In this Mongolia travel guide, you will learn everything you need to know about traveling Mongolia on a budget, including things that you’ll never find in your guide book.
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Introduction to Mongolia
Known as “the land of blue sky”, Mongolia is an undiscovered, backpacker’s paradise. Where else in the world can you pitch a tent for complimentary in a 1.6 million km² campground, with sensational rolling green hills, grasslands, lakes and rivers as a backdrop? load up your backpack with supplies and disappear into the steppe for a few days, a week or even a month. When traveling Mongolia, the whole country is your campsite.
Get lost in the Mongolian Desert, one of the most hostile deserts on the planet, or try your hand at fishing and cast your line into slow-moving waters with 200 lb monsters lingering under the surface. experience a nomadic culture and a level of freedom that is unequaled anywhere else on the planet.
With a population of less than 3 million people, (half of which are found in the capital, with the remainder scattered around the countryside) this is one of the least populous places on Earth. There is nowhere quite like Mongolia.
How much will traveling Mongolia Cost?
Budget For Mongolia
$65/day for 2 people.
The budget for traveling Mongolia really depends on what you do in the country. You could live off of next to nothing if you are just trekking the huge open steppe and sleeping in your tent every night (highly recommended). $65 / day for 2 people will allow you to travel around the country by bus, stay in great double rooms (or gers) and go on the occasional excursion. On multi-day, independent treks, you could live off of much less but if you’re traveling often, long bus rides can add up and you’ll spend much more.
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Budget Accommodation: (FREE-$30/night)
Accommodation when traveling Mongolia varies from beautiful hotels and vacationer gers (Mongolian yurts), to slightly musky, run-down gers with goat meat drying above your bed. Sometimes, you may even be used to stay with a family for free, but a small using or donation is recommended for such generosity. In major cities like Tsetserleg, Ulan Bator (UB) & Mörön, you can expect some great hotel rooms (about $15-35/night), while in the countryside you’ll likely sleep in a ger or your tent.
A standard Mongolian Ger
☞ Click here to compare prices and see reviews on accommodation options in Mongolia with Booking.com.
Eating: ($2-$7 / meal)
Again, these prices vary greatly depending on where you are in the country. Some small, dusty villages will serve up tasty stews and soups for just a couple of bucks, but in Ulan Bator and other major cities, expect to pay at least $5 for a cheap meal. *Note: traveling Mongolia isn’t a foodie experience.
Mongolian Stew
Entrance Fees: ($1-3/person)
Probably the only time you’ll be paying entrance fees will be at national Parks, museums and temples. entrance fees are very reasonable, even in Ulan Bator. normal costs are between $1 – $3.
Alcohol: ($2 Beer, $4 Cocktails)
Alcohol probably won’t be a large part of your budget while traveling Mongolia but a nice, cold bottle of Chinggis beer will cost you about $1.50 and cocktails will be around $5. Vodka is also popular and Mongolians have customs you need to follow before taking a shot of this liquor. It’s recommended to have a drink of straight vodka after eating foods your stomach may not be used to. Locals also drink fermented mare’s milk (arag) which you’ll probably be used lots of times during your stay. This foul tonic will likely be free.
Kippen:
Tipping is not customary in Mongolia but as a lot more and a lot more tourists visit the country, a small gratuity is expected at bars and restaurants that deal with foreigners. Tipping your guide and motorist after a excursion is also expected and appreciated. 10% is acceptable.
Must-See Places
There are far too lots of “must-see” places in Mongolia to list here. We spent 1 month traveling Mongolia and we still have much to see. This country is huge and there seems to be highlights in any way four corners of this massive nation. We’ve provided just a few of the must-see places below. Some we have seen, some we “must see” next time!
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Ulan Bator (Улаанбаатар):
If you have arrived in Ulan Bator (Also: Ulaanbaatar or U.B) and you think that it’s an unattractive slum, then you probably won’t find any other city in Mongolia very appealing. but you’re not here for the cities and while Ulan Bator can appear to be a chaotic mess at first glance, there are some very great areas and it does have some charm. The museums and cultural shows in the capital city are terrific and if you’re heading out into the wilds of Mongolia, this is where you’ll want to stock up on food and goods. check out the state department store for food, clothing and outdoor gear.
Sükhbaatar Square, Ulan Bator
Gorkhi-Terelj national Park (Горхи-Тэрэлж):
Gorkhi-Terelj national Park is one of Mongolia’s premier hiking, trekking and camping destinations and it’s close proximity to the capital (37 km from U.B) indicates that it’s a popular holiday spot for locals. There is an exceptional selection of vacationer gers here and at nearly 3,000 km², there’s a lot of space to wander!
Turtle rock – Terelj national Park
Tsetserleg (Цэцэрлэг):
Probably Mongolia’s a lot of attractive looking sum (provincial capital), Tsetserleg is a great place to start on treks to Terkhin Tsagaan Nuur (White Lake) and Tsetserleg hot Springs (30 km away). The town itself is nestled in a forested valley near the Khangai mountains and there is a great monastery and local market to keep you busy for a couple of days while you plan your trips in the area.
Fairfield guest House
** Goat Note: If you visit Tsetserleg, it would be a shame not to stay at Fairfield guest House. Although it’s not the least expensive option, it’s BY far the best. Run by a delightful Australian couple, Fairfield is the main backpacker hangout.
Lake Khövsgöl (Хөвсгөл нуур):
Known as “Mother Ocean”, Lake Khövsgöl (Khövsgöl Nuur) is the largest lake in Mongolia by volume and is also one of the main vacationer attractions in the country. The lake is located in the far north, close to the Russian border and it’s not easy to get here without a flight.
If you don’t fly into the city of Moron (the closest airport to the lake), in buy to get here independently, you’ll have to take a bumpy 15 hour bus ride from UB to Moron, and another 2-4 hour ride to the southern lakeside town of Khatgal. The other option is to take a excursion out of UB. once you get here you’ll likely see why so lots of people decide to make the tough journey. Khövsgöl is the best place for horse trekking, hiking, canoeing, fishing and just about any other activity you can find while traveling Mongolia.
Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (Тэрхийн Цагаан нуур):
One of the most beautiful and easily easily accessible lakes in Mongolia, Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur or “White Lake” (not to be confused with Tsagaan Nuur in the north) is set amongst the Khangai mountains and is banked by the mighty Khorgo Volcano on its eastern Ende. With so lots of great activities on and around the lake, this is the best place to lace up your hiking boots and head to the trails. There is also a good network of vacationer gers and the windswept lake uses great fishing.
Terkhiin-Tsagaan Nuur (White Lake)
The Altai Mountains (Алтайн нуруу):
You’ll probably want to hop on an expensive flight to get here, rather than trying to survive 30-40 hours of bumpy bus travel from UB. often thought to be the most beautiful region in Mongolia, there are a ton of great treks, superb fishing and some breathtaking scenery in this high altitude landscape. travel here becomes a lot more difficult, but also a lot more satisfying with a backdrop of the 7,000 + meter high Altai Mountains looming behind the northwestern steppe.
Altai Mountains (By Altaihunters, by means of Wikimedia Commons)
Eastern Mongolia:
The huge and seemingly empty steppe of Eastern Mongolia is teeming with some of the country’s a lot of fascinating wildlife. limitless grasslands stretch out to the horizon until they finally meet with the massive blue sky above. follow in the footsteps of history’s a lot of notorious conqueror from the village of Dadal where Chinggis Khaan was born, all the way to the foothills of the Khan Khentii mountains. This is where the Mongol empire began, and despite being one of the most beautiful regions in the country, you’ll find this area nearly completely devoid of tourists.
Must-have Experiences When traveling Mongolia
A horse Trek:
In Mongolia, man’s life revolves around his horse. nearly every song played on the radio expresses the Mongol’s pride in his nation and love for his stallion. There’s no better way to experience the huge open steppe than from the back of one of theSE verehrte Kreaturen. Planen Sie einen Tag, eine Woche oder einen Monat mit Ihrem Pferd und Guide, damit Sie das Land so sehen können, wie es seit Jahrhunderten von Pferden gesehen wird.
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Pferdewanderung im Gobi
Trinken Sie Arag (fermentierte Stutenmilch):
Wussten Sie, dass Pferde Milch produzieren? Wussten Sie, dass wenn Sie die Milch wochenlang in der Hitze fermentieren lassen, die sie in einen Fläschchencocktail verwandelt, der entweder Haare auf Ihre Brust legt oder Farbe von den Wänden schält? Arag ist das mongolische Getränk der Wahl und wenn Sie es im Stich halten können, können Sie feststellen, dass Sie einige großartige Erfahrungen mit den Einheimischen trinken, während sie nach jedem Schluck über Ihr grimmiges Gesicht lachen.
Sogar die Kinder trinken Arag in der Mongolei!
Versuchen Sie Schnupftabak (Tabak schnüffeln):
Es hört sich an, als müssten Sie Spirituosen schlürfen oder Stimulanzien schnauben, um Spaß in der Mongolei zu haben. In Wirklichkeit wird Sie als Respekt an Sie verwendet. Wenn Sie sich dafür entscheiden, das pudrige Gift in Ihre Nase nicht zu atmen, können Sie einfach einen Hauch der Flasche nehmen und es zurückgeben, ohne tatsächlich irgendeines zu atmen. Egal, ob Sie sich für einen Treffer entscheiden oder nicht, erhalten Sie die Flasche immer mit Ihrer idealen Hand, während Sie Ihre linke Hand auf Ihren idealen Ellbogen legen, und vermeiden Sie es, das Angebot vollständig abzulehnen. Zumindest riechen Sie die Flasche und geben Sie sie zurück.
Versuchen Sie, mit den lokalen Nomaden in der Wüste Gobi zu schnupfen
Planen Sie eine unabhängige Wanderung:
Unsere epische 8-tägige unabhängige Wanderung durch die Zentralmongolei war nicht nur unsere beliebte Erfahrung während der Reise der Mongolei, sondern eines der besten Dinge, die wir in Reisen gemacht haben. Schauen Sie sich Google Maps an, um einen Fluss zu finden, der leicht zu folgen scheint, einen guten Start- und Endpunkt hat und bei lokalen Nomaden beliebt ist. Packen Sie ein paar gefriergetrocknete Lebensmittel, Kochen und Schlafmittel ein und gehen Sie auf die Steppe für eine mehrtägige Wanderung. Sie müssen kein professioneller Navigator sein, Sie müssen nur Ihren Verstand über Sie haben und dem Fluss folgen können. Die Begegnungen, die Sie mit der Wildnis und den Nomadenfamilien haben, werden für immer bei Ihnen bleiben.
Unsere epische 8 -tägige mongolische Wanderung
Angeln gehen:
Wussten Sie, dass die Mongolei die größte Süßwasserforelle der Welt beherbergt? Hucho Time oder Sibirian Time kann auf über 200 cm (6’10 ‘) und 100 kg (220 lbs) wachsen! Meist in den nördlichen Flüssen der Mongolei gefunden, ist der Time sowohl in der arktischen als auch in den pazifischen Entwässerungen, insbesondere in Yenisei/Selenga, der Lena und den Amur River -Becken.
Wenn Sie nicht versuchen, ein 100 -kg -Monster zu landen, gibt es auch viel Lenok, Forellen und Grayling. In der Mongolei gibt es ein seltsames Gesetz, das besagt, dass Sie nur mit einem registrierten Ausflugsbetreiber fischen können. Trotzdem können Sie im Park Center im Park Center immer noch eine Fischereilizenz in vielen regionalen Summen und legal und unabhängig voneinander im ganzen Land abholen. Es ist nicht erforderlich, einen teuren Ausflug zum Fischen in der Mongolei zu buchen.
Fischen des Chulut River – Was für eine Aussicht!
Ein Kamel reiten:
Die bactrianischen Kamele der Mongolei sind in Zentralasien beheimatet. Diese Kamele haben zwei Buckel, während Kamele außerhalb Zentralasiens nur einen Buckel haben. Diese Kreaturen können bis zu -40 Grad Temperaturen im Winter- und 40 -Grad -Sommern haben. Wenn Sie die Möglichkeit haben, auf eine dieser pelzigen, lustigen Kreaturen zu springen, sollten Sie sich die Chance wenden!
Besuchen Sie die Dukha Rentierstämme:
Wenn die Reise von Ulan Bator zum Khovsgol National Park nicht schwer genug war, versuchen Sie, weitere 3 Tage auf ein Pferd zu hüpfen