Because Summer Is Not Necessarily the Best Season to Discover Mongolia...
A vast territory nestled between its two big neighbors, China and Russia, Mongolia is the most landlocked country
in the world. Its hyper-continental climate brings hot summers (30/35°C) and harsh winters,
with temperatures dropping to -40°C.
In summer, Mongolia offers many attractions: lush landscapes, yurts scattered across the vast steppes where herds of yaks, horses, goats, and sheep graze. There are plenty of activities and discoveries to be made, and the tourist facilities are ready to welcome you. As for the landscapes, they are faithful to the imagination of Mongolia.
However, off-season, the steppes reveals themselves more readily to travelers. Nomadic families are more available, and the weather is much more stable since climate disruptions also affect the "land of the eternal blue sky."
During summer, the heat blankets the dusty steppes and nomads are busy attending to their livestock, evening milking,
and processing milk. While their legendary hospitality remains, it cannot compare to the experiences you could have in spring and autumn. Here are a few reasons why you might want to visit Mongolia in autumn or spring, or even winter.
Hyper-Continental Climate and Seasons
Mongolia's hyper-continental climate results in fairly short, very marked inter-seasons. Spring and autumn last only about two months each and offer travelers a condensed of nature—a sort of "time-lapse" where you can see the evolution of life in the Mongolian steppes.
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Spring (Mid-April to Mid-June)
In this brief season, the steppes turn green, flowers bloom everywhere, painting the landscape in shades of yellow and purple, giving it a pastel-like appearance. Nomads are preoccupied with the flurry of births, and in just a few days, the steppes, deserted for the six months of winter, come back to life. This is a privileged time for travelers to discover the nomadic lifestyle during these joyful and happy months.
Nomadic families leave their winter shelters, slowly descend to the valleys, and set up their spring camps with the livestock that survived the winter's harshness. Spring symbolizes hope with thousands of births happening almost magically. Soon, the milking season, particularly of mares, begins with its accompanying ceremonies and rituals to produce the famous Airag (fermented mare's milk) known for its virtues.
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Autumn (Late August to Late October)
Autumn is a crucial transitional season in the steppes. Nomads prepare for winter but paradoxically have more free time as there is less work with young livestock, and the search for the best pastures is over. The herds have thrived over the summer and are well-fed.
This period is also popular for weddings. In autumn, you can enjoy beautiful, less hot days with less dust and incomparable autumn light. You'll encounter fewer travelers and feel like you have the steppes all to yourself. Autumn is also when nomadic families move to their winter quarters, nestled in narrow valleys protected from the winds, offering a chance to witness or even participate in a transhumance.
Beyond the steppes, you can experience the fall colors in the taiga, or later in the season, see the Gobi dunes sprinkled with snow under a low-setting sun, with Bactrian camels in their thick fur. Summer is indeed interesting, but highlighting these lesser-known months is essential, as they are the most significant in nomadic life and often go unnoticed.
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Winter in Mongolia
Winter in Mongolia comes with its own set of intimidating ideas and facts—like Ulaanbaatar being the coldest capital in the world, with temperatures dropping to -35°C. While this is true, it is not the entire story. The cold is hyper-dry, making it much more bearable than in Europe, for instance. A dry cold with a good jacket, gloves, and other gear is quite manageable, and travelers who have experienced it are often pleasantly surprised.
In recent years, climate change has also affected Mongolia, making winters less harsh, thus more accessible. With an extremely dry cold, a temperature of -20°C feels like only -5°C in Europe.
Winter is a special time to explore Mongolia. The air is incredibly pure, and the lights are simply fabulous, with night skies offering a constant spectacle. Hospitality under the yurt is even warmer in winter than in summer. Nomadic families stay in their winter camps, nestled in valleys protected from the winds, usually facing south to maximize sunlight warmth. During this time, they have less work, as most herds are in the mountains under the protection of bulls and stallions, with only essential animals staying near the camp.
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There are daily tasks, like cutting wood, managing water, and bringing livestock out of night enclosures, but there is plenty of free time, and visitors are welcome.
Winter might be the best time to discover or rediscover Mongolia. You'll be among the few tourists traversing steppes and deserts, with vast expanses all to yourself.