Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our general FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Mongolia

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

GEEO Program Confirmation Process

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

Cancellation policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use

Trip Notes

1. LUGGAGE: As we use local transport please note backpacks are much more suitable than suitcases for this style of trip. Jeep and bus travel means that bags have to be stowed either overhead or under beds, so travelling as light as possible is recommended.
2. RUGGED: Part of Mongolia’s appeal is its wild nature, and, as such, accommodation and infrastructure can be very basic in nature, with some shared rooms and limited access to showers in certain places. Mongolia is a country that is very different to anything you will have experienced before. Although this means it is not the easiest place to travel, this is also what makes it so special.
3. DRIVING TIME: This program has many long driving days. The scenery will be amazing, but you will be in a vehicle for long stretches.
4. YURTS: Other than your time in Ulaanbaatar, you will be spending your nights in gers. Gers are traditional Mongolian tents made with wooden frames and layers of felt. The camps we stay at will have 4 beds per ger with mattresses, linens, and extra blankets. They have a central stove to keep the place cozy and a small table and chairs.
5. WASHROOMS: 1 night of ger camping will be without any washroom facilities. The rest of the nights you will have washrooms.

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure’s group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Fitness Level

This trip includes light walking and hiking. You can opt out of many of the walks if you aren’t feeling up for them.

Single Travelers

Half of the people who travel with GEEO are traveling by themselves, so please don’t worry if you have no one who can join you on your trip. Our pricing is based on double occupancy or, in other words, two people to a room. You never have to pay for a single room unless you want one. GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender. While most GEEO programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” that would allow you to have a room to yourself, single accommodations are not available for this program.

Joining Instructions

Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Please note: Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., during which you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details. If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. When arriving at Ulaanbaatar International Airport, you will notice that the airport is very close to the city. After you exit from the baggage hall, follow the taxi signs until you find a taxi queue outside the terminal building. Taxis in Mongolia are metered, but you may have to bargain for one from the airport. The fare to the hotel should be about $30 USD and take 30-40 minutes.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. If your call is specifically concerning airport transfer complications, please call the local G Adventures Representative (Ms. Otgon Tsend) directly at +976 99118295 If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area, please try the contact above first. If you do not receive a response, we ask that you please take a taxi to your start point hotel. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS Mr Laziz Otayarov (Operations Manager - Central Asia) Mobile 1: +99890 963 4779 (24h) Mobile 2: +99897 921 7087 (24h) If for any reason you are unable to reach the G Adventures local office, please call the numbers listed below to connect with their Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. Health & Safety

• N95/KN95 Face masks (at least a few just in case there is an outbreak within your group)
• Hand sanitizer
• Quick Covid Test/Antigen Tests (at least 3)

Suggested Checklist

• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)
• Warm fleece
• Personal clothing for cool to hot weather
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Daypack
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Watch or alarm clock
• Toiletries
• Camera
• Flashlight or headlamp
• First-aid kit, including: lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional Checklist

• Silk Sleep Sack
• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Water bottle
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Flip-flops/sandals
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy
• Ziplock bags
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• Travel insurance ID card
• Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
• USD/EUR cash
• Credit/debit card
• G Adventures vouchers
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent a few days before departure

Laundry

Outside of Ulaanbaatar, you should assume there will be no laundry facilities. We recommend bringing quick dry clothing and non-polluting/biodegradable soap so you can wash garments as needed.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO programs require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching here. U.S. citizens do not require a visa to travel to Mongolia for less than 90 days. Non-American participants should check online to determine if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

The local currency in Mongolia is the Mongolian tugrik or tögrög (₮). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Mastercard, but they are only found in populated areas. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. One of the main things to remember is that Mongolian tugriks generally cannot be exchanged outside Mongolia, so exchange your leftover cash for USD before you leave. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.

Tipping

It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Tipping is also one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the local community. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Recommendations for tipping local guides and drivers range from $2-3 USD per person per day, depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. The amount is entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline, $20-25 USD per person per week would be appropriate.

Vaccinations

GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health (http://www.passporthealthusa.com/), which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC's recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins and ends in Ulaanbaatar. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Ulaanbaatar. You may want to arrive in Asia one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Ulaanbaatar any time on the final day of the program.

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S. For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in Mongolia are Type C or Type E, which are also found throughout Europe. The voltage is 230V. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.

Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.

• This trip uses mostly gers for accommodation. You will be sharing bathroom facilities and typically 4 people stay in one ger.
• Sometimes you will have full days of transportation, as this trip covers a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
• You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
• We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
• Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring, and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.

Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Weather

Summer in Mongolia begins in June and ends in late August. The weather is warm (68-78°F in most parts of the country) and pleasant. These summer temperatures are tempered by altitude in the Altai mountains and in the Orkhon Valley, or by latitude for Lake Khövsgöl. In the Southern Gobi Desert, the temperature is noticeably higher. Indeed, in this region, shade is hard to find, the thermometer reaching average temperatures over 100 degrees, but cooling down a lot at night. Even in summer, be prepared for all kinds of weather as it can change quickly, especially in the mountains.