FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to come to Mongolia?
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year, but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
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What luggage will i take?
It is a good idea to bring another smaller bag so that unwanted clothes can be kept in it at the hotel when you go on trek. This also helps to keep city clothes clean and free from dust. You should also bring a small day pack which can be carried while hiking or riding or can be readily accessible when you are travelling in the vehicles on long drives. It should be noted that the luggage limit per person on MIAT internal flights is 10 kg per person. For every kg over 10 kg it is USD1 per kg to the Gobi and Central Provinces and USD2 to the west.
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What will i pack?
On camping trips all equipment will be provided except for a 4-season sleeping bag. You do not need to provide any other camping gear only personal belongings. We can provide travellers with a rough guide of things that you will need to pack for your trip to Mongolia. This list may not suit everyone's needs but it can be adapted to personal requirements or the type of trip that you are planning to take. Please ask us.
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Who will lead my trip?
Mongolian roads are often very bad, constantly changing or disappear altogether due to bad weather. Bridges in remote areas are almost non-existent. There are no road signs in Mongolia and the only way drivers are able to ascertain the current road condition is to stop and ask the locals which they will do on some occasions. There are some paved roads in the countryside but due to the large potholes it is often more comfortable driving on a dirt road.
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Accommodation?
Accommodation is in the traditional Mongolian dwelling, a ger, or lightweight three-man tents and will be specified in the itinerary. The Ger camps provide basic but comfortable accommodation. There are basic showers and washing facilities available and hot water is supplied to all gers. The ger camps provide all bedding and clients will not be expected to bring their own sleeping bags if they are staying in the ger camps. The tents are either 2 or 3 person tents. As far as possible we provide clients travelling alone with their own tent. A sleeping mat will be provided to each person staying in a tent but clients are asked to bring their own sleeping bags.
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What about the food on the trip?
The food on camping trips is from the best produce available and the menus are possibly the most varied you will find in Mongolia. Mongolia is a meat eating country but vegetarians can be catered for, however, we require as much notice as possible. Our cooks are all Mongolian and they have a wealth of experience in catering to the western traveller. You will also eat some Mongolian food on trips. We try to buy as much produce as possible from local people although there is not a lot of variety. Alcohol is not provided on the treks but clients are free to bring their own.
On trips staying in ger camps the food is provided by the camp. Again the cooks are Mongolian but the food tends to be a little less varied with a strong emphasis on meat, rice, pasta and potatoes. Again vegetarians can be catered for but will probably end up eating a lot of eggs.
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Will i be able to speak people to english?
The official and spoken language of the country is Mongolian. Many people have Russian as their second language as they were taught this at school. An increasing number of people are now also speaking English and German.
It is appreciated by locals if travellers learn some basic Mongolian before their trip. A few words are surprisingly easy to master and will help tremendously in communicating with local people. Spend a few dollars and minutes before you go and purchase a copy of the Lonely Planet Mongolian phrase book.
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What visa requirements are there?
Your passport should have 6 months validity on it, and you will also need a visa. Visas are available from the Mongolian embassy in your country. One month visas can be obtained on the spot once you arrive at the airport or railway station – you will need an official confirmation letter from Gobi Sunshine if you choose to do this. There will also be a fee of $50US. |
