Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the best time to go?  

Based on climate, most travelers would agree that the best time to visit Mongolia from middle of May to middle of October. July is also the time to see the Naadam Festival.
The best time to see the Gobi is September and October.
December to February is another the best time to visit the ice and snow. Winter festival enjoys during Mongolian Lunar New Year. 

What months in Mongolia are High Season, Shoulder Season, and Low Season?

Generally and traditionally, the Peak Season refers to July; the Shoulder Season refers to June, August, September, October and Low Season refers to January, February, and December. 

How is the weather in Mongolia?

Spring: April - June
Summer: June - September
Fall: Sep - October
Winter: October – March

Summer is little more crowded (not so crowded that it would spoil your trip).The weather in Fall is usually change from bright sun to thunderstorm and back again several times in a day. Autumn is another good time to visit, when the leaves are turning color. Winter is cold, though blue skies are the norm.

Month temperature precipitation

January          26.5 C 1.5 mm
February        21.7 C 1.9 mm
March             10.8 C 2.2 mm
April                0 C 5.7 mm
May                 + 8.5 C 15.3 mm
June               +18.0 C 48.5 mm
July                 +24.0 C 72.6 mm
August            + 20.0 C 47.8 mm
September     + 15.5 C 24.4 mm
October          + 2.5 C 10.5 mm
November      -15.6 C 4.6 mm
December      -20.5 C 3.4 mm  

 

What should I pack? 

Pack lightly, and bring casual clothes. A sturdy, comfortable pair of walking shoes is an absolute. A sports coat for man, and one or two dresses or pantsuits for women, will suit the most formal occasions to be encountered in Mongolia. Travelers should bring shirts, sweaters, and jackets that can be worn in layers to suit a range of climates. Also a pair of comfortable walking shoes, as you are going to have a lot of walking in sightseeing. Remember: dress for Comfort, not for Style. Wash-and-wear clothing is preferable, although all hotels and ger camps offer reliable laundry service. 

Suggested checking list: 

- Passport and visa
- Air tickets
- Travel itinerary and contact names issued by your travel agent
- Travelers checks besides a couple of hundreds dollar cash ( Credit cards are not used as widely)
- Travel insurance
- Medical assistance programs that you have
- Common toiletries, cold and digestive medications, lip balm, sanitary napkins and any over-the-counter medicines you generally use
- Razor, alarm clock and maybe hair dryer
- Small electrical converter and adapter plugs
- Chewing gum, mints, or throat lozenges to keep your mouth moist
- Reading materials, including a guidebook on the places you will see and a map; A novel could also be good when you are stuck at an airport
- Suntan lotion and sun glasses in summer
- Raincoat
- Camera & films. While print films are available almost everywhere, negative film may be difficult to find, and be sure to pack extra batteries
- A notebook, a calculator and a pen you might need any moment 

Equipment & Packing Tips 

A detailed packing list is suggested for each of our trips in the trip information section. Please check the recommended packing list for the specific trip you are taking. Our suggested packing lists do not aim to be comprehensive or exhaustive; we know that every traveler has different needs. If you feel there is something else you should bring with you, please do so, and when in doubt contact us for a recommendation. You should pack everything in a soft bag or backpack rather than in a suitcase or trunk, which will make it easier to load into vehicles and on pack animals. The following general packing list gives recommendations on the type of equipment or clothing we have found most practical, based on our experience in Mongolia.

Backpack or soft bag – best if foldable. 

Sleeping bag - rated comfortable down to -5C for summer trips, -15C to -20C for spring and autumn, and -40C for winter, if you are coming between June and August and staying exclusively in ger camps (no tent camping) you may not need a sleeping bag. In this case, we recommend you bring a cotton or silk sleeping bag liner, as ger camp sheets are always undersized and the blankets provided may be scratchy or coarse. 

Waterproof bag cover (on treks and horse treks, expedition style trips) – one large enough to cover your backpack or bag and a smaller one for your day pack. 

Day pack – should have wide, comfortable shoulder straps. 

Head lamp/flashlight – a head lamp is preferable 

Spare batteries/bulbs 

Personal medications – our first aid kits are equipped with basic first aid supplies, but by Mongolian law we are not allowed to dispense any medications. You should bring common medicines for headache, stomach upset, colds or allergies, based on your experience and your knowledge of what you might require. Bring a sufficient supply of all prescription medications. 

Towel – a travel towel that is compact, very absorbent, and fast drying is the best kind 

Riding boots (for horse treks) – almost any style of riding boot will be sufficient, but the taller ones are more comfortable for longer rides unless you will be wearing chaps. 

Hiking boots (for treks) – should be waterproof and breathable, with Gore Tex boots being the best for trekking tours. This is a permafrost area, and water is trapped at the surface, so it will be difficult to avoid some wet ground. 

Hiking shoes (for all trips) – it is best to wear hiking shoes for all trips, which give good support and protect your feet from rocks, loose stones, etc. Boots or shoes for non-trekking trips need not be waterproof. 

Waterproof shell/rain jacket or poncho – in most cases a waterproof/windproof shell with a hood is ideal. Ponchos are more practical on a horse trek as they can cover your saddle and prevent your seat from being wet. Jackets or ponchos for horse treks should be of a subdued, darker color, and preferably of a material that does not crackle or rustle much. Some Mongolian horses are spooked by unfamiliar bright/light colors and noises from plastic or nylon rain gear. 

Waterproof pants – should fit over your other pants, and from May through September need not have a lining or should have a very light, breathable lining. 

Fleece jacket or warm sweater/jumper – we find a fleece jacket with a full length zipper in front to be the most practical, and wind-stopper fleece the best for spring and autumn. 

Chaps (for horse treks) 

Riding helmet (for horse treks) 

Cotton t-shirts – two to three T-shirts will usually suffice 

Long sleeve shirts – one light weight, fast drying, light colored one, preferably with buttons down the front so you can wear it open over a T-shirt for sun protection – and one medium weight for cool evenings. 

Lightweight trousers – two pair, and if you have one with zip-off legs that can double as shorts, this is ideal 

Shorts – the fast drying kind are ideal 

Warm hat – wool or fleece, which can cover your ears 

Long underwear – (for treks and horse treks) in summer a lightweight top and bottom will suffice. Your long underwear should be the synthetic kind that wicks away moisture from the skin and keeps you dry 

Socks – socks should be of a material that keeps your feet dry 

Underwear – fast drying. Sports/athletic bras offering good support are best for countryside portions of all trips – roads are bumpy here! 

Sun hat – should shade your face, ears, and the back of your neck 

Gloves – lightweight for trekking and riding, warm for spring and autumn trips 

Sandals – to be worn around camp, in the shower, and wading in streams or lakes. The best kind have adjustable straps around the ankle, and will stay on your feet if you are walking in a slippery stream bed 

Sun glasses – should be dark and offer UV protection 

Sun cream – choose one with stronger protection (SPF 20 or more) if you are light skinned. A sunscreen in stick form that can be applied to lips, nose, cheeks, and the tops of your ears is a very handy item 

Spare glasses – carry them in a sturdy case 

Walking shoes – should have sturdy soles and good support 

Insect repellent – read the label carefully and avoid those that are toxic to fish and amphibians, or wash these off well away from rivers, lakes, and streams 

Resealing (Ziploc) plastic bags – bring enough to protect your documents, money, camera, binoculars, and other items from wetness, sand, and dust. A few extra bags are handy for repacking wet clothing until you reach your next camp and can dry them out 

Binoculars/camera – carry in a soft padded case if possible 

Water bottle – for treks and horse treks, should have a wide mouth for refilling easily 

Wet tissues – choose unscented ones that will not attract insects 

Watch/alarm clock – an inexpensive watch with an alarm is a handy item 

Money belt/pouch – it is preferable to have a flat pouch that can be worn inside clothing 

Insurance confirmation copy – must be left on file in our offices 

Emergency contact number – must be left on file in our offices 

Casual clothes for travel/city – you may want to bring an extra folding bag so you can leave any spare items in the hotel or at our offices 

It is a good idea to try on clothing at home to ensure that what you bring is sized for comfortable layering. Weather in Mongolia is unpredictable, and layering your clothes for warmth is a practical alternative to packing bulky items you may never wear.