Why Go To Mongolia?
Mongolia is not a popular destination among backpackers compared to places like Thailand or Indonesia, primarily due to the expensive airfare and the fact that most backpackers prefer not to go out of their way.
However, it is certainly not because of a shortage of beautiful places for them to explore. The advantage of this is that it preserves the country and its natural surroundings for the rest of us adventurers who enjoy deviating from the mainstream.
What Mongolia is well known for is its variety of landscapes, from steppes, valleys, and mountains, to deserts. In the Gobi desert, we were able to see a wide range of different landscapes, like the rainy valleys of Yol, the green rolling hills of Khogno Tarna, and the desolate rock formation of the Flaming Cliffs, all in one trip.
It was one of the most diverse deserts I have ever witnessed. Not to mention the century-old nomadic lifestyle they have perfected over the years, the mysterious culture of shamanism and Tibetan Buddhism, and you will get to experience all of that in the Gobi desert. Mongolia is truly one of a kind.
When to go to Mongolia?
The best time to visit is in the summer, from June to August. If possible, try to align your visit with their annual Nadaam celebration. The Nadaam celebration is when the whole country erupts with sports competitions, from archery to wrestling, and it occurs on the 11th of July every year. Mongolia is most active during this time.
One word of warning: stay as far away from Mongolia as possible during winter because the temperature can drop below -40°C!
How to Get to Mongolia?
The best way to get here is to fly into Ulaanbaatar. There are only a few flights flying into Mongolia, most of which will either go through Hong Kong, China, or Kazakhstan. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Ulaanbator that best fits your itinerary.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Mongolia?
If you go with Sunpath Guesthouse's tours, your backpack will be much lighter because water, sleeping bags, and food are all provided. What you have to pack yourself is:
- Clothing for the whole trip: Pack some layers (1 fleece jacket and an outer shell jacket) as well since the desert can get really cold sometimes. Here are the jackets I recommend you get for the trip: fleece jacket and the beautiful orange Columbia outer-shell jacket.
- Snacks for the ride: Keep in mind that every day, you will be riding the jeep for at least 5 hours, so prepare your food intake accordingly.
- Toilet paper: This is very important because, in the Gobi desert, a proper toilet is a luxury, and you will most likely be shitting in holes for the rest of the trip. So, prepare your own toilet paper!
- Sunscreen: because you are in a goddamn desert!
- Headlamps: Because you do NOT want to tip a cow when you want to go to the outdoor toilet at night! I recommend you get the Cree LED headlamp.
- Power Bank: I have a 20,000 mAh power bank to keep all my electronics charged up and ready to go every morning. Even though they usually stop at a proper restaurant with power outlets every 2 days, you can bet there will be a lot of people trying to charge their stuff as well, so it's better to have a backup. I recommend you get the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank, which should be enough for all your electronics for the entire duration of the trip.
- Camera: To capture the best landscape you will ever see! Looking for a great lightweight camera and lens for this trip? I recommend the Sony a6600 and pair it with either the 16-70mm f4 Zeiss lens or the best lens you can get for this camera, the 16 - 55mm f2.8.
- Wet wipes: because they are the next best thing to actually showering.
- Books and Music: Or any pastime activities you would like to do because you will be in the jeep most of your days.
- A Backpack: And you will need a backpack to carry everything with you for the entire duration of the trip. I highly recommend the 65L Osprey Atmos AG Backpack with its mesh grid back support that makes your backpack lighter, a good capacity to carry everything you need for your trip, and you can't beat the Osprey lifetime guarantee.