🍂 Autumn Tours in Mongolia: Golden Landscapes & Timeless Traditions

As summer fades and the crowds thin, Mongolia in autumn transforms into a land of golden silence and breathtaking beauty. From mid-September to early November, the mountains glow with golden larches, valleys are brushed with amber hues, and nomadic life moves gracefully into its winter rhythm.

With cooler weather, vibrant foliage, traditional festivals, and fewer tourists, autumn is the perfect time for authentic adventures—whether you’re exploring the Gobi, trekking in the Altai, or joining eagle hunters in celebration.

🌄 Why Travel to Mongolia in Autumn?

🍁 Golden Larch Forests & Fiery Landscapes

🦅 Golden Eagle Festivals & Kazakh Traditions

🐫 Camel Herding & Quiet Deserts

🐎 Nomadic Life in Transition

📸 Perfect Light for Photography

🚐 Comfortable Weather & Fewer Tourists

🍂 Popular Autumn Tours in Mongolia

🏔️ 1. Golden Altai & Eagle Festival Adventure (12 Days)

Explore golden forests of Altai Tavan Bogd and witness the Golden Eagle Festival.

📍 Best Time: October 1–13

🔹 Highlights: Potanin Glacier, Khoton-Khurgan Lakes, petroglyphs, eagle festival

🦅 2. Altai Eagle Festival Tour (9 Days)

Experience a smaller, more intimate Altai Eagle Festival held in early September.

📍 Best Time: Early September

🔹 Highlights: Local families, games, eagle flights, Altai mountain views

🦅 3. Sagsai Eagle Festival Tour (5 Days)

Join the Sagsai Festival—a raw and cultural celebration among real herders.

📍 Best Time: Late September

🔹 Highlights: Traditional costumes, hunting displays, horse racing

🐑 4. Nomadic Lifestyle & Cultural Journey (7 Days)

Stay with herding families during autumn preparations.

📍 Best Time: Late September – October

🔹 Highlights: Kharkhorin, Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune and Orkhon waterfall seasonal work with locals

🐪 5. Gobi Desert Autumn Discovery (9 Days)

Golden grasses and cool air make the Gobi serene and photogenic.

📍 Best Time: September to mid-October

🔹 Highlights: Khongor Dunes, Flaming Cliffs, camel herding, starry skies

🦌 6. Visit Reindeer Herder Family Tour (9 Days)

Visit the Tsaatan reindeer herders before winter snows hit the taiga.

📍 Best Time: Mid-September – Early October

🔹 Highlights: Reindeer riding, shamanism, taiga lifestyle

🦅 7. Visit Eagle Hunter Family Tour (7 Days)

Live with a Kazakh eagle hunter and help train their golden eagle.

📍 Best Time: September – October

🔹 Highlights: Falconry, horseback rides, herder lifestyle

🐪 8. Nomadic Autumn Migration Tour (10 Days)

Travel with nomads as they relocate livestock to winter pastures.

📍 Best Time: Late September – Early October

🔹 Highlights: Herding, setting up gers, true nomadic movement

🏞️ 9. Khuvsgul Lake Autumn Tour (5 Days)

Discover Mongolia’s “Blue Pearl” surrounded by fiery forests.

📍 Best Time: Mid–Late September

🔹 Highlights: Lake Khuvsgul, horse riding, local families, misty mornings

🏕️ 10. Central Mongolia Autumn Tour (5 Days)

Explore historical and cultural heartlands: temples, valleys, and hot springs.

📍 Best Time: Late September – October

🔹 Highlights: Erdene Zuu Monastery, Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune, Khustai national park

🌤️ Autumn Weather in Mongolia (By Region)

🏔️Altai Mountains (Western Mongolia)

Temperature: +10°C to -10°C

Conditions: Dry, sunny, crisp air, golden larch forests

Travel Tip: Snow may appear by mid-October at higher elevations

🐪Gobi Desert (Southern Mongolia)

Temperature: +20°C daytime, +5°C nighttime

Conditions: Warm days, chilly nights, dry and open skies

Travel Tip: Ideal time for camel rides, sand dunes, and stargazing

🦌Khuvsgul Lake Area (Northern Mongolia)

Temperature: +15°C daytime, -5°C to -10°C nights

Conditions: Foggy mornings, golden birch trees, quiet lakes

Travel Tip: Autumn colors peak mid–late September

🌾 Khangai Mountains (Central Mongolia)

Temperature: +10°C to -5°C

Conditions: Colorful valleys, sunny skies, light frost

Travel Tip: Great for cultural tours, hot springs, monasteries

🎒 What to Bring for Autumn Travel

Warm layers (merino base layers + fleece + insulated jackets)

Gloves, scarf, hat (especially for northern and western Mongolia)

Hiking boots + waterproof jacket

Sunscreen, lip balm, power banks for remote areas

Camera & memory cards (this season is a visual feast!)

📸 Photography, Wildlife & Culture

Golden Eagles, Yaks, Reindeer, Camels

Flaming cliffs, icy lakes, frost-covered grasslands

Eagle hunters, Tsaatan herders, nomadic migrations

Daily life, festivals, dramatic skies

🤔 FAQs

Is it safe to travel in autumn in Mongolia?

Yes! Roads are clear, skies are dry, and our drivers/guides are experienced with seasonal changes.

Can I combine several regions in one tour?

Absolutely. We often create custom multi-region tours (e.g., Altai + Central Mongolia or Gobi + Khuvsgul Lake).

Are festivals still happening in October?

Yes—particularly the Golden Eagle Festival (first weekend of October) and small local events.

🧭 Join an Autumn Tour in Mongolia

Whether you’re chasing golden trees in the north, riding with migrating herders in the center, or cheering on eagle hunters in the west, autumn in Mongolia offers one of the most colorful and culturally rich journeys in Asia.

👉 Customize your tour with Kerege Travel today and experience Mongolia in full color.