Best Time to Visit Mongolia

Summer: green, busy and a bit stormy

Ulan Bator is at its warmest in July, when highs reach 25°C. It's also the wettest month, with 83 mm of rain, so expect sudden afternoon showers rather than grey, soggy days. The hills around the city turn green, and the Gobi and the grasslands of central Mongolia are at their best for a ger stay. A ger is the round felt tent families live in. If you want to see horses, herders and open steppe, this is your season.

July is also the busiest month. Naadam, the national festival of wrestling, archery and horse racing, starts on 11 July and fills the capital's stadium. Hotels and flights get tight around it, and the festival is worth the squeeze if you want to see it. Travelling with kids? The long days and warm evenings make summer the easiest time for a family trip.

May, June, August and September: the sweet spots

Our pick is May to June and August to September. You get most of the summer feel without the July crowds and rain. June is good for long days and fresh grass. September is calmer, with golden light in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, a short drive from the city. Nights turn cold quickly by then, so a ger with a good stove matters more than a fancy one.

Roads outside the capital can be rough after heavy rain, so give yourself spare days if you're heading far.

Winter and the low season

From late autumn to early spring, Mongolia is very cold. Many tourist camps close, and long drives get harder. Ulan Bator stays open, though, and it's the cheapest time to visit. If you hate crowds and don't mind the cold, it can be a quiet trip.

Tsagaan Sar, the Lunar New Year, falls in late winter. Families visit each other and share steamed dumplings called buuz. Some shops and services slow down, so expect a more local, home-focused feel in the city.