Experience the outdoors away from the crowds and soak up a nomadic existence that’s barely changed for hundreds of years.
Learn about their national hero, Genghis Khan – a fearsome warrior who founded the Mongol Empire and conquered half the world in the 13th century. Dreamy landscapes are complemented by peaceful people living extraordinary lives. Find the perfect contrast in Mongolia’s vibrant capital, Ulaanbaatar, where bohemian hipsters drive democracy and development into the 21st century, and you can sip on cocktails in a New York style loft.
An eclectic and pulsating centre surrounded by the infinite grasslands of the roving nomads. Here, you’ll find intriguing museums, monk-filled monasteries, and streets thrumming to life with young people trying to map out a prosperous urban future.
A protected National Park for good reason, you’ll be enchanted by its rolling meadows, turtle-shaped rock formations, and mountainsides to get your climb on. Explore on horseback and try archery, interact with the nomads and marvel at their relationship with nature. Eat, sleep and play like a local with a stay in a nomadic ger camp – and remember folks, look up at the night sky for a galactic explosion that will leave you awestruck.
One of the biggest drawcards to the region is the earliest surviving Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia. Erdene Zuu was constructed in 1585 after a meeting with the 3rd Dalai Lama, beginning a declaration of Tibetan Buddhism as the state religion. Built on the site where ‘the meeting of the clans’ chose Genghis Khan as their leader. Surviving many Mongol wars and Soviet purges, Monks once again call the massive monastery home.
A part of the Gobi Desert rich in wildlife with desert flora in greens and golds. Surrounded by mountains, rivers and grasslands, the 80km stretch of colossal dunes almost seem out of place. Hike up the sand and keep your eyes peeled for foxes, deer, wolves and eagles, and imagine what it must have been like for early explorers, roving nomads and Mongol warriors crossing the infinite expanse.
An eclectic and pulsating centre surrounded by the infinite grasslands of the roving nomads. Here, you’ll find intriguing museums, monk-filled monasteries, and streets thrumming to life with young people trying to map out a prosperous urban future.
A protected National Park for good reason, you’ll be enchanted by its rolling meadows, turtle-shaped rock formations, and mountainsides to get your climb on. Explore on horseback and try archery, interact with the nomads and marvel at their relationship with nature. Eat, sleep and play like a local with a stay in a nomadic ger camp – and remember folks, look up at the night sky for a galactic explosion that will leave you awestruck.
One of the biggest drawcards to the region is the earliest surviving Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia. Erdene Zuu was constructed in 1585 after a meeting with the 3rd Dalai Lama, beginning a declaration of Tibetan Buddhism as the state religion. Built on the site where ‘the meeting of the clans’ chose Genghis Khan as their leader. Surviving many Mongol wars and Soviet purges, Monks once again call the massive monastery home.
A part of the Gobi Desert rich in wildlife with desert flora in greens and golds. Surrounded by mountains, rivers and grasslands, the 80km stretch of colossal dunes almost seem out of place. Hike up the sand and keep your eyes peeled for foxes, deer, wolves and eagles, and imagine what it must have been like for early explorers, roving nomads and Mongol warriors crossing the infinite expanse.
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
*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.
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.