15 things i wish i knew before
taking a backpacker tour in mongolia
Before every trip I tirelessly research how to travel as independantly (and cheaply) as possible.
Mongolia was the exception.
After reading how difficult / non existant the public transport out of UB was, and given that I wanted to visit as much of the country in my 1 month as possible – I signed up for a tour when I arrived. I had the best time and would highly recommend anyone to sign up for a tour when they arrive in Ulan Baator.
There are some things that I wish I had known before going, and some mistakes I could have easily avoided – see the things I wish I had known before i went!
15 things i wish i knew before joining a backpacker tour in mongolia
- Decide where you want to go most. For me it was the Gobi (but it didn’t actually end up being my favourite place!)
- How long do you have? Is your list of places you want to visit realistic? You dont want to spend everyday in a car.
- Ask about the other people on the tour. Most tourism comes from Korea, so if you are in a group of all only Korean speakers this could be less fun.
- Barter. Ask for a discount. Everyone in my group paid different prices.
- Do not be afraid to join a tour that has already left! I did this, Golden Gobi got me in a taxi, to the bus station where i got a bus to a town near the desert to meet the driver at 4am… it actually all worked out perfectly!
- Bring cash. There are not many ATMs outside of UB
- You can charge your electronics in the car and in some of the gers but bring power banks also.
- Ask if your tour is mostly camping or gers (is this matters to you – i prefer staying with the nomads)
- You will stop at shops along the way to pick up stuff, but it will be limited.
- Vegetarians can be catered for, i actually had great veggie meals but it will depend on the guide!
- Some places can only be visited at certain times of year. For example I was a few weeks early to see the Reindeer people in the north.
- You can buy gifts for the nomads in the shops as you go.
- Depending on how long your trip is, you can do your laundry in the rivers like to nomads do.
- Ask what is NOT included; for my tour this was toilet paper and snacks.
- Are sleeping bags required and provided and suitable for cold weather? Check they are clean before you leave.
Overall I just wish I had worried less – everything went well and was well organised. You will have the time of your life in one of the most beautiful countries!
