Planning a trip to Mongolia but not sure which tour is right for you? With endless steppes, diverse landscapes, and countless cultural experiences to choose from, selecting the perfect Mongolia tour can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the different types of tours available, what to expect, and how to choose the adventure that matches your travel style and interests.
Why Book a Tour in Mongolia?
Mongolia is one of the most logistically challenging countries to explore independently. With minimal paved roads, vast distances between destinations, extreme weather conditions, and significant language barriers outside the capital, organized tours make sense for most travelers.
Key Reasons to Book a Tour:
- Infrastructure challenges: Most of Mongolia has no paved roads or street signs. GPS often doesn’t work in remote areas.
- Language barrier: Outside Ulaanbaatar, very few people speak English. Having a guide and driver is essential for communication.
- Safety and reliability: Experienced guides know the routes, weather patterns, and how to handle emergencies in remote locations.
- Cultural access: Tours provide authentic experiences with nomadic families that would be difficult to arrange independently.
- Logistics: Tours handle all permits, accommodation bookings, meals, and transportation so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
- Local knowledge: Guides share insights about history, culture, and traditions that you’d miss traveling alone.
Types of Mongolia Tours
Small Group Tours
Small group tours typically include 4-12 travelers and offer the best value for money while still providing a quality experience. You’ll travel with like-minded adventurers, share costs, and benefit from group dynamics while exploring Mongolia together.
Advantages:
- More affordable than private tours
- Social experience meeting other travelers
- Fixed departure dates make planning easier
- Professional guides and well-tested itineraries
- Shared knowledge and photography help from group members
Considerations:
- Less flexibility in itinerary changes
- Need to accommodate group pace and interests
- Fixed departure dates may not match your schedule
- Accommodation often in twin/shared rooms
Best For: Solo travelers, couples on a budget, anyone who enjoys meeting new people, and first-time visitors to Mongolia who want a structured experience.
Typical Cost: $150-300 per day depending on comfort level and season.
Private Tours
Private tours offer maximum flexibility and personalization. You design the itinerary with your tour operator, travel at your own pace, and have the guide’s full attention throughout your journey.
Advantages:
- Complete flexibility to change plans
- Travel at your own pace
- Privacy for families or couples
- Can accommodate special interests or needs
- No compromising on group decisions
- Can choose exact travel dates
Considerations:
- Significantly more expensive (often double the cost of group tours)
- You absorb all costs yourself
- May feel isolated without other travelers
- Still need to book months in advance for peak season
Best For: Families with children, honeymoons, photographers with specific goals, travelers with limited time, those seeking luxury experiences, or anyone wanting complete control over their itinerary.
Typical Cost: $250-500+ per day depending on group size and luxury level.
Adventure Tours
These tours focus on active experiences like horseback trekking, mountain climbing, cycling, or motorcycle adventures. They require good physical fitness and a sense of adventure.
Popular Adventure Activities:
- Multi-day horse treks through valleys and mountains
- Motorcycle tours across the steppes
- Mountain climbing expeditions
- Cycling tours along historic routes
- Hiking and trekking in national parks
- Rock climbing and canyoneering
Best For: Active travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, experienced riders or climbers, and anyone seeking physical challenges combined with cultural immersion.
Typical Cost: $200-400 per day depending on activity and support level.
Cultural Immersion Tours
These tours prioritize authentic cultural experiences over covering maximum distance. You’ll spend extended time with nomadic families, learn traditional skills, and participate in daily life.
Typical Experiences:
- Living with nomadic herding families
- Learning to cook traditional Mongolian dishes
- Participating in daily chores (milking animals, herding livestock)
- Horseback riding with nomad families
- Attending local festivals and celebrations
- Visiting monasteries and meeting monks
- Learning traditional crafts like felt-making or archery
Best For: Cultural travelers, families wanting authentic experiences, photographers capturing daily life, and anyone interested in nomadic traditions rather than checking off tourist sites.
Typical Cost: $150-250 per day.
Wildlife and Nature Tours
Mongolia’s diverse ecosystems support unique wildlife including snow leopards, wild horses, eagles, and more. These specialized tours focus on wildlife viewing and conservation.
Popular Wildlife Experiences:
- Snow leopard tracking expeditions in winter
- Przewalski’s horse (takhi) viewing
- Eagle hunting experiences with Kazakh hunters
- Birdwatching in wetlands and mountains
- Desert wildlife in the Gobi
- Reindeer herding with Tsaatan tribe
Best For: Wildlife photographers, nature enthusiasts, conservationists, and travelers seeking rare animal encounters in wild settings.
Typical Cost: $250-450 per day (specialized wildlife tours are premium priced).
