You’ll never see anything quite like Mongolia. This guide will help prepare you for your incredible adventure! Please read this carefully, and if there is anything we have not addressed, feel free to reach out at [email protected]. Can’t wait to show you this amazing country.
Things to Expect
- Most meals are included once we leave the nation’s capital. If you have very specific dietary requirements you will need to let us know well in advance. We will do our best to cater for you, but you may need to be prepared to bring some of your own supplies from home, or stock up at the supermarkets in Ulaanbaatar. Vegetarians can be catered for, though choices may be limited. Some food will be traditional Mongolian style, but as the traditional diet consists solely of meat and dairy products, most meals made for our groups are less challenging and based more on Russian or Western cuisine, which is now also common in the Mongolian diet.
- This is a trip that includes travelling in remote terrain away from some modern facilities and conveniences. It is important to realize that the emphasis on this trip is on the journey, travelling through amazing landscapes and staying in some stunning locations.
- Driving times will vary and any times listed in the itinerary are approximate and subject to road (where there is one!) and weather conditions.
Physical level
Good general fitness and mobility will play a big part in making your trip more enjoyable.
Bring comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to spend much of the day on your feet. You also need to be able to cope with varying temperature as we will be experiencing climates from warm days to cold nights.
Inclusions
exclusions
Itinerary
Your general Mongolia itinerary can be found here or on the Mongolia Meetup Tour webpage. Daily schedules will be given by your guide when you arrive in Mongolia. Because the seasons, operating hours of inclusions, traffic, and many factors can affect the daily schedule, specific timing will be determined by your guide to give you the best possible experience. If you have questions about when to wake up, how long you will spend at a particular site, etc. please feel free to ask your guide at any time.
Itinerary Disclaimer
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Mongolia Traveler Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travelers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.
Joining Point
Novotel Ulaan Bataar
Baga Toiruu 6Th Khoroo, 14201, Mongolia
Joining Description
Fly into Mongolia’s main international airport, Ulaanbaatar International Airport (UBIA).
We will arrange an airport transfer for you according to your arrival time on Day 1. Look for your driver holding a sign with the SoFe logo on it in the arrivals hall. We recommend arriving anytime before 3pm so that you’ll have plenty of time to get settled and refreshed before your welcome meeting at 6pm. Please have your passport, insurance and next of kin information ready to give to your leader at this meeting. Afterwards join your fellow travelers for optional dinner at a local restaurant.
Finishing Point
Novotel Ulaan Bataar
Baga Toiruu 6Th Khoroo, 14201, Mongolia
Finishing Point description
Fly out of Ulaanbaatar International Airport (UBIA). You can leave anytime on our last day, but we recommend staying for breakfast and departing around checkout time.
Departure transfer is not included. Your guide can help you arrange transportation to the airport as needed.
Problems and emergency contact
While we always endeavor to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognize that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction – if this is the case, please ask the leader to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still traveling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
For general contact details please use the following page: https://thesolofemaletravelernetwork.com/contact-us
Emergency contact numbers:
976- 99183751 OR
976- 99004597
Payment schedule
You are required to pay a non-refundable $550 deposit at the time of reservation. This non-refundable deposit confirms your Meetup Tour booking and you will receive a confirmation email detailing the terms of your reservation. Once the confirmation email has been sent to you, a contract will exist between us from the date we issue the confirmation invoice.
Please refer to your booking confirmation for specific dates, deadlines and details regarding final payments for your Meetup Tour. For standard Meetup Tours, the program fee balance payment is due 90 days before the departure date. SoFe’s payment system allows you to input the dollar amount for each payment you submit, so you are welcome to make as many payments in any dollar amount as you prefer before the final payment is due.
The final payment deadline is 90 days before the Meetup Tour start date, with the exception of Antarctica and Polar destinations.
If you have not paid the full balance, requested a cancellation and/or transfer by the final payment deadline, your credit card on file will be automatically charged the remaining balance of the Meetup Tour program cost. A $100 late payment fee will also be levied. Additionally, SoFe reserves the right to treat your booking as cancelled.
Feedback
Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travelers like you. Share your experience with us by emailing [email protected]!
Before you leave
Important notes
Food and dietary information
While traveling with us you’ll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let us know prior to departure.
Those with special dietary requirements may choose to supplement included meals with supplies brought from home. Vegetarian lacto-ovo options (while limited) can be offered for all included meals, provided we are notified at time of booking. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, still your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.
Money Matters
Spending money is a personal choice, and everyone will have different spending habits and needs. It is best to budget a reasonable amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. It’s always better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need. Please have a thorough look at the itinerary and at what is included so you will be prepared for what isn’t included. Our Meetup Tour is very inclusive, however some meals and extras are not included. This guide should make budgeting a little clearer.
Major credit cards may be accepted in some shops and restaurants in the capital. In Ulaanbaatar you will be able to find ATMs that accept international cards and use them to withdraw local currency; however these should not be relied on as your sole financial source. Some souvenir sellers and tourist restaurants may accept USD or EUR as payment but all other purchases in Mongolia must be made in local currency.
If you want to bring cash from your home country and exchange it, the best way to do so is at the airport in Ulaanbaatar. Tugrik may only be obtained within Mongolia. The easiest currencies to exchange are USD and EUR, although it is possible to exchange RUB, CNY and other currencies at some exchange points. Larger denomination notes often attract a better exchange rate. You can also get local currency by using an ATM with a debit card.
Tips are included on all SoFe trips, covering hotel staff, your driver, included experiences, included meals, and the people who will take care of you during your travels.
This amount does not include a tip for your tour leader, so you may wish to set aside some funds for this. It may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry.
The following amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from our past travelers:
Your Group Leader/Guide: The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $7-10 USD per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.
Tipping in local currency equivalent is perfectly acceptable and often preferred.
There may be times when you find yourself exploring solo. When you’re out by yourself and you’re happy with the services, providing a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate.
The official currency of Mongolia is the Tugrik (MNT).
Climate information
Mongolia has a classic continental climate – relatively dry with very hot summers and very cold winters. It is nicknamed as the “Land of the Eternal Blue Sky” because it typically has over 250 days of sun a year! Any time of year is possible to visit, but the best time for most is from mid May to late September, if you want to beat the cold.
passports, visas, and entry requirements
Citizens of the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and most EU countries will need a visa to enter Mongolia as a tourist for up to 30 days. Citizens of Canada will not need a visa for visits up to 30 days and citizens of the USA will not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries should check with the relevant consulates as to whether a visa is required. If a visa is required, you will need to obtain it in advance. There is no visa on arrival in Mongolia at land or air borders.
MONGOLIA – LETTER OF INVITATION (LOI):
Most embassies do not require a LOI. However, should you be required to present one with your visa application please contact us. There may be a fee for this service. In order for us to provide a LOI through our local partners we will require a clear, color scan of your passport along with an indication of at which embassy you will be applying for your visa. Please allow up to 3 weeks for your LOI to be processed after which you will be able to apply for your visa.
MONGOLIAN VISA EN-ROUTE:
You may be able to apply for your Mongolian visa in Beijing en-route if you have time here before your trip. Please plan carefully and check the current embassy requirements. You will need to organize this yourself and ensure you have all the correct documentation to obtain the Mongolian Visa.
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR MONGOLIAN VISA APPLICATION:
You will need to apply for a Single Entry Tourist Visa (J) that covers the duration of your stay in Mongolia. Visas are usually valid for 3 months from the date of issue and enable to you to stay for up to 30 days from date of entry.
You may be required to provide a copy of your itinerary, indicating the dates of your tour, along with your application. Please contact us to request any required information.
You need a valid passport to travel internationally. Most countries require that your passport does not expire for at least 6 months after the date you enter. We require your passport details 45 days before departure. When booking your Meetup Tour, please enter your name as it appears on your passport and contact us immediately if there are any errors.
We recommend taking copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you as well as leaving copies at home with family or friends.
Packing
Our tours are comfortable and very inclusive with premium accommodations. This means you can pack a little lighter since the hotel will have a wide range of amenities. Since you will be carrying your own bags to the lobby or at the airport, we suggest packing in a way that is manageable for solo travel. You’ll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc. for day trips.
The baggage allowance for our internal flights is 1 check in suitcase that is a maximum of 30lbs/15kg and 1 carryon. An additional fee applies to bags that exceeds this.
The following is a general list to be used as a guideline. If you think you need more items, pack them.
Essential:
– Clothing: a mixture of lightweight and dry fast clothing and warm layers are recommended essential for travelling in this region. Long shirts, pants, scarves are useful for covering shoulders & knees when visiting religious sites.
– Shoes: sturdy and comfortable shoes for walking long distances are essential.
– Personal travel documents inc. your passport (visa), travel insurance, flight tickets and trip notes. Photocopies of your passport and visa, passport size photos and travel insurance will be handy. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.
– small first aid kit including items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, Band-Aids and insect repellent, and essential medicine depending on your doctors advice.
– Money: cash/credit card/EFTPOS card and money belt
– Sun protection like a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Recommended:
– Refillable water bottle
– Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and adapter plug
– Hand wash, travel wipes, toiletries and a small towel
– Watch/alarm clock and torch/flashlight (and spare batteries)
Other things to consider:
– Check weather in Mongolia online a few days before you go to make sure you pack appropriate clothing
– Laundry facilities may not be available in all destinations, so make sure you have a few cycles of clothes to tide you over until your next chance to wash
For Mongolia there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin. Mongolia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. We always suggest bringing a universal adaptor.
A mixture of lightweight and dry fast clothing and warm layers are recommended essentials for travelling in this region. Please check the weather forecast a few days before traveling to better help you decide what to wear.
When in and around religious sites such as Buddhist temples, you should wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory on all our Meetup Tours. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are traveling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travelers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader.
If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
We recommend that you check your government’s advice in relation to the areas you will be visiting for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.
on the road
Group Guide
All tours with The Solo Female Traveler Network are accompanied by a guide who is with the group for the whole trip. The guide’s role is to be the local expert of the destination and coordinate a lot of the on the ground logistics. Premium leaders are SoFe’s most experienced, with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your guide 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. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At SoFe, we aim to support local guides who have specialized knowledge of the regions we visit. When not already included in your trip, your leader will be able to recommend a local guide service who can share more detailed or specialized information at specific sites should you be interested in delving deeper.
Accomodation
We use a range of accommodation that we choose based on season, group size, and availability and because of this, we can not provide a confirmed list of hotels before the tour. However, here is a list of the accommodation we are most likely to use. Feel free to request a confirmed list of all accommodation from your guide on Day 1.
UlaanBataar : Novotel UlaanBataar
Ulgii: Duman hotel
UlaanBataar : Novotel UlaanBataar
Terelj NP: Terelj Ger Camp
UlaanBataar : Novotel UlaanBataar
8 nights from our collection of favorite hotels, carefully chosen to give you the best combination of comfort, location, and style.
Rooms are twin share with an ensuite unless you upgrade to a private room, based on availability.
The accommodation indicated on the webpage is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to lack of availability. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
In the base cost of the tour, a shared room is included. You may choose to upgrade to a private room for an extra charge as long as there is availability.
Upgrading to a private room once in Mongolia is more difficult and may result in a higher cost than advertised on the webpage.
Our Mongolia tour is considered premium accommodation. All of our accommodation is 4 and 5 star with many beautiful views in prime locations. When we stay in 4 and 5 star hotels, the standard may be less than what you are used to in terms of design, facilities, and inclusions. If there is a problem with your accommodation, always alert your tour leader so it can be remedied if possible.
Sometimes it is not possible to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels, especially if you arrive before check in time. We can store your luggage and you can explore the surrounding area. Standard check in time is 4:00pm.
Standard check out is at 10:00am on the last day.
If you are arriving early or staying late, ask us about extra nights accommodation, based on availability. You may have to switch rooms at the beginning or end of the tour and extra nights are always single rooms unless you are traveling with a friend or family member.
All of our accommodations have air conditioning. Should it not work, we will attempt to replace your room or the unit, dependent upon availability. Bedding is always provided, however if you are extra sensitive to the cold, please be prepared with extra layers.
Optional Activities
For this tour, we may offer a selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travelers. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities offered in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. For most, they can either be organized independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist.
Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities that are not offered by us have not been assessed by us, and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organizing these activities. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not operated by us is at your own discretion and risk.
Transportation
On this tour, you will travel by commercial flight, private vehicle, and 4WD.
a few rules
Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip.
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewelry at home – you won’t need it while traveling. Some of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you’ll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your SoFe itinerary, and SoFe makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it’s deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country. Driving in Mongolia can be difficult and chaotic. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. Please be sure that you wear a seat belt at all times.
Mongolia is relatively safe, but crimes against foreigners sometimes occur. Petty crime is common in Ulaanbaatar, particularly in markets or other crowded public places. Watch out for pickpockets. Be wary of large groups of street children and teenagers, who sometimes harass pedestrians for money when entering and leaving vehicles, pubs and restaurants. Keep passports, money and other valuables in a safe place. Report any theft to the Pick-pocketing Department of the Police (telephone +976-93022480) or to your leader, the police can provide a letter for insurance purposes. Do not walk around alone at night if it can be avoided and hold your belongings close on public transportation. Your local guide will give you some safety tips throughout your tour, and we suggest heeding this advice.
As suggested earlier, please do not bring valuables. Use a TSA approved luggage lock to secure your luggage and belongings throughout trip.
We suggest checking your government’s advice in relation to the areas you will be visiting for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.
In recent years there have been occasional instances of civil and political unrest resulting in demonstrations and in some cases violence. You should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations.
When not with your guide, we recommend the following:
- Do not walk in isolated areas or at night by yourself
- If hotel staff need to enter your room, arrange to be either on tour or in the lobby, so you are not alone.
- Respect the local customs.
- Do not hire a driver or guide for tours from the street. Always go with a reputable company or ask us to help you arrange any pre or post experiences.
- Do not accept any invitations for anything from random people on the street.
- Always carry your tour guide’s contact information and hotel address with you during solo time.
- Alert your guide of any inappropriate behavior or perceived risk to your safety
Although Mongolia is a difficult country in general to navigate solo, it is relatively safe for women. Still, exercise an increased level of caution, as you will likely stick out as a tourist and pickpocketing does occur. People may stare, but it is mostly harmless and will not be a constant part of your trip. Our advice is to ignore any unwanted attention.
phone and internet access
There is wifi available in most of our accommodations, but it is not always the most reliable. We suggest purchasing a prepaid sim card at the International airport in Ulaanbaatar. You will find kiosks there for the some of the most popular mobile phone providers such as Mobicom or Unitel.
Plans and prices can vary a lot but expect to pay between $5-$15 USD for a plan that will provide you around 5GB of data. Your passport may be required for you to purchase and register your new sim.
Alternatively, ask your home service provider for international plans.
medical and health
All travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveler is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements as they may not easily be obtained while traveling.
The tap water in Mongolia is not safe to drink.
As of January 1, 2023, we have updated our policies to require all travelers to show one of the following upon meeting the group on day 1: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or proof of negative COVID-19 test conducted no more than 72 hours before day 1 of your trip.