PH passport holders can enter Mongolia without visa for 21 days. Here are some tips when visiting

What they're saying

Interest in Mongolia is surging across social media platforms. On Reddit, past visitors have shared reviews, with one describing the country as "completely amazing," adding that they are eager to go back and visit the West.

"Do not go for the food. When travelling, one mostly stays with the inhabitants and eat whatever they eat—which includes fermented mare's milk," they wrote.

Another one suggested visiting Ulaanbaatar. They said, "UB is a modern city, a lot of amenities and a good population who speak [E]nglish. Biggest downfall, some of the worst traffic. Outside of UB, wide open steppes. I enjoyed the time there, and would go back. Can only imagine nights there away from the city, staring at the stars."

Another Redditor suggested hiring a tour guide. "It’s very difficult to travel around Mongolia without speaking or reading the language. The countryside roads can also be rough, and you’ll need a sturdy vehicle to get anywhere. But honestly, the tougher the road, the better the adventure," they said.

Flying to Mongolia

The Philippines currently has no direct flights to Mongolia, so you need to hop on a connecting flight to reach the country's capital, Ulaanbaatar. This is often routed through popular transit cities like Seoul, Hong Kong, or Beijing.

Per online travel agency Booking.com, the journey typically takes around 12 hours due to layovers. There are three popular routes from the Philippines to Mongolia:

• From Ninoy Aquino International Airport to New Ulaanbaatar International Airport with an average flight time of 12h 11m
• From Mactan–Cebu International Airport to New Ulaanbaatar International Airport with an average flight time of 13h 10m
• From Bohol-Panglao International Airport to New Ulaanbaatar International Airport with an average flight time of 23h 10m

The average price of plane tickets to the country is $953 or P56,103.

Best time to go

Mongolia has four seasons: winter (November to February), spring (March to mid-May), summer (mid-May to August), and autumn (September to October).

Local travel agency View Mongolia Travel highlighted that June is one of the best months to visit if you're looking for pleasant and dry weather without experiencing the usual tourist rush. It is also less windy and less rainy.

August and September are also great options for enjoying Mongolia's colorful landscapes. The agency noted, however, that July 1 to Aug. 10 is "the warmest through all Mongolian regions and hottest in the Gobi Desert."

If you're thinking of experiencing winter, you may want to weigh it carefully, as the agency described Mongolian winter as "harsh, freezing, and snowy." Nevertheless, you can still enjoy it if your definition of a good time is seeing shiny white snow covers, driving through empty, snowy steppes, and more.

For those of you who want to experience Mongolia's festivals, book a flight for March as this is where they hold their Ice Festival at Khuvsgul Lake, Eagle Festival near Ulaanbaatar, and Thousand Camel Festival near Bulgan town of Umnugobi province.

Their famous Naadam Festival, which includes Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, takes place in July. 

Safety tips

Every country has its own issues to watch out for, and Mongolia is no exception. Smartraveller, which is powered by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, advised that crimes against travelers are most common during festivals, particularly the Tsagaan Sar Festival in January or February, the Naadam Festival in July, or during the summer tourist season.

Violent crimes also occur in Ulaanbaatar, but this is uncommon. These include physical assaults on foreign men in the company of local women and harassment and sexual assault of foreign women.

Be wary of pickpockets and bag snatchers, which are common in Ulaanbaatar. So keep a close eye on your belongings, especially when using public transport or walking through busy districts.