Mongolia - is it safe?

Define 'solo'? Will you be joining a tour or making your way through the country by what passes for public transport? I wouldn't recommend the latter for a lone woman, but then I wouldn't recommend it for anyone. Even for those (like me) who generally prefer to travel solo, in Mongolia joining a jeep tour with four others is by far the most sensible option. In that case it's up to your judgement which group you want to travel with.

In Ulaanbaatar you'll be fine too. Though you'd be well advised to be back in your hostel/hotel by eleven o'clock or so.

I did 2 tours with this company last June, & they were great

http://www.otamecotours.com/web/

UB can be a bit rough after 10 pm, so travel with several other tourists, if you must go to bars (safety in numbers). I would also recommend Zaya's Guesthouse. Don't miss Nadaam! Some pics I took:

Mongolia June 2007

I wouldn't say Mongolia is unsafe. Of course it is hard after 11 o'clock for alone women.
ask anything about Mongolia on this site.It is new one http://www.talkaboutmongolia.com

Where are you planning to travel in Mongolia? There is very little infrastructure outside of Ulan Bator so it is extremely unlikely that you will be going anywhere outside the capitol on your own. Most likely you will be joining other travelers to hire a jeep with driver/guide.

Ruth

Maylili - in general Mongolia is quite safe for women travelling alone. Your biggest danger is in the city, being hassled by drunks late at night on Friday and Saturday. Outside the city (Ulaanbaatar) you will find people curious but polite and friendly. I have worked and travelled alone in Mongolia, and as long as you don't do something stupid like get drunk in a bar and start flirting with young guys, you will be fine.

And despite what another poster said, there is nothing dangerous about the people on the local transport. I think he was referring to the danger of road accidents, which is quite real, and another reason to hire a driver.

There is a lot of vodka drinking in Mongolia, & smashed bottles everywhere. I'd say after 10pm, it isn't safe in UB, but the rest of the country was fine. Beware of pickpockets in UB too. Use a concealed money belt.

Thanks guys for all the helpful info!!

Hi

Nice to read your mail in the lonely planet. I am travelling to Mongolia this month end. Therefore would like to share your experience of Mongolian travel. Please mail me to my email --- nigam_mukesh@indiatimes.com. Looking forward to your details mail...thanks a lot

Cheers
Mukesh