🇲🇳 eSIM plans for Mongolia

From the Gobi Desert to the steppe, Mongolia rewards travellers who use its rhythms. Stay in a traditional ger (yurt) with a local family to experience nomadic hospitality. Ride a horse or a two-humped Bactrian camel across open plains. Attend a Naadam festival in July to watch wrestling, archery, and horse racing.

Respect local customs: accept offered food or drink with both hands, and never point the sole of your foot at someone. Buddhist monasteries are active again after decades of suppression. Keep a reusable water bottle and purification tablets, as tap water is unsafe to drink. Mongolian English is limited outside Ulaanbaatar, so carry a phrasebook or translation app. Cash is essential in rural areas; ATMs are scarce.

Mongolia’s attractions are spread across vast distances. Choose a few and travel slowly.

• Gobi Desert - See the Khongoryn Els sand dunes and the Flaming Cliffs, where dinosaur fossils were found. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is essential.
• Khustain Nuruu National Park - Home to Przewalski’s horses, the last truly wild horse species. Best visited on a day trip from Ulaanbaatar.
• Terelj National Park - Granite rock formations and a small Buddhist temple inside a rock. Easy access and good short hikes.
• Gandan Monastery - The main active monastery in Ulaanbaatar. Attend the morning prayers to see monks chanting.
• Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park - A volcanic crater lake with good fishing and hiking. Remote; arrange transport and supplies in advance.

Mongolian cuisine is meat-heavy and simple. Dairy products appear in many forms. Try these dishes:

• Buuz - Steamed dumplings filled with minced mutton and onion. Eaten by hand. Sold everywhere during Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year).
• Khorkhog - Mutton cooked with hot stones inside a sealed metal pot. Tender and smoky. Usually a celebratory meal.
• Tsuivan - Stir-fried noodles with mutton and vegetables. A common lunch dish in local canteens.
• Airag - Fermented mare’s milk, mildly alcoholic and sour. Served in summer by nomadic families. Drink only if you have a strong stomach.

Vegetarian options are limited. In Ulaanbaatar, Korean and Western restaurants offer alternatives. Always carry snacks for long drives.

The best travel window is June through August. Days are warm (20-30°C), and the steppe is green. The Naadam Festival falls in mid-July. Book ger camps and flights months ahead.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) have fewer tourists but unpredictable weather. May and September can be pleasant, with daytime highs around 15-20°C. October brings cold winds and early snow.

Winter (November-March) is harsh, with temperatures dropping below -30°C. Travel is difficult, but the Golden Eagle Festival in western Mongolia in October is a draw for photographers. Many ger camps close from October to May.

Rain is most likely in July and August. Dust storms occur in spring. Pack for four seasons in one day regardless of when you go.

Mongolia’s climate demands preparation. Pack these essentials:

• Layered clothing - A thermal base, fleece, and windproof jacket. Temperatures can swing 20°C in one day.
• Sun protection - SPF 50 sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses. The sun is intense at high altitude.
• Sturdy hiking boots - Waterproof, broken in before arrival. Many trails are rocky or muddy.
• Binoculars and camera gear - Wildlife and landscapes are vast. A telephoto lens helps.
• Medications and first aid kit - Pharmacies are scarce outside the capital. Bring diarrhoea treatment, antiseptic, and any prescription drugs.
• Your uPhone eSIM - Activate before departure for reliable data in Ulaanbaatar and larger towns.

Leave behind valuables. A power bank and a headlamp are useful in gers without electricity.