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Best time to visit Mongolia: month by month
Short answer
June to early September is the best time, with highs of about 21–23°C in Ulaanbaatar (often warmer in the Gobi), green steppe and open ger camps. Summer is also the rainiest season (10–15 rainy days a month), and from November to March temperatures drop to highs of -5 to -13°C and lows of -14 to -24°C.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -13°C | -24°C | 0 | low |
| Feb | -7°C | -20°C | 1 | low |
| Mar | 3°C | -10°C | 2 | low |
| Apr | 8°C | -4°C | 6 | low |
| May | 15°C | 2°C | 10 | low |
| Jun | 22°C | 10°C | 11 | medium |
| Jul | 23°C | 12°C | 15 | very high |
| Aug | 21°C | 10°C | 10 | high |
| Sep | 17°C | 5°C | 8 | medium |
| Oct | 7°C | -3°C | 4 | low |
| Nov | -5°C | -14°C | 3 | low |
| Dec | -12°C | -21°C | 2 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Cold and windy, with highs rising from 3°C in March to 15°C in May and lows below freezing until May. Dust storms are common; most camps open from late May.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 21–23°C and lows of 10–12°C, with 10–15 rainy days a month, mostly short showers. Naadam on 11–13 July is the peak.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is clear and golden at about 17°C with cold nights (5°C); October drops to 7°C and November below freezing.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Extremely cold: highs of -7 to -13°C and lows of -20 to -24°C, colder in the countryside. Ulaanbaatar is the world's coldest capital; most ger camps close.
Events worth planning around
- Naadam festival: wrestling, horse racing and archery (11–13 July)
- Tsagaan Sar, the Lunar New Year (January or February)
- Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii (early October)
- Thousand Camel Festival in the Gobi (early March)
When to avoid
Avoid November to March unless you are prepared for extreme cold, as most camps close and air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is severe. Naadam week is the most expensive and crowded time.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Mongolia?
June to early September, with highs of about 21–23°C and open ger camps.
When is Naadam?
Every year on 11–13 July, with the main events in Ulaanbaatar and smaller ones across the country.
How cold is Mongolia in winter?
Ulaanbaatar averages highs of -7 to -13°C and lows of -20 to -24°C, with colder nights.