Mongolia Trip from India: Visa, Flights, Cost & 10-Day Route

A Mongolia trip from India means open steppe, the Gobi's sand dunes, felt gers and Buddhist monasteries, plus a lot of driving on dirt tracks. It is far less known to Indian travellers than Central Asia, and the first question is almost always about the visa, because websites give different answers. This guide starts with what Mongolia's own government websites say about Indian passport holders. It then covers flights from Delhi and Mumbai, a 10-day route, how touring actually works, costs in rupees, the best time to go, and an honest note on vegetarian food.

Mongolia visa for Indians: what the official sources say

Some travel sites say Indians can visit Mongolia visa-free for 30 days. Others say you need an e-visa. We checked Mongolia's own government websites on 23 September 2026, and they support only the second answer.

• India is not visa-free. The official e-visa portal, evisa.mn, run by the Immigration Agency of Mongolia, has two lists. India, listed as "The Republic of India", is on the list of countries eligible for e-visa, not on the visa-free list. The Immigration Agency's own list of countries eligible for Mongolian e-visa also includes India.
• The "Visit Mongolia" waiver does not include India. For 2023 to 2025, Mongolia's government temporarily let citizens of 34 countries visit without a visa for up to 30 days. Those were 32 European countries plus Australia and New Zealand. For 2026 the government renewed the waiver for the same 34 countries. India is not on either list. This is probably where the "visa-free for 30 days" claims come from.
• What the e-visa allows. The Embassy of Mongolia in New Delhi says citizens of eligible countries can apply online for a K2 tourist visa for stays of up to 30 days. You do not need to visit an embassy or send your passport. The embassy says the e-visa is emailed within 48 hours. Carry a printed or digital copy for the airline and for border officers.
• E-visa rules to know. The evisa.mn terms say the fee cannot be refunded, and the e-visa cannot be extended or converted to another visa type. Biometrics are taken on arrival. The portal does not publish the fee before you apply. It is shown when you pay.
• Passport validity. The evisa.mn terms ask for a passport valid for at least 180 days. The UK government's travel advice says 6 months from the date you arrive. Plan for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
• Registration. Under Article 24.4 of Mongolia's Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals, whoever gives you a place to stay must register you online within 48 hours. Hotels and camps usually do this. A tourist e-visa is for 30 days at most, but anyone staying in Mongolia longer than 30 days on another visa must also register with the Immigration Agency within 7 days of arrival.

If you need more than 30 days or a different kind of visit, apply for a regular visa through the embassy in New Delhi (34 Golf Links, Archbishop Makarios Marg). Some websites mention a visa on arrival at Ulaanbaatar airport. We did not find an official page offering Indian tourists a visa on arrival without approval in advance, so do not fly without an e-visa. Rules change, so check evisa.mn or ask the embassy before you book non-refundable tickets. The Immigration Agency has also warned about fake visa agents, so apply only through the official portal.

Getting to Mongolia from India

Ulaanbaatar's airport is Chinggis Khaan International (code UBN). Some booking sites still use the old airport's code, ULN. Mongolia is 2.5 hours ahead of India.

New: a nonstop flight from Delhi

Hunnu Air, a Mongolian airline, has announced a weekly nonstop flight between Delhi and Ulaanbaatar from 28 September 2026, on Mondays. Trade reports list flight MR302 leaving Delhi in the morning and arriving in Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon, with a flying time of about five and a half hours. It uses an Embraer E195-E2. The filed schedule and trade reports give different end dates for the first season (October 2026 or March 2027), and the route is brand new. Check it is still flying on your dates before you plan around it. Google Flights showed nonstop returns from about ₹97,800 when we checked.

One-stop routes

• Via Seoul on Korean Air. This was the cheapest from Delhi when we checked, from about ₹81,100 return.
• Via Beijing on Air China.
• Via Bangkok on THAI, then MIAT Mongolian Airlines. This was the cheapest from Mumbai, from about ₹1.13 lakh return.
• Via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, which is long but useful from Mumbai.

MIAT, Mongolia's national airline, does not fly to India. You can connect to it in Bangkok, Seoul and other Asian cities. Google Flights (checked 23 September 2026) gives these typical return fares: Delhi ₹78,000 to ₹1.15 lakh in the cheapest month (February) and ₹93,000 to ₹1.6 lakh in June, the most expensive. From Mumbai it is ₹82,000 to ₹1.4 lakh in March and ₹1.35 to ₹1.95 lakh in July. From Chennai, Kolkata or Kochi, fly to Delhi or connect through Bangkok, Seoul or Beijing. All fares are indicative and rise sharply in July. For tips on booking, see our guide to finding cheap international flights from India.

A 10-day Mongolia route: Ulaanbaatar, Gobi and Kharkhorin

Most first-time visitors do a loop from Ulaanbaatar: a night near the city, then south into the Gobi, and back north through the old imperial capital at Kharkhorin. The Gobi towns are far away. Dalanzadgad, the capital of the South Gobi province, is about 540 km south of Ulaanbaatar. The Orkhon Valley is about 320 km west. Expect long days in the vehicle.

The route follows the kind of 7-day Gobi loop that Ulaanbaatar operators sell, such as Sunpath's group tour (Mandalgobi and the White Stupa, Yolyn Am, Khongoryn Els, Bayanzag, Ongi, Kharkhorin), with extra days added in the city and Terelj. With 12 days you can stay an extra night in the dunes or add Hustai National Park to see wild Przewalski's horses.

Alternative: Lake Khövsgöl in the north

Lake Khövsgöl is Mongolia's largest freshwater lake by volume, with forests and reindeer-herding areas. It is a long way north of Ulaanbaatar. Many travellers fly to Mörön, the province capital, and drive from there. Domestic flights cost roughly US$150 to 450 (₹14,400 to ₹43,200). Khövsgöl is cooler and greener than the Gobi and suits a 7 to 9 day trip. Doing both properly takes about two weeks.

How touring in Mongolia works

There are few paved roads outside the main routes. The UK government's travel advice says only about 10% of rural roads are paved and signposts are rare. Public transport does not reach most sights. Almost everyone therefore books with a local tour operator, which provides:

• A driver and vehicle. Usually a Toyota Land Cruiser for 2 to 3 people, or a Russian UAZ "furgon" van, a Soviet-era 4x4 that budget tours use. Mitsubishi Delicas are used for 4 to 6 people.
• An English-speaking guide, who often also cooks on budget tours.
• Accommodation in tourist ger camps or with nomad families, plus meals, fuel and park fees.

You can book a private tour with your own vehicle and crew, or join a shared tour from an Ulaanbaatar guesthouse, which is much cheaper. Guesthouses such as Sunpath put small groups together. Self-driving is possible with an International Driving Permit, but it is not realistic for most first-timers. Read the operator's inclusions carefully. Tips, drinks, showers at some camps and festival tickets are usually extra.

Current alert: the UK government's travel advice (updated 7 August 2026) reports fuel shortages in Mongolia, including aviation fuel, which "may affect domestic and international flights, road travel and access to some remote areas". Ask your operator how they are handling this.

Mongolia trip cost from India (in rupees)

Prices below are in US dollars from operator pages, converted at ₹95.9 per US$. One rupee is about 37 Mongolian tögrög (MNT). All are per person and indicative.

Sources: the per-day private rates by group size are from Imperial Nomad Tours. Ger camp price bands are from Discover Mongolia (July 2026). Ulaanbaatar room, driver, guide and SIM costs are from Meanwhile in Mongolia (May 2026). Add the e-visa fee, travel insurance, tips and festival tickets. Prices go up in July and around Naadam, when camps and vehicles near Ulaanbaatar book out early.

For comparison, a 10-day trip to Kyrgyzstan costs less and has shorter flights from India. It offers a similar mix of yurts, horses and mountain lakes, but no desert like the Gobi.

Best time to visit Mongolia from India

• June to August is the main season. It is warm, the steppe is green, and all camps are open. July in Ulaanbaatar averages about 19°C, though the Gobi can be much hotter by day. Most of the year's rain falls between May and September, usually as short summer showers.
• Late May and September are cooler and quieter, and flights and camps can be cheaper. Nights get cold, so pack warm layers.
• October to April is winter. Ulaanbaatar is the world's coldest national capital. In January the average daytime high is around −15.5°C, and the record low is −43.9°C. Winter trips are for specialists.

Naadam festival

Naadam is Mongolia's national festival, with wrestling, horse racing and archery. It is held in Ulaanbaatar on 11 to 13 July, during the national holiday. The opening ceremony is at the National Sports Stadium on 11 July. Tickets start at around US$25 (₹2,400) and sell out fast. Flights, hotels and tours cost the most in the weeks around it. Book months ahead, or plan your countryside days so you are away from Ulaanbaatar during Naadam. Smaller local naadams in provincial towns are easier to see. The UK government also warns that pickpocketing increases during Naadam.

Food: an honest note for vegetarians

Mongolian food is built around mutton, beef and dairy. Typical dishes are buuz (steamed dumplings), khuushuur (fried meat pastries) and tsuivan (noodles with meat). Some rural cooking still uses mutton fat. In the countryside, vegetables are mostly potatoes, carrots, cabbage and onions.

• In Ulaanbaatar, eating vegetarian is easy. Namaste Indian Restaurant, open since 2010, has several branches in the city. Its website lists vegetarian, vegan and Jain options. There are other Indian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the city centre too.
• Outside the city, it is harder. Tourist ger camps can usually cook vegetarian meals if your operator tells them well in advance. Expect plain rice, pasta, eggs, potatoes and vegetable soups rather than variety. Strict vegan or Jain diets are hard to manage outside Ulaanbaatar. Meals at family gers are mostly meat.
• What helps: put your diet in writing when you book, carry a note in Mongolian, and pack ready-to-eat Indian meals, theplas, khakhra, dry fruit and instant poha or upma for long driving days.

Practical tips

• Money: the currency is the tögrög (MNT), at about 3,570 to the US dollar. Visa and Mastercard work in Ulaanbaatar. In the countryside, take cash. Use Khan Bank or TDB ATMs in the city before you leave.
• SIM: buy a tourist SIM at the airport or in the city. An 8 GB tourist SIM costs about 15,000 MNT. There is no signal on long stretches of the Gobi.
• Altitude: Ulaanbaatar is at about 1,350 m and Dalanzadgad at about 1,470 m. The classic route does not go high enough for altitude to be a concern for most people.
• Safety: the biggest risk the UK government highlights is road accidents. It lists speeding, poorly maintained vehicles and difficult terrain. Choose an operator with well-kept vehicles and wear seatbelts where they exist. In Ulaanbaatar, watch for pickpockets in markets, and use licensed taxis or the UBCab app at night. Carry your original passport. Police may not accept copies.
• Packing: layers for 30°C days and near-freezing nights, a warm jacket even in July, sunscreen, a torch, wet wipes and a power bank. Many standard camps have electricity only in the evening, and showers and toilets are in a shared block.
• Insurance: get a policy that covers remote areas and medical evacuation.

TripCabinet does not sell a fixed Mongolia package. If you want a custom quote for a Mongolia trip, send us your dates and group size through the enquiry form. You might also want to compare Mongolia with Uzbekistan, a Silk Road destination that is easier for Indian travellers.

Mongolia trip from India: FAQs

Sources and when they were checked

All sources were checked on 23 September 2026. Visa: Immigration Agency of Mongolia, e-visa portal, e-visa eligible countries, 2026 visa exemption list, 2023–2025 exemption notice and registration of foreign nationals. Embassy of Mongolia in New Delhi: electronic visa. Safety, fuel and passport rules: UK FCDO Mongolia travel advice. Flights: Google Flights Delhi–Ulaanbaatar and Mumbai–Ulaanbaatar, AeroRoutes on Hunnu Air. Costs: Imperial Nomad Tours, Discover Mongolia ger camp guide, Meanwhile in Mongolia budget guide. Visa rules change, so confirm with evisa.mn or the embassy before you book non-refundable travel.

Photo: Khongoryn Els 04 by Bernard Gagnon (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.