Mongolia in 21 days: How to make the most out of this Visa-free country

Get physical in Mongolia by exploring some great vastlands.

Physical Asia’s Team Mongolia may have captivated audiences and showed the ingenuity and creativity of Mongolians. Now, it’s time to take a look at the environment and the place that cultivated their kind of thinking and teamwork.

If you’ve included Mongolia in your travel itinerary and have sufficient time for leisurely travel, there are a few important considerations to make before you depart.

The best time to go

There’s always something to see in Mongolia, whatever the season. Curious and for-the-culture travelers may want to visit during the spring, as it’s the best time to visit the most scenic places. Since it’s an off-peak season for travel, you might even get better rates. But fair warning: the weather fluctuates during this time.

If you’re up for a bit of a wintry challenge, Mongolia’s winters can be quite frosty—but you’ll be treated to several ice festivals, a hearty food culture, and dog sledding.

Still, locals and tourists favor the months from May to mid-September, which fall within the summer to autumn. These peak seasons showcase pleasant weather punctuated by summer festivals or the colorful landscapes with surprise bouts of snow leading to the winter months.

Money matters

In Mongolia, the local currency is Mongolian Tugrik or MNT. Most tours and travelers advise bringing cash when you are in Mongolia, particularly when going to the more remote areas. There is also the issue of failed online transactions, so having hard cash can still benefit you in this way.

Unfortunately, very few, if any, banks and money changers carry MNT here in the country. Bringing cash that you can exchange at the airport is the best option. If you have other currencies available in your arsenal, such as USD, AUD, or JPY, these might be better exchanged to ensure your cash flow, whether in the airport or within the city proper.

Driving is the best way to go around

Because of the wide expanses of open lands between major areas, driving is truly the best way to go around Mongolia beyond the city. Within the city of Ulaanbaatar, ridesharing apps like Bolt and UBCab are the easiest ways to go about. However, as you begin to explore the more expansive terrain leading to parks and other remote areas, public transportation options become very limited. Note that you will need an international driving license to drive yourself around.

If you’re in Ulaanbaatar and want to take the bus, note two things. One, cash is not accepted on the bus, so you need to obtain the U Money Smart Card, which is their version of our BEEP card. These are available at kiosks and convenience stores in the city. Two, the information on the bus might be difficult to access for those who do not speak the language, as English translations may be absent, so Google Maps will be your friend the whole time.

Tours are your friend

While some countries can be DIYed as far as their itinerary goes, a common mistake with Mongolia is to assume that it can be explored in one go. In size alone, it’s almost four times bigger than Japan—and imagine the many trips you would need just to see a majority of Japan’s tourist spots.

If you have the resources and capability, divide Mongolia into different areas and go through each one per trip. Each area offers a different perspective of the country. For instance, in the North and Central areas of Mongolia, you can find renowned sites like the Statue of Gengis Khan and Erdene Zuu Monastery while also seeing a lot of nature for when you feel like you need to touch some grass, literally and figuratively. 

If you’re looking to see specific parts of Mongolia, it’s best to book local tours. Some tours offer adventure, whereas others are more inclined to take you to cultural hotspots. This lets you tailor the trip to what you like and what you can do.

Whether you are there to make the most out of the 21 days of visa-free perks for Pinoys or if you are just dipping your toe on a first trip to Mongolia, keep these tips in mind and just enjoy the experience.

 

 

Mongolia may not be Pinoys’ go-to country, but it has a lot to offer for those who want a mix of nature and culture rolled into one adventure.

 

 

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