When to go · Altai
Altai in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep). Across Mongolia: Gobi is workable but windy; the north is still cold. Camps open from mid-month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) / 1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 17
- Crowds
- Low
- Mongolia overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Mongolia overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep). Across Mongolia: Gobi is workable but windy; the north is still cold. Camps open from mid-month.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- AltaiHighs around 13.9 °C (57 °F), lows around 1.2 °C (34 °F), rain on about 17 daysHighs around 57 °F (13.9 °C), lows around 34 °F (1.2 °C), rain on about 17 days
- Western Altai, Mongolia · Ölgii, Khovd, Tavan Bogd, Uvscool
High mountains with snow possible any month; the Golden Eagle Festival in early October is the last good week before the cold.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Mongolia overall
- Low
- Prices · Mongolia overall
- Medium
Mongolia overall: Gobi is workable but windy; the north is still cold. Camps open from mid-month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Altai, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 13.9 °C (57 °F)57 °F (13.9 °C)
Jun: 19.7 °C (67 °F)67 °F (19.7 °C)
Night low
May: 1.2 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1.2 °C)
Jun: 7.2 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7.2 °C)
Rain days
May: 17 (better)
Jun: 34
Crowds
May: Low
Jun: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jun: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep). Across Mongolia: Gobi is workable but windy; the north is still cold. Camps open from mid-month.
June: Inside Altai's best window: Jun–Sep.
Altai: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket