Mongolia

Mongolia family holidays

A Mongolia family holiday is all about getting out into the raw wilderness, away from the trappings of everyday life. This is a country of distant horizons and vast spaces, where the wind whistles across the mountains and open plains. It’s where you come with the children if you want to experience and enjoy the great outdoors, whether on foot, horse back or by yak cart.

Whilst Mongolia is best known for its rolling grasslands dotted with gers (yurts) belonging to friendly nomadic families, the landscape is more varied than you’d expect. There are crystal clear lakes, so pure you can drink from them. There are remote craggy mountains where dinosaur fossils are still being found. And in the south, the grasslands give way to striking desert landscapes with the endless rolling sand-dunes of the Gobi.

Mongolia family holiday - family with guide in the Central Highlands

Mongolia family holidays are the perfect getaway from the hustle of everyday life

There is limited infrastructure here, but this is part of the attraction. Accommodation once you leave the capital will generally be in cosy gers (yurts), traditionally decorated with ornamental patterns and warmed by a wood burning stove. These ger camps are in beautiful locations, with spectacular views across the surrounding landscapes.

It’s doesn’t require a great leap of imagination to picture Genghis Khan and his Mongolian horde galloping across the plains towards the distant lure of China!

Village horse races are fun to watch in the lead up to Naadam Festival in July

Why take the kids to Mongolia?

With a relatively un-developed tourist infrastructure, Mongolia doesn’t have the array of adventure activities that you may find elsewhere in Asia. But this is again part of the attraction. A Mongolia family holiday is all about being out and about in the wilderness together, then sitting around the campfire in the evening, gazing up at the blanket of stars.

Our top activities on a family holiday to Mongolia include:

Meeting a nomadic family and joining in with their daily lives
Riding on a yak cart
Visiting the ruins of Genghis Khan’s capital
Discovering frozen glaciers in the Gobi desert
Leaping down the gigantic sand dunes of Khongoryn Els
Hunting for dinosaur fossils in the Flaming Cliffs
Taking a camel safari deep into the desert

The children will return to school with wonderful tales of sipping mare’s milk in a nomadic tent, walking across vast plains, climbing into the mountains and hearing the wolves howl across the barren landscape.

Mongolia family holidays - young travellers in ger - yurt

Most kids love staying in a cosy ger (yurt) but be prepared as facilities are basic

What else do I need to know about travelling in Mongolia?

Mongolia is a dramatic, remote and beautiful country, but travelling here is not for families that like their creature comforts! There are some excellent hotels in Ulaan Baatar but once you leave the capital, you’ll primarily be staying in ger camps. Here you’ll be in traditional circular tents (often fitting the whole family), with wooden beds ranged around a central fireplace which keeps you toasty warm. There will usually be a central dining tent where you will take all of your meals.

Inside a Furgon van - Mongolia family holidays

Vehicles are basic but sturdy and reliable – the journey is all part of the fun

Some ger camps offer en suite facilities, others will have shared toilet / shower blocks. Some will have hot showers, whilst others will provide you with a basin of hot water to wash with in the morning and evening. We will of course give you full details so that you can make an informed decision as to where you want to stay. The views are always stunning!

Transport will be in a private minivan, usually with a driver and an English speaking guide.

Example itineraries for Mongolia family holidays

All of our itineraries are bespoke which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family, taking into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget and so on.

However, to give you an idea of what you could do on a family holiday in Mongolia, have a look at our two sample itineraries. These concentrate on the spectacular landscapes of the centre and south of the country, with both a two-week option (Highlights of Mongolia – 2 weeks) and a longer itinerary for those with more time (Highlights of Mongolia – 3 weeks).

These are just sample itineraries, so if you would like to include other areas of the country, please let us know and we can advise how best to do this.

You can also check out some of the other places that you might like to visit on your trip and if you need further inspiration, have a look at our gallery. Lastly, you can check here what the weather will be like at the time that you want to travel.

Simply ring us on 01728 440604 or send us a message via our contact form and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best holiday for your family.