Important Information

On this tour we spend 7 nights sleeping in authentic Mongolian gers/yurts. These traditional accommodations are very popular among Mongolians and 60% of the country’s population still resides in them. The gers we stay in are spacious, comfortable and are outfitted with proper beds and bedding. Toilet tents are shared—seated toilets are very clean with deeply dug holes and either water or sawdust is poured on top after each use. Shower tents are also shared—showers are either heated via solar or gas, OR pumps that heat the water in advance and provided to guests at specified times. The majority of gers we stay in comfortably fit 2 people, however, for 2 nights in Bayan-Ulgii we’ll be staying in larger gers that fit 4 people per ger. No single supplement is available for the Bayan-Ulgii and Golden Eagle Festival portion of this tour (4 nights). There will also be a number of nights on this tour where power is not available. It is important that you bring portable chargers, or devices that can hold a charge overnight, including CPAP machines. Please contact us if you have questions.

VISAS: If your passport is from Canada or the USA, you can stay up to 90 days without a visa. However, if you’re staying longer than 30 days you must register with Mongolian Immigration within seven days of arrival. There may be exceptions.

CULTURE SHOCK: Mongolia has only recently risen to prominence among tourists. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing—much of the Mongolian way of life has been maintained, including its nomadic traditions. Accommodations tend to be comfortable and service standards are very high. In fact, Mongolians—especially Kazakh residents on the western border—are famous for their hospitality. Past travellers have noted a significant presence of rodents in some regions, as well as insects such as flies. Local cuisine can be challenging to some as it often incorporates offcuts and organs, however, we assure you westernized options are available at all of our accommodations. Also, transportation in Mongolia is also not what many people are used to. For example, road conditions can be very rough and long transports can be bumpy and uncomfortable. Weather patterns are often unpredictable and quite volatile, leading to flight delays and last minute schedule adjustments. It’s best to approach a trip to Mongolia with an open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude.

LOCAL LGBTQ+ SCENE: Mongolians tend to be very hush-hush regarding sexual orientation. Consequently, public displays of affection will likely cause a stir. However, the population tends to be very adaptable and attitudes are quickly changing. Homosexuality was legalized in 2003 and Ulaanbaatar’s first LGBTQ+ centre opened in 2007.

WEATHER: On our tour, Mongolia will just be entering it’s autumn season. Weather will be pleasant with cool evenings. The countryside won’t be as lush as it is in the summer, but the beautiful fall colours will be a spectacle in themselves. Cold snaps can happen, so it is important to follow our packing list.

VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements, there are no other immunizations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for C- and E-type sockets. Visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/mongolia/ for more info. There will be a number of nights on this tour where power is not available at night. It is important that you bring portable chargers, or devices that can hold a charge overnight, including CPAP machines. Please contact us if you have questions.

CONNECTIVITY: Mongolia isn’t necessarily known for its connectivity. Cell service and data will be very spotty outside of Ulaanbaatar, but some of our ger camps may have wifi.

We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, and it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from illness. Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor to isolate in the event of respiratory illness. Our Hosts and/or Group Leaders may ask those with respiratory or cold symptoms to wear a mask in confined areas. Local laws may be more strict and will always supersede our policies.

Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary—from fireside camping to five-star decadence—our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.

Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.

All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture.

Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.

Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.

If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.

The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.

Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.

11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners are included on this trip.

Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel

Prime Minister A.Amar St 15, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia
T: +976 11 32 3162

Standard check-in time is after 2PM. We are usually unable to arrange early check-ins, but you may store your luggage if you want to explore the area while you wait. If you want to guarantee an early check-in, you’ll need to reserve either an extra night of accommodation or a half-day.

Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel

Prime Minister A.Amar St 15, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia
T: +976 11 32 3162

Mongolia’s local currency is the Mongolian tögrög (MNT). Please keep cash handy, especially in rural parts, as credit and debit cards may not work in Mongolia. We also recommend you bring about $400 USD in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.

Most gratuities are included on this tour except for your Host and Local Guide. If you are happy with their services, a tip is recommended. You may also want to bring optional gifts for ger camp staff / host families—we’ll include more information about this in your Trip Documents.

Please keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb to avoid costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller to carry a water bottle, your camera and souvenirs on day trips. This packing list is a guideline, not gospel, but we are happy to answer any specific questions about how much (or little) to bring.

Travel Documents

• Passport/Visas/Flight Itineraries/Travel Insurance
• Pre-trip packet
• Credit/ATM card

General Personal Items

• Eye mask, ear plugs
• Smartphone, camera, charging cables and travel adapters
• Daypack
• Luggage lock
• Guidebook, phrase book, reading material

Shoes

• Socks (Preferably both hiking and quick-dry socks)
• Thermal socks for sleeping (In case it gets cold)
• Hiking shoes or hiking boots (Worn-in)
• Sandals or Water shoes
• ‘Nice’ shoes for dinners

Bottoms:

• Underwear (Preferably sweat-wicking briefs)
• Pants (Preferably lightweight hiking pants with zip-off legs)
• Thermal bottom for sleeping (In case it gets cold)
• Shorts
• Swimwear
• ‘Nice’ pants for dinners

Tops

• Short-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
• Long-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
• Sweaters (Lightweight and preferably fleece)
• Thermal top for sleeping (In case it gets cold)
• ‘Nice’ shirts for dinners

Jackets

• Light jacket for cool evenings
• Waterproof jacket/poncho (Optional—an umbrella is probably fine, though)

Other

• Sunglasses/Hat
• Small Umbrella
• Refillable water bottle
• Daypack
• Walking sticks/poles (optional)
• Light gloves for cool mornings (optional)
• Earplugs – just in case ger camps are noisy

Health-related Items

• Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, zinc oxide tape and small scissors, blister pads, diarrhea tablets, dioralyte rehydration packs
• Personal Medication
• High protection sunscreen/lip balm
• Insect repellent/bite cream/antihistamine
• Antibacterial gel/wipes
• Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
• Vaseline to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
• Blister pads such as Band-aid or Dr. Scholls blister cushions

We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:

• Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
• Mix up walking partners on excursions
• Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
• Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret 😉

If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.

All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.

Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

• Very little or no hiking
• Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Low altitude
• Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

• Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
• Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

• Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
• Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
• Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

• Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
• Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
• Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

• Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
• Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
• Suitable for above average fitness level