When to go · Mongolia
Mongolia in March
Mixed month. Khövsgöl Ice Festival and Gobi camel festival; cold, with the first thaw late in the month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Mongolia
- Prices
- Low
- Mongolia
Verdict
Khövsgöl Ice Festival and Gobi camel festival; cold, with the first thaw late in the month.
Weather in March
- Ulaanbaatar and the centre · Ulaanbaatar, Terelj, Kharkhorin, Orkhon valleycool
Coldest capital in the world: January averages about −20 °C. Coal and ger-stove smoke make winter air among the worst anywhere Nov–Feb. Summer is 20–28 °C by day with afternoon showers in July–August.
- Gobi · Dalanzadgad, Khongoryn Els, Bayanzag, Yolyn Amcool
Summer days reach 35–40 °C, nights stay cool; spring (Apr–May) brings wind and dust storms. September is the easy month.
- Khövsgöl and the north · Mörön, Khatgal, Darkhad valleycool
Lake Khövsgöl stays frozen until late May or June; summer nights near freezing at 1,650 m. Ice Festival in early March.
- Western Altai · 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.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
International Women's Day
8 Mar
Public holiday; restaurants busy.
Khövsgöl Ice Festival and Gobi camel festival
Early Mar (check)
Small events with limited beds; book camps and transfers early.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Mongolia
- Low
- Prices · Mongolia
- Low
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket