FAQs

Mongolian horse trekking. Adventure travel. Wild Stride. Mongolia. Horse riding. 

FAQs

What is the weather like in Mongolia?

Known as “The land of eternal blue sky” Mongolia receives very little rainfall and is often dry and clear with blue skies. Seasonal temperatures can vary from region to region but in most Central and Northern regions summer temperatures average between 20°C and 30°C during the day and around 10°C at nightWinter temperature tend to be below freezing ranging from 0°down to -30°C in some of the high Northern regions. The weather in Mongolia can change quickly and it is always important to be ready for changes in temperature as well as unexpected rainfall. 

Do I need riding experience?

Horses are the best form of travel in Mongolia’s rugged terrain but for those who have not ridden before the thought can be quite scary.  You don’t have to worry though previous riding experience is NOT necessary for our trips for two main reasons and Mongolia may be one of the best places in the world to learn.

– Firstly all our destinations can be reached at a horses walk so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery pass by. More experienced riders will break away from the main group to canter or gallop on certain sections, but you can go at your own pace while they do so. For the first time we ride on all our set departures there will also be vehicle support so you have the option to take a break from riding and only mount up when you wish. 

– – The second reason and the reason why Mongolia is such a good place to ride, even if it is your first time, is that we are joined by expert local riders who provide close support to new riders and test the skills of more experienced riders on every trip. Mongolians are some of the best riders in the world and local horse wranglers and guides are incredibly in tune with their horses. Having raised most of the horses from birth they are incredibly in tune with how they are feeling and often intervene way before anything can go wrong. You can sometimes wonder if it is you riding the horse or some of the wranglers from afar. It is quite amazing and means you can rest assured that you are in very safe hands.

What do I need for riding?

When riding we recommend either wearing riding boots or sturdy comfortable shoes. Walking boots and trainers can also be worn when riding but it is less advisable due to the grip on the soles. We also advise that you bring your own riding helmet, we have some spares but we cannot guarantee they will be the right fit or that we will have enough. Western style saddles, bridals and all other riding equipment for the horses is provided. 

Can you cater for my dietary requirements?

If you do have any dietary requirements please inform us. We have cooks on our adventures who can tailor the meals to suit your dietary needs. There is however a limit to what we can provide as we will sometimes be in remote areas with fewer options. The traditional Mongolian diet consists of a lot of meat and dairy, plus root vegetables like onions, carrots and potatoes. If you cannot eat one or two of these traditional foods due to being vegetarian, vegan or lactose intolerant we will try our best to keep foods varied but this may not always be possible. We promise we will not feed you only plain rice or potatoes every day if we can avoid it but this may sometimes be the only option. We do not recommend Mongolia for fussy eaters, the varity of foods avaible to Mongolians in rural areas is far less than what we are used to in the Western World. Most people eat meat out of nessesity and traditionals dishes are made from what is in season at the time, which is often delicious but may not be what you are used to. 

Can I come if I have any allergies?

If you have a server allergy please come prepared with your own EpiPen. Our guides should also carry one and are first aid trained but we still recommend you have your own in case our guides are otherwise occupied. We are operating a serious wilderness experience and you must be prepared to look after yourself if unforseen cicumstances arise where you are separated from your guide for a short time.  If your allergy is food-related, most restaurants in Mongolia are ok with allergies but they are less common in Mongolia and the training around them is not as good as in the Western world. If you do have an allergy please make sure you have informed us so we can let our team and cook know. Please also make sure to remind your guide about your allergy when eating at restaurants so they can ask what is in the food. They may not always remember.

Is there anything else I need to bring with me?

For comfort and logistical purposes you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and role mat. the nights can get quite cold especially at the beginning and towards the end of summer and we recommend a proper four seasons sleeping bag and some thermals just in case. We will provide you with a full kit list upon booking or request.

How do I complete my booking?

To reserve a place on one of our tours you can fill out one of our booking forms on the website or send us an email via [email protected] we will then send you a reply to say we have reserved you a place on that tour and answer any questions you might have.

To complete your booking we ask you for a deposit. Usually 20% of the total tour price and we ask you to complete a short booking form to confirm your details.

UK deposits and full payments are made to:

 Wild Stride 

Account number: 84816155 

Sort code: 60-83-71

For international payments including US please contact us for details. 

Can I get money out in Mongolia?

It is possible to use Credit and Debit cards in Mongolia although there are very few cash machines outside of Ulaanbataar. In Ulaanbataar MasterCard is supported with five ATM locations and it is also possible to use VISA. Another way to withdraw money in the country is to go through one of the banks or currency exchange stores. All expenses during the tour are covered by us but please do bring cash should you wish to tip guides, buy soviners or request extra services

Where can I shower and wash my clothes?

There is little to no conventional laundry or washing facilities services once we are in Khovsgol national park or staying with Nomads in Central Mongolia. However, we will have plenty of access to clean water and you can wash in rivers or with warm water heated on the fire. Renchklumb village in Khovsgol does have a shower and there will be showers and laundry services in some of the hotels we visit but for most of the trip there will be limited access to these facilities. 

Recent Comments