Best Things for Solo Women to Do in Mongolia (Even If You’re Nervous About Going Alone)

Mongolia can feel overwhelming at first, with its huge skies and long, quiet roads. But once travelers arrive, most solo women discover a country that feels welcoming, peaceful, and surprisingly easy to love. These experiences help nervous travelers explore Mongolia with confidence and joy.

Eagle Hunter Festival In Mongolia
Experiencing Mongolia’s traditional eagle hunting with a trained golden eagle

Mongolia gives solo women something rare, open space to breathe and a culture that feels safe and warm. Nomadic hospitality, untouched landscapes, and community-centered traditions make it a comforting place to explore even if someone is worried about going alone. This guide highlights simple, meaningful things to do in Mongolia, along with key moments from SoFe’s women-only trip that help travelers feel supported from the start.

Why Mongolia Is Easier for Solo Women Than Most Expect

Even though Mongolia looks far away and wild, it’s known for kindness, curiosity, and deep respect for guests. Most solo women report feeling safe and welcomed everywhere they go.

Locals often go out of their way to help travelers, offer tea, or simply share a warm smile.

The Calm of the Steppe

Miles of open land create a natural sense of peace. Many women say the steppe helps their minds slow down and settle.

 

Why Women-Only Groups Feel So Supportive

Long distances and unpredictable weather can make Mongolia hard to plan alone. A small group makes everything easier while still giving travelers personal freedom.

Women-only-tour-to-Mongolia
Mongolia’s eagle hunters assembling before the start of the festival

Best Things for Solo Women to Do in Mongolia

1. Sleep in a Luxe Ger Under a Sky Full of Stars

Staying in a traditional ger is a must, and in Terelj National Park, some are designed with extra comfort and warmth.
The experience: travelers fall asleep under bright stars, surrounded by quiet mountains and fresh night air.

Why women love it: It feels cozy, magical, and safe.

 

2. See the Golden Eagle Festival From the Front Row

This centuries-old festival celebrates the bond between eagle hunters and their birds. Solo women often say seeing it up close is emotional, powerful, and unforgettable.

Why it helps nervous travelers:
The community energy is warm and inviting, and guides help explain the traditions so nothing feels intimidating.

 

3. Visit a Kazakh Family for a Home-Cooked Meal

Sharing food with a local family is one of the most grounding experiences in Mongolia.

What makes it special:

  • Travelers taste homemade dishes.

  • They learn about Kazakh culture and daily life.

  • The kindness of the hosts helps ease any lingering nerves.

This experience reminds solo women that Mongolia is full of people who truly want them to feel welcome.

 

4. Hike Terelj National Park at Golden Hour

When the sun sets over Terelj, cliffs turn gold and the steppe glows.
Solo women especially love this hike because it’s peaceful, easy to follow, and full of beautiful lookout points.

Empowering takeaway:
Golden hour in Mongolia makes travelers feel calm, grounded, and proud of themselves for being there.

 

5. Discover Mongolia’s Spiritual Heart at Its Largest Active Monastery

Many women appreciate visiting Mongolia’s biggest active monastery because it feels gentle and calm. Prayer flags wave in the wind. Monks walk quietly between buildings. The whole atmosphere encourages reflection.

Why it helps nervous travelers:
Sacred spaces offer structure, tranquility, and a sense of safety.

 

6. Watch Wrestling Matches, Explore Flea Markets, and Enjoy Spontaneous Moments

Ulaanbaatar surprises travelers with fun cultural experiences.

Great examples include:

  • Traditional wrestling matches that show impressive strength and national pride.

  • Flea markets full of handmade goods, quirky finds, and friendly vendors.

  • Unplanned surprises, like street snacks, music, or small pop-up events.

These simple, everyday experiences help solo women feel more connected to the city.

 

7. Explore the Gobi Desert’s Singing Dunes

The golden dunes hum softly when the wind moves, and camel guides help travelers explore safely.

Why women love it:
The dunes are stunning, peaceful, and empowering to stand on top of.

 

8. Take a Quiet Night Under Mongolia’s Bright Stars

Many women say this is the moment they feel their fear disappear.
The sky is clear, huge, and calming.

 

9. Trek Through the Orkhon Valley

This valley is full of green hills, flowing water, and nomadic families tending their herds.

Perfect for women who want a gentle, scenic hike that doesn’t feel overwhelming.

 

10. Explore Ulaanbaatar With Confidence

The capital city mixes modern cafés and shops with traditional temples and local markets.

Great places to explore:

  • The National Museum

  • The Black Market

  • The Choijin Lama Temple Museum

It’s a comfortable place to start or end a Mongolia trip.

mongolia view with sofe sign
SoFe travelers overlooking the town of Ă–lgii and the Altai Mountains in Mongolia

Safety Tips for Nervous Solo Women Traveling in Mongolia

Stay Flexible

Weather and roads change. A relaxed mindset makes everything smoother.

 

Trust Mongolian Hospitality

Locals often offer help, tea, or directions.
Accepting kindness turns fear into connection.

 

Consider a Women-Only Group

The women-only tour gives solo travelers a safe, warm community from the first day.

 

Keep Communication Simple

Gestures, smiles, and patience work well when English is limited.

 

Travel With Local Guides

Guides understand the land, culture, and safest routes. They help travelers feel grounded and confident.

Mongolia
Enjoying a sunny day in Mongolia’s steppe landscape

Why Mongolia Changes So Many Solo Women

Mongolia doesn’t try to impress. It simply gives travelers room to slow down and feel safe being themselves. With quiet nights, meaningful cultural moments, and gentle support from locals, many women leave with a stronger sense of courage and clarity.

 

Travelers who want this comfort and connection can explore the SoFe tour calendar for upcoming Mongolia departures.

FAQs About Solo Female Travel in Mongolia

1. Is Mongolia safe for solo female travelers?
Yes. Rural areas are very safe, and people are extremely welcoming. In the city, normal awareness is enough.

 

2. When is the best time to visit Mongolia?
June through September offers the best weather. July is great for Naadam.

 

3. Can beginners ride horses in Mongolia?
Yes. Guides teach gently and make the experience relaxing.

 

4. Is Mongolia hard to travel alone?
Transportation can be tricky. Many women choose small groups for easier logistics.

 

5. What should women wear in Mongolia?
Layers. The weather changes quickly. Outdoor clothing is perfect.

Uzbekistan Travel Books: A Solo Female Traveler’s Guide

Are you dreaming of walking beneath blue-tiled minarets, wandering ancient Silk Road bazaars, or sipping tea in quiet courtyard cafes? Before you pack your bags for Uzbekistan, let’s get you inspired and ready with some incredible reads. We’ve put together an Uzbekistan-inspired book list perfect for solo female travelers — stories and guides that help you feel grounded, curious, and deeply connected to this historic, soul-stirring country.

Women's Only Tour to Uzbekistan.

Why Start with a Book?

Traveling solo isn’t just about moving through new places — it’s about connecting deeply with the stories that shape them. Books can transport you into Uzbek culture, Silk Road history, and everyday life long before you arrive, giving you context and meaning behind every mosaic, market, and minaret. Think of this list as a travel companion that whispers ancient trade-route tales over tea and points out the layers of history you might otherwise miss.

top BOOKS TO READ for Solo Female Travelers in Uzbekistan

A beautiful historical novel weaving together poetry, love, revolution, and exile through the life of the legendary Persian poet Omar Khayyam and the Rubaiyat manuscript. Though it spans centuries and countries, much of its soul lives in Samarkand — and it captures the romance, danger, and spiritual longing of the Silk Road era.

An epic reframing of world history told through the lens of Central Asia. This book brings the ancient trade routes to life, showing how cities like Samarkand and Bukhara once sat at the very center of global power, culture, and exchange. It’s essential reading for anyone curious about why Uzbekistan matters so deeply in world history.

An intimate memoir of childhood and coming of age along the banks of the Oxus River (Amu Darya), one of Central Asia’s most historic lifelines. Through memory, family stories, and everyday details, the author paints a tender portrait of life shaped by tradition, community, and the quiet rhythms of Uzbek culture before modern borders and politics fully took hold. It’s a deeply personal lens into a world rarely written about in English — gentle, nostalgic, and rich with place.

TOP Movies to watch for solo female travelers in Uzbekistan

Abdullajon (1991)
2000 Songs Of Farida (2020)
The Patience Stone (2012)

A beloved Uzbek cult-classic set in a rural village outside of Tashkent. When strange events begin happening around a quiet, mysterious man, the community is thrown into suspicion, humor, and reflection. Beneath the comedy is a gentle, human portrait of post-Soviet village life — its rhythms, relationships, and quiet tensions. It offers a rare, authentic glimpse into everyday Uzbekistan.

Set in early 20th-century Turkestan, this sweeping Uzbek historical drama follows one family navigating love, loss, and survival as their world is reshaped by political and social upheaval. Through Farida’s life, the film reveals the shifts between tradition and modernity, the roles of women, and the human cost of changing empires. Rich in atmosphere, music, and emotion, it offers a rare cinematic window into Uzbekistan’s past through a deeply personal lens.

A deeply intimate, emotionally charged film centered on a woman caring for her comatose husband in a war-torn, deeply traditional society. Alone in a small room, she begins whispering her secrets, fears, and long-silenced truths to him — using him as her “patience stone,” a mythical object that absorbs pain. Though not set directly in Uzbekistan, the cultural setting, gender dynamics, and emotional landscape closely mirror much of Central Asia. It’s quiet, powerful, and unforgettable.

TOP Music TO Listen for Solo Female Travelers in Uzbekistan

Sevara Nazarkhan

Uzbekistan’s most internationally celebrated singer, Sevara blends traditional Uzbek melodies with subtle modern influences, creating a sound that feels ancient, sacred, and alive. It’s the kind of music that echoes the quiet majesty of mosques, deserts, and blue-tiled cities — introspective, emotional, and deeply rooted in place.

Yulduz Usmonova

One of Uzbekistan’s most beloved pop-folk icons, often called the “Queen of Uzbek Music.” Her songs are energetic, emotional, and joyful — filled with themes of love, strength, and everyday life. You’ll hear her music everywhere in Uzbekistan: in taxis, cafés, markets, and weddings. Listening to Yulduz is like tuning into the heartbeat of modern Uzbek culture.

Rayhon Gʻaniyeva (Rayhon)

A modern Uzbek pop star whose music blends romance, tradition, and contemporary sounds. Her songs are soft, melodic, and widely loved across generations. You’ll often hear Rayhon playing in cafés, shops, and on the radio — offering a gentle soundtrack to everyday life in Uzbekistan.

TOP Videos TO Watch for Solo Female Travelers in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan: This Country Will Suprise You | Travel Documentary

A visually captivating travel film that journeys through Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities, vibrant bazaars, and vast desert landscapes, revealing a country full of warmth, color, and unexpected beauty. From the blue-tiled mosaics of Samarkand and Bukhara to everyday moments with locals, the documentary balances history with modern life. It highlights hospitality, cuisine, architecture, and the quiet magic of daily rhythms — offering a fresh, inspiring look at a destination many travelers overlook.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan History : The Heart Of the Silk Road

This documentary guides you through the long, layered history of Samarkand — one of the world’s oldest cities and a core jewel of the ancient Silk Road. You’ll begin in ancient times, with early settlements and Sogdian merchants, then follow Samarkand through conquest, decline, and rebirth under empires.

This video offers a beautiful, close-up exploration of Uzbekistan’s traditional handicrafts — from handwoven rugs and carpets to pottery and ceramics. It shows master artisans at work: their hands shaping clay, weaving wool, dyeing threads, and decorating patterns that carry centuries of history and identity. Watching it gives you more than sightseeing; it reveals the human skill, time, and heritage behind each carpet, bowl, or tile — a living tradition that connects travelers to the soul of the Silk Road.

All links in this article encourage purchases from small businesses, locally owned stores, or women owned companies wherever possible while prioritizing reliable recommendations for our travelers.