Mongolia has launched eVisa for Travellers

Here is some good news for travellers who have been planning to visit or travel to Mongolia!

Mongolia has officially launched an Electronic Visa System for foreign nationalities. From the 1^st of October 2021, the system is issuing visas for the citizens of 36 countries including the UK, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Denmark, and France. The travellers of the countries on the e-Visa list can apply for their tourist visas online at evisa.mn.

The types of Mongolian tourist e-Visas issued online, and ministerial fees are as follows:

• Tourism (valid for 150 days for a 30-day single-entry stay): US$51.50
• Sports or cultural events (valid for 150 days for a stay of 30 days single entry): US$51.50
• Transit / Short stay (valid for 150 days for a stay of 10 days single entry): US$25.75

The announced delivery time of the e-Visa is 72 hours after submission and payment of a complete application online.

Moreover, the validity of Mongolian visas has now been extended to 150 days and brought them in line with international standards. The fees for passport visas have been reduced since October 1, 2021, the single-entry visa issued by the embassy now costs €38.23, instead of the €60.00 previously charged.

Besides, this change of e-visa launch does not affect the previous 24 visa-free countries for Mongolia including Germany, Canada, Hong Kong(CSRA), Japan, Singapore, and the USA – as those visa-free rules still apply.

Indeed, we, the Way To Nomads team is now available for Mongolia 2022 tours with a more safe and flexible booking policy due to the pandemic. Also, we are pleased to help travellers to get their eVisas or Passport visas.

Updated on November 2, 2021, by Way To Nomads.

The Tsenkher Hot Springs are a very welcome relief when you arrive. Tsenkher is a natural hot spring that flows from the ground, through the seasons, at a temperature of 85 Celsius. The spring is located in central Mongolia in a mountainous region, at an altitude of 1,860 meters above sea level. The spring is beneficial for health and there is a natural spa on-site which is ideal for the travel-tired. There are also plenty of walking opportunities in the surrounding forest. The water has high mineral content and containing everything from simple calcium, sodium to sulphuric. Folklore claimed medical value some of these springs have, they are often popular tourist destinations for Mongolian people. The spring produces water that is good for health reasons and water is effective for joints, nerve systems and is considered good for many other diseases. Sometimes, people drink water for diabetes and stomach ulcer and disabilities. The surrounding area is home to species of medicinal herbs.

The first thing to do in Tsenkher Hot Springs is to appreciate the scenery. Spend the morning hiking around the nearby hills (mountains) and go and visit the sources of the hot springs. Even if it is a cloudy day, it is a lovely and slightly challenging walk. There is also the chance to bale before the final peak and head back down if needed!

One of the most amazing things to do in Tsenkher Hot Springs is getting the chance to ride the local horses. These Mongolian horses are described as semi-wild, but they are easy to ride and very responsive. It was also a fantastic way to get out and about and spend more time in the mountains. On the way back the horses sensed they were heading home and picked up the pace. The best thing to do is let them be and enjoy the canter back.

Khuisiin Naiman Nuur literally means 8 lakes of Khuis, is the best destination for horse riding, and walking trails. The Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes) were formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago. The park is located at 2400 metres above sea level, between towering mountains of Khangai mountain range, the Eights Lakes are only reachable by horse or foot trekking. There are literally eight lakes in the distance of 500 m to 3 km from each other. Locals say all of them are connected underground.

The national park is located in a high mountains area comprising alpine meadows and forests of conifers (Siberian pines and Siberian larches). In the North of the protected area, we can see entire valleys strewn with volcanic stones. The peaks of the mountains are arid.

The place is very cool and there can be snowstorms in June or August. In the heart of Summer, temperatures rarely go until 20°C during the day. 400 to 500 millimetres (16 – 32 inches) of rain fall each year.
Inside the national park, we can see 50 species of birds, such as the black-throated loon, great cormorant, bar-headed goose, or whooper swan.

Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park is located in Tariat soum of Arkhangai province. Khorgo is an extinct volcano that lies on the east shore of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. The volcano erupted 8000 years ago and changed its surroundings once and for all. Today the area is covered by basalt rocks, siberian pine and larch forest. The Khorgo Crater can be found at the northern side of the Khorgo volcano. With 200m radius and 80m depth, the Khorgo Crater provides a rare view of an extinct volcano. The area is perfect for hiking.

As for Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, it was created when the Khorgo volcano erupted and the lake covers 61 square km. This freshwater lake has over 20 species of fish including pike, lenok, perch, common carp and sturgeon. There is a small island in the middle of the lake and migrating birds nest over there specially brant geese. The lake is great for fishing and bird watching.

Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park was established in 1965 to protect only the Khorgo volcano, but in 1995, the Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake was included in the protected area. In this remote location, you will have a chance to unwind and enjoy the attractive wildlife.

The Darkhad valley is a large valley in northwestern Khovsgol province, Mongolia. It is situated between the Ulaan Taiga and Khoridol Saridag ranges at an altitude of about 1600 m, about 160 km long and 40 km wide. The Khoridol Saridag mountains are a 90 km-long mountain range between Khovsgol Lake and the Darkhad valley. The highest peak is Delgerkhaan Uul (3093m). The view from the valley mountains are unique.

The Darkhad valley is divided between the Ulaan-Uul, Renchinlkhumbe, and Tsagaannuur sums. Inhabitants are mainly Darkhad (whom the valley”s name derives from), and also some Tsaatan. The area is 4270 km². It was transferred from the People”s the Republic of Tagna Tuva to the Mongolian People”s Republic in 1925 as a Soviet concession to the Mongolians, who had wanted to incorporate the territory of Tagna Uriankhai into their country.
The valley is rich in lakes and rivers, the biggest of which is Dood Tsagaan Lake “lower white lake” and Shishged River, respectively. The area is famous for its natural beauty, but relatively remote and inaccessible even by Mongolian standards.

Taiga is a mountain range located in Bayanzurkh soum and Ulaan-Uul soum of Khuvsgul province. Once covered in a continental ice sheet over two million years ago, Ulaan Taiga now is a beautiful land formation under a lush forest blanket with an exciting eco-system. The scenery of this untouched area is truly a sight to behold. Trees such as larch and Siberian pine dominate the forest, which is home to rare animals including argali sheep, Siberian ibex, brown bear, leopard, moose, reindeer, elk, mink, Altai snowcock, osprey and white-tailed eagle. Ulaan Taiga has a huge source of freshwater in form of rivers and small lakes. And because of that, the area has become a state-protected nature reserve.

The most scenic destination of Northern Mongolia, Khuvsgul Lake (Khovsgol Nuur, also spelled ‘Hovsgol’) is the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia by volume and second-largest by area holding 2% of the world’s freshwater. Located near the Russian border, at the foot of the eastern Sayan Mountains, it is nicknamed “Younger sister of the Sister Lakes (Lake Khuvsgul and Lake Baikal)”. The area of Khuvsgul Lake, raised well above sea level, is 2760ms. Its length is 136 km and width 36.5 km, and up to 260 m deep.
Khuvsgul is a land of thick forests, rushing rivers, sparkling lakes and rugged mountains. This stunning area was set aside as Lake Khuvsgul National Park (2500 hectares). In recent years, this spectacular landscape of water and mountains that is sacred to so many has become the destination of more and more travellers, from all around Mongolia and beyond. Heading through the endless pine trees and into the open valleys dotted with the white gers and grazing herds, you’ll be wondering if you haven’t set foot back in 19th century Montana.

The highlight of the area is the ethnic reindeers’ herders called Tsaatan. These ethnic groups of Turkic origin related to the Tuvans are the most exotic and mystical people with small numbers, inhabit in the amazing beautiful taigas. Tsaatan people worship “the Eternal Blue Sky and Mother Earth” and retained an ancient, unusual culture based on shamanistic rituals and forest-based reindeer-herding. Shamanism, rather than Buddhism, is the religion of choice in these parts.

By Mongolian standards, Khuvsgul Lake is touristy, but this ensures good facilities, and once you get a day’s travel from the main town you’ll likely have the place all to yourself.
If you love fishing (a fishing permit is required), then you’ll get excited about Khuvsgul. The lake is full of fish, such as lenok, salmon and sturgeon, and the area is home to argali sheep, ibex, bear, sable, moose and a few near-sighted wolverines. It also has more than 200 species of bird, including the Baikal teal, bar-headed goose, black stork and Altai snowcock.
This is a place in Mongolia where one can get a sense of total unspoiled wilderness. The area is a paradise for outdoor travellers and there is plenty of room for activities like hiking, birding, fishing, horseback travel and kayaking.

Nomadism, the way of life of Mongolians for centuries, and we are known as the world’s last surviving nomadic culture throughout the world.

Mongolia has 3 million people and around 40% of Mongols are real traditional nomads who live in remoted yet beautiful landscapes, moving from pasture to pasture at least 4 times a year, in great partnership with their livestock and with nature.

Most of the travellers who explored Mongolia tells that “travelling through Mongolia is an eye-opening experience”. Yes, it’s true for many of us. Regarding geography, Mongolia has a diverse vast open landscape of 4 distinctive natural zones including the Gobi desert, the great plain steppes, snow-capped sumptuous mountain areas, and a mysterious yet beautiful dense forest zone.

Each of the nomadic families owns 5 species of animals including cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and camels [2 humped Bactrian’s camel] as their livestock, and has approximately 400 – 1000 livestock. Their everyday life is relevant for their livestock animals, rounding their animals to fertile pasture land, breeding baby animals, producing dairy products, producing raw products of cashmere, wool, and more…

Mongolian nomadic families live in a “ger”, a traditional portable dwelling suitable for their vagrancy lifestyle in many ways including its simplicity for dismantling, ease to build, environment friendliness, stability and safety and more…

Nomadic lifestyle varies in Mongolia depending on which part of Mongolia they live in. We would like to offer you to witness the life of Eagle trainers for hunting who residue in the western part of Mongolia, and Tsaatan tribe of reindeer herders who live in the northern part of Mongolia, and camel breeders who residue in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. Each of these families or ethnicities would show you different stories and different vibes.

You may have heard about sheepherders or cattle herders. But there is another fascinating culture of animal herding… A reindeer herding culture….

Reindeer herders or the Tsaatan, also known as Dukha people, is a small minority tribe residing in the Taiga region in northernmost Mongolia. They, the Tsaatan people live in the far northern region of Mongolia which is closer to the border with Russia, and they have strong Shamanist beliefs. There are approximately 450 reindeer herders [known as Dukha people or Tsaatan people] who live in Mongolia.

Reindeer herding has been part of the Tsaatan way of life for thousands of years and continues to be a principal custom within their community. The word “Tsaatan” is a Mongolian word that means ‘’people who have reindeer’’ so you can see how intertwined the practice of reindeer herding and the Tsaatan people are.
The Tsaatan migrate with the seasons, moving between the same Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring camps every year. Their reindeer provide milk and a source of transport and a special relationship seems to exist between them. Indeed, they are practically members of the family and as such are rarely used for meat. Unlike traditional Mongolian nomads, the Tsaatan live in orts, or teepees, not gers. These are much easier to transport, the wooden poles and beds being left behind at each camp and just the canvas and basic furnishings being packed onto their reindeer.

The Tsaatan continue to live a very traditional life, with hints of modernity creeping in. Much of their food is sourced from the land – wild rhubarb, berries, fish. Fresh bread is baked every morning in a pot on the central stove, reindeer milk tea is boiled daily. Tsaatan children go to school every September, in (relatively) nearby Tsagaannuur village from the age of 6, and return home for the long summer break in late May. Tsaatan marries out with their community, and the number of families has increased greatly over the last decade, from 16 families in 2006 to nearly 60 today throughout East and West Taiga.

Visiting the Tsaatan Reindeer Herders:

A journey into the Taiga is an incredible experience in itself, but staying with a Tsaatan family, deep in the heart of it, is truly special. Living in remote camps, reachable only on horseback for the majority of the year, a trip to stay with northern Mongolia’s reindeer herders takes planning and preparation.

The nearest airport to get there is in the town of Murun. To get to Tsagaan Nuur village [which is a village where the Tsaatan community belongs], you will have a 12-hour journey with few places to stop along the way, so stock up on food and, if you’re doing the driving yourself, extra fuel. And before you set out, be sure to get the required permit to visit the Tsagaan Nuur. Once you reach your destination, be less of a tourist and more of a traveller. You’re going to be interacting directly within their community for the duration of your stay, and there is no five-star hotel. Keep all of that in mind, at the end of the day, as long as you’re well mannered and mindful of the local traditions and culture, you’ll have an incredible time visiting the Tsaatan reindeer herders.
If you want to visit the Tsaatan reindeer herders with the added benefit of logistics taken care of and a local guide, check out the amazing once-in-a-lifetime tours with Way To Nomads.

Choosing the right time in terms of weather and climate would be the key step to enjoying your travel to the fullest.

Mongolia, the world’s second-largest landlocked country, has a continental climate with 4 seasons from extreme cold whitish winter to warm sunny summer. Yet Mongolia is a vast country and the weather can be quite different in the south and the north of Mongolia. Even though the summer months are the most favoured time to visit. The best time to visit Mongolia is from June through September with warm sunny days and has plenty of cultural events and adventurous festivals. Here are some tips to help you find the most suitable season for you to visit Mongolia.

Summer in Mongolia:

The peak travel season in Mongolia is in the summer months of June, July, and August, and for a good reason. Travel across Mongolia with relative ease to enjoy a wide-spanning array of activities. Unleash your inner nomad at the pasture of the Mongolian nomads in June, and then head to the Naadam Festival, the national celebration all over the country. Which is a huge reason for travelling to Mongolia. There are countless sites to visit and explore in the summer for nature lovers, with many activities to partake in and enjoy. For adventure seekers, there are plenty of things to do including horse riding, camelback riding, fishing, hiking, biking, photographing, bird watching, and wildlife observing.

Temperature: 

• The temperature ranges from 20°C to 25°C, Gobi temperatures this month can rise up to 35°C
• Dry throughout the central and southern regions
• The mountains and northern areas can be cold in August

Highlights in summer:

• Mongolian Naadam Festival
• Deeltei Mongol Naadam – A Mongolian Dress Festival
• Local Naadam Festivals in the countryside
• Yak festival
• Reindeer festival

Things to do in summer:

• Horseback riding
• Stargazing
• Stay in a ger /nomadic dwelling/ with a nomadic family
• Camel /two-humped Bactrian camel/ trekking
• Reindeer riding
• Rafting
• Birdwatching
• Wildlife observing
• Takhi, the wild horse observing
• Tame a horse
• Attend a nomadic wedding ceremony
• Wildlife photographing

Autumn:

Nature is at its best in autumn featuring colourful landscapes and temperate weather and the beginning of Autumn is still a high season. The cool weather brings respite to the Gobi and the varying colours in the forests in the north are beautiful. October is again cool and sees the occasional or rare snow bustle up north but is still fine for travel, especially in the Gobi desert. From September to early November are good months to explore the nomadic life and nomad homestays. The cooler weather will make your nomad homestay pleasant with a bit of fire if required. You can do much exploration, learn from them, and volunteer during their busy time for the winter preparation

Temperature:

• The temperature ranges from +10°C to +15°C in a daytime in September
• Sunny days throughout the country with pleasant weather and stunning colours especially in the north and west.
• The temperature in October is -4°C to +12°C daytime and -8°C to +5°C at night. The seasonal accommodation ger camps close October 5 through 1 May allowing you to experience authentic Mongolia and interact with the locals.

 Highlights in autumn:

• Golden Eagle Festival
• Harvest Festival
• Nomadic migrations to the autumn or winter pasture lands.
• Sealing Foals Celebration, a nomadic traditional custom

Things to do in autumn:

• Horseback riding
• Hiking
• Stargazing
• Get acquainted with falconry tradition, and birding tradition
• Attend a Foal sealing celebration
• Attend a nomadic wedding ceremony
• Help nomadic families to migrate to their seasonal pasture land
• Attend Golden Eagle Festival
• Wildlife photographing
• Wildlife observing

Winter:

January is the coldest, and December is the second cold month in Mongolia. But no worries. There is more chance the land will be covered with snow and beautiful. The snow-covered land makes more warm feeling than the snowless area. And it is true because of the sunlight reflection on the snow. Mongolia is beautiful in winter with its glittering landscapes, fresh air, frozen rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. We suggest you not to travel to too remote areas in winter in order to prevent lack of emergency in case snow piles in snowstorm close the road or phone reception range etc. December and January are completely offseason. Nothing is touristic. In winter, we do not promise you comfortable king-size beds, WC, and shower at most accommodations in the countryside. Though, you certainly have in-depth cultural experiences of nomadic life while staying with nomad families and discover yourself among unique lifestyle, harsh climate, and winter scenery. Even though, the tourist accommodation ger camps work in the national parks near Ulaanbaatar. Of course, the tour price is lower than in summer. We are experts in winter travel with well-developed, activities and authentic experiences packed with winter tours. The comfort and enjoyment of our clients have always been our priority. Our staff and hosts will make sure you will stay warm and enjoy your tour wherever you go. Do you need some warm clothes? You can borrow our traditional clothes deel free. Deel has always been the most suitable cloth for Mongolian weather.

Temperature:

• The temperature in the winter months are very low and ranges between -15°C to -37°C
• The weather is dry and bitterly cold
• The sky is clear blue, and the surrounding area is totally snow covered

Highlights:

• Tsagaan Sar – The Mongolian Lunar New Year Celebration
• Khuvsgul Ice Festival
• A Thousand Camel Festival

Spring:

Spring is the time for the nomads to welcome newborn baby animals. We recommend you to come in spring for a stay with nomads if you are a curious traveller if you like adventures and are interested in culture at the same time as enjoying scenic places, attractions, and the vastness of Mongolia. Mongolian spring is windy, sometimes stormy, particularly in the Gobi desert. Spring is the low tourist season. As well as, the weather fluctuates more. There will not be many tourists. The seasonal accommodation ger camps close October 5 through 1 May allowing you to experience authentic Mongolia and interact with the locals. As well as, the tour price is low compared to summer. You can check our low season and winter tours.

Temperature: The temperature in February ranges from -15°C to -3°C daytime. The temperature in March is -8°C to +15°C daytime and -15°C to +5°C at night.