🗓 Season & Travel Style

Our classic journeys run from mid-May to mid-October, when Mongolia’s landscapes are at their best — from the green summer steppes to the golden autumn valleys. This period offers long days, mild temperatures, and open access to countryside ger camps across the country. Travel Buddies’ classic tours are created for travelers who value comfort blended with authentic local experiences. They feature scenic drives (3.5 - 6 hours most days), short hikes (1–3 hours), and light adventure activities such as camel and horse riding — always guided and supported by your local team. A few days include longer travel (up to 8 hours including breaks) due to Mongolia’s vast distances, but these drives are part of what makes the experience special.

🏨 Accommodation: A Balance of Comfort & Character

Hotel in Ulaanbaatar – Comfortable City Stay

Your first and final nights are spent at a good-quality modern 3★ hotel in Ulaanbaatar, selected for comfort, cleanliness, and convenient location.Rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, hot showers, air conditioning or heating, free Wi-Fi, and breakfast service. Most hotels we partner with are within a short distance of Sukhbaatar Square, restaurants, and shops, allowing guests to explore the capital with ease. Examples of our partner hotels include Premium hotel, Aurora hotel, and Millenium plaza — or similar standards depending on availability.

Tourist Ger Camps – Simple Comfort in Nature

Most nights are spent in tourist ger camps, which provide a cozy and clean base near major attractions. These camps offer the traditional charm of Mongolia’s circular gers (yurts) while maintaining basic hotel standards. Each camp provides:

• Private gers (yurts) with twin beds (extra beds available on request), bedding, and basic furniture
• Shared bathroom facilities with Western-style toilets and hot showers in a separate building
• Restaurant ger serving freshly prepared meals
• Electricity (220V) available in the evenings for lighting and device charging
• Heating stove for chilly nights (in some camps located in the central & northern Mongolia)

Please note:

• Most camps do not provide one-time amenities such as toothbrushes, robes, shampoo, or conditioner (though a few upgraded camps may).
• We recommend bringing your own personal toiletries and towel.
• Wi-Fi may be available in some camps via Starlink, though connection speeds vary.

Camps are peaceful, well-maintained, and located in scenic surroundings — allowing you to experience the landscape while sleeping comfortably.Tourist ger camps are open seasonally from May to early October and provide the perfect blend of rustic charm and reliable comfort.

Nomadic Family Homestay – Genuine Cultural Experience

One night of your journey will be spent with a local nomadic family, giving you a rare opportunity to share in Mongolia’s traditional lifestyle.This stay is simple but deeply rewarding, offering an authentic look into the rhythm of daily herding life. During your visit, you may:

• Join your hosts in milking goats and tending livestock
• Share tea and home-made vodka with the family and learn about nomadic customs
• Try traditional games such as knuckle bones (shagai) or archery

Guest gers are simple but cozy — typically shared by 2–4 travelers, each furnished with beds, clean bedding, a small table, and a wash basin. Facilities are basic: there is no running water, electricity, or shower, but a clean eco-toilet is available. Dinner with your hosts often features a homemade Gobi-style dish such as jimbii or dumplings with meat) — a truly local experience enjoyed with tea and warm hospitality.

🍽 Meals: Hearty & Homemade

Meals are included as shown in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner). Food in Mongolia is simple, nourishing, and always freshly prepared, reflecting the local climate and nomadic heritage. Breakfast

• Bread, butter, jam, eggs, sausage, and sometimes pancakes or cereals
• Tea or coffee is served
• Some camps also offer yogurt or local pastries

Lunch

• Soup or salad starter
• Main dish featuring meat (beef, mutton, or chicken) with rice, pasta, or potatoes
• Fresh vegetable sides such as cabbage, carrot, cucumber, or tomato salad
• Dessert or fruit with tea

Dinner

• Main course of meat, noodle, or rice dish
• Simple dessert (fruit, yogurt, or pastry)
• Tea

At the nomadic homestay, you’ll enjoy homemade Mongolian meals such as jimbii or other Gobi-style dishes prepared with local meat and flour. Guests are often invited to join in cooking or tasting suutei tsai (milk tea) with their hosts. Please note:

• Meat and dairy are central to Mongolian cuisine.
• Vegetarian meals can be arranged with prior notice, but gluten-free options are difficult to accommodate in rural areas.
• Bottled water (1.5 liters per person per day) is provided throughout the trip.

🚙 Transportation & Roads

All Travel Buddies tours operate with Japanese vans and minivans, including Mitsubishi Delica, Hyundai Starex, and Grand Starex models. These vehicles are comfortable, air-conditioned, and driven by our reliable, experienced drivers. Road conditions vary:

• Main highways between towns are paved but can be uneven or have potholes.
• Access roads to attractions and national parks are typically dirt or gravel.
• Daily driving distances average 5–6 hours, with scenic photo and restroom stops along the way.

A few longer drives (up to 8 hours including stops) are part of the adventure — revealing Mongolia’s incredible diversity and vastness.

🕒 Typical Daily Schedule

Our tours follow a relaxed and well-balanced routine:

Time	Activity
07:00–08:00	Breakfast at camp
08:00	Depart for the day’s destination
12:30–13:30	Lunch at a ger camp or roadside café
14:00–17:00	Visit attractions, enjoy light hiking or local experiences
18:00–19:00	Return to camp, shower, and relax
19:30–20:00	Dinner followed by free time under the stars

On longer travel days, you may continue driving for 2–3 hours after lunch to reach your next stop, followed by a sunset visit or evening activity.

📶 Connectivity

Internet access in rural Mongolia is limited, offering the perfect opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature.

• Mobile network coverage is available in most towns and along major routes if you use a local SIM card.
• Some ger camps offer Wi-Fi via Starlink, but service can be intermittent.
• In remote locations, you’ll enjoy a true digital break — replaced by incredible stargazing and quiet evenings.

👩‍💼 Guides

Travel Buddies employs experienced, English-speaking tour guides who are friendly, professional, and passionate about sharing Mongolia’s history and culture. They ensure smooth coordination throughout your journey and help you connect with locals along the way. Guides in German, French, Spanish, Chinese, or Japanese can be arranged upon request. During horseback or camel riding, local wranglers will assist you for safety and guidance.

🧭 When to Travel

The best months for this journey are June through August, when the weather is warm and stable. Spring (May) and autumn (September–mid October) are cooler and ideal for photography, with fewer travelers.

• Average daytime temperatures: +20°C to +28°C in the Gobi, +18°C to +25°C in central Mongolia
• Nighttime temperatures: drop 10–15°C lower
• Wind and rain: occasional, but generally mild
• The Gobi is typically warmer and drier than the rest of the country.

Bring layered clothing, as temperature changes between day and night are common.

💼 What to Expect

Traveling with Travel Buddies means seeing Mongolia through local eyes — at a comfortable pace, with space to breathe, explore, and connect. Expect clean accommodations, freshly made meals, scenic drives, and personal touches that make the journey feel genuine and friendly. Our goal is not just to show you Mongolia, but to share it — its vast landscapes, nomadic spirit, and the kindness of its people.

Booking & Payment

To confirm your booking, a 30% deposit is required, payable via online payment (Visa or Mastercard) or bank transfer. Please note that card payments incur a 3% processing fee, which is borne by the client. Bank transfers do not have any additional charges. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to your tour departure. There are no hidden fees beyond the card processing cost. Please review our Terms & Conditions for full details. Kindly note that bookings close one month before the tour departure date. 💛 Come as Guests, Leave as Buddies.