MONGOLIA FAQ

Hi, call me TK. Well, I was born in Mongolia, lived there till I came to SoCal for my grad school in fall 2006. When you are away from your motherland, all of a sudden you start missing it very much for no reason. I have traveled dozen countries and was surprised that people know very little about my country. I have traveled a bit around the country and thought I could help people who are interested in Mongolia in general and perhaps plans to visit some day.

When and Why

So, when is the best time to travel to Mongolia? The ideal Mongolia travel season starts in May and hits its highest peak in July, during Naadam Holidays and in August when the weather is most favorable for Mongolia traveling.

This is the best time if you like the culture and bear the crowds of other tourists. Not a good time if you want to getaway from your busy lifestyle because you will hit the traffic, busy schedule, waiting in lines etc.

September is also very good time to visit Mongolia and October is not too late to travel to Mongolia. It is still warm during the days but a bit chilly during the nights, not crowded, this is time for late comers and last minute, non planned trips. You will get to sightsee and to enjoy the culture, taste the most delicious drink - mare's milk, I am teasing those who been there and tasted it.

For those of you are not afraid of cold and of fermented mare's milk, traveling to Mongolia in November through Lunar New Year is still an option. Winter tourism is a developing branch of Mongolian Tourism industry.

The most rewarding experience will be the nomads, this is the time when you will experience their culture first hand during "Tsagaan Sar" or traditional New Year celebration. You will have the opportunity to watch lots of cultural staff: singing, dancing, wrestling and if you are really into the horse racing, you will get to see winter horse racing.


Mongolia known to have 250-260 sunny days throughout the year. You guessed it, you will need good UV protection, specially, during winter, protect your eyes, and during summer, protect your skin.

Personally, I have organized and served a dozen teams of different sizes till I came to USA for my graduate program. I have done quite bit of traveling in Mongolia and know little bit of useful Mongolia travel information.First of all, If you have strict diet or not accustomed to heavy fat meat and grease, and hot salted milk teas or mare's milk, even worse, camels or yak's milks, have your own snacks and drinks, bottled waters are must have, specially, when you travel outside of the capital of Ulaanbaatar.

Do not forget to treat your new friends, drivers and interpreters. You do not have to share all of your supplies but let them have a bite because Mongols generally are curious and will try anything.

Mongols are shy and will never ask for a treat even they are starving or dying in curiosity. They may not like the sea tastes or smells and not used to spicy things but it is fun to see the expressions on their faces. Almost all Mongols like sweet stuff.

Do not be afraid of Mongol hospitality in the rural areas. They may offer you strange and sometimes hard to chew diary products. If you are offered by hands just pick a small piece or you can even broke or tear a bite. you can kindly say "bayar-laa" which means thank you and you are not eating or had enough.

Or you can take the whole bowl full of diary products and just pass it onto the next person or your mongolian friends. One way to avoid eating stuff is to ask questions and keep your mouth busy and take away your hosts attentions lest they will pressure you to try everything or even pick a piece for you in which case, it is very impolite to refuse or turn it down. You may hurt or even offend your hosts.

It is highly advisable to always have your personal sanitaries at hand. Do not expect even in the cities for washrooms to have rolls of papers or soaps. When you are traveling in open country, the nature, big rocks, ravines, hills will serve you as a place to do your personal business.

Best to bring 50 and 100 dollar banknotes, banks in downtown can cash your traveler's cheques and give credit card advances. Make sure your bills are later 1996 (newer is better) because you will get highest exchange rates at licensed money changers.

Do not be surprised when several hundred dollars makes you make a millionaire. Millionaires are highly advised to have money belts for your cash and documents. You need cash to get around, specially, if you travel outside of Ulaanbaatar.

Inside Ulaanbaatar, major banks, shopping centers and restaurants accept major credit cards but most of them still do not, some shops require you to pay in cash but next door money changer's rates are very low.

Customs. Everyone must complete a customs declaration upon arrival, hold on it till you leave the country. Visitors are advised to declare the amount and currencies of money being carried.

Everything is available in Ulaanbaatar. Bring if you use special batteries, films for your cameras. Good to have flash lights, mosquito repellents, sun blocks, first aid kits.

We suggest small gifts for kids and nomadic people (aa, aaa batteries, candies, small toys). The best thing is Polaroid, take and leave couple of pictures with your hosts. They will be thrilled.

Electricity is 220 V, 50H, standard sockets are two round pins, good to have your own adapter kit.

Most of the part Mongolia is 3,000-5,000 feet above see level, so drink plenty of bottled water.