IntheRealmofGenghisKhan
Pre-DepartureInformation
Welcome!
TRAVELINFORMATION
Passport
Visas
Money
SpecialDiets
Tipping
Communications
Electricity
MEDICALINFORMATION
Inoculations
StayingHealthy
HELPFULINFORMATION
Photography
BeingaConsiderateTraveler
Food
BackgroundInformation
ReadingList
PACKINGLIST
TheEssentials
WTGearStore
Luggage
WeightLimits
NotesonClothing
Layers
Clothing
Equipment
PersonalFirstAidSupplies
OptionalItems
We’redelightedtowelcomeyouonthisadventure!This
bookletisdesignedtoguideyouinthepracticaldetailsfor
preparingforyourtrip.Asyouread,ifanyquestionscometo
mind,feelfreetogiveusacallorsendusanemail—we’re
heretohelp.
PLEASESENDUS
TripApplication:Complete,sign,andreturnyourTrip
Applicationformassoonaspossibleifyouhavenotalready
doneso.
MedicalForm:Complete,sign,andreturnyourMedical
Formassoonaspossibleifyouhavenotalreadydoneso.
AirSchedule:SendusacopyofyourAirScheduleonce
you'vemadeyourflightarrangements.RefertotheArrival&
DeparturesectionoftheDetailedTripItineraryfor
instructions.Pleasereviewyourproposedschedulewith
WildernessTravelbeforepurchasingyourtickets.
PassportPhotocopy:Scan*yourpassportphotopageand
emailittousasaJPGorPDFattachment,orsendusahigh
qualityphotocopybymail(immediatelyuponreservingyour
trip).
*Ifyouarescanningdocumentstoemail,wesuggesta
maximumresolutionof300dpi.
PLEASECAREFULLYREVIEW
TravelDocuments&MedicalInformation: Carefully
reviewtheTravelDocumentsandMedicalInformation
sectionsofthisbooklettofamiliarizeyourselfwithPassport
andVisaentryrequirementsforyourdestination,aswellas
anyrecommendedinoculations.
OptionalTravelInsurance:ReviewtheTripCancellation
&TransferFeeScheduleincludedintheDetailedItinerary.
WerecommendthatalltripmemberspurchaseTravel
Insurance.
ExtraServices:RequestanyExtraServices(hotelnights,transfers,extensions)withyour
WTofficecontactusingtheExtraServicesRequestFormsentwithyourconfirmationpacket.
FinalDocuments:Approximatelythreeweeksbeforeyourtrip,wewillsendyoufinal
departuredocuments,includinghotelandlocalcontactinformationandrendezvous
instructions.
QUESTIONS?
Call:1-800-368-2794,gotoourwebsite:www.wildernesstravel.com,ore-mailusat:
[email protected]
TravelInformation
PASSPORT
Avalidpassportisrequiredforyourtrip.Besuretochecktheexpirationdate.Yourpassportmustbe
validforsixmonthsafteryourdateofexitfromMongolia.Inaddition,werecommendyourpassporthave
atleasttwocompletelyblankvisapagesforeverycountryyouwillbevisiting.Itisveryimportantthat
theblankpagessay“Visas”atthetop.Thelastfewpagesofyourpassport,whichsay“Amendmentsand
Endorsements,”andthefinalpageofyourpassport,whichmaynothaveapagenumber,arenot
consideredtobelegitimatevisapages.Youcanrequestanewpassportthroughavisaserviceagencyor
theUSPassportServicesOffice(theserviceofaddingpagesforvisaswasdiscontinuedasofJanuary1,
2016).Besuretoallowsufficienttimetoacquirethisbeforeyourtrip.
Itisagoodideatocarryphotocopiesofyourpassport’sphotopageandanyacquiredvisapagesforyour
trip(ifapplicable)incaseyourpassportislostorasanadditionalpieceofidentification,aswellastwo
extrapassportphotos.
VISAS
UScitizensdonotneedavisaforMongolia.
IfyouareaUScitizentravelingto/fromMongoliaviaSeoul,youdonotneedavisafortransitinKorea.
IfyouareUScitizentravelingto/fromMongoliaviathefollowingcities/airportinChina,youdonotneed
toobtainavisaforChinapriortoarrivalifyoustaylessthan72hoursandholdanairticketshowing
yourconnectingflightinformation(withaconfirmeddeparturedateandseatnumber):
Beijing(airportcode:PEK),Shanghai(airportcode:PVGorSHA),Guangzhou(airportcode:CAN),
Chengdu(airportcode:CTU),ChongqingJiangbei(airportcode:CKG),ShenyangTaoxian(airportcode:
SHE),DalianZhoushuizi(airportcode:DLC),Xi'an(airportcode:XIY),Hangzhou(airportcode:HGH),
Guilin(KWL),andKunming(airportcode:KMG).
YouwillnotbeallowedtotraveltoothercitiesorprovinceswithinChina.
IfyouwouldliketospendextratimeinChina(morethan72hours)oryouareflyingviaaChinesecity
otherthanBeijingorShanghai,youmustobtainaChinavisapriortoyourarrival.Youcanobtainavisa
directlyfromtheChineseconsulateoryoumaycontactourrecommendedpassportandvisaprocessing
service,PassportVisasExpress(PVE).PVEcanalsobereachedbyphoneat888-596-6028.Letthem
knowyouarebookedonaWildernessTraveltrip.
IfyouareacitizenofanycountryotherthantheUS,checkwithalocalconsulateforentryrequirements.
MONEY
CashintheformofUSdollarsisacceptedinmostplaces,alongwithMongoliancurrency,thetugrik.
BringsmalldenominationsofUSbills(ones,fives,tens)andmakesuretheyarecrispnewbills(oldbills
areoftennotaccepted).
ATMmachinesareavailableinUlaanbaatarbutwithdrawalisonlyinMongoliantugrik.Traveler’s
checkscanexchangedatabank,withusuallya2%commission.BecausetheStateBankisonlyopen
duringcertainhoursoftheday,itcanbedifficulttocoordinatecashingtravelerscheckswiththeday’s
activitiessowedon’trecommendthem.ItmaybepossibletoobtainacashadvancefromyourVisaand
MasterCardattheStateBank.Creditcardsarebecomingmorewidelyacceptedoutsidethecapital.
PersonalchecksarenotacceptedanywhereinMongolia.
Youwillneedtobudgetspendingmoneyforgratuities,foranymealsnotincludedinthetripitinerary,
andforpersonalitemssuchassnacks,phonecalls,etc.
TouseanATMinternationally,youmusthaveafour-digitPIN.Ifyouplantouseyourcreditcards,
informyourcreditcardcompanybeforeyourdeparturethatyouwillbeusingthecardabroad.
SPECIALDIETS
Wewilldoourbesttoaccommodatespecialdietaryneeds,however,pleasekeepinmindthatcertain
culturaldifferencesorlimitationsduetologisticscanmakeitextremelydifficultandattimesimpossible
toaccommodatedietaryrestrictions.Pleaseinformusatleasteightweeksbeforeyourtripifyouhavea
restricteddiet.Itisimportanttobringaflexibleattitudeandsupplementalsnacks.
TIPPING
Tippingiscompletelydiscretionary,butovertheyears,clientshaveaskedusfortippingguidelinesto
rewardguidesforoutstandingservice.Arangeofreferencewouldbe$150–$200fortheTripLeader,
$75-$100pertripmemberforlocaldrivers,and$10perperson,pernightforthegercampstaff(during
thenightsyouareatthegercamp).YourTripLeaderwilltakecareofgratuitiesforrestaurants,luggage
porters,andotherlocalguidesthatarewithusforashorttime.
COMMUNICATIONS
TimeZone
Mongoliais15-16hoursaheadofSanFranciscoand12-13hoursaheadofNewYork,dependingon
daylightsavings.
Telephone
TheinternationaldialingcodeforMongoliais+976.Pleasecontactyourcellphonecompanyforspecific
instructionsforinternationaluse.
Email&InternetAccess InternetaccessisavailableatourUlaanbaatarhotel(thismaycomeatadditionalcharge),butwillbe
unreliableorunlimitedoutsideofthecity.
ELECTRICITY
Mongoliahas220-voltcurrent.Bringaconverterandplugadaptorkitforapplianceuse.Thegercamps
haveelectricityforchargingappliances.
MedicalInformation
Thefollowingrecommendationsshouldbeusedasaguidelineonly;consultyourphysicianformedical
advice.ItisvitalthatyouletWildernessTravelknowofanymedicalproblems,allergies,orphysical
limitationsyoumayhave.Pleasefilloutandreturnthepersonalmedicalquestionnaire,andfeelfreeto
consultusifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourabilitytoundertakethisparticulartrip.
WildernessTravelisnotamedicalfacilityandhasnoexpertiseorresponsibilityregardingwhat
medicationsorinoculationsyouandyourphysiciandecidearenecessaryforyoursafeparticipationinthe
trip.
Traveler'shealthinformationisavailablefromthe CentersforDiseaseControl.Medicaltravelproducts
areavailablefromTravelHealthMedicineandfromMagellan'sTravelSupplies.
INOCULATIONS
Entryrequirementsaresubjecttochange;checkwiththeCentersforDiseaseControlforupdates.All
shotsshouldbeenteredonyourInternationalHealthCard(yellowcard),whichisprovidedbythefacility
givingtheshots.Keepitwithyourpassportwhiletraveling.Thisprovidesanimportantpersonalrecord
foryoutorefertowhenmakingfuturetravelplans.Werecommendyoudiscussthefollowingwithyour
physician:
Polio
Peoplewhohavereceivedtheprimaryseriesofatleastthreedosesofpoliovaccineareconsideredfully
immunized.Peoplewhoareunsureoftheirstatusshouldreceivethevaccine(threedosesspacedat
intervals).
Hepatitis
ThevaccinesHAVRIXandVAQTA(twoinjections,sixto18monthsapart)givelong-termprotection
againstHepatitisAandareworthwhileifyoutravelregularlytodevelopingcountries.
TetanusBooster
Aboosterisstronglyrecommended(effectivefor10years).
Typhoid
TheCDCrecommendstheshotortheoralvaccine,VivotifBerna.
Meningitis
TheCDCalsorecommendsthatyouconsiderthemeningococcalvaccineasmeningitishasbeenknownto
occurinMongolia.
STAYINGHEALTHY
Treateddrinkingwaterisprovidedatcamp.Inhotels,don’tbrushyourteethwithtapwater;usebottled
water.Don’tuseiceinyourdrinksunlessyouaresureitwasmadewithtreatedwater.Whenindoubt,ask
yourTripLeaderforguidelines.
HelpfulInformation
PHOTOGRAPHY
Formostpeople,acompactdigitalcameraorevenacellphonewithafixedzoomlensworkswell,and
newerpoint-and-shootsandphonescanproduceexcellentqualitypictures.Forhigherqualityimages,
especiallyforprinting,andtheabilitytouselongertelephotolensesforcloserwildlifepictures,adigital
SLRiswellworthwhile,thoughheavier.Lensesof200mmor300mm,withimagestabilization,allow
youtohand-holdthecamerawithminimalcamerashake.Apolarizingfilterisuseful,especiallytoreduce
reflectiononwatersurfacesandtodeepentheblueofthesky.Packyourequipmentwellanduseplastic
bagstoprotectitfromdustormoisture.Bringwipesandadustblowertokeepyourlensesclean.Most
digitalcamerasandphonesnowhavevideooptions,andyoumayevenwanttoconsiderbringinga
GoPro.Alwayspracticeaheadoftimewithnewequipmentandbringyourmanualwithyou.Youmay
wanttoconsiderinsuringyourequipment.CameraequipmentisavailableforrentfromBorrowLenses
witha10%discountofferedtoWildernessTravelclients.
Werecommendbringingatleasttwolargecapacitymemorycards.Ifyoutakealotofpicturesandsave
thematahighresolution,itcanbehelpfultobringadigitalstorageunitorlaptopsoyoucandownload
yourpicturesandfreeupyourmemorycardsforreuseonaregularbasis.Bringabackupbatteryorsetof
batteriessooneisalwayschargedandreadytouse,andbringyourbatterycharger(andappropriateplug
adapter).Ifyourcamerausesreplaceablebatteries,bringspareswithyou.Note:fortripswhereyoumay
beawayfrompowersourcesformultipledays,considerlookingintoasolar-poweredbatterycharger.
Whentakingpicturesoflocalpeople,beawareofculturalconsiderations.HeedyourTripLeader’s
guidelinesforwhatisappropriate,andalwaysusegesturesorsimplephrasestoaskpermission.Ifpeople
donotwishtobephotographed,pleasehonortheirrequests.Weurgetravelerstoavoidgivingmoneyin
exchangeforphotoopportunities,whichonlymakesitharderforothertravelerstotakepicturesandto
haveameaningfulpersonalinteractionwithlocalpeople.
Wefindthatourclientscreatewonderfulimagesthatreallydefinetheuniqueaspectsofouradventures.
Wewouldlovetomakeuseofyourimagesinourmarketingmaterialsandourphotoblog,andrequestthat
yousendusasmallsampleofyourbestimagesandasimpleemailgivinguspermissiontousethe
photos.Pleaseemailyourphotostowtphotoblog@gmail.com.Welookforwardtoreceivingthem!
BEINGACONSIDERATETRAVELER
Pleaseshowrespectforthecultureswearevisitingbyobservinglocalcustomsconcerningappropriate
dress,particularlyinsacredplaces.YourTripLeaderisalwaysavailabletoansweranyquestionsthatyou
mayhaveregardingthis.Ifitisnecessarytouseacellphoneduringthetrip,pleasedosoprivately.
Smokingisrarelyanissuethesedays,butifyoudosmoke,pleasedosoonlyawayfromthegroup.
FOOD
MongolianfoodreflectstheinfluenceofRussiaandChina.Dairyproducts,breadsandmeat(primarily
muttonandbeef)formthebasisoftheMongoliandiet.Sometypicaldishesinclude:shorlog(Mongolian
Barbecueorshishkebab),horhog(roastedsheep), buuz(steameddumplingswithmuttonorbeef),and
guriltaishol(muttonnoodlesoup).Foodisgenerallyoilierthanyoumaybeusedto,andmanydishes
servedarefried.Noodles,riceand/orbreadsarelikelytobeapartofmostmeals.Althoughvegetables
andfruitsarenotwidelycultivatedorconsumedinMongolia,mostmealsarealsolikelytoinclude
potatoes,carrots,cabbage,cucumbersand/ortomatoes.Fruitisusuallycanned.Mongolianvodkais
excellentandyoumayhavetheopportunitytotrythenationaldrinkofairag(slightlyfermentedmare's
milk).
BACKGROUNDINFORMATION
WeofferbackgroundinformationonMongoliaonour website.
READINGLIST
Arecommendedreadinglistcanbefoundat LongitudeBooks.
PackingList
THEESSENTIALS
Airtickets(orE-tickets)
Passport
OneotherpictureID,suchasadriver’slicense
Expensemoney
WTGEARSTORE
TohelpyouprepareforyournextWTadventure,we'veputtogetheragreatcollectionoftopbrands
includingPatagonia,OutdoorResearch,EagleCreek,andmoreatourWTGearStore .
LUGGAGE
Soft-sidedluggagewithsmallpadlock(mustbeunlockedforairtravel).
Daypack,largeenoughforasweater,waterbottle,camera,andotheritemsyouwantwithyouduring
theday
Ifyouareanavidshopper,asmallroll-upduffeltocarryhomeextrapurchases
IMPORTANT! Valuable or essential items such as camera equipment or prescription
medications should always be hand-carried on any flight to avoid loss or damage.
WEIGHTLIMITS
DomesticairlinesinMongoliarequirethatyoulimityourcheckedbaggagetoamaximumweightof
33poundsperpersonforflightswithinMongolia(11poundsforcarry-onluggageand22pounds
forcheckedluggage).Excessbaggageweightischargedatapproximately$3.00-$500(subjectto
change)foreverykilogram(2.2pounds)overthelimit.Anyexcessbaggagechargesareyour
responsibilityandfeesmayincreasewithoutwarning.
NOTESONCLOTHING
YoucanexpectawiderangeoftemperaturesandweatherconditionsinMongolia—besureyoubring
clothingthatprotectsyouinthecoldestconditions.Ingeneral,dressisinformal.Whendininginthe
capital,fieldwearisnotappropriatebutcasualsportswearwillsuffice.Forvisitingmonasteries,youwill
needmodestclothingthatcoversyourshoulders.Therewillbefewopportunitiesfordoinglaundryduring
thetrip.
Atourgercamps,youmusthaveseverallayersofgoodqualityclothingforwarmthforwalkingaround
campinthecoolevenings.Evenifyoudon’tuseextralayerswhilehiking,you’llappreciatethematnight
incamp.
Laundry
LaundryserviceisavailableatourhotelinUlaanbaatarbutnotatthegercamps.
LAYERS
Fabrics
Syntheticsinsulateandkeepyouwarmevenwhentheyaredamp.Polypropylene,Capilene,fleece,and
othersyntheticfabricsareexcellentinsulatorsandarefarlighterthanwool;theyalsohavetheadded
benefitofdryingquickly.Cottonisnotagoodinsulator,especiallyasafirstlayernexttotheskin.Onceit
getswetfromperspiration,itstayswetandkeepsyoucold.Cottonisfineforcitywearandtouring.
ShellClothing
Shellclothingincludesjacketsandpantsthatprotectfromrainandwind.Gore-texandequivalentfabrics
arewaterproofandbreathable,sotheyarethebestchoice.Shellclothingshouldberoomyenoughtofit
overotherlayersofclothing.
CLOTHING
Theclothinglistbelowisprovidedasaguidelineonly;weencourageyoutopackaslightlyaspossible.
Comfortablelightweighttomedium-weighthikingbootswithgoodtraction
Runningshoesorothercomfortableshoesforcityandcampwear
WaterproofsandalssuchasTevas(foruseinthebathandtoiletfacilitiesatcamp)
Warmfleeceordownjacket
Fleecevest,optional,dependingonhoweasilyyougetchilled
Hikingpants;synthetichikingpantswithlegzippersareapracticalchoice.
Sturdyhikingshorts
Lightweightcottonpants,jeans,orkhakisforcitywear
Long-sleevedshirts.Fleeceorquick-drying“travel”fabricslikenylonarepractical.
Shadehatwithwidebrim
Fleecehatforwarmth
Fleecemittensorgloves
T-shirtsforcitywear
Hikingsocks,suchasThorlobrand(synthetic)thatworkwithyourboots
Sleepwear—werecommendasetofmediumtoheavyweightlongunderwearfornightsatcamp
Sportsbra(s)forwomen
Bathingsuitforhotelsinthecities
Bandanaorfacemask(fordustydrives)
EQUIPMENT
Waterbottle,1qt.capacity
Goodqualitysunglasseswithcase
Plasticbagsorstuffsackstoorganizeitemsinduffelandprotectagainstdust
SmallsupplyofKleenexpackets
Flashlightorheadlamp,sparebatteries
Toiletries,includingbiodegradablesoap,shampoo,etc.
Towelandwashcloth,thin,quick-drying
PERSONALFIRSTAIDSUPPLIES
Everytripmembershouldbringasmallkitforpersonaluse.Yourownexperiencewillinfluenceyour
choices.
SunscreenSPF#30orhigher
Lipbalmwithsunscreen
Aspirin,ibuprofen,orTylenolformusclepainorheadache,TylenolPMforsleep
Topicalantibiotic(suchasNeosporin)forcuts,bites,orsores
Insectrepellent.RepellentswithDEETarerecommended.DEETcontentofabout30-35percentis
ideal(higherDEETcontentisnotrecommended).WipeDEEToffyourhandsbeforetouchingplastic
surfaces(suchasbinoculars)becauseitcandamageplastic.Aerosolrepellentsareusefulforspraying
onclothes.
Blisterkit.Lookforthelong-lastinggel-typebandagesthatyoucanapplydirectlyonblisters,suchas
Band-AidAdvancedHealingBandagesorCuradGelMulti-DayBandages.“Liquidband-aids,”suchas
New-Skin,areusefulbecausetheydryrapidlytoformatoughprotectivecoveroverablister.
Dramamineorothermedicationformotionsickness(forlongdaysofroadtravel)
Anti-bacterialgelforhandwashing(atleast60%alcoholtobeeffective)
AntihistaminesuchasBenadryl
Decongestant(daytimeandnighttimetypes)forcolds,sinusheadaches
Coughdrops(fordrythroatcausedbyaltitude)
Imodiumfordiarrhea.Ifyouwishtobringanantibioticfordiarrheaprophylaxis,pleaseconsultyour
physician.
Prescriptionmedicationsproperlylabeled
Sparecontactlensesorspareprescriptionglasses
OPTIONALITEMS
Therm-a-Restpadorothercompactsleepingpadifyouparticularlyneedextracomfortattheger
camps
Camera,sparebatteries
Reading/writingmaterial
Converter/plugadaptorforapplianceuseinhotels.Mongoliahas220-voltcurrent.Plugsusuallyhave
tworoundpins.
Binoculars(small,lightweight)
Travelclock
Extrasnacks:werecommenddriedfruitornutsforgoodtrailsnacks
Moneybeltorneckpouch.Alwayscarryyourpassport,creditcards,andcashwithyouinamoney
beltorneckpouchtuckeddowninsideyourshirtorblouse.
Revised:June13,2016