Nomadic Life in Mongolia: How a Third of the Country Still Lives
- Enkhzaya Ganbold
- Feb 20, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Mongolia is the last true nomadic country on Earth: roughly 30% of its 3.5 million people still live as nomadic or semi-nomadic herders, moving seasonally with about 58 million horses, cows, yaks, sheep, goats and camels. Travelers can experience this life first-hand by staying overnight with a herder family in a ger — something we arrange on almost every tour.
Who are the nomads of Mongolia?
Most people know Mongolia only for Chinggis Khaan, the great king and general. But the nomadic culture he came from is still alive today — herder families live, migrate and raise animals on the open steppe much as their ancestors did centuries ago.
What cute baby animals! This is a scene from a real nomadic family 👪 🐴 🐮 — the place where mares are milked. Foals are tied to this rope for a few hours so the mares can be milked; too much milk is dangerous for both mother and foal, and the line also protects the young horses from predators.
Animals of nomadic Mongolia
Mongolia counted about 58 million livestock animals in the 2025 census — horses 🐴, cows and yaks 🐮, sheep 🐑, goats 🐐 and camels 🐫 roaming free in nature 🏞️. Roughly 30% of the population, around 300,000 people in herder households, still lives nomadically — much as in ancient times. They depend completely on their animals and the climate, migrating between seasonal pastures across Mongolia. Their income comes from milk, meat and dairy products, plus one big cashmere harvest from their goats each spring. Though they earn less money than city dwellers, they live with organic food, fresh air and famously strong health.
In recent years, tourism has become a welcome extra income for nomads: families host travelers overnight, sharing dairy products, games and real conversation in the ger. It is a win-win — travelers see authentic nomadic life without any staging, and families earn directly from their hospitality.
The rest of the population lives in cities or abroad. The capital Ulaanbaatar is developing fast — the latest cars, modern architecture and services — making Mongolia a unique combination of modern life and an amazing nomadic lifestyle.
Can tourists stay with a nomadic family in Mongolia?
Yes — staying overnight with a herder family is one of the highlights of any Mongolia trip. You sleep in a guest ger, help with the animals, and taste fresh dairy products. Try our Mongol Nomadic program for a one-day experience, or browse our Mongolia tour packages — nearly all include nomad family visits.
When is the best time to experience nomadic life?
June to September, when families are at their summer pastures, animals are being milked daily and the steppe is green. See our full Mongolia travel guide for seasons, visas and costs, and read about the traditional Mongolian foods you will taste in a nomad ger.
