FAQ
When is the best time to come to Mongolia ? How do I get to Mongolia? Would you be able to arrange for my flights to Ulaanbaatar? Is Mongolia a safe destination? What is the accommodation like? What should I bring with me? How’s the food? Where can I exchange my money? The answers to all this and more can be found in the frequently asked questions below.
When is the best time to come to Mongolia? We have 4 seasons, summer, autumn, winter and spring in Mongolia. We would like to say the best months are May to September. If you want to see birdlife, May is your month. If you like warmest days with wild flowers, June and July with Naadam festival are yours. The months from August to September are yours if you like warm days with chilly mornings and evenings. August is also the wettest months of the year, but be assured that our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. If you like the Gobi Desert, all months are good, even including October.
How do I get to Mongolia? All direct flights come into Ulaanbaatar – most of them from Beijing, Moscow, Seoul, Tokyo or Berlin. The Trans-Mongolian train from Moscow or Beijing makes a particularly exhilarating entry into the country. There are domestic flights and trains from Ulaanbaatar to the rest of Mongolia.
Is Mongolia a safe destination? Mongolia has one of the lowest crime rates in the world and compared to the US and Europe, is considered a very safe destination. Mongolian people are known for their nomadic hospitality and they will make you feel very welcome. You will feel our Mongolia as your country.
Can you help arrange my travel visas?
Requirements for travel visas vary widely depending on your nationality and your destination. If you do require a visa you can arrange them yourself or use the services of a travel agent or visa processing companies. If you need any invitation letters or something like that, then we would easily arrange that.
How to arrange Flight & Train tickets?
We do organize train and flight tickets with free of commission. So, when you arrive, you don't have to look for ticket offices by wasting your golden time.
Do I need travel insurance, and if so, what should it cover? Yes, you need the travel insurance. This is an affordable and comprehensive travel protection program that covers you for unexpected events that could cause you to cancel or interrupt your vacation, unexpected delays, medical assistance, loss of or damage to baggage.
Can I join a tour late or leave it early?
It's extremely difficult to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary, please consult Mongol Gobi Taiga Tour, before you book your adventure.
How many people can join a tour?
We keep our group sizes low so you have the freedom to move around and get involved with your surroundings. This intimate size ensures that your group won't crowd your experience. You can expect anywhere from 2-15 travelers on a trip but the average is 10.
What clothing should I pack for one of your adventures? We always recommend packing as light as possible however the specific requirements for your tour will vary widely depending on where and when you are traveling. However, we would like to recommend you to have warm clothes with you any time since Mongolian weather can be changed many times in a day. You can please have a look at the packing list from the menu “Useful Info”.
Where can i exchange money?
At the train station, airport, there are ATM machines, though sometimes they don't work well. But once you arrive in city center, you will find plenty of ATM machines, exchange centers and banks!
What can I expect about my accommodation? We offer the most atmospheric, clean hotels in Ulaanbaatar, conveniently located nature friendly Ger/Yurt camps and local community based Ger camps in countryside areas. Homestay at Ger of nomadic family is arranged according to clients’ request. During the active treks the spacious lightweight tents of 3 people will be provided on a twin share basis. A central dining tent is provided for groups with more than 6 parties. A double share based self inflatable sleeping mattress with ground sheet will be provided to each tent and the clients are recommended to bring their own sleeping bags for hygienic reasons.
Can we stay only in tourist ger camps on the tours? There are many tourist camps at almost every destination in Mongolia. If you want, book that as your accommodation on your tour, you can stay in tourist ger camps.
Can't we just camp everywhere? In Mongolia there are no designated camping sites, you can camp anywhere that takes your fancy. Through experience we have come to know many scenic and beautiful spots. We take care of the camping equipment; all cooking and eating gear, travel tables and chairs. You have to bring your own sleeping bag, but if these are too bulky to carry on your way over, you can also hire these from us – including a fresh inner sheet.
What about staying with Nomadic families? For a more alive experience, we will arrange for you to stay with nomadic families, who will offer you Mongolian traditional food and are happy to join in evening discussions about their way of life around the hearth of the Ger. You can be like a member of the family, live like Mongolians. Our tour guides can help translate – although why not pick up a phrase book and try out your own Mongolian language skills yourself!
What sort of food can I expect on tour? We provide variety of local Mongolian food and beverage during our tours. Sharing meals with nomads, having meals at non touristic local restaurants are part of your experience. Any request of special diet can be arranged with our pleasure. Safe and hygienic meals will be prepared in local and traditional style, and even our clients are welcomed to learn how to cook Mongolian dishes as well as our guides will be told interesting backgrounds, narrative stories and nutritious benefit of the meals cooked. Our experienced Mongolian field cooks prepare western and Mongolian dishes in any condition. If you are vegetarian or have other dietary requirements please let us know in advance and we will arrange a suitable stock of food to cater for these. When we go through town or settlements we try to go and have a nice meal in a local restaurant but they are not always available (or nice).
Do I need vaccinations and how is the water safe to drink? No vaccinations are required. The tap water in the cities is safe to drink, but mineral water is recommended. We will supply mineral water during your trip.
What are the camels or horses like for the expeditions? We only use animals in excellent health who have been trained to do long and arduous treks. For trekking expeditions you will be taken care of by local guides who provide horses, or camels as pack animals. These are all well cared for, fit and healthy. Our guides will assist with riding lessons if you are new to horse or camel trekking. All our guides have been specially trained to look after the animals and care for them, they, like all Mongolians, have a huge respect and understanding for the animals of the Steppes.
What kind of car can we expect to use? From 4WD high-speed jeeps to two humped Bactrian camels, from modern buses to traditional yak carts, wherever possible we use alternative transports to enable you to experience real adventures in the country of nomads. In the capital city, we use big and mini buses (depending on the group size) and other suitable vehicles, which are made in Japan, Russia and Korea. In the countryside, we use 4WD vehicles, specially, Russian minivans and Japanese jeeps. Normally, 2-3 people are in one jeep with luggage. The minivan has capacity of 7 people with luggage. All vehicles used in our tours are insured and carefully prepared before departures. Our drivers are also good mechanics, have many years of experience for driving through unmarked, unpaved bumpy roads in countryside.
Are those Russian Jeeps any good? Yes. These are reliable and strong 4WD vehicles and are the most popular vehicle in use today, proving reliable across the varied Mongolian terrain – from rugged steppe, to mountain passes, they are even capable of fording rivers with ease. However, these are designed for practicality and do not come equipped with sound system, sunroofs, or heavy duty electronically controlled suspension.