View all trips
A row of Sotravel travellers on horseback below forested hills in central Mongolia

Mongolia Group Tours 2026–27: Gobi Desert, Horse Treks & Nomad Stays

Small groups with a Sotravel trip leader and English-speaking Mongolian guides. Seven itineraries, summer and winter, 7 to 12 days, from SGD 1,569.

11 min read

See dates and prices →

Mongolia (the independent country, not China's Inner Mongolia) in a small group: open steppe, desert dunes, lakes and nomadic families. We handle the 4WDs, drivers, ger camps, horses and guides, so you can come alone.

Mongolia group tours for 2026–27

Why travel with Sotravel

What every Mongolia departure has in common

  • A Sotravel group in front of the giant Genghis Khan equestrian statue near Ulaanbaatar

    Small groups

    6 to 20 travellers on most departures, and 6 to 16 on the horse trek and the reindeer trip. The Gobi trips have about one guide for every 4–6 travellers.

  • Travellers sitting around the stove inside a ger in Mongolia

    Easy to join solo

    Most people come alone. In Ulaanbaatar you share a twin or triple room; in ger camps, gers usually sleep four.

  • A Sotravel group with its line of 4WD jeeps on a gravel plain in the Gobi

    A leader and a local crew

    Every group has a Sotravel trip leader from our community, English-speaking Mongolian guides, and drivers who know the off-road routes.

  • Riders on horseback crossing the snow-covered steppe in winter in Mongolia

    Reserve for SGD 0

    Hold a seat for SGD 0. The 20% deposit is charged only when your departure is confirmed.

Which trip fits you?

For a short first trip, start with Central Mongolia; for dunes, the Gobi; for remote horse and reindeer country, the north; for snow, the winter trip. Prices are the lowest per-person "from" price in October 2026. International flights are extra.

Where to go in Mongolia

When to go, what you'll see and which trip to pick. Dates and costs are under "More about" in each section.

Riders on a green slope below the granite outcrops of Terelj National Park in Mongolia
Riders in traditional Mongolian dress carrying flags on horseback during Naadam week, July 2026

Central Mongolia

Best time
Late May–Sep
Trip length
7–12 days
From
SGD 1,839
Starts in
Ulaanbaatar

Central Mongolia is the classic first trip. Within a day's drive of Ulaanbaatar you get lakes, river valleys, a strip of sand dunes and the old imperial capital. The drives are shorter than in the Gobi or the north, which is why it fits a week of leave.

Highlights

  • The giant Genghis Khan statue, Terelj National Park's granite hills and a zipline.
  • Boating or kayaking on Ugii Lake.
  • The Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and on the Epic Expedition, Kharkhorum, Mongolia's ancient capital.
  • A camel ride in the Mini Gobi dunes.
More about central Mongolia: dates, costs & Naadam

Best time to go: late May to September. June to August is warmest, and mid-May and late-September departures have cold nights. 2027 departures: Central Mongolia for Leave Savers on 15 May (already confirmed), 11 June, 8 August and 18 September; SoFest Mongolia on 15 May; the Eight Lakes horse trek on 19 June and 23 September; the Epic Mongolia Expedition on 1 August.

More highlights

  • Two horse-riding lessons that build up to riding on your own, and a Mongolian barbecue cooking session.
  • On the Eight Lakes trek: a three-day horseback expedition through the Orkhon Valley to the Eight Lakes, about 5–7 hours a day, sleeping in yurts.
  • On SoFest Mongolia: training alongside Mongolian "warriors", riding with local horse racers and a Mini Naadam-style festival day. This departure is larger than our usual groups.

Which central trip, and what it costs:

Naadam: Mongolia's national festival of wrestling, horse racing and archery starts on 11 July every year, with the opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar. Our 2027 itineraries don't include the Ulaanbaatar Naadam; SoFest Mongolia brings a smaller Naadam-style day to May.

See Central Mongolia for Leave Savers →

A camel caravan with riders crossing the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert
A travel group posing on a pale sand dune in the Gobi Desert under a hazy sky

The Gobi Desert

Best time
May–early Oct
Trip length
8–12 days
From
SGD 1,899
Getting around
4WD jeep

The Gobi is southern Mongolia's desert, and it's not only sand: gravel plains, red cliffs, granite outcrops and narrow canyons. Distances are long, so expect several full days in a 4WD jeep. The reward is the Khongoryn Els dunes and night skies with almost no light pollution.

Highlights

  • The granite formations of Baga Gazariin Chuluu.
  • Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs, known for dinosaur fossils.
  • A camel ride and sand sliding on the Khongoryn Els dunes.
  • A hike and a horse-riding lesson in Yolyn Am (Vulture Valley).
More about the Gobi: dates & costs

Best time to go: May to early October. Midsummer days can be hot, and nights are cold at both ends of the season, so pack warm layers for the May and October departures. 2027 departures: Gobi Sandpocalypse on 1 May, 9 September and 9 October; the Epic Mongolia Expedition on 1 August.

Also: the eroded cliffs of Tsagaan Suvraga, and on Gobi Sandpocalypse, a night in a brutalist-style desert lodge.

What it costs: Gobi Sandpocalypse, 8 days, from SGD 1,899. Epic Mongolia Expedition, 12 days, from SGD 2,629. Both use 4WD jeeps with about one guide for every 4–6 travellers, and ger camps where four people share a ger.

See Gobi Sandpocalypse →

Herders riding reindeer past a lake below snow-capped mountains in northern Mongolia

Northern Mongolia: Lake Khövsgöl and the reindeer herders

Best time
July–August
Trip length
11 days
From
SGD 3,539
2027 departure
30 July

Northern Mongolia is forest, lakes and taiga: greener, colder and more remote. Our Tsaatan trip drives north past the Uran Togoo volcano to Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia's largest freshwater lake, then leaves the roads behind to reach a Tsaatan reindeer-herding family in the taiga, partly on horseback.

Highlights

  • Kayaking and a boat trip on Lake Khövsgöl.
  • Riding through the taiga to the herders' camp.
  • A day and a night with a reindeer-herding family, including riding a reindeer.
  • The Darkhad Valley, and a monastery on the way back to Ulaanbaatar.
More about the north: dates & costs

Best time to go: July and August. Days are mild to warm, and mornings and evenings in the taiga are cold. The 2027 departure is on 30 July.

What it costs: Visit the Tsaatan Reindeer Herders, 11 days, from SGD 3,539. Be ready for several long road days and basic camps: bring headphones, snacks and a good playlist.

See the Tsaatan Reindeer Herders trip →

A dog-sled team running along a frozen river between bare winter trees in Mongolia
A lit ger below snow-dusted granite rocks under a starry winter sky in Mongolia

Mongolia in winter

Best time
Dec–Feb
Trip length
7 days
From
SGD 1,569
Temperature
−15 to −30 °C on some days

Winter turns the steppe white. It's properly cold, at −15 °C to −30 °C on some days, and the trip is built around it: heated gers, warm drinks and short activities outdoors.

Highlights

  • A camel ride across the snowy Mini Gobi dunes.
  • Aglag Monastery and a day on the ski slopes near Ulaanbaatar.
  • Two horse-riding lessons, including one in Terelj National Park.
  • Dog sledding and a Mongolian cultural evening.
More about winter: dates, costs & packing

Best time to go: December to February. Departures: 13 and 20 December 2026 (both already confirmed), 17 January and 7 February 2027.

Also: a day of skiing or snowboarding at a resort near Ulaanbaatar (private lessons not included).

What it costs: Mongolia Winter Adventures, 7 days, from SGD 1,569. Gers are heated by a stove or floor heating, and sleeping bags and blankets are provided. Travel is in 4WD cars with up to five people each.

What to pack for winter: a down jacket rated well below freezing, thermal base layers, a fleece mid-layer, windproof trousers, insulated waterproof boots, a hat, a neck warmer, two pairs of gloves, warm socks, lip balm and sunglasses for the snow glare. Keep your phone in an inside pocket; batteries drain fast in the cold.

See Mongolia Winter Adventures →

Visas by passport

Rules for a tourist trip, checked on 20 October 2026.

Mongolia
Singapore Visa-free · 30 days
Malaysia Visa-free · 30 days
Hong Kong SAR Visa-free · 14 days
Taiwan e-Visa · apply 6+ weeks ahead

Rules change, so check the official source for your passport before you book flights. After you book, we send supporting documents for your application, such as the itinerary and accommodation details.

Details and sources (checked 20 Oct 2026)
  • Singapore: visa-free, up to 30 days.
  • Malaysia: visa-free, up to 30 days.
  • Hong Kong SAR: visa-free, up to 14 days. Our longest Mongolia trip is 12 days.
  • Taiwan: e-visa required, from evisa.mn. Up to 30 days, about US$51.50 including fees, non-refundable. It takes at least 3 working days and can take weeks in May–August, so apply at least 6 weeks ahead. Your passport needs more than 6 months' validity.

Sources (checked 20 Oct 2026)

What travellers say about our Mongolia trips

Reviews from Sotravel travellers on our Central Mongolia, Gobi, Epic Expedition and winter trips.

Reviews from Sotravel travellers, shared after their trip. Reviewers receive a small travel credit for leaving a review, whatever their rating.

Also in the region: Central Asia

Horses resting under a spruce tree on the shore of a mountain lake in the Tian Shan

Want mountains and Silk Road cities next? Our Central Asia group tours guide covers Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan: horse treks and yurt nights again, plus turquoise lakes, canyons and Samarkand.

Read our Central Asia guide →

Mongolia trips: your questions

Have questions? We got the answers!

Can I join on my own? Who else joins?

Yes. Most of our Mongolia travellers come alone. Travellers must be 18 or over, with no upper age limit; most are in their mid-20s to 40s.

Is my departure confirmed? When should I book flights?

A departure runs once it reaches its minimum group size. Each trip page shows whether a date is confirmed, and we'll message you as soon as yours is. Please don't book flights until your date is confirmed. If we cancel a departure, you choose between a cash refund and Sotravel credits.

How does payment work?

Reserve a seat for SGD 0. When the departure is confirmed, we charge a 20% deposit automatically, and the balance closer to departure. Any Sotravel credits are used for the first charge. The exact payment dates for your departure are shown before you pay.

Can I change dates or cancel?

Before your departure is confirmed, you can switch to another date or trip. Once it's confirmed, the trip's cancellation policy applies; it's shown on the trip page and at checkout before you pay.

Are flights included? When should I land?

International flights aren't included; the airport transfer in Ulaanbaatar is. On most trips the pickup at Chinggis Khaan International Airport is at 2pm on day 1, so land before noon. Transfers outside the scheduled pickup cost extra.

How do I fly to Mongolia from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong or Taipei?

All our Mongolia trips start and end at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) outside Ulaanbaatar, and the group airport transfer is included; your trip instructions give the exact pickup time. From Singapore: usually via Hong Kong, Seoul or Beijing, about 10–12 hours. Our trip pages estimate SGD 1,000–1,300 return. MIAT has run non-stop Singapore–Ulaanbaatar flights (about 7.5 hours), but not all year: check MIAT's schedule for your dates. From Kuala Lumpur: no non-stop flight; connect in Hong Kong, Seoul or Beijing. From Hong Kong: MIAT flies non-stop, about 4 hours 40 minutes. From Taipei: connect in Busan, Seoul or Hong Kong. Summer charter flights are sometimes sold through tour operators.

What's included?

Accommodation, a private 4WD vehicle with driver, English-speaking guides, the activities in the itinerary (horse-riding lessons, camel rides and so on) and most meals, listed day by day on each trip page. Not included: international flights, travel insurance (we recommend it), the last day's meals, tips and personal spending. Mongolian food is meat-heavy: tell us your dietary needs when you book, and note that halal food is harder to find in Mongolia than in Central Asia.

What are the gers, toilets and showers like?

Facilities outside Ulaanbaatar are simple. In Ulaanbaatar you stay in apartments with twin or triple rooms. Most nights outside the city are in tourist ger camps, where a ger usually sleeps four, so you may share with travellers outside your own group. Bathrooms are mostly shared, some camps have no shower for a night, and remote stops can mean pit toilets.

I've never ridden a horse. Is that OK?

Yes. Central Mongolia, the Gobi trips and the winter trip include lessons before any longer ride. The Eight Lakes trek starts with a lesson and a 1–2 hour trial ride, then 5–7 hours a day in the saddle, so it suits people who are fit and keen. The Tsaatan trip has several riding days through the taiga.

How long are the drives? I get carsick.

Long. Much of Mongolia is off-road, and the Gobi, Eight Lakes (a 7-hour drive back to Ulaanbaatar) and Tsaatan trips have several long days in the vehicle. Bring motion-sickness tablets, snacks and something to listen to.

How cold is it in winter?

−15 °C to −30 °C on some days of the winter trip, with strong wind on the steppe. Gers are heated by a stove or floor heating, and sleeping bags and blankets are provided. In summer, days are warm but nights in the countryside can drop close to freezing, especially in May and September.

Do I need a visa?

Singapore and Malaysia passports are visa-free for up to 30 days, and Hong Kong SAR passports for up to 14 days. Taiwan passports need an e-visa from evisa.mn; apply at least 6 weeks ahead. The visa section above has the details and official sources, and after you book we send the supporting documents.

Can I see the Naadam festival?

Naadam starts on 11 July every year, with the main events in Ulaanbaatar. Our 2027 itineraries don't include it. SoFest Mongolia (15 May 2027) has a Mini Naadam-style festival day, with warrior training and rides with local horse racers.

Sotravel Signature

Travelling as a group?

Planning Mongolia for friends, family or a team? Tell us your dates and group size and we'll quote a private departure.

The map is vast, roads are variable and the best moments rarely happen on command. We design with that reality—not against it. That means sensible drive days, trusted locals, the right accommodations and enough time at each location to feel its magic.