How physically difficult is this tour?

This is an easy-level adventure tour. Most travel is by 4WD vehicles, with short walks and light activity involved. It is suitable for most travelers, including fit travelers aged 70+, as long as they are comfortable with basic walking and outdoor conditions.

What is the weather like during the festival?

Late September to early October is cool and crisp. Daytime temperatures are usually around 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F), while night temperatures can drop below 0°C (32°F). Warm layered clothing is essential. We will also email you a detailed packing list to help you prepare comfortably for this tour.

Will someone meet me at Ulaanbaatar airport when I arrive?

Yes. Our team will meet you at Ulaanbaatar International Airport upon arrival. A driver or guide will be waiting in the arrivals area holding a sign with your name and will transfer you comfortably to your hotel. Detailed arrival instructions will be sent to you in advance for a smooth and stress-free arrival.

Will I have internet or phone signal?

In Ulaanbaatar and Ulgii, phone signal and internet are generally available. In remote areas, signal may be limited or unavailable. This is part of the experience — disconnecting in nature. However, in case of emergencies, our team carries Starlink satellite internet, which can be used when needed.

How remote is Western Mongolia?

Western Mongolia is extremely remote — located about 1,700 km from Ulaanbaatar and reached by a domestic flight. Once in the region, most travel areas are within approximately 100 to 150 km from Ulgii, the provincial capital, allowing access to remote landscapes while still maintaining logistical support.

How early should I book?

As early as possible. Domestic flights and accommodations are limited and can sell out quickly during the festival season. We secure and reserve flight tickets for our confirmed groups in advance, so arrangements are handled smoothly. In many cases, early bookings made about one year ahead may also benefit from up to a 10% discount.

Is this suitable for solo travelers?

Yes. Many travelers join solo. You will be part of a small group and guided throughout the journey. We will match you with another traveler of the same gender for sharing twin rooms at hotels, and we do not charge a single supplement unless you prefer to stay in a private room.

What makes this tour different from others?

This tour offers direct access to real eagle hunters, deep cultural immersion, strong local expertise, and carefully organized logistics in a remote region. We grew up within the eagle hunting culture and know many of the hunters personally, which allows us to arrange warm, authentic visits with eagle hunter families that most operators cannot provide. We also align the tour with the real hunting season, giving guests a rare chance to witness true eagle hunting as part of real life in the Altai rather than a performance staged only for tourists.

COP17 Mongolia 2026: What Travelers Need to Know About Ulaanbaatar, Traffic and Travel

Mongolia is preparing to host one of the world’s largest international environmental conferences this August. The 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17–28 August 2026.

The event is expected to bring approximately 8,000–10,000 delegates from more than 190 countries to Mongolia, including government representatives, international organizations, scientists, environmental experts, businesses, civil society organizations, media and other participants. The UNCCD itself has 197 Parties.

For anyone traveling to Mongolia during August and early September 2026, COP17 will have a noticeable impact on hotels, transportation and traffic in Ulaanbaatar.

What is COP17?

COP17 is the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The UNCCD is one of the major United Nations environmental conventions, focusing on some of the most urgent land-related challenges facing the world, including:

Desertification
Land degradation
Drought
Land restoration
Sustainable land and water management
Rangeland protection
Food security and resilient livelihoods

The Conference of the Parties is the UNCCD's main decision-making forum, bringing governments together with scientists, international organizations, businesses, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, farmers, young people and civil society.

COP17 in Mongolia will focus particularly on land restoration, drought resilience, water, rangelands and food systems.

The official theme of COP17 Mongolia is “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.”

Why Is COP17 Important for Mongolia?

Mongolia is an especially relevant location for a global conference on desertification and land degradation.

With its vast grasslands, Gobi Desert, pastoral traditions and climate-sensitive ecosystems, Mongolia has first-hand experience with the challenges of land degradation, drought and changing environmental conditions.

Hosting COP17 also gives Mongolia an opportunity to present its traditional nomadic knowledge, conservation efforts, rangeland management and environmental initiatives to the international community.

The conference will be held in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 28 August 2026, with major international delegations arriving before and during the event.

Expect Very Limited Hotel Availability in Ulaanbaatar

Travelers planning to visit Mongolia during the second half of August should arrange their accommodation as early as possible.

With an estimated 8,000–10,000 COP17 participants coming to Ulaanbaatar, hotel demand is extremely high. Many of the major hotels and centrally located properties are already heavily booked for the COP17 period, and availability is becoming increasingly limited.

An official COP17 accommodation platform has also been established specifically for conference delegates, covering a range of hotels throughout Ulaanbaatar.

If your Mongolia trip falls between mid-August and early September, we strongly recommend confirming your Ulaanbaatar hotel, airport transfers and domestic flights well in advance.

Ulaanbaatar Odd–Even Vehicle Restrictions: August 15–September 12, 2026

Because of COP17 preparations, the conference itself and preparations for the new academic year, Ulaanbaatar will introduce a temporary odd–even vehicle license plate restriction.

The restriction will operate from:

15 August to 12 September 2026
Daily from 07:00 to 21:00

Unlike some previous traffic restrictions, this temporary arrangement is being implemented without the usual central-city zoning.

How does the odd–even system work?

Cars are permitted to drive on alternating days according to the last number of their license plate.

Odd-numbered license plates:
Cars ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 may drive on odd-numbered permitted dates.

Even-numbered license plates:
Cars ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 may drive on even-numbered permitted dates.

For example:

August 15: Odd-numbered vehicles
August 16: Even-numbered vehicles
August 17: Odd-numbered vehicles
August 18: Even-numbered vehicles

This alternating system continues through September 12, 2026.

Important exception: September 1

September 1, 2026 is exempt from the restriction. All vehicles will be permitted to drive regardless of whether their license plate ends in an odd or even number.

Travelers using private vehicles, rental vehicles or tour transportation in Ulaanbaatar should therefore allow additional time and coordinate carefully with their tour operator.

Ulaanbaatar Traffic Will Be Heavy — Allow Extra Time for the Airport

Ulaanbaatar already experiences serious traffic congestion during normal periods, particularly during morning and evening peak hours.

With thousands of international visitors arriving for COP17, temporary traffic management measures, official delegations moving around the city and preparations for the beginning of the school year, traffic conditions during August are expected to be particularly difficult.

If you are flying from Chinggis Khaan International Airport, please do not calculate your airport transfer based only on normal driving times.

Under good traffic conditions, the journey from central Ulaanbaatar to Chinggis Khaan International Airport may take around one hour, but congestion or temporary traffic controls can make the journey considerably longer.

Our recommendation

For international departures during this period, we recommend arranging your departure from central Ulaanbaatar at least four hours before your flight departure time.

For example:

If your international flight departs at 14:00, we recommend leaving your Ulaanbaatar hotel at approximately 10:00 or earlier.

This allows approximately:

1+ hour for the drive to the airport + sufficient time for international check-in, security and possible traffic delays.

During COP17, it is much better to arrive at the airport early than risk missing a flight because of unexpected congestion.

Traveling Beyond Ulaanbaatar During COP17

While COP17 will create additional pressure on Ulaanbaatar, it does not mean you should avoid traveling to Mongolia during this period.

In fact, once you leave the capital, Mongolia offers an entirely different experience.

The mountains, valleys, lakes and nomadic communities of Western Mongolia are thousands of kilometers away from Ulaanbaatar's urban traffic. Travelers can experience spectacular landscapes, Kazakh and Mongolian nomadic culture, eagle hunters, horseback riding, trekking and the Altai Mountains.

Domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Western Mongolia can also allow travelers to leave the busy capital and begin their adventure quickly.

However, August is already one of Mongolia's busiest travel months, and COP17 adds significant additional demand. We therefore recommend securing domestic flights, hotels and tours as early as possible.

Explore Western Mongolia with Kazakh Tour

If you are traveling to Mongolia for COP17—or simply visiting Mongolia during August 2026—consider extending your journey beyond Ulaanbaatar and discovering the spectacular landscapes and cultures of Western Mongolia and the Mongolian Altai.

Kazakh Tour LLC is a locally based tour operator in Bayan-Ölgii, Western Mongolia, specializing in authentic travel experiences throughout the Altai region.

Our Western Mongolia tours include experiences such as:

Meeting traditional Kazakh eagle hunters
Exploring Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
Trekking in the Mongolian Altai
Visiting Khoton and Khurgan Lakes
Staying with local nomadic families
Horseback riding
Experiencing Kazakh and Mongolian nomadic culture
Golden Eagle Festival tours
Private and customized Western Mongolia adventures

Whether you are attending COP17 and would like to explore Mongolia afterward, or you are simply traveling during the same period, our team can help organize your Western Mongolia tour, domestic flights, accommodation and local transportation.

Contact Kazakh Tour

Kazakh Tour LLC – Western Mongolia

Website: www.kazakhtour.com

Email: dosjan@kazakhtour.com
WhatsApp: +976 99422006

Authentic Mongolia Experiences, Crafted by Local Experts

COP17 Mongolia 2026 – Quick Facts

Event: UNCCD COP17 – 17th Conference of the Parties
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Dates: 17–28 August 2026
Expected attendance: Approximately 8,000–10,000 participants
International participation: More than 190 countries; UNCCD has 197 Parties
Theme: “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope”
Main topics: Desertification, land degradation, drought, land restoration, water, rangelands and sustainable land management

Ulaanbaatar traffic restriction: 15 August–12 September 2026
Hours: 07:00–21:00
System: Odd and even license plates on alternating days
Exception: All vehicles may drive on September 1

Travelers visiting Mongolia during this period should book Ulaanbaatar accommodation early, allow additional time for airport transfers and reserve domestic flights and tours in advance.

COP17 in Mongolia