Most people think of Mongolia as either a summer or winter destination. But after traveling here in spring, I’m quite convinced this is one of the most underrated times of the year to visit the country.
I traveled to Mongolia at the end of April, visiting new regions to me including the north and west of the country. The trip took me about two weeks to complete, and since it was my second time in Mongolia, I already had a sense of what the country has to offer. On my first trip, I explored the Gobi Desert and central Mongolia, including a 3-day horseback journey. But I had a feeling I needed to come back for the north and west…
Why spring is underrated
Fewer tourists
During my two weeks in the north and west, I can barely remember meeting another traveler (except in a hostel in Ulaanbaatar and my travel buddies in the north). This gave us an invaluable opportunity to connect even more with the locals and experience the landscapes in a stage most people never get to see. Everything felt even more authentic and untouched.
The landscapes come to life
Spring is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Living in the Nordic countries, we experience all four seasons very clearly. Ever since I was a child, spring has had such a strong emotional impact on me each year – as the sun starts warming your surroundings, nature slowly comes back to life. You begin hearing birds singing again, smelling fresh grass, and listening to rivers filling with water from the melting snow.
Somehow, I didn’t expect to experience all of these feelings so strongly in Mongolia, and it made me incredibly happy and grateful to witness this side of the country.
Perfect temperatures for road trips
The temperatures are generally cooler and more comfortable than during the intense summer heat. There is seldom AC in the large 4×4 vehicles or Russian vans used for transportation, which can make the dirt roads feel even more exhausting in summer.
During spring, there is also less dust, and river crossings are generally easier. Overall, it felt like a perfect season for long road trips through remote landscapes.
The nomadic life feels even more alive
One of the absolute highlights of traveling in spring is seeing baby animals being born everywhere. You’ll spot them next to the roads, and if you’re lucky, you may even witness births while staying with a nomadic family.
Many nomadic families also move to their spring camps during this time of year, and in some places you can even help them set up their homes and daily life for the new season.
Practical tips
- Prepare for all kinds of weather. Bring warm clothing and dress in layers.
- Offline maps are a must unless you travel with a guide – which I highly recommend if you are not experienced with extremely remote travel.
- Bring cash from the cities and be prepared to try multiple ATMs before finding one that works.
- Schedules can be unpredictable since the roads are rough and conditions change quickly.
- Parts of journeys may even need to be completed on horseback (which honestly is part of the charm of Mongolia).
Reflections
Mongolia is not the easiest country to travel in. You need to genuinely enjoy adventure, remote landscapes, and simple living.
During my first visit in summer, I made life-long friends with both travelers and locals and had an unforgettable time on the road. But I also experienced food poisoning, 10-hour drives on bumpy roads, intense heat, nausea, and days without showering in 30+ degree temperatures.
The second time around, I could appreciate Mongolia even more deeply. Revisiting a place allows you to slow down and absorb more of the beauty and culture around you. It also felt incredibly special to experience Mongolia during this quieter season, with very few other travelers around and so many of the highlights almost entirely to ourselves.
In Mongolia, you either feel the deepest gratitude when the weather suddenly clears up – or find yourself embracing the extra adventure when it starts snowing while camping or raining halfway through a hike. 😉
I’ll also be writing more detailed posts about Mongolia soon – including practical road trip tips, my personal experience traveling through northern and western Mongolia, how to organize transport in remote areas, what surprised me the most, and what I wish I knew before going. Mongolia is one of the most unique countries I’ve ever traveled through, and I honestly feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. I already know what I’ll be coming back for to experience in the future!