Mongolia is not Nepal or Patagonia. The terrain is high, dry, windy, and often cold even in summer. Our gear list, season by season, from the guides who test it weekly.
Munkhbayar Bat-Erdene
Mongolia's temperature range across a single day in summer is 15-20 degrees Celsius. In winter 30+ degrees. Wind is constant. Rain is rare but possible. Altitude is moderate but still taxes you. Your gear must handle this range.
Base layer merino wool t-shirt, 2 pieces. Long-sleeve mid-layer, 2 pieces. Trekking trousers with convertible legs, 2 pieces. Soft shell jacket. Hard shell rain jacket. Down vest (light). Wool socks, 5 pairs. Trekking boots, broken in. Camp shoes. Wide-brim sun hat. Buff/neck gaiter. Sunglasses with side shields (UV 400).
Everything summer has, plus: merino base layer thermal, fleece jacket, down parka rated to minus 25C, insulated shell pants, balaclava, insulated gloves plus mittens on a tether, goggles, chemical hand and foot warmers, insulated camp boots.
Down sleeping bag rated to minus 15C for summer, minus 30C for winter. Sleeping pad R-value 4+ for summer, 6+ for winter. Inflatable pillow. Silk liner.
Head torch plus spare batteries. SPF 50 sunscreen. SPF 30 lip balm. Baby wipes. Personal first aid kit. Water filter or purification tablets (Mongolian surface water requires treatment). Power bank (10,000 mAh minimum).
Tents (MSR Hubba). Kitchen gear. Group meals. Sleeping bags and pads on request. 4WD transport with personal gear stored between trek sections. You do not carry between camps, our horses or vehicles do.
Cotton (useless when wet). Heavy hiking boots for non-trekking trips (overkill). Drone (requires aviation permit). Multiple paper guidebooks (we carry one shared copy). Hair dryer (many camps have no electricity).
Down parkas (25 USD per trip). Insulated boots (15 USD per trip). Sleeping bags (20 USD per trip). Walking poles (free with multi-day treks). This saves weight on your flight and is often better quality than retail imports.
We send a personalized gear list based on your specific itinerary 60 days before departure. Trekking gear needs vary significantly between Altai alpine, Khangai grass steppe, and Gobi desert.