Temperature in Sep to Oct: The day and night time temperatures in Mongolia drop quite quickly after the end of summer and temperatures can vary widely between days. The range can be 0°C to +17°C in the day and -5°C to +8°C at night. The range can sometimes be lower during the Eagle festival as we are in the Altai mountains and due to the altitude (around 2000m to 2500m) the temperature can drop.  We advise you to come prepared by bringing plenty of warm clothes and suitable sleeping equipment. Mongolia is the Land of Blue Sky with low annual rainfall most of which occurs in June, July and August. September and October see far less rainfall but come prepared just in case.

Ger camping: The traditional Mongolian tent is called a Ger. When near towns or settlements we will be staying in Ger camps which often provide running water and on occasion showers and clothes washing services although this is not a guarantee. The Ger is the perfect home for a nomad because it can be taken down and erected extremely quickly. They provide enough space for a family and are well-insulated. A single wood burner can make one feel like a sauna if the logs are piled on enough and provide a family with a place to cook. 

Wild camping: We will be spending a lot of time in remote areas during this tour and for most of the trekking sections we will be wild camping. Wild camping is one of the top reasons to visit Mongolia as it is completely free to roam meaning we can pitch our tents anywhere and pick only the best places to stay. There is also almost no light pollution, very little cloud cover and most of the country is at over 1000m which makes Mongolia one of the best locations on earth for stargazing. While wild camping food will be cooked for you by our chef on the campfire. The campfire will be kept lit into the night for you to stay up and see the stars or tell stories with your fellow travellers. Tents are provided but please bring your own sleeping bags and roll mats.

Washing and water: Modern washing facilities in the Mongolian countryside can be limited therefore we opt for the more traditional style of washing. In most cases, water is available from rivers and lakes. This water can be heated up on the fire for basic body and clothes washing or you can go for a swim. If you do swim we ask that you don’t use any products as they can change the chemical make-up of the waterway. If you are using water collected from rivers you can use products but please check the label and bring soaps and detergents that are natural and biodegradable. Many of Mongolia’s rivers and lakes are so clean they are considered safe to drink by UK standards without treatment, so we would like to keep it that way. For travellers, we supply bottled water and despite the access to mostly clean water we recommend filtering or boiling any water you drink from waterways for at least 1 minute before you drink it. We cannot guarantee it is safe without testing and we don’t want anyone to get sick. Like in many countries drinking tea is popular for this reason. 

Temperatures and Weather: Mongolia is known as “The Land of Blue Sky” due to its low annual rainfall and fondness for beautifully blue cloudless skies. Saying this the weather can change quickly and the summer months of June, July and August do see more rainfall so we still recommend waterproofs as we will be spending a lot of time outdoors. More often than not the weather is glorious but best be prepared. Daytime temperatures during the summer range between 15℃ and 26℃ but the nights can get cold and they can range as much as 5℃ to 18℃. The lower temperatures tend to occur (May-June) and late in the season (August-September) and altitude is a factor. We recommend bringing a four-season sleeping bag and roll mat with you in case the nights do get chilly. We often bring extra bedding for anyone who does get cold but please do not rely on this. 

Horse Riding: Riding experience is not necessary. A sense of adventure and a can-do attitude is more important. Our local nomadic guides are expert horse handlers and have a wealth of knowledge to keep you safe during the ride. If you tire of riding we have a support vehicle on hand which will carry all our equipment and pick you up should you require it. We aim to ride for about 6 hours a day and cover about 20-30km which may sound like a lot but is easily achievable even for beginners at a horse-walking pace. For more experienced riders there is plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness and we always hire some extra local guides so you can break off and feel the wind in your hair if you choose.