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When to go · Mongolia

Mongolia, month by month

The best months for Mongolia: Jun, Jul, Sep. Months to avoid: Jan, Nov, Dec.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryAvoid−20 to −30 °C and the worst smog of the year in Ulaanbaatar; city museums only.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: smoke haze · Gobi: cool · Khövsgöl and the north: coolCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryMixedStill deep winter; Tsagaan Sar (lunar) closes shops for days. Winter camel and ice events for the well-equipped.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: smoke haze · Gobi: cool · Khövsgöl and the north: coolCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  3. MarchMixedKhövsgöl Ice Festival and Gobi camel festival; cold, with the first thaw late in the month.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: cool · Gobi: cool · Khövsgöl and the north: coolCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilMixedBrown steppe, strong winds and dust; roads turn to mud where snow melts. Few camps open.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: cool · Gobi: smoke haze · Khövsgöl and the north: coolCrowds: Low
  5. MayMixedGobi is workable but windy; the north is still cold. Camps open from mid-month.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: fine · Gobi: smoke haze · Khövsgöl and the north: coolCrowds: Low
  6. JuneGreatGreen steppe, long days, fewer people than July; the best-value month.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: best weather · Gobi: hot · Khövsgöl and the north: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  7. JulyGreatNaadam (11–15 Jul) fills everything; book cars, flights and camps months ahead. Afternoon rain begins.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: rainy · Gobi: hot · Khövsgöl and the north: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
  8. AugustGoodWarmest and wettest; rivers rise and tracks get muddy. Peak for Khövsgöl.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: rainy · Gobi: hot · Khövsgöl and the north: rainyCrowds: High
  9. SeptemberGreatGolden larches, clear skies, cold nights; the Gobi is at its most comfortable.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: best weather · Gobi: best weather · Khövsgöl and the north: best weatherCrowds: Medium
  10. OctoberMixedGolden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii early in the month; most ger camps close by mid-October; snow possible.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: cool · Gobi: best weather · Khövsgöl and the north: coolCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  11. NovemberAvoidWinter returns and the smog season starts; countryside trips only with specialist operators.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: smoke haze · Gobi: cool · Khövsgöl and the north: coolCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  12. DecemberAvoidDeep cold and smog; Ulaanbaatar only, with good layers.Ulaanbaatar and the centre: smoke haze · Gobi: cool · Khövsgöl and the north: coolCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Ulaanbaatar and the centreUlaanbaatar, Terelj, Kharkhorin, Orkhon valleyHazeHazeCoolCoolOKBestWetWetBestCoolHazeHaze
GobiDalanzadgad, Khongoryn Els, Bayanzag, Yolyn AmCoolCoolCoolHazeHazeHotHotHotBestBestCoolCool
Khövsgöl and the northMörön, Khatgal, Darkhad valleyCoolCoolCoolCoolCoolBestBestWetBestCoolCoolCool
Western AltaiÖlgii, Khovd, Tavan Bogd, UvsCoolCoolCoolCoolCoolOKBestBestBestOKCoolCool