia | Time to cash in on a cliffhanger. The German guy had had enough of being led on a leash while we happily galloped through the fields. His pent-up anger exploded in one go, and he got off his horse and stayed put. A few hundred meters ahead, we also stopped. The situation: the three of us with an angry guide because the German guy was angry at him, ...
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The true Mongolian experience
Mongolia | After this amazing time in Kovsköl, I set out to find the true Mongolian experience: crossing the country, away from the few real roads they have. For comparison: imagine you’re in Bordeaux and want to go to Milan, you wouldn’t go via Amsterdam unless... Amsterdam is the only way to get from Bordeaux to Milan. That was kind of the situation th...
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Another yak festival
Mongolia | Slowly but surely, on my way to the promised yak festival in the mountains, it turned out that there was another yak festival in Tariat the next day. However, leaving the hostel seemed impossible because without drainage, the large field in front of the hostel had turned into a big lake, reaching up to the doorstep. We managed to get outside throug...
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The one and only true yak festival
Mongolia | A few days later, the day had come: the mountain yak festival. And because I had enthusiastically promoted this festival everywhere I went, it turned into a complete reunion: the Dutch guy with the VW van, an Israeli girl, a French girl, the English couple, an English guy I had met on the first day in UB and later promoted this festival via WhatsAp...
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Trying to get some horses we could borrow for 4 days
Mongolia | After this full day, the five of us were eager to get back on an animal. Since there were eight lakes at a considerable distance, we chose horses because if we had chosen yaks, we would probably still be on the way. The small concentration of gers where horses could be rented turned out to be fully controlled by the agencies. At first, the price fo...
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The biggest off-the-beaten-track surprise
Mongolia | And off we go. And what a fantastic horse I had this time. He just wanted to gallop. My guide initially wanted to lead him by the reins, but I didn’t want to be a second German. After a while, I trained him so well that I only had to move my feet to the side, and he would start galloping even before I had to poke him in the belly. That evening, w...
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How yoghurt can feel like heaven
Mongolia | After many instant noodles with applesauce (serving as breakfast, lunch, and dinner), sardines in tomato sauce, and the sheep skull with innards, you should have heard our stomachs when the next day we saw the other ger residents enjoying fresh yogurt with real pieces of apple and raspberry. Hmmm, so there was actually a really good side to organiz...
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A bruised rib after some more mandatory wrestling
Mongolia | That same afternoon, we reached our final destination: the largest of the eight mountain lakes. We had to swim in it. Around noon, we returned to the family where we had slept, and it quickly became clear that we couldn’t move on until we had wrestled each of the men one by one. It provided a lot of spectacle and laughter, but also a bruised rib ...
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Learning a new game, ass-attack
Mongolia | The last evening of our own four-day horse riding tour was probably unprecedented. First, we plundered almost the entire beer supply at a nearby ger camp. Then, we played the Mongolian version of the Russian card game Durak with our guides. And finally, the evening ended in “ass-attack,” a game invented by our guide where you had to unexpectedl...
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Realizing I missed my calling, being a cowboy!
Mongolia | The next day was possibly the most beautiful of my trip. We had earned complete freedom with our horses from the guide, and the English guy and I used it to first drive a young yak a few hundred meters away from its family with our horses (then he was allowed to happily hop back before we get the World Wildlife Fund on our case), only to realize an...
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Last week in Mongolia
Mongolia | The last week in Mongolia had begun. In the beginning, it took some getting used to the vast distances and the often monotonous nature in many places, but it was the ultimate freedom that you can experience in this country and the fantastic places that break up the endless plains like oases in a desert that stole my heart.The last week started at...
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Milking our own cow milk
Mongolia | As night fell, we stopped at a family and asked if we could eat and sleep there, and it was a bullseye. Freshly picked blackberries, raspberries, and wild strawberries (in a country where I had started to think that vegetables and fruits hadn’t been invented yet), playing Mongolian durak, volleyball, soccer with goals so big that even I could sco...
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Meeting the most hospitable woman in Mongolia
Mongolia | On my last day in UB, I was alone again. There was a forty-meter-high statue of Chinggis Khan on his horse nearby. The bus would take me halfway, and then I would have to hitchhike the last twenty kilometers. In the bus, I met a girl in her late twenties who turned out to have built and sold 25 factories already. She was now going to one of her fac...
Read more Traveled route: Ulaanbaatar, Kharkhorin, Hatgal, Khorgo, Tstetserleg, Red Waterfall, Zamiin-Uud
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Mongolia
The best time to visit Mongolia for backpacking is during the summer months, from June to August. During this time, the weather is generally warm and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F). This allows for comfortable outdoor activities and exploration of the stunning Mongolian landscapes.
Additionally, the summer months offer longer daylight hours, providing more time for hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures. The famous Naadam Festival, which showcases traditional Mongolian sports and cultural events, also takes place in July, making it an ideal time to experience the country's vibrant culture.
However, it's important to note that Mongolia experiences significant temperature variations, especially in the evenings and at higher altitudes. Therefore, it is advisable to pack appropriate clothing and gear to stay warm during cooler nights and sudden weather changes.
Additionally, the summer months offer longer daylight hours, providing more time for hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures. The famous Naadam Festival, which showcases traditional Mongolian sports and cultural events, also takes place in July, making it an ideal time to experience the country's vibrant culture.
However, it's important to note that Mongolia experiences significant temperature variations, especially in the evenings and at higher altitudes. Therefore, it is advisable to pack appropriate clothing and gear to stay warm during cooler nights and sudden weather changes.
Risk level: low (0%)Safety advice for Mongolia
- While uncommon, violent crime is present in Mongolia, particularly in Ulaanbaatar. Criminals have assaulted and sexually harassed foreigners during the day and in busy areas. Crime is more common during major festivals and the summer tourist season. Be aware of your surroundings.
- Pickpocketing and bag snatching is common, especially on public transport and in crowded areas. Criminals posing as police have robbed travellers in the Sukhbaatar Square area of Ulaanbaatar. Be alert to thieves, especially on public transport.
- Protests can turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings.
- Mongolia's weather is extreme. Temperatures vary from 35°C in summer to minus 40°C in winter. Winter lasts from October to March. Snowstorms can also happen outside winter months. Make sure you have adequate clothing and footwear year-round. Weather conditions can change quickly.
- Earthquakes, flooding and fires sometimes occur. Follow the advice of local officials.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
MongoliaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Mongolia sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Mongolia. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Mongolia may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Mongolia. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Mongolia may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Mongolia, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Mongolia, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024