Frequenty Asked Questions

Is there electricity at the ger camps?

A: Yes, but sometimes it can be limited as a generator typically provides it. Each ger camp is different, but you should inquire about the hours that electricity will be available and plan to charge any devices, batteries or use any electrical appliances within that window. Usually it is during waking hours, so plan to have an additional light source such as a small flashlight or headlamp for evening in the ger camp.

What kind of clothes and shoes do you recommend packing?

A: If you are traveling to Mongolia during the main tourist seasons of June – August the weather will be warm to hot. Pack casual clothes and comfortable shoes for exploring the city. Ulaanbaatar is a modern city with a vibrant nightlife so expect to dress for warm summer nights when dining or going out.
For the Gobi Desert, expect hot temperatures during the day and bring lightweight layers for the evenings, as it can get chilly after the sun goes down. During the day lightweight hiking pants for rugged adventures or camel riding are good. You may also want to bring a pair of hiking shorts for hotter days. Laundry service is available at most ger camps, but most do not have clothes dryers so pack fabrics that dry quickly (not denim).
For shoes, it’s good to bring hiking boots or other sturdy footwear that have non-slip soles for adventures outside the city. If you prefer sandals, bring a pair that are water resistant with rubber tread, toe coverage and securable straps. Flip-flops are good for shower areas and evenings around the camp.

Are bath towels provided at ger camps?

A: Yes. There is no need to pack your own towels, though you may want to bring a face towel or washcloth as some camps only provide larger body towels in the shower rooms. Clean pillowcases are provided at every camp, but since typically only cold water is available for laundry, they may show stains. If you prefer, you may want to bring your own pillowcase.

Will toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, soap) be provided at the ger camps?

A: It varies. Each camp is different, and while some may provide shower gel inside the stalls, not all do. It’s best to pack travel-sized versions of your favorite toiletries for the entire time you are outside of Ulaanbaatar. It’s also good to pack them in a portable dopp kit or zipper bag so that you can easily carry them back and forth to the shower and restrooms, which are a separate area in the camp.

What bags should we bring for our trip?

A: It’s best to pack light if possible. When you are in Ulaanbaatar, you will have room for a regular checked piece of luggage in your hotel room. Be sure to pack a smaller soft-side duffel bag or large backpack for your time in the Gobi and/or Lake Khovsgul. For these portions of the trip you will be flying on a 60-seat turbo-prop aircraft and then 4WD jeeps, which do not have space available for larger bags. You will also have room for a small carry-on or camera bag during these excursions.
During your trips to the Gobi or Lake Khovsgul, your main checked baggage will stay locked up at the hotel and delivered to you upon your return to the city.

Is the mobile reception for data good outside of Ulaanbaatar?

A: Mobile reception is available in most parts of the country, but not all. You may have reception near and in some small towns, and WiFi is available at a few of the ger camps.
If you have an unlocked smartphone, you may purchase a Mongolian SIM card from Mobicom. There is a Mobicom counter on the third floor of the State Department Store in the middle of Ulaanbaatar. As of 2015 a SIM card is 18USD for local calls and texts, 11USD for 5gbs of data, and 5USD for 50minutes of talk time to the United States. 5Gbs of data should easily last the entire trip and you will have phone and Internet services in most locations throughout the trip with the exception of the Gobi Desert.

Does the price also include international arrival and departure airport transfers?

A: Yes, no matter what time you arrive into Ulaanbaatar, there will be a representative from Travel All Mongolia waiting for you, and will transport you to your hotel. On the day of your departure a transfer will be provided back to Chinggis Khaan International Airport with plenty of time to check in for your return flight.

How much USD would you recommend we change for any optional tours, excluding normal shopping?

A: For a 10-day tour you may want to have between 200 - 300USD worth of local currency available. Outside of normal shopping, you will need cash on hand for beverages (soda, wine, beer), souvenirs, or any tip money for the drivers, baggage handlers at the ger camps, or for horse or camel rides. International credit cards are accepted at many places in Ulaanbaatar, but not outside of the city. You will need local currency before leaving the city, which you can change at your hotel, banks or through ATMS.

Climate

The ideal Mongolia travel season starts in May and hits its highest peak in July, during the Naadam holiday, and in August when the weather is most favorable for traveling. This is the best time if you like the culture and can bear the crowds of other tourists. It is not a good time if you want to get away from your busy lifestyle because you will experience traffic, busy schedules, waiting in lines, etc. Temperature throughout the year in Mongolia can be quite extreme. Mongolia\'s tourism season is from May to October because of the difficult climate at other times of the year. In the summer, the weather can range from freezing rain and snow to temperatures above 100 F/39 C, with a possibility of fog, drizzle and torrential storms. Take note that the mean monthly temperature in Ulaanbaatar is -17 F/-27 C in January and 64 F/18 C in July. Clothing that you can layer is highly recommended.

September is also a very good time to visit, and October is not too late to travel to Mongolia. It is still warm during the days but a bit chilly during the nights. In the autumn, Mongolia is not very crowded, and this is time for late-comers and last-minute, unplanned trips. You will get to sightsee, enjoy the culture, and taste mare\'s milk, a bitter and at first somewhat unpleasant drink, throughout the country.

How to get Mongolia

You can travel to Mongolia by rail on the Trans-Siberian Express, from Beijing, People\'s Republic of China (PRC), or fly in to Ulaanbaatar on China Airlines from Beijing PRC, MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Korean Air from Seoul, South Korea, or directly on Mongolian Airlines from Beijing, China, PRC or Berlin, Germany.

Transportation

All transportation is included in our tours and provided via private car and guides. Travel by motor coach will be by modern air-conditioned deluxe coaches for large groups. We provide Japanese minivan, Toyota Land Cruiser and Russian minivan for our clients’ travel in Mongolia.

Very limited public transportation services throughout the entire territory of Mongolia. Trains go from north to south connecting Altanbulag-Ulaanbaatar-Zamyn-Uud. Other than that public transportation is basically non-existent in most parts of Mongolia, except the capital city, and privately run tracks, buses, cars connect major tourist destinations on a random basis.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary except at restaurants in Ulan Bator, where waiters expect a tip, especially from tourists. On tours with private sightseeing, gratuities of $15-$20 for travel guides, $10-$15 for drivers per person per day is customary.

Bargaining - Most of the shops and markets in town have fixed prices which are often displayed on the goods. Do not try to bargain here. At the black market, tourists are unlikely to be charged very much more than the locals, unless they are buying antiques, jewelry and other cultural items. By all means try and get a price down but be reasonable. For example, as a guide, don\'t try for less than 60-70% of the asking price. And only start bargaining if you\'re seriously interested in buying.

Time Difference

Mongolia Standard Time is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Currency

Tukrig is the national currency of Mongolia. The exchange rate is approximately 1400 Tukrig for USD $1.

Most banks and the larger hotels in Ulaanbaatar will be able to change the major currencies, although US Dollars are the most widely accepted. It is also possible to change travelers cheques and get cash advances on your credit card. American Express, VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted in major tourists centers. In the Aimag centers, you\'ll certainly find at least one bank, but they will not be able to accept credit cards or traveler\'s cheques. They may be able to change US Dollars but the exchange rate will be a lot lower than that available in the capital.

In Ulaanbaatar, one of the most centrally located banks for both traveler\'s cheque cashing and credit card advances is the Trade and Development Bank.

Many shops and restaurants only accept local currency, be sure to exchange your money upon arrival.

What kind of food will I have?

As a rising capital city of the Mongolia, there are many modern Italian, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Japanese, Latin American and Mongolian restaurants in Ulaanbaatar, where is available to be served western and eastern standard meals or Mongolian traditional cuisines. Most of the old style restaurants serve Russian food, and this type of food is common in the tourist camps in countryside. Small local restaurants and cafes serve Mongolian food such as buuz and khuushuur (steamed and fried beef, mutton dumpling) and others.

The main components of Mongolian meals are beef, mutton and milk products. The most popular drink is milk-tea, which is bit a salty and served every time. Also you will be offered with many kinds of milk products such as airag mare\'s fermented milk, yogurt, and milk cream butter etc in Mongolian family in countryside.

Communications

The Mongolian telephone system is in the process of being modernized but still lacks many of the services we rely on elsewhere. Dialing Mongolia is relatively simple although may take several attempts. Mongolia\'s national code is \'976\'. Making international telephone calls from Ulaanbaatar is relatively easy. Most hotels have International Direct Dial Facilities. Alternatively, calls can be made from various telephone exchanges around the city. The \'Central Post\' Building located on the southwest corner of Sukhbaatar Square is the largest telephone exchange.

Cheaper calls are available if calling from other telephones in the city, i.e. offices & hotels, especially between 22.00 and 07.00 weekdays, 17.00 and 07.00 Saturdays and all day Sunday. The large telephone exchange on Sukhbaatar Square has the facilities for you to send faxes and emails. The cost for faxing depends on where the fax is being sent to. As a guide, a fax taking one minute to the United Kingdom would cost approximately MNT 3000.

Baggage

On Domestic flights, passengers are allowed 20kg of luggage per person. On International flights, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Excess luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated allowances, and these charges are your responsibility.  At most major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually for a small additional fee.

Tourist ger camp

Tourist GER camps are the best accommodation closely located to attraction sites through the country, where visitors can experience and feel nomadic way of life. It is a portable round felt house perfectly suited to the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle. The GER consists of a wooden frame carrying a felt cover. Traditionally furnished with beautifully painted wood-framed beds and furniture, the lodge is built in a traditional architectural style.

  

  

  

Clothes and equipments

• Shoes suitable walking and riding with thick socks
• Lightweight shoes
• Warm jacket and pillowed
• Trousers suitable for riding
• Long sleeved shirt
• T-shirt
• Shorts
• Gloves
• Waterproof clothing: trousers, top
• Woolen hat
• Sun hat
• Sun glasses
• Camera and share film batteries
• Torch and batteries for camping head
• Water bottles
• Matches
• Plastic bags in order to protect your items from moisture
• Photocopy of your passport and other important documents
• Four season sleeping bag, liner
• Mosquito cream
• Common antibiotics
• Lip balm
• Tissues
• Pills for anti-diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, headache and other like sunburn, skin irritation.