What is the ideal duration for a trip to Mongolie?

Once you've set a date for your departure to Mongolie, the question of how long to stay will arise. There's no definitive answer about the ideal time to spend discovering Mongolie. While vacation length is often beyond your control (budget, fixed time off), we nonetheless recommend a minimum stay of 2 weeks, keeping in mind that you'll need to factor in 2 days of travel time for the round trip.

For the fortunate few, opting for a 3-week circuit in Mongolie will allow you to immerse yourself more deeply in Mongolian culture and discover a maximum of its natural and cultural treasures.

People traveling as a family with young children typically choose stays of 10 to 14 days. Life in the wilderness can quickly become tiring for the youngest travelers.

Also note that winter stays are often shorter, averaging 7 to 12 days, due to the harshness of the climate.

Which regions to visit during your trip to Mongolie?

This question is intimately linked to the previous one and will depend on the time you have available for your circuit in Mongolie. Nevertheless, keep in mind that a trip to Mongolie should be lived at 100%, regardless of which region you discover. Don't aim to see and do everything in minimal time. Take the time to discover the very essence of the country: its nomadic people and share moments of exchange. No matter which region you choose, you'll be immersed in wild nature made up of steppes, mountains, canyons, rivers, forests, and deserts.

Here's a quick overview of the 5 most popular regions in Mongolie:

1. 1. The center of the country: the quintessential nomadism region, the center offers a blend of picturesque landscapes often listed as must-sees in the country, such as Khustain Nuruu National Park, Khögnö Khan National Park, Karakorum, and the Orkhon Valley. A small venture off the beaten path is also possible through Arkhangai province.
   2. The Gobi Desert: representing 30% of the territory, the Gobi covers all of southern Mongolie. Vast and difficult to access in places, it offers an endless playground. Easily combinable with the center of the country, and accessible by plane from Ulaanbaatar, Gurvan Saikhan National Park has the great advantage of offering beautiful landscape diversity with the canyon region and the Khongor sand dunes. To top it all off, the red earth cliffs of Bayanzag are also nearby.
   3. The north of the country: the little Switzerland of Mongolie has far more to offer than a superb lake and mountain region. You can spend a short stay on the shores of Khövsgöl Lake or venture deep into the most remote parts of northern Mongolie off the beaten path. The landscapes are breathtaking and the region remains largely unexplored, but expect to ride horses and/or travel on some of the country's worst trails to reach the far north and the Tsaatan camps.

1. The West of the country, or trekker's paradise: western Mongolie is remote but reveals itself with magnificent mountain ranges. The Altai and its high mountain landscapes are harder to access and logically less touristy. Ölgii, for example, is 1,600 km from Ulaanbaatar, so the domestic flight to get there isn't cheap. And yet the region is sublime and varied, sometimes desert-like and sometimes glacial, but the journey is worth it.
2. The East of the country: the provinces east of Ulaanbaatar are only rarely visited by travelers, except for Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, which, due to its proximity to the capital, attracts the well-deserved interest of many visitors. The region is nonetheless full of natural wonders, but it's true that they are relatively far apart from each other, and a circuit in the far east of the country (plan for 2 weeks) will force you to take long stages across the steppe, which can be monotonous in its regions. Still worth noting is Khentii province for a circuit following the footsteps of Genghis Khan and the Dadal region, magnificent for its vast Siberian forests.

If you have relatively little time in Mongolie, 7 to 10 days, we recommend focusing on a single region; the easiest choice being the center of the country. The Mongolie Express circuit is a good example of a varied week-long itinerary that can be done in good conditions.

In 2 weeks, you can easily combine 2 of the regions mentioned, ideally avoiding returning to Ulaanbaatar. Logic would likely lead you to choose between the north and center of the country (see our Wonders of Mongolie circuit), or the center and south (Between Steppe and Desert). You can even consider a short trekking itinerary (3 to 4 days), or if you're a keen trekker or rider, you can enjoy a beautiful 9-day trekking itinerary in a region.

Finally, in 3 weeks, you can enjoy discovering a bit of 3 regions. A Grand Loop North - Center - Gobi or – off the beaten path – a grand crossing from East to West – are ideal for getting a complete overview of Mongolie. But you can also, in good conditions, visit 2 regions of the country while spending time on a great trek, on foot (Trek and Gobi) or horseback (the Grand Ride). Of course, other combinations are possible, especially with the western part of the country.

What activities should you prioritize for your Mongolian adventure?

A trip to Mongolie offers you numerous activities, but how do you manage the time allotted to them without fear of wasting it at the expense of certain visits? For trekkers or riders, circuits are specially designed to satisfy your wishes. At Horseback Mongolia, we offer several horseback circuits or circuits including great treks while combining must-see visits and guaranteeing time with local families. For other travelers, Horseback Mongolia offers dynamic circuits, designed to blend all the best possible activities in Mongolie. The Between Steppe and Desert circuit is a perfect example: it allows you to visit the center of the country and the Gobi, but also to spend 8 nights with local families, take two horseback rides (treks designed to be accessible to beginners), one camel ride, and several hiking treks throughout your stay.

Quick summary of possible activities in Mongolie:

• Discover the nomadic lifestyle of local inhabitants;
• Trek on foot, horseback, camel, or in a cart pulled by yaks;
• Enjoy fishing in Mongolie's rivers and lakes;
• Explore wild trails by mountain bike;
• Take a canoe trip on rivers that cross the steppes;
• For more activities, visit our Activities in Mongolie page.