hotels and homestay

Your host may speak some English, though pack a phrasebook! Homestay accommodation is simple in terms of amenities and not luxurious. Most homestay accommodation is located in large apartment blocks (where many Russians live), so there'll usually be entry into what looks like a less than salubrious building and a couple of flights of stairs. The apartment itself, though, will be clean, tidy, secure and warm. You'll have a bed, use of the homestay's bathroom facilities and somewhere to sit and have your breakfast (or other meals dependent upon meal inclusion for that stay). While you're welcome to come and go as you please, you'll be reliant on the host letting you in.

Homestays do vary, in that you may be staying with a local family, couple or a single person. In some cases the home owner may actually move out so that you have the house to yourself.  Please note that if you are travelling in a larger group it may be necessary for you to stay in separate houses because most homes are small and only have room for one or two guests.

We understand that some people may prefer their own privacy too, so we do provide alternatives to homestays where available, allowing an upgrade to hotel accommodation (at additional cost). Perhaps consider a combination of homestay and hotel accommodation, that way you'll still have the chance to meet a host family or individual. Hotel upgrades are available on Classic Adventures only.

NOTE: Hotel stays include breakfast only.



The Mongolian ger
Meaning 'home', Mongolia is the home to the 'ger' or 'yurta' as it is known in Russia. More than 70% of Mongolia's population, many of whom are nomadic, live in gers, and have done since the time of Marco Polo. The Mongolian ger is built to withstand some of the harshest climate extremes. Freezing gale force winds blow from Siberia and winter temperatures regularly fall to minus 40 degrees, as well as the summer heat of the Gobi desert.

Easily assembled and disassembled, it's components can be loaded on a couple of camels or horses. It is made of a wooden framework covered by large pieces of felt. A decorative cloth covering may be laid over the felt. The ropes which go around the ger, called bus (belts), are usually made of braided horse mane and tail hair. The wooden framework consists of collapsible walls, topped by poles radiating from a central smokehole ring.

Inside, gers are deceivingly spacious. Entering from the southern side, in the centre is a stove, with a pipe emerging from the roof. This provides the ger's occupants with warmth and hot food. The internal layout always follows the same traditional pattern, in that to the west is the men's side and to the east, the women's side. On the men's side, saddles, weaponry and the airag (mare's milk) bag is kept. Cooking implements are generally stored on the women's side. The most revered part of the ger is the northern part, where today families keep heirlooms, keepsakes and important ornamentals. If undertaking one of our classic adventures, you'll get the chance to stay in a real Mongolian ger at Terelj National Park!

NOTE: In winter you will stay in a hotel and not a ger in Mongolia.