Mongolia

Why Mongolia

There are destinations that silence you. Mongolia is one of them. Imagine a country larger than France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom combined, with a population of only 3 million: the majority of space belongs to the wind, the horses and the sky. It is the largest reserve of nomadic freedom still standing on Earth.

Travelling to Mongolia means leaving behind any idea of expected comfort to discover another: the yurt heated by a wood stove at -10°C, the salted butter tea served by hosts who do not speak a word of French but whose hospitality is absolute, the silence of the Gobi desert at a time when the dunes of Khongoryn Els are turning bright orange. These are images that do not fade.

Mongolia also bears the weight of an empire that once ruled half of the known world. Karakorum, the forgotten capital of Genghis Khan, is now nothing more than a field of foundations and stones, but the Erdene Zuu monastery that replaced it, with its 108 immaculate stupas lined up like sentinels, says in its own way that some civilizations know how to survive their own ends.

When to go to Mongolia

Mongolia is a country of extreme climatic contrasts. In Ulaanbaatar, the thermometer drops below -30°C in January and rises to 35°C in July in the Gobi Desert. This range of 65°C makes it one of the capitals with the most extreme continental climate in the world.

June to Septemberis the ideal season: the steppe is green, the roads (or rather tracks) are passable, nomadic families have taken out their herds. July is the busiest month: Naadam (11-13 July) attracts travellers from all over the world for the national games of wrestling, horse riding and archery. Book your accommodation 6 months in advance for this period.

Septemberis the golden period for photographers: the light is low, the crowds have decreased, and the first snows on the peaks offer spectacular contrasts with the still green steppe.

October to May: the cold sets in quickly and the rural roads become impassable between November and April. Only seasoned travellers consider winter Mongolia, for an experience of total bareness in temperatures that can exceed -40°C.

How much does it cost

Mongolia is not a cheap destination once you leave Ulaanbaatar: the logistics systematically require a 4x4 with driver (the tracks are not passable otherwise) and a local guide. Count between 90 and 150 € per day all inclusive on the tour, accommodation in a yurt camp included.

A meal in a tourist yurt camp costs €5-8, a simple (and delicious) meal at a nomadic family's home is often offered by traditional hospitality. Ulaanbaatar is less expensive for food and accommodation: count €40-60 per day in a guesthouse.

The largest item of expenditure is the flight (€550 to €1,100 depending on the season and the company, always with a stopover). A 12-day organized tour is offered from €1,800 per person excluding flights with the main French tour operators specializing in Mongolia.

Where to go in Mongolia

Mongolia can be visited by 4x4 circuits: the distances are immense, the asphalt roads are rare, and most of the sites are discovered on improvised tracks in the steppe or the desert. A good driver-guide is your best passport.

Ulaanbaatar, the starting point

A chaotic and endearing capital, Ulaanbaatar is home to half of the country's population. The Gandan Monastery (Gandantegchinlen) is the Buddhist heart of the city, with its 26-meter-high golden statue of Migjid Janraisig. The National Museum traces 6,000 years of steppe history, from the first Huns to the Mongol Empire. The visit is worth a day before hitting the road.

The Gobi Desert, a wild immensity

Contrary to any desert cliché, the Gobi is a kaleidoscope of landscapes: the orange cliffs of Bayanzag (the "Flames of Fire"), where the world's first dinosaur eggs were discovered, alternate with the rocky canyons of Yol Am and the titan dunes of Khongoryn Els. These 300-metre-high dunes emit a dull rumble when the wind blows through them, hence their nickname "Singing Dunes". Unforgettable.

The Orkhon Valley and Karakorum, the historic heart

The Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the cradle of historic Mongolia. The river winds through a perfectly green steppe, punctuated by nomadic camps. The Orkhon Waterfall (Ulaan Tsutgalan, 24 meters) is one of the most beautiful in the country. In Karakorum, the Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in the 16th century with the very stones of the imperial capital of Genghis Khan, is one of the highlights of Mongolian Buddhism.

Khustain Nuruu, the return of the wild horse

Just 100 km from Ulaanbaatar, this national park is home to the Przewalski's horse (takhi), the only truly wild horse on the planet. Reintroduced after their extinction in the wild in the 1960s, these small, robust horses with erect manes now graze in harems in the grasslands. Watching a group of takhi roaming freely in the steppe at sunset is one of the most moving moments Mongolia has to offer.

Lake Khövsgöl, the pearl of the north

On the edge of Siberia, Lake Khövsgöl is a world apart: its crystal clear blue waters stretch for 136 km between larch forests and snow-capped mountains. It is the land of the Tsaatans, reindeer herders among the last in the world, who can be met with a local guide in the taiga.

Our itineraries

Three ways to approach this immense country, depending on the time available and the desire for nature or history.

In pictures

Practical advice

Formalities

French citizens do not need a visa to stay in Mongolia for up to 30 days. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of return. Beyond 30 days, a tourist visa can be obtained at the Mongolian embassy in Paris (ambassade.mongolie.fr) or online via the Mongolian e-visa portal.

No vaccination is required to enter the country. The usual recommendations include up-to-date DTP, hepatitis A and B, typhoid. In rural wooded areas: consider tick-borne encephalitis. Never handle marmots (risk of bubonic plague, endemic in some regions).

Getting around

Paved roads only exist on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar and on a few inter-city roads. The standard for tours is the Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 or the UAZ van (known as "buchanka", "tin can"), with a driver who knows the tracks. It is strongly recommended to go through a tour operator or a licensed local guide rather than renting a vehicle alone.

MIAT domestic flights connect Ulaanbaatar to the major provincial cities (Dalanzadgad for the Gobi, Mörön for the Khövsgöl) in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, which saves two days of airtime.

Culture and uses

Hospitality (zochin) is a fundamental value of nomadism: if you approach a yurt, it is customary to be invited to come in, drink tea or airag (fermented mare's milk). Accepting is a mark of respect. Abruptly refusing can be perceived as an offense.

In a yurt, always enter from the left, do not walk on the threshold, and do not point to the central hearth. Offering a gift (sweets, cheese, tea) to your guests is always well received.

Tibetan Buddhism is the main religion. In monasteries, always walk around stupas and temples in a clockwise direction. Tips are not mandatory but appreciated for guides and drivers (5-10% of the service).

Frequently asked questions