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Frequently Asked Questions about Mongolia Mongolia

Electricity

Please click here to check what voltage and plugs are in use in Mongolia. You could also consider taking a universal electric plug.

What is the best time to travel?

Mongolia is a land of extremes. Humidity is low and the sun is intense. However, the winters can be of arctic standards. There is a short rainy season from the middle of July until September, although the downpours are short and light. Due to the high altitude, even summer nights are cool. Mongolia is a windy country, especially in the spring. The Gobi Desert can experience 40°C summers, while in the winter it can reach -30°C or even lower temperatures. The nights can be very cold there, even in the summer. On the steppes, the weather is always chilly. The average temperature in July is just 10°C, while in the winter temperatures of -50°C are not uncommon. Ulan Bator has long, cold winters (from October to April) and temperature can drop to -30°C in January and February. During the short spring (May-June) it warms up again to give a pleasant climate by day and cool nights. In this season there can sometimes be strong winds. The summer (July-September) is p

What are the best festivals and when do they take place?

The most famous festival is the Naadam Festival. This annual event is celebrated throughout the country from 11th-13th July and in Ulan Bator most of the festivities take place in the Naadam Stadium. It is a jubilant period where family bands are strengthened and all sorts of sporting competitions are held including horse riding, archery and wrestling. Tsagan Sar (White Month) celebrates the Mongolian New Year and is celebrated in January or February.

When does the tour start?

All of our tours start at 12:00 midday at the hotel where we spend our first night .Your room will be available to check-in from this time. If you arrive later, don't worry, your tour leader will meet up with you at a later time to brief you.

Can I pre-book transfers and extra nights?

If you have booked your flight with Shoestring, we can offer the following two services. Firstly the option to pre-book airport transfers and secondly the option to book pre-tour nights if you have chosen to arrive early. Prices for these extra services are available on the tour information page.

Can I extend my trip by a few days or longer?

When you book a flight with us, you can extend the return date of the flight for as long as you like at the time of booking. If you want to change after booking, however, you will have to cancel the flight and book again at heavy cost. If you want to stay longer and need extra travel arrangements just inform your tour leader at the start and he/she can see if the local agent can organise something for you.

What about my passport?

You need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel.

Do I need a visa?

UK citizens need a visa for Mongolia, but these things can change so please click here and check out the current situation. You can also check on that website if a visa is required for any other nationality. Make sure you inquire at least a month before departure so you do not run out of time.
If you need a visa, please click here to find details of the embassy you need to contact (unless you use a visa service). Shoestring does not organise your visa. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel. You can also obtain the visa through a specialised visa agency like http://www.travcour.com/. It is a good idea to visit this website in any case, as it provides much more detail on excepti

Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?

Please click here for questions regarding vaccinations or malaria tablets for this country and then contact your GP or a specialised health clinic to make an appointment to get your injections and pills. Please make sure that you arrange this at least six weeks before departure to allow time for a full program of injections. Two weeks should suffice for people who have already had a few vaccinations. You are responsible for having the right protection when going on tour.


What is the recommended currency for Mongolia?

The currency in Mongolia is the Tugrik. £1 is approximately 2, 300 Tugrik. We suggest taking US Dollar travellers cheques which can easily be exchanged in the capital.


What kind of clothing and other stuff is practical to take?

Take a good, windproof coat, a fleece, a scarf, headgear and gloves. These will certainly come in useful during your stay in Mongolia, where it can get rather cold in the evenings. For the train journeys, bring comfortable, light clothing as it can become extremely hot in the trains during the summer months.

What kind of luggage should I take?

We strongly recommend that you carry your luggage in a rucksack with inner framework, and that you restrict your baggage to a maximum of 12 kg. A compact weekend bag is also suitable. Due to the limited stoage space on the trains and buses, we advise against bringing suitcases on any of our holidays. We also advise that you bring practical clothing which covers the body (and is not too revealing).

Travel guides and maps

If you want to take a travel guide or map, we suggest you click on Lonely Planet.

What is the accommodation like?

On the train, we will stay in four-person compartments with shared washing facilities at one end of the train. We also sleep in simple but comfortable hotel rooms and will spend one night in a ‘ger’, a traditional Mongolian home (a round tent supported by poles, also known as a yurt).

How is accommodation arranged if I book alone?

If you book alone you will share your room with a fellow traveller unless you have booked a single room. Sometimes this means sharing your room with someone of the opposite sex. If case we go camping, you could decide to take a small tent if you want to sleep alone. In case this involves extra camping fees (never very much), your tour leader will tell you and collect the extra fees.

Do I need a sleeping mat or sleeping bag?

It is not necessary to bring sleeping bags or bedrolls as these are provided.

Do I need to take a mosquito net?

You do not need to bring a mosquito net as these are provided where necessary.

Do they cater for vegetarians in Mongolia?

It has to be said that the staple Mongolian diet is very much a meat-based one. Mongolians do also eat a variety of vegetables and fruit but many are imported so the availability of these, especially in the countryside, may be somewhat limited.

What kind of transportation is used?

Most of the time you will be on the Trans Mongolian Express train but we also use private minibuses.

Can you travel with children?

Yes, children can travel with their families on a Shoestring tour. We recommend the easiest tours which are listed as ‘Category A’ where the distances covered are short and there is a slow traveling speed. But please check with our friendly sales team if you are unsure.
We would define a child as being under the age of 18. They would only be allowed to travel provided they do so with an adult family member or close relative.

Children under the age of 8 we recommend not to travel as they simply would not be old enough to enjoy the experience nor cope with the nature of travel that we provide.

The tour prices are the same for both adults and children however there will be a reduction on the child airfare which will vary depending on the flight selected (Please use the ‘search flights’ facility on the website to check the up-to-date prices).


Is Mongolia dangerous?

Mongolia is a safe country, but you should make sure your valuables are always kept safe.
If you are interested in what the Foreign Office has to say, please click here.

What local customs do I need to keep in mind?

As long as you are polite around the locals you will have no problems. The Mongolians have certain rituals and superstitions. They will never write with a red pen. Spilling milk brings bad luck. If you are ever offered vodka, dip your right ring finger in the vodka and sprinkle it once in the air (to the heavens), once in front of you (to the wind) and once toward the ground (to the earth).

What other activities and sports could I do?

There is much sightseeing to be done in Ulan Bator. The city is home to a great deal of Russian architecture, often including imitations of famous Russian buildings such as the Suche Batur Mausoleum which is a replica of the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow. In Elstei you can go horse riding or follow some breathtaking walking routes.

Mobile phone, email and snail mail

International calls can be made from telephone exchanges and hotels in Ulan Bator, where you can also find internet cafes. Mobile phones will work but network coverage is limited.


Time difference with the UK

Please check the world clock in order to find out the exact time difference between Mongolia and the UK.
Please bear in mind that the time can change depending on whether the UK is on daylight savings time or not.