Pack for four seasons in a day
Luggage travels in the back of a 4x4 or on a camel, so pack light and soft: one duffel of up to 15 kg and a daypack is ideal.
Packing lists
01
Layers and clothing
A single day can run from frosty dawn to hot afternoon to a hailstorm, so layering beats packing big.
- Quick-drying base layers, top and bottom
- Light fleece or wool mid-layer
- Insulated jacket, synthetic or down
- Waterproof, windproof shell jacket
- Waterproof over-trousers
- Comfortable trekking trousers
- Warm hat and light gloves, even in summer
- A modest, smarter outfit for city evenings and monasteries
- Heavy down parka, insulated trousers and mittens for winter trips
02
Footwear
You will walk on rock, sand, wet grass and frozen ground, and spend evenings in camp.
- Broken-in walking boots with ankle support
- Light trainers or camp shoes
- Sandals for showers and river crossings
- Wool or synthetic hiking socks, several pairs
- Slip-on shoes for getting in and out of the ger at night
- Insulated winter boots rated well below freezing for winter trips
- Gaiters for sand, snow or wet grass
03
Sleep
Ger stoves burn out before dawn and nights can drop near freezing even in summer.
- Sleeping bag liner, silk or fleece
- Three-season sleeping bag for camping and traditional gers
- Warm sleepwear and a hat for night
- Earplugs and an eye mask
- Inflatable travel pillow
- Small towel that dries quickly
04
Riding kit
Long days on small, lively horses are far more comfortable with the right kit.
- Riding helmet that fits well
- Padded or seamless riding tights or trousers
- Half chaps or riding gaiters
- Boots with a small heel that will not slip through stirrups
- Thin riding gloves
- Small saddle bag or bum bag for water and snacks
- Anti-chafe balm
- Lightweight waterproof that you can ride in
05
Sun, wind and dust
High altitude, thin cloud and constant wind make the sun fierce and the dust relentless.
- High-factor sunscreen
- Lip balm with sun protection
- Wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap
- Wraparound sunglasses
- Buff or neck gaiter to pull over your face in dust
- Rich moisturiser for dry skin
- Eye drops
- Zip bags to keep dust out of electronics
06
Health and first aid
Pharmacies are scarce beyond the towns, so carry what you might need.
- All personal prescription medicines, plus spares
- Pain relief and anti-inflammatories
- Rehydration sachets
- Anti-diarrhoea tablets
- Blister plasters
- Antiseptic wipes and hand sanitiser
- Insect repellent for the north in summer
- Travel-sickness remedy for long drives
- Toilet paper and a small trowel for days on the trail
07
Electronics and power
Power in camps is often solar and shared, so charge whenever you can and carry your own reserve.
- Headtorch with spare batteries
- Large power bank
- Multi-port USB charger and cables
- Universal travel adaptor
- Spare camera batteries, kept warm in winter
- Extra memory cards
- Car charger for the 4x4
- Offline maps and a downloaded playlist for long drives
08
Documents and money
Cash rules in the countryside and paperwork is checked at the airport and some park gates.
- Passport with plenty of validity and blank pages
- Visa or entry confirmation, if needed for your nationality
- Travel insurance details, including the emergency number
- Printed copies of key documents, stored separately
- Debit or credit card for Ulaanbaatar
- Cash in tögrög for the countryside
- Clean, recent US dollar or euro notes for exchange
- A waterproof document pouch
Generic guidance only. Your specialist sends a tailored list for your route and season, including anything we provide on the ground (sleeping bags for wild camps, riding helmets).
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