Yoga Retreat in Mongolia - all you need to know before travelling

When is the best time to travel?

Late May to early October is the sweet spot for Mongolia. Summer (June to August) gives you warm days, green steppe and the buzz of Naadam, while late May and September offer calmer roads, fewer crowds and ideal weather for yoga, hiking and quiet reflection.

Monthly weather guide

Months	Weather & Crowds	Festival Notes*	Why It Suits Yoga	Watch-Outs
Jan–Feb	Deep winter, very cold, clear blue skies. Daytime highs around –16°C in Ulaanbaatar, nights often below –25°C. Very quiet for visitors.	Winter festivals in some regions; ice and camel events usually fall late Feb–early Mar.	Powerful time for deep introspection, snow-dusted landscapes and cosy evenings by the ger stove.	Extreme cold, shorter days, some rural roads and services limited. Only for well-prepared, winter-loving travellers.
Mar–Apr	Transition from winter to spring. Still cold (often sub-zero at night) and can be windy and dusty, but daylight is growing and crowds are minimal.	Ice festivals around Khövsgöl and camel festivals in the Gobi often fall in early March.	Quiet roads and a raw, elemental feel – good if you prefer solitude and don’t mind wrapping up warm for practice.	Weather is unpredictable; landscapes can look brown and frozen rather than lush. Not ideal if you want comfort first.
May–Jun	Late spring into early summer. By May, days are mild; by June, central Mongolia averages low 20s°C with cool nights and little rain. Steppe starts to turn green.	Start of the main travel season; smaller local events, but not peak festival period yet.	Fantastic shoulder window: comfortable temperatures for hiking, outdoor meditation and gentle vinyasa without big-season crowds.	Early May can still feel brisk, especially at night. Some higher or more remote areas may only just be opening for the season.
Jul–Aug	Warmest months. Ulaanbaatar sees average highs around 23–25°C, with longer days and green pastures; this is peak season for travel.	Naadam Festival (usually 11–13 July) fills the country with horse racing, wrestling and archery.	Ideal if you love energy and colour: big skies, vibrant nomadic camps and plenty of scope for sunrise and sunset practice outdoors.	Busiest time of year. Higher prices, limited availability around Naadam, and the occasional summer storm – plan and book well ahead.
Sep–Oct	Clear, cool and often very stable. September still feels mild; by October, nights are cold but the steppe glows gold and russet. Fewer visitors than mid-summer.	Golden Eagle Festivals in the Altai region typically run late Sep to early Oct, with hunters gathering near Ölgii and Sagsai.	A dream for photographers and contemplative practice – crisp air, soft light and spacious views that suit pranayama and slow flow.	Nights drop below freezing by October; some seasonal camps close or reduce services. Pack winter-ready layers.
Nov–Dec	Start of the long winter. Temperatures dive back towards –10 to –25°C in many regions; days are short and the tourist season is largely over.	Mostly a time for local life rather than big visitor-focused festivals.	Intense stillness and strong “digital detox” energy – powerful if you’re drawn to retreating from the world.	Harsh cold, limited transport options, and less flexibility if weather disrupts plans. Only recommended with specialist winter support.

How the seasons feel On the steppe

Spring (April to June)

Spring in Mongolia feels like the land slowly waking up from a long sleep. In April, you’ll still feel winter in the air, but by late May and June the grasslands are soft and green, rivers are flowing and nomadic families are on the move again.

Summer (July to August)

This is Mongolia at its most expansive: big blue skies, warm days, cool evenings and long light for wandering and practice. Ulaanbaatar averages mid-20s°C in July, with refreshing nights that keep sleep comfortable.

Autumn (September to October)

The light softens, the grass turns gold and the air feels clean and sharp. Daytime in September can still be pleasantly mild, while nights start to dip towards freezing by October.

Winter (November to February)

Winter in Mongolia is long, bright and brutally cold – often between –10°C and –30°C, with clear skies and very little moisture in the air.

Permits, entry routes & handy hints

• Visas: Australians do not need a visa for travel to Mongolia that is under 30 days. Other nationalities may need to apply for an e-visa prior to arrival.

• Main entry points: Most retreat guests arrive by air into Ulaanbaatar, with regular connections from Seoul, Hong Kong, and Beijing. For most flights from Australia be prepared to overnight in one of these locations and grab your short (a few hours) connecting flight to Mongolia the next day. Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Korean Air, and Mongolian Airlines MIAT are popular carriers.

• Overland options: If you like slow travel, the Trans-Mongolian Railway connects Russia and China via Ulaanbaatar – a classic route that can be woven into a longer journey if you want to extend your retreat and travel on your own at the end.

Planning Tips

• Yoga gear: Bring a disposable yoga mat with you (we practice a lot outside and your fav mat may get ruined) and comfy layer-able clothing to wear, that moves with your body. Socks, beanie, scarf and shawl are good for meditations in the evening.

  
  

• Play with light: Sunrise and sunset are magical on the steppe. We will try and catch as many of these magical moments as we can on our retreat. When travelling through Mongolia some of days are long drive days and we will need to wake up early to practice.

• Factor travel days into your practice: Distances can be long, and road time is part of the experience, we see so much. On these days we will do our best to fit in energising and relaxing practices where we can.

• Respect nomadic rhythms: Life in Mongolia revolves around herding, animals and weather. Practice the Nyingma teaching of "The 4 Pots" and be the OPEN POT ready to invite in the natural flow of Mongolian life into your yoga practice.

• Mobile connections: When travelling Mongolia we can use esims and or actual sim replacements for wifi. I will help you choose the best esim for your adventure. It is important to know that we may not have wifi everywhere we go...Mongolia has remote regions but you will never spend long without data connection. Telstra global roaming is not available in Mongolia.

  
  

• Electricity Supply: When we head out into the Mongolian wilderness our source of electricity for charging devices will be generators. If you are keen you could bring a solar charger with you - you can get a good one for less than $100, however they are sun reliant to work!!!

• Im a vegetarian/vegan - can I eat in Mongolia?????!!!!: YES YOU CAN. Although Mongolia has a meat based diet (due to its flora and fauna supply) vegetarians are catered for. We may not have the greatest selection of foods but we will receive a rounded diet and ample supply of food. If you are concerned I recommend you bring some vegan protein bars and nuts with you for snacks along with a B12 supplement. Please make sure you tell me of any dietary needs before we travel.

  
  

Can beginners join a in Namastayz yoga adventure in Mongolia?

Yes most definitely! Namastayz yoga adventures are designed for all levels of practitioner from beginner to advanced. What matters more is being comfortable practicing outside and in remote landscapes, spending time offline and embracing simple, nomadic-style living.

Ready to book?

If you would like dates, daily schedules and inclusions, see our Mongolia retreat page here: https://www.namastayz.com.au/event-details/mongolia-yoga-meditation-retreat-adventure

For a broader travel overview, explore our Mongolia destination guide: https://www.namastayz.com.au/destinations/mongolia