[ see also: Booking FAQ >> ]
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Do I need to be a ‘hard mountain-man’ (or woman) to come on the trip?
Not really. But you do need to have a well-developed sense of adventure, and be prepared to rough it when necessary. And a sense of humour (right). You will be driving off-road, riding over rugged terrain, camping every night and going places few westerners have ever been. If this sounds like you then lets go. If not, we can suggest a couple of other operators who will give you an excellent tour, if a little less adventurous than travelling with us. Do I need to be an experienced rider?
No. The horses we use are very forgiving of inexperienced riders, and we will make sure you are matched to a suitable horse. Once you get more confidence, or for those with more experience, you will be amazed just how fast they can go. You will be challenging the locals to races in no time. There are a few important things that we will point out at the start, such as never approaching your horse from the right (i.e. the wrong!) side. We take the attitude that horses are a much better (and more environmentally friendly) way to experience Mongolia than looking out the window of a jeep. The locals live and breathe horses and will respect you for choosing to ride rather than drive. We can also get to more places on horseback, but ultimately it’s just damn good fun!
What’s the food like?
The Mongolian nomad's diet is based around meat and dairy products. We bring staples with us from Ulaan Baatar such as rice, flour and pasta, and get fresh meat and delicious yoghurt, cheese and milk when we encounter local people. You are welcome to pitch in with cooking, so
bring along your favourite yak recipe. We bake fresh bread whenever possible, with Pete (right) being the master baker in 2004. Jenya’s younger brother Dima also makes an excellent shish kebab. If you’re really unlucky Jenya will cook his infamous sheep’s head soup (step 1: carefully burn it with a petrol blow-torch). If you're vegetarian, Mongolia is difficult but not impossible - please enquire.What kind of tack will we use (saddles, bridles etc)?
Not the saddle on the left! They are strictly for Mongolians and masochists. We use the much more comfortable style of saddle on the right, also used by local people. The bridles are basically similar to what you might have used in the past, and the horses respond to western-style neck-reining. They are unshod, so no problems with lost shoes. We have a couple of wranglers to look after the horses and help with saddling up, but you are welcome to help (we will show you all you need to know).Are the bugs as bad as people say?
It depends whether you go early in the season or later, and how high up you are. In July the mosquitoes and other bugs can be a bit annoying, but the reason they’re there is because of the profusion of wild flowers. As the weather cools off, the bugs decrease, but then so do the flowers. Take some insect repellent and you’ll be fine.What about spending money?
Once you leave Ulaan Baatar you won’t need to pay for anything. However there are a few small shops in Tosontsengel selling essentials for the nomadic lifestyle such as riding boots and vodka, and some luxuries like chocolate. Once we start riding there will not be anywhere to spend your money. Ulaan Baatar is the best place for souvenirs. There are a couple of ATMs in Ulaan Baatar dispensing the local currency (tugriks), and several (legal) moneychangers. We will assist you in sorting out money in Ulaan Baatar.
Why do we need a support vehicle?
You might be thinking that using a support vehicle, rather than packhorses, detracts from the idea of the trip as a true adventure. There are several reasons why we use a support vehicle. Leading a packhorse is no easy matter, even for an experienced rider (think what happens when it makes a sudden unscheduled stop…), and hiring extra wranglers increases the group size to the point where it becomes a cavalcade, rather than a small group. The vehicle allows us to take more gear and better food (we’re adventurers not martyrs!), and is our backup in the event of an accident. Perhaps the best thing about it is that if you just want to rest for a day, you can travel with the driver as he stops and visits the families of his friends and relatives and partake of their legendary hospitality.Is Mongolia a safe country to travel in?
With international terrorism and crime in general constantly in the news, you may be wondering whether Mongolia is a safe country. Our personal experience is that it is very safe in the countryside where we go. The local people are extremely friendly and generous. There are no separatist movements or religious groups vying for power (except perhaps the Mormons, but they tend to be non-violent). Ulaan Baatar has its dodgy areas, but no more than any big city. Sure, there are lots of pick-pockets in the Black Market in Ulaan Baatar, but as long as you don’t have wads of cash in your pockets, it’s not a big problem.
What about my non-riding partner?
If you would like to bring your partner, but they don't want to be riding most days, there is still plenty to do. As mentioned elsewhere, accompanying the driver in the support vehicle is a great way to experience the local culture, as he visits his friends and family along the way. There is usually somewhere to dangle a line, and I'm sure we would all appreciate a fish supper at the end of the day! There is plenty of hiking to be done, and birdlife to be spotted. Talk to us about other options for your non-riding partner.
If you would like to try a trip with pack horses, see our Exploratory Trips.
Do you have a question that we haven't answered above?
If so, please don't hesitate to contact us.