Mongolia

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Most European countries, Australia, New Zealand and Canada do not require a visa for tourist trips to Mongolia.

See.

https://en.consul.mn/visa/c/83

Chinggis Khaan International Airport is the international airport for Ulaanbaatar, Code UBN

If coming from Europe, Turkish airlines via Istanbul is a good option, or via Frankfurt and on MIAT Mongolian Airlines.

If coming from North America, or Australia there are a number of carriers visa Seoul Incheon airport S. Korea.

All meals on the mountain are fresh, nutritious and varied. We try to ensure that dietary preferences are met and that local ingredients are used. You’ll be amazed what can be produced on a kerosene stove!

The underlying aim is to provide balanced, nutritional meals packed with carbohydrates to refuel hungry bodies and to replenish stores for the next day of activity. On top of well balanced meals you are provided with coffee, tea and snacks upon arrival into camp. The morning wake-up call is usually accompanied with a cup of tea or coffee in your tent. Do bring along any of your favourite snacks and goodie bags from home if you want. Concentrate on high energy food-stuff to give you that little boost on an arduous day.

Absolutely, please inform the office of any allergies or intolerances and we will ensure that these are taken into account on the trek.

Drinking water on the trek will come from local streams and rivers. We treat the water with purification tablets and boil it to be on the safe side. We always ensure that our drinking water is 100% bug free.

Before leaving camp in the morning you will fill your water bottles or camel bladder. If this runs low you will have ample more water to replace it with. For most walking days water can be replenished at the lunchtime site.

Most altitude related symptoms manifest themselves at night. We therefore recommend tent sharing from the onset of all our expeditions. Tent share is always organised according to sex and where possible age groups. Obviously if trekking with a friend or partner then you will be able to share tents.

If you have joined the team by yourself then it is highly likely that you will be sharing a tent with your pre-assigned room buddy unless prior arrangements have been made. We use high quality 3 man tents to be shared between 2 people to provide extra space for your comfort. In Ulaanbaatar  we are in 3 star hotels with close proximity to the City Square.

In Uglii we are in the best option either a local hostel or Ger (Yurt) Camp.

Our local camp crew will set up the tents for you each night. We send them ahead of the group to secure the best site and to get the site prepared before you arrive. Bear in mind that these guys are also porters and when our walking days are shorter we might get to camp before them. If this occurs then have a cup of tea in the dining tent and wait for your tents to be ready.

We bring along our own toilet tents with a pit toilet dug in the tent. This allows us to maintain the best possible levels of hygiene without contributing to the toilet and subsequent health problems that can happen at some camps.

On this trek we do not think Altitude Sickness will be a problem. The general trekking days are around 2500m to 3000m. Our highest pass is just under  3000m, but we will be well acclimatised by the time we cross the pass.

For your information.

There are different types of altitude sickness. Although our acclimatisation regime ensures that everybody enjoys the best possible chance of getting high on the mountain, altitude related problems can happen. The most common of these is acute mountain sickness (AMS).

Symptoms for this generally include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting

In all this sounds quite dramatic but generally this is just the process your body naturally goes through to adjust to the higher altitudes and the reduced partial pressure of the atmosphere. For some people the acclimatisation process is a little longer and harder than others.

For our leaders this is all part and parcel of ascending high into the mountains.

There are some basic measures you can take to help yourself should you start suffering from AMS. As headache is the most common symptom of AMS try taking a simple painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the headache. If the headache disappears all well and good.

Please remember to inform your 360 Leader of any altitude symptom you may have and any medication you have taken as a result so they can keep an eye on you and advise accordingly.

Should someone develop severe AMS then the only cure is descent and as safety is our priority you will be taken down appropriately.

AMS might sound frightening but our leaders are fully trained (and experienced) in helping to relieve your personal symptoms and provide advice on how to best proceed. Reducing the chances of AMS can be helped by following some simple yet effective guidelines:

• Drink lots of water
• Walk slowly
• Stay warm
• Eat well

Please don’t fear AMS, it is part and parcel of climbing mountains of this nature. Learn to respect it and to know how to deal with it but importantly tell your 360 Leader how you feel.

All our guides are in communication with each other by Satelite phone. In the vast majority of cases of emergency rescue the problems can be attributed to altitude and if so the solution is immediate descent to lower altitudes. Our local trekking crew are all experienced in dealing with problems that could arise. Our guides are qualified with the highest standard of wilderness first aid qualifications and can handle an emergency to the highest level of competency, in the vast majority of cases without national park assistance.

We advocate a little bit of self-help on the trek. If you have a blister developing for instance then please stop, take off your boot and treat it before it becomes a problem.

Your own first aid kit should contain: a basic blister kit, plasters, antiseptic, high factor sun-protection, your own personal medication (sometimes the mules might get to camp after you and if one is carrying your medication you may not be able to take it according to the regime you are used to), basic pain relief (aspirin and Ibuprofen), a personal course of antibiotics if prone to illness. Foot powder in your socks every morning is great for preventing blisters.

Generally the best approach to take when packing your first aid kit is to include such basic medications as if you would on a family or personal holiday.

Your 360 expedition leader carries a very comprehensive first aid kit which contains a wide range of supplies and medications. He is fully trained to use whatever is needed for any emergency that may arise. We advocate keeping this in mind when packing your own first aid supplies and keeping your own FA kit as compact and light as possible.

The Malaria protozoa generally does not survive over an altitude of 1,500m so Malaria should pose no threat. We recommend that you visit your doctor or travel clinic before departure to get the latest advice.

The following vaccinations are recommended:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Polio

This list is not absolute and it is important you should see your GP Surgery or travel clinic for latest recommendations and to ensure you are up to date on necessary vaccinations.

It is possible to rent kit in the UK. While we recommend the use of personal equipment whenever possible if you will be doing many more expeditions, the cost of equipping yourself can be a big deterrent and hiring (or borrowing) is a worthwhile economy. Should you wish to rent any equipment, please take a look at www.outdoorhire.co.uk and then the 360 kit lists

Think about the time of year, and how high you are going. While you may swelter at the bottom of the mountains, it can get surprisingly nippy at altitude.

Both long sleeve tops and trekking trousers are recommended rather than shorts. Long sleeves and trousers are recommended as a deterrent to insects, scratches from bushes and to act as sun protection. Equally, if you wish to bring short sleeve tops or shorts, that’s fine, just be careful. Keep an eye on sunburn. The prevailing conditions of the day will dictate what you feel like wearing. And the layering system never fails. If you’re cold, put a layer on, if you’re hot, take one off.

They are highly recommended, our guides wear them every evening. A layer system comprising of several layer of base layers, fleeces, jumpers and a jacket will suffice on most nights but nothing beats the efficiency of a good down jacket (especially when topped with a water proof layer).

As much as we’d like to guarantee eternal sunshine, we can’t fix the weather for you. You should bring waterproofs and they should be accessible. It is quite possible to be caught out in an afternoon rainstorm low down on the mountain. Once you get wet and your core temperature drops slightly, it becomes very hard to warm up and dry out your clothing. Waterproofs should be breathable Goretex material or similar to save you drowning in your own sweat. Additionally they can be used as an invaluable wind shield to protect you against the effect of wind-chill when a strong wind blows.

Because of the huge variety of terrain encountered when ascending these mountains it is very important to wear the right footwear. Boots should be sturdy, waterproof, insulated against cold temperatures and offer adequate ankle support.

In addition it is highly recommended that your boots are well worn in to prevent the formation of blisters. A wide range of suitable boots are on the market and further advice as to which brand names are available can be found online or at your local outdoor store. The leather / Goretex combinations are endless and each with their merits.

When in-store try lots of boots on, use the ramps in the shops to test their traction, make sure they are comfortable as you will be almost living in them for days on end and they are very important. Once you’ve found a pair you like, you think they’re comfortable, and will be for several hours a day, buy them. It is not necessary to buy technical boots with crampon clips as crampons are not used for climbing this mountain. But you may enjoy wearing lighter trekking shoes on more gentle days.

Also for this trip bring sandals for river crossing. Teva, Keen, Crocs are good examples.

Duffel bags are ideal for this sort of trip. North Face are among the toughest, but Mountain Equipment make one similar that is often very good value in Cotswold Outdoor. Whatever bag you go for make sure they are robust and have a large capacity. As one goes higher in altitude it becomes harder to pack the bag and some people struggle closing their bags due to bulky sleeping bags and other pieces of kit. It will be far better having a large capacity bag with extra room (after all air doesn’t weigh much) than having a bag too small and finding problems packing your kit. A 100 litre plus duffel bag is not too large.

Pack no more than you would want to carry yourself: 15kg is the limit for the trek and the muleteers (and mules) will not take kindly to heavy bags. Any extra weight such as spare clothes etc can be left at the hotel before you head for trek.

A daysack is worn at all times during the trek. The content of this is mandatory and should include: a fleece (if we take a break later in the day when it has cooled down or weather changes), lightweight waterproofs (primarily to act as wind protection), sufficient water for the day, snacks, camera equipment, personal medication and a head torch.

Your daysack should weigh no more then 3 – 4 kg and a pack of around 30L capacity will more than suffice. This rucksack can be filled to brim with extra stuff when you check in at the airport. It is important that this bag has an adjustable waist belt to transfer the weight of your daily load onto your hips and from here onto your legs so that your strongest muscles do most of the carrying. It’s important to go as light as possible as weight makes a huge difference at altitude. You will be carrying your daysack so think twice before putting too many hipflasks in.

It should be rated within the -10 C comfort zone. From the first camp upwards it is not unusual to experience frosty nights and a good night’s sleep is important to giving you the best chance to complete this trek. Ensure you get a sleeping bag that has this temperature rating as its comfort zone, not extreme zone. Our guides take sleeping bags rated to well below -10C to ensure that they are warm at night. 3 season sleeping bags can be enhanced by using an inner silk sheet (or similar).

The idea is to be as comfortable and warm as possible for the night and henceforth to ensure plenty of sleep for the arduous days ahead. It is important to remember that down sleeping bags work by your own body heating the down that’s inside the bag. Once you have warmed up the bag the down will retain the heat and ensure that you sleep at a temperature that’s your own body temperature.

For best results it is best to wear as little as possible when inside your sleeping bag. Our guides will often only wear a set of thermals in their bag. It is important for the bag to trap the heat. By wearing multiple layers of clothing your clothing will trap this heat and your bag will not function properly.

Shorts and T-shirts are fine to wear during the course of the day. Evening wear generally tends to be casual with long trousers and casual shirt being appropriate for all hotels and restaurants.

Mongolians are generally quite conservative in their dress code and are generally well dressed. Your town and party clothes can be left in a safe lock up at the hotel and will not have to be taken on the trek.

All domestic flights within Mongolia have a weight allowance of 15kg. This includes both check-in and hand luggage combined.

Excess baggage fees are small however, a few USD per extra kg.

On a day to day level remember that you will be camping at altitude. You are likely to be cold, washing and toilet facilities will be limited, your appetite may be affected by the altitude and as you get higher on the trek you are likely to suffer shortness of breath and many people experience difficulty sleeping.

Remember that everyone on the trek is likely to be experiencing exactly the same symptoms: physical and mental.

During the day temperatures can be warm and can even reach the mid 20C’s. In the evening higher up, it could drop to below freezing and have a distinct chill in the air. As you will be trekking in a mountain environment, the weather can change rapidly for the worse so you need to be prepared for all conditions. Even in good weather it is not uncommon to have short heavy downpours.

If you would like to arrive early before the trek or stay out for a few days then let us know and we can make arrangements for you. There is a single room option when we are city-based, again, please contact the 360 office team for more details.

If a trekker needs to leave early arrangements can be made with the assistance our 360 Guide. Additional Costs (transport, hotels flights etc.) will be incurred by you but our guides will be able to assist in every detail of your departure.

You should book flights that have you arriving into Ulaanbaatar no later than midday on day 1 of the itinerary, it’s sometimes more practical to arrive the day before day 1 of the itinerary.

When it comes to your departure day from Ulaanbaatar, we’d recommend you book a flight after midday for a more sociable morning.

We can book additional nights for you in Ulaanbaatar if you’d like us to.

Copy of own travel insurance details.  And relevant contact numbers.

We have a partnership with True Traveller and would recommend that you contact them when looking for travel insurance for your trip with 360. However, it is vital that you ensure that the insurance cover they offer is suitable for you, taking your personal circumstances (items to be insured, cancellation cover, medical history) into account. Many other insurance providers are available and we do recommend that you shop around to get the best cover for you on the expedition you are undertaking.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip.  To include medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude of this trip.

Obviously the best way to train for any expedition is to recreate the conditions of the climb as closely as possible. This is going to be difficult depending on where you are based geographically and we appreciate people have busy lives with work and family commitments.

Personal fitness is important for this trek, if you are struggling from day one then you will not enjoy the rest of the trip. Physical preparation does not have to be Herculean: concentrate on cardio-vascular exercise during the week by taking short runs when time allows and try to spend at least 2 weekends a month going on long walks (a decent six hours or 12 miles) carrying a rucksack of around 5kg in a reasonably hilly environment. Not sure what 5kg is? Put 5 one litre bottles of water into it.

This kind of regime will not only prepare your body for carrying minor loads but will harden your body against the big days on the trek itself. In addition it will help break in your boots and get you used to your equipment.

Generally speaking deposits (which are non-refundable) are due upon booking, particularly if we are handling your flight bookings. The full amount should be paid 4 months prior to departure. However having said this our aim is to get you into the mountains and we understand that personal financial situations can vary. Please contact our friendly office crew to discuss a suitable payment plan. We have after all been in your shoes and go by the motto of where there’s a will there’s a way.

If you are doing this for charity, your chosen charity will have particular requirements that they will communicate with you.

Mongolia uses the Mongolian Tughriks (MNT) (around 1.00 GBP = 3700 MNT and 1.00 USD = 2800 MNT). However, you should keep an eye on the changing exchange rates. ATM’s are widespread in Ulaanbaatar but not in more urban areas.

The amount of money you will need depends on how many presents you wish to buy or how much you wish to drink when you come off the hill. As a basic rule of thumb $200 USD should be more than adequate for any post expedition spending.

Mongolia is a relatively cheap place and when indulging in the local custom of haggling then goods can be very good value for money. Your 360 leader will be happy to point out the relative bargains and the suitable prices plus where to get the best value for money.

Our local crew work extremely hard to ensure that your expedition runs well. While tipping is not compulsory, it is very much ingrained in the Mongolian culture. Once someone sees the hard work the crew provides and realises the small amount of money they get paid relative to your own income, tipping will seem the least you can do to say thank you. As a guide we suggest around $150-$200 per trekker for the entire local crew to be shared amongst them.

Tipping the 360 Leader is entirely at your discretion, although it is their skill, effort and dedication that can make an expedition a success.

Please read our terms and conditions carefully before you depart for details on this. 360 Expeditions highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions as we must adhere to a stringent cancellation policy.

Electricity in Mongolia is 220V, alternating at 60 Hertz which is similar to the UK. However, you will need either a flat blade or a two round pin plug adaptor or both as Mongolia generally accepts these two types of plug. You can buy these adaptors quite easily in the UK or at the airport.

Mobiles will work sporadically.

Opportunities to charge your batteries may be limited. If you can get hold of a lightweight solar battery charger this is probably the best option – we recommend PowerTraveller.

While we will do everything we can to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions, the general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches. Your passport and money should be kept on you at all times. As with travel in any foreign country, you need to look after yourself and your possessions, and this is no different.

Hearing Birds Fly by Louisa Waugh

Gengis Khan; Life, Death & Ressurection by John Man

Edge of Blue Heaven by Benedict Allen

The Lost Country: Mongolia Revealed by Jasper Becker

Polo, Marco: “The Travels of Marco Polo” Translated by & introduced by Ronald

In Search of Genghis Khan: An Exhilarating Journey on Horseback Across the Steppes of Mongolia  by Severin, Tim

In the Empire of Genghis Khan: A Journey among nomads by Steward, Stanley

We’re all here to answer any questions you may have, but you will mostly likely be talking to Marni about the trek, and Helen about any flight, invoice or financial queries. If you do have any queries, whether it’s about medical concerns, you’re unsure about certain things on the kit list, or you want to add a few days onto the expedition at the end to relax a bit, we encourage you to get in touch with us and Marni really loves to talk! The better informed you are, the more likely you are to take on your expedition with confidence, and thus reach your objective.

The Naadam Festivalis a traditional festival celebrated in Mongolia, Inner Mongolia and Tuva. The festival is also locally as “the three games of men”.

The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, and are held throughout the country during midsummer. Women have started participating in the archery and girls in the horse-racing games, but not in Mongolian wrestling.

For more information have a look at.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naadam

The Naadam Festival is held annually from 11 to 13 July and is a National Holiday.

The biggest festival is the National Naadam Festival, which is held in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Also every community is the country will hold it own community the Naadam Festival.