MONGOLIA TRAVEL TIPS

LIST OF ITEMS YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING TO MONGOLIA WHEN YOU TRAVEL.

TRIP CLOTHES:

• Long flapped underclothes
• Firm pants
• Warm socks: as many pairs as possible: pure wool socks are recommended since they dry more quickly
• Long flapped t-shirt, which protect your belly and kidney.  
• Sweater
• Long Jacket to wear during windy and rainy days
• Even though you will be coming during the summer months, Mongolia is 2500m above sea level. The weather becomes cold after sunset and colder still at night.

Note:
We recommend long flapped clothes because when you travel to the countryside you will often need to sit down on the grass, or small chairs (in Gers). With short Jackets you’ll feel cold in the belly and may easily catch cold.

Head protection:

In the summer time in Mongolia, we mostly have very sunny days and thus a great possibility of getting sunstroke. That’s why you’ll be needing stuff to protect you from sunstrokes such as a hat or suitable headgear (we recommend cowboy hat). 

Sun protection equipment:

You will need to bring the following items to Mongolia in order to protect yourself against sunburn: 
sunbeam protection cream (sun light protection level must be above 20 )
Nasal sun cream
UV filtered lipstick 
UV filtered sunglasses 

Rain clothes:

On rainy days a feather-weight rain-coat or plastic rain-jacket with hat is enough. 

Footgear:

The most comfortable footgear for a countryside trip is an ankle protected top booted shoe. Shoes should have as few air inlets as possible to prevent water seeping through. On a countryside trip you will go with water-logged places. We recommend that you bring 2 pairs of shoes in case one should require drying. 
Also other boots/shoes, which you will be wearing during sunny days and during warm periods. 

Gear you need to take on a countryside trip:

• Moisture protected warm ISOMATTE bedding gear, sleeping bag
• Flashlight /with enough battery reserve/
• Insect protection lotion cream and spray
• Multifunctional trip chopper knife
• Spoon, fork and cup
• Pure water sac and vessel
• Durable and of a good size
• Water bottle
• Binoculars
• Candles and a lighter
• Multi-pocket jacket
• Handkerchiefs, towels and soap
• Mini pharmacy / first-aid kit

MONGOLIA CULTURAL TIPS

You are almost inevitably going to encounter the residents of the countryside. Things move slowly here and the standards of living you are used to are not the same. Part of Mongolia’s charm is its ancient customs and traditions. If you can learn and respect them before you step into the countryside, then you may get a more welcome reception. You may also become a small part in helping to preserve these traditions for future visitors.

• Let a post or fence come between you if you are walking with Mongolians
• Whistle inside a ger or house belonging to a Mongolian
• Let your feet point in the direction of the altar (which will be in the north side) when sitting in a ger
• Let people walk over your outstretched legs
• Tread on the threshold of the ger when you walk over it
• Lean against a support column furniture or wall of the ger
• Stamp out a fire or put water or any rubbish on it; fire is sacred
• Walk in front of an older person
• Turn your back to the altar and religious objects at the back of the ger
• Touch other people’s hats
• Have long conversations in your own language in front of hosts who don’t understand it
• Point a knife in the direction of anyone
• Pass anything to a Mongolian with just two fingers
• Take food from a plate with your left hand – wave you sleeve as it is a mark of protest or extend the little finger of your right hand, as this is a sign of disrespect
• Keep your hat off when entering a ger, if you are wearing one, but lift it as a sign of greeting
• Receive things with the right hand or both hands and ensure that your sleeves are rolled down
• Ensure you remove your gloves when shaking hands, if you are wearing them
• Walk round inside the ger in a clockwise direction
• Receive food, a gift or anything similar from a Mongolian with both hands or with the right hand supported at the wrist or elf
• Take at least a sip or nibble of the delicacies offered
• Pick up things with an open hand, with your palm facing upwards
• Grab the hand of a Mongolian if you have accidentally kicked their feet
• Sit with your feet underneath you of cross-legged
• Leave a small gift, other than money, for your hosts