Anything, honestly! One day you could be herding goats and sheep through the desert on a bicycle, the next trekking up a nearly vertical incline alongside a young eagle huntress. No day is like the other, but that’s part of the fun!

Our itinerary will change and evolve as we go, so be ready to embrace spontaneity because that's what adventuring in Mongolia is all about. Every day is intentionally under-planned to leave room for the magic of Mongolia to unfold. But don’t worry—there will be plenty of activities, diverse landscapes, wildlife sightings, and cultural connections to keep you on your toes. Throughout this journey, we’ll be in the hospitable hands of our local female guides who genuinely love their home country and can’t wait to share it with you!

While nothing is set in stone, one thing is certain: our Mongolia Adventure will take you far outside of your comfort zone. Please thoroughly read the Daily Breakdown to make sure you understand everything involved in this adventure, especially the need for a flexible and adventurous mindset when things don't go as planned. Your future self and fellow adventurers will thank you!

We rated our Mongolia trip a 3 out of 5 on the WHOA Adventure difficulty scale because the hiking and biking are more exploratory than intense cardio. This adventure is more mentally challenging than physical, and you need to be able to let go of plans and let the trip take you wherever it goes!

As with all adventures, the better trained and mentally prepared you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be. Compared to some of our other adventures, Mongolia is more of a mental adventure than a physically demanding one. Yes, we’ll tackle multiple day hikes in the Altai Mountains and spend a few days biking through the Gobi Desert, but if you’re an active person with gear that’s already been broken in, you’ll be able to enjoy these activities just fine. 

Mentally, be prepared to encounter last-minute changes in plans, disconnect from cell service, sleep in tents and gers, squat over hole-in-the-ground toilets, and skip a couple showers here and there. You may even face a few logistical challenges, but you’ll never have to worry—our local guides will always make sure your safety is their top priority when problem solving.

It takes a certain kind of person to enjoy Mongolia. Someone who can let go of an itinerary and roll with changes, because there will be plenty. While Mongolia is modern and its people progressive, it’s rooted in its nomadic way of life, which is probably very different than what you’re used to (no #vanlife here). But if you love camping, disconnecting, and being spontaneous, you’re in the right place! 

If you’re willing to let go of creature comforts, embrace a simpler way of life, and open your heart to endless possibilities, Mongolia and its people will fully embrace you. So start working on your Mongolian now - Sain baina uu!

We plan our adventures with most of the logistics taken care of, so you can focus on lacing up your hiking shoes and being your best adventure self! Here’s a complete list of everything that’s included, and what’s not.

INCLUDED:

• Accommodation in UB hotels, gers, tents and homestays as indicated in the Daily Breakdown (all are shared accommodations)

• Airport transfers to and from UBN

• Hearty, home cooked meals where indicated

• All transportation between locations

• Domestic flight to Ulgii

• Tents, GIANT XTC 800 bikes and helmets

• 3-day guided hike in the Altai region

• Experienced and professional local female English speaking guides to offer cultural insight and support throughout the entire journey

• Fair and generous tips for our amazing local guides and drivers

• Tons of WHOA TLC and a passionate and experienced WHOA GAL (Group Adventure Leader) on the ground to make sure things run smoothly

• The support of the entire WHOA team leading up to and during your adventure to make sure you feel as mentally and physically prepared as possible!

• 1% for the planet, as in 1% of what you pay goes towards grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities.

• Offsetting of this trip’s negative impact on the environment and carbon footprint, from the transportation to lodging to meals*

NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights to and from Ulaanbaatar

• Entrance fees to museums, temples, etc not indicated as included in the itinerary

• Additional drinks, meals, snacks, and miscellaneous items not mentioned as included in the Daily Breakdown

• GAL Tips (Always appreciated, but never expected)

• Travel Insurance (mandatory)

• Global Rescue (mandatory)

• Visas (if applicable)

*For our carbon offsetting, we do our best to crunch the numbers and accurately calculate the carbon footprint the best we can with the information that we have. It’s not a perfect system and carbon offsetting isn’t an exact science, but we believe it’s more important to take action now, in every way that we can. All our offsetting programs are certified by our partners at Sustainable Travel International. At the moment, our traveler’s international airfare to the destination is beyond our scope, and not included. Flights are the largest carbon emitter on most of our adventures, so we encourage all our travelers to consider doing it independently through the airline or with our partners at STI.

Or leave us a message below. We’re here to answer all your questions and help you plan your adventure of a lifetime!

Putting down a $750 deposit will reserve your spot on this WHOA Adventure! You’ll be invoiced and must pay in full at least 3 months before your adventure starts. All deposits are non-refundable. All prices are listed in USD.