Preparing for your Mongolian trip

There are so many reasons you might decide to visit Mongolia. Known as the ‘land of the blue sky’, Mongolia offers vast open space that is so rare elsewhere in the world. By day, travellers can take in the unspoilt beauty. By night, the pitch black skies offer countless stars unviewable from towns and cities.

As leading providers of Trans-Siberian experiences, we are proud to champion Mongolia as a must visit destination. It may be one of the most sparsely populated countries on the planet but there’s no end to its wonders.

Here’s how to prepare for your stay in what was, at one time, the largest empire on earth.

Pack light and pack right

Knowing what to pack for your trip to Mongolia is an essential part of your preparations. At first glance this packing list may appear endless, particularly if you are backpacking, but ensuring you have the essentials to hand is vital. Being able to comfortably carry all these items is important too.

Categorising your cargo into ‘essential’, ‘useful’ and ‘luxury’ is an excellent tip for lightening your load. You should also leave around 10-15% of your packed baggage empty for the little souvenirs and gifts you might pick up along the way. You can also save space by buying items like toiletries when you arrive in Mongolia. Sun protection and bug repellent are integral to a great experience, particularly if your itinerary takes you to the far reaches of the Gobi Desert.

Be conscious about security

Security is an issue when travelling to any country. Leaving valuables at home is your best bet, whilst keeping any luxuries or essentials that you can’t live without close at hand is important.

Packing a smaller bag as well as your backpack or suitcase is recommended, particularly if you intend to go on day trips. Not only is carrying a smaller bag comfortable, but also items such as medication, passport, and money can be kept secure.

Consider hiring a guide

The vastness of Mongolia can rarely be conquered alone. Many travellers, even those looking for a truly off grid experience, choose to hire a guide to accompany them. Award winning writer and avid explorer Becki explains why using a guide is invaluable when travelling to Mongolia in her Borders of Adventure blog post:

“Make use of Mongolian knowledge because it is invaluable – they know the nooks and crannies of their country better than anyone (even if they do draw maps on the ground!) and when you look at how isolated some of the landscape is, you will see how much of a skill it is. A guide book doesn’t always cut it if going alone.”

Tour groups provide similar experiences with many solo and group travellers enjoying the company of other travellers, as well as the expert knowledge on offer, so be sure to also research and consider this as an alternative option.

Looking Forward to Your Trip

Preparing for your trip to Mongolia need not be a headache: ensure you are armed with everything you need, including bug repellant and important toiletries, clothing items and necessary medications and take the time to research safety measures and tour guide options.