Solo Travel Mongolia
‘Solo travellers come in all shapes and sizes, all ages, and can participate in any type of travel.’ – Wanderlust
If you’re looking to experience Mongolia on your own, we warmly welcome solo travellers to join us. Whether you prefer one of our small group journeys or a tailor-made experience, you’ll find a welcoming space with us.
Our approach is rooted in lour long-term local community partnerships, with a flexible, fluid structure designed for travellers who typically explore independently but want a genuine Mongolian experience. If you’re considering an organised trip to make the most of limited time, but are unsure about the conventional tour model, our style might be the perfect fit.
Our guests come with a shared curiosity to connect with Mongolia as authentically as possible. With us, there’s no pressure to follow a set schedule or participate in every activity—our experiences are about giving you the freedom to engage as much or as little as you like. We’re thrilled to welcome like-minded travellers from around the globe who are passionate about exploration. Read on to see how we support solo travellers with our solo travel policy.
- All Ages and Backgrounds Welcome: Our trips attract travellers from diverse nationalities, backgrounds, and ages. What matters most is a sense of adventure and the willingness to be respectful, flexible, and patient.
- Not Just for Singles: Many of our solo travellers have partners or families but choose to explore Mongolia independently.
- No Backpack Required: Solo travel doesn’t mean you need to travel on a strict budget. We understand that every traveller has unique preferences and financial considerations.
- Blend Group Travel with Independent Exploration: Your group travel experience can be as brief as a few day trips or extended over multiple days. Many guests choose to start with a small group experience for an introduction to Mongolia and then continue independently. We’re here to provide guidance and help you create the perfect mix of shared and solo adventures.
First, decide whether a small group experience or a private, tailor-made option suits you best. Or, as mentioned, you can always blend group travel with independent exploration for a unique balance.
For example, some of our guests have chosen to start with a shorter small-group journey, allowing them to get acquainted with Mongolia before embarking on a self-drive adventure. We supported them in planning the logistics for their self-drive trip, including organising homestay arrangements, so they could experience a deeper connection with local communities.
Our small group trips operate year-round, including winter departures. While these trips have fixed dates, if the timing doesn’t work for you and you have the budget, we can easily adapt any itinerary into a private trip for you as a solo traveler.
- Our small group sizes are capped at six guests, which is refreshingly small for the travel industry. This allows us to create a more personalised experience, with the freedom that independent travellers appreciate.
- Typically, our trips run with 3-5 bookings. However, we guarantee all small group trips with just two bookings, so you can confidently secure your spot without waiting for a higher number of travellers.
- Our small group trips operate on a sliding price scale: as more individual bookings are received, the price decreases, and everyone benefits. We aim to be as flexible as possible, though occasional last-minute cancellations can sometimes impact the final price for other guests. We recognise this as a challenge with our current pricing model and are actively exploring alternative options.
- We highlight on our website which small group departures are guaranteed. If you’re interested in a trip that isn’t yet marked as guaranteed, feel free to reach out—we may already have other travellers interested as well.
- We welcome a diverse mix of solo travellers and couples, with solo travelers slightly outnumbering couples, though group composition varies from trip to trip. Generally, there’s an even split between solo female and male travellers, though we’ve seen a recent increase in female solo travellers.
- When booking a small group experience, Jess personally handles all enquiries. If you have any concerns about group dynamics, Jess is happy to share basic details about other travellers to help you make an informed decision.
- Our travellers range in age from their 20s to their 70s and beyond. These aren’t your typical 18-30 holidays; over the years, we’ve found that a good range of ages only enhances the group experience. What unites everyone is a shared curiosity and desire to experience Mongolia authentically.
- Each group travels with one of our dedicated EL teams, typically a Mongolian driver (male) and a Mongolian trip assistant (female), which often makes the journey feel more like travelling with friends than on a guided tour.
- Our guests come from around the world, including the UK, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.S., Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Brazil, and other parts of Europe and South America. We’re proud to have cultivated a vibrant EL community, with a strong base of returning guests.If you’re unsure or have specific questions, Jess is always available to help, and we can connect you with past travelers for feedback. You can also reach out to our community through the EL Facebook group.
Arrival and Departure Transfers
- We offer complimentary arrival and departure transfers for all guests, as long as these are arranged in advance.
Ulaanbaatar
- Most of our journeys begin and end in Ulaanbaatar, where we offer a complimentary, informal ‘Intro to Ulaanbaatar’ experience. This isn’t your typical city tour; instead of popular museums (which you can easily explore independently), we introduce you to unique, lesser-known spots and local people that reveal the city’s vibrant character.
- Your Welcome Pack includes a map of Ulaanbaatar and a link to our online insider guide, making it simple to explore the city on your own during your free time.
- While we don’t include dinner in Ulaanbaatar, we invite you to join us for an informal lunch and welcome drink at one of the city’s lively bars. It’s a relaxed gathering rather than a formal briefing, offering an easy opportunity to connect with fellow travellers. Our online guide, updated annually, also features recommendations for a range of cafes, bars, and restaurants across Ulaanbaatar.
- To support you throughout your stay, we also provide our WhatsApp contact so you can reach out at any time—whether for dining tips or help with local transportation.
- For those interested, we also offer a selection of one-day experiences in Ulaanbaatar, available for solo travelers and at a reduced rate for those booked on an EL trip. Contact us for details.
We don’t charge a single supplement, but here are a few important details to consider if you’re joining us as a solo traveller on one of our small group trips:
Accommodation In Ulaanbaatar
- Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar is not included in our signature small group trips. This allows you the flexibility to choose a hotel that suits your personal preferences for the beginning and end of your journey.
- Additionally, dinner in Ulaanbaatar is also not included, giving you freedom to explore the city’s dining scene. However, we do invite you to an informal lunch and welcome drink at one of Ulaanbaatar’s popular bars—a relaxed opportunity to connect with fellow travellers, without the formality of a tour briefing. In addition, we will give you access to our online guide to Ulaanbaatar, updated annually, which features recommendations for a range of cafes, bars, and restaurants across Ulaanbaatar.
Tent Camping
- If your small group tour includes camping, we provide each traveler with their own tent at no extra charge.
Ger Accommodation
- Central to our philosophy is partnering with local communities, so most of our accommodations are hosted by local families, whether in homestays or small, informal ger camps. Due to limited space in these family ger accommodations, guests typically share a ger with two or three other members of the group.
Local Hotels
- Whenever possible, we arrange a private room for solo travellers in local hotels. However, this will depend on the size and room availability of each hotel.
