Mongolia inspires awe.

New York Times says “… people have been seeking out Mongolia … it may be a reaction to a world that’s increasingly condensed into our phones, where the same few destinations pop up again and again…. .”

A striking, rugged land of legends and fables, Mongolia is a storyteller’s paradise. The majestic beauty of Mongolia, with its open grasslands, sweeping valleys, and massive deserts, seems more lore than reality. For a writer seeking a new world of inspiration, Mongolia is a rare, well-kept secret. Mongolia’s potential as a writer’s muse became obvious to the co-founders of the Himalayan Writing Retreat as they traveled through the steppes and the Gobi desert in 2023, looking for a less mainstream and curated travel experience.

They loved it so much they’re now taking a select group of like-minded writers there in 2025 for the first ever Mongolian Writers Retreat. The retreat will be co-led by fiction/memoir writer Erika Krouse (Tell Me Everything, Save Me, Stranger, Contenders, Come Up and See Me Sometime) and memoirist Chetan Mahajan (The Bad Boys of Bokaro Jail and co-founder of The Himalayan Writing Retreat).

Dates: June 18 – 28, 2025

Included:

• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• All stays at hotels / Ger Camps
• All transfers and meals for the entire trip. Tickets to all events and places in the published schedule . All travel by private coach within Mongolia. An English-speaking guide will accompany the writers for all ten days.
• Daily writing instruction, inspiration, and personal attention to your writing.

Not included:

• Airplane travel to and from Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia.
• Early arrival or extended stay charges.
• Shopping, snacks, personal expenses and tips.
• Optional activities such as riding, additional outings that participants may plan.

Price: USD 4400 per writer
(USD 3600 for accompanying, 18+ non-writer)

Bring a friend offer: If you book in a group, all other writers in your group pays $200 less i.e. 4200. This does not apply to accompanying non-writers.

People below 18 are not allowed.

Application and confirmation

Once your application is accepted, you will be required to pay a deposit of USD 1200 to secure your spot. The event is confirmed and will proceed as per the dates confirmed above.

Travel FAQs

Visa: US citizens do not need a visa to enter Mongolia, A valid passport is a required. Other nationalities, please check if you need a visa for Mongolia.

Food: Native Mongolian food is mainly non-vegetarian. We have arranged stays at resorts which will cater to vegetarians, but their ability to cater to more specific food requirements may be limited. If you have a special dietary requirement, please mention this in the form. If you join, please carry ample non-perishable food and snacks for yourself. You should be able to get some gluten / lactose-free items in Ulaan Bataar city as well.

Medical: If you have any specific medical conditions, please carry medicines with you. Both Ulaan Bataar and Harhorin have hospitals and medical facilities, but language can be an issue and specific medicines may differ / be unavailable. 

Weather: June is summertime, but weather can be unpredictable. It can get cold and windy, so please carry layers and wind-protection.

Language: Mongolians speak little English, so sticking with the group and our English-speaking guide will help. However, Mongolians are in general very nice, helpful folks, and go out of their way to help visitors.

Currency: the currency is the Mongolian National Tugrik (MNT). The currency is not easily available, and changing some money on arrival would be a good idea. One US Dollar is 3450 MNT, making the math for transactions rather tricky.

Shopping: Mongolia is full of amazing artifacts and items that are unique and unusual. It is famous for its cashmere, wool products and much more. The museum stores and souvenir shops also offer interesting curios.

Program Schedule​

We’ll spend the first two and the last day sightseeing in and around Ulaan Bataar.

The initial two days will include visits to Genghis Khan statue complex, Terelj National park and the Aryabal meditation Temple, amongst others.

Then we head to Harhorin – a seven hour drive from Ulaan Bataar – where we’ll stay and write at a Ger resort.

We’ll travel by private coach.  Our trips from here will include visits to the Kharakhorum Museum, Erdene Zuu and Elsen Tasarkhai Sand dune in the mini-Gobi.

We’re keeping the excursions light to allow for sessions and writing time.

Back in Ulaan Bataar on the evening of the 27th we will attend the Tumen Ekh Mongolian cultural performance and the next day we will visit the Natural history Museum before heading off to the airport. You can also fit in some more shopping or sightseeing depending upon your flight timing.

The Himalayan Writing Retreat has been hosting the International Writers retreats in the Himalayas since 2019. We have hosted eight retreats in India, most of which were fully sold out.

Below are some videos and pictures from past events. The video is from the April 2019 retreat, which was also led by Erika Krouse, but in the Himalayas.