Essential Tips for Senior Travelers Visiting Mongolia
Mongolia offers a unique adventure with its wide landscapes, rich culture, and friendly people. For senior travelers, it’s important to plan ahead to have a safe and comfortable trip. Here are some simple tips to help you make the most of your visit:
Choose the Right Tour: Pick tours that fit your comfort level. Look for trips with shorter drives, comfortable places to stay like hotels or well-equipped ger camps, and activities that aren’t too physically demanding. Our company offers special packages for seniors, focusing on comfort and ease.
Accommodations and Amenities: Where you stay in Mongolia can vary. Ger camps offer two types of accommodation: suite gers with private bathrooms and standard gers. Staying with nomadic families can be a more authentic experience but the facilities are basic. Some gers don’t have toilets inside, and amenities can be very simple, especially in rural areas. If you want more comfort, you can stay in hotels or modern accommodation, but nomadic family stays will be simpler.
The weather in Mongolia can change quickly: Dress in layers so you can easily adjust to the temperature. Light clothing is good for the daytime, while warmer layers like jackets or sweaters are important for the cool evenings. Make sure you have sturdy shoes for walking and exploring.
About Food and Water: Mongolian cuisine is often meat-heavy and oily, with popular dishes like dumplings (buuz), fried pastries (khuushuur), and hearty meat stews. If you have dietary restrictions, be sure to let your tour operator know in advance. Many traditional drinks, like milk tea or fermented mare’s milk, contain dairy, so it's important to be cautious if you're lactose intolerant. Most ger camps offer meals tailored to your dietary preferences, including vegan or vegetarian options, ensuring that you can enjoy your meals comfortably while experiencing Mongolian culture.
If you're craving lighter or international food during your stay, don’t worry! In cities like Ulaanbaatar, there are many restaurants serving European and international dishes. You can find Italian, French, Indian, Chinese, and more, providing a variety of options like salads, sandwiches, pasta, and grilled dishes. This makes it easy to enjoy a familiar or lighter meal after sampling traditional Mongolian dishes.
Always drink bottled or boiled water, especially in remote areas, and ensure food is prepared hygienically to avoid any health issues.
Know Your Travel Details: Always have your travel details ready, like where you’re staying, how you’re getting there, and what you’ll be doing. If you’re traveling to remote places like the Gobi Desert or Khuvsgul Lake, it’s a good idea to fly to avoid long, uncomfortable drives. Many tourist spots are far apart, so expect long travel times between destinations.
Road and Transportation in Mongolia: Mongolia’s roads are still developing, especially in remote areas. Many roads are bumpy and unpaved, which can make long drives uncomfortable. Public transport is limited, so taxis or private vehicles are the best way to get around. If you can, fly between distant places to avoid long, rough road trips.
Consult Your Travel Advisor About Your Medical Condition and Bring Your Own Medicine: It’s important to tell your travel advisor about any medical conditions you may have, like heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, or allergies (such as to food or dust). This will help make sure your accommodations, meals, and activities suit your needs. Also, carry a written list of your medications and emergency contacts, ideally in both English and Mongolian, to make sure everything is clear in case of an emergency.
Be sure to bring enough of your medications for the whole trip. While basic medical services are available in cities, special treatments may not be available in remote areas. Mongolia’s altitude can be high, which can affect people with heart or blood pressure problems, so be extra careful if you have these concerns.
Plan Your Trip in Detail
Work closely with a travel advisor to make sure your trip is customized to fit your comfort, health needs, and personal interests. This will help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip.