Our planning desk answers the same 30 questions hundreds of times a year. Here they all are, with real answers, from the Rara Avis team.
Tsetsegmaa Dorj
Ten days is ideal. Seven days is the short classic. Fourteen days is generous. Five days is a stopover taste.
700-1,500 USD per person per day for Rara Avis private trips. Group tours from 370 USD per person per day.
50+ passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, Israel, many others) are visa-free for 30 days. Others can apply for e-visa.
June for wildflowers, July for Naadam, September for photography. Avoid April (mud season).
Among the safest travel destinations on earth. Violent crime is rare. Natural hazards (cold, altitude, remote terrain) require preparation.
Mongolian (Khalkha dialect). English is spoken widely in UB hotels and at Rara Avis. Limited in the countryside.
Mongolian Tugrik (MNT). USD is accepted in large hotels and by us. Bring small USD bills for tips.
In Ulaanbaatar yes. In the countryside, drink bottled or filtered.
None required. Standard travel boosters (tetanus, Hep A) are sensible but not mandatory.
January-February averages minus 20 to minus 35 in the countryside. The air is dry so it feels less cold than you expect, but plan for serious kit.
Peak summer highs 20-28C. Nights can drop to 5-10C. Gobi is hotter, +30C days.
220V, 50Hz. European two-pin (Type C/E). Bring a universal adapter.
Yes in UB hotels. Limited or absent in countryside. Some Rara Avis properties have wifi. We provide a local SIM on arrival.
Mongolian food is meat-and-dairy heavy. Khorkhog (lamb stew), buuz (dumplings), tsuivan (noodles) are staples. Vegetarians manage but options narrow outside cities.
Yes. Ages 5-14 are the sweet spot. See our Little Nomads itinerary.
Extremely. See our dedicated guide.
School supplies for kids in host families, coffee for adults, family photos printed.
In UB hotels and nice restaurants. Countryside is cash-only. ATMs in all provincial centres.
Ulaanbaatar is 1,350m. Most travel is between 1,000-2,500m. No altitude issues for most. Altai treks reach 3,500m+ which may affect sensitive travellers.
Very. 80 percent of our travel is off-paved. Proper vehicle suspension and experienced drivers are essential.
Required. See our Travel Insurance page.
Roaming works in UB and main towns. Countryside is patchy. We provide a local SIM with 4G or 5G coverage in most areas.
Yes. Mongolia rewards serious photography. See our Photography guide.
Yes, with our Big Sky Lodge introduction rides. Multi-day treks require at least a month of weekly riding prior.
Guides 5-10 USD per day, drivers 3-5 USD per day, host families covered by Rara Avis directly. Not obligatory but appreciated.
Vodka is popular. Beer is OK. Wine is imported and expensive. Airag (fermented mare's milk) is widely served and culturally important.
Not really. A few biting flies in wet areas in summer. No significant mosquito presence.
Mongolia has no anti-LGBTQ laws but is socially conservative. Affectionate display in public is uncommon across all orientations. Hotels and Rara Avis are welcoming.
Yes, but we provide all camping equipment. Most guests travel light and use our gear.
Start with a conversation. Our plan desk responds within 4 hours, 7 days a week. hello@raraavistravel.com or the Plan My Trip form.