Planning guide
Health, Medical Care and Travel Insurance for Mongolia
Short answer
Ulaanbaatar has hospitals and international clinics, but countryside facilities are basic and often hours away. Serious problems usually mean evacuation to Ulaanbaatar or abroad, so travel insurance with medical evacuation cover — and cover for activities like horse riding — is essential. Get pre-travel advice from a travel clinic, bring your medicines and a first-aid kit, and take sensible precautions (dogs, marmots, winter air pollution).
This page is general travel information, not medical advice. Speak to a travel-health professional about your own situation.
Medical care
- Ulaanbaatar: hospitals and private international clinics.
- Provincial centres: basic hospitals.
- Countryside: very limited; distances to care can be many hours.
Insurance essentials
- Medical treatment and emergency evacuation, including from remote areas.
- Cover for horse riding and any trekking.
- Check age limits and pre-existing condition terms.
- Keep your policy number and emergency contact with you — and give a copy to your guide.
Health precautions travelers commonly take
- Travel clinic visit several weeks before departure.
- Personal medicines in hand luggage, with spares.
- First-aid kit: plasters, blister care, painkillers, rehydration salts, antiseptic, motion-sickness tablets, any personal items.
- Sun: strong at altitude and in the Gobi.
- Dogs and rabies: avoid dogs; seek medical care promptly after any bite or scratch.
- Marmots: don’t eat or handle them (plague cases are occasionally reported in summer).
- Air quality: Ulaanbaatar’s winter air pollution can be severe.
- Water: bottled or boiled.
For older travelers and those with conditions
Talk honestly with your doctor about long drives, remoteness and cold. Choose itineraries with shorter drives and flights. See Mongolia for older travelers.
Questions travelers ask
Do I need vaccinations for Mongolia?
Recommendations depend on your health, history and itinerary. See a travel clinic or your doctor several weeks before travel; we don't give medical advice.
What should my travel insurance cover?
Medical treatment, emergency evacuation (including from remote areas), repatriation, the activities you plan (horse riding, trekking at altitude), and trip disruption. Read exclusions carefully.
Mongolia Relay
Planning a Mongolia trip?
Tell us what you have in mind — dates, who is traveling, what matters to you. A real person reads every message and replies within 48 hours. No obligation, and if you don’t need our help we’ll tell you.