At a Glance
Dates: To suit you
Group Size: Priced 1-6 but can go bigger for private trips
Duration: 11 Days
Trip Style: Private, tailor made, cultural, slow travel
Locations: Ulaanbaatar, Kharkhorin & Orkhon River Valley, Khogno Khan & Elsen Tasarkhai Sand dunes, Desert steppe of the Middle Gobi, Khangai Mountains
Price: US$ 5375 – US$ 3,100 depending on final group size (1-6)
Key Experiences
Discover Mongolia through food, culture, and everyday life.
Cook alongside local families and our all-female team.
Learn traditional techniques, from dairy-making to handmade noodles.
Experience both rural kitchens and the food culture of the city.
Meet the people keeping Mongolia’s food traditions alive.
Slow down, share meals, and connect through landscapes and culture.
"I loved the focus on local people & their daily lives, and getting a taste of everyday aspects of life in Mongolia, from the public bathhouses to learning about the ger district in UB."
Food Of The Nomads Journey Details
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About This Journey
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What You'll Experiee
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Pricing
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Map Of Route
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Accommodation, Toilets & Showers
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Meals & Drinks
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Transport & Road Travel
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Included
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Excluded
Food is one of the most intimate ways to understand a culture. In Mongolia, it’s shaped by resourcefulness, generosity, and a connection to land and season — yet it’s often misunderstood. Boiled mutton, people say, and little else. But spend time with local families and you’ll find a cuisine built on transforming simple ingredients into something nourishing and sustaining.
Our Food of the Nomads experience invites you to slow down and step into the rhythm of daily life. You’ll learn traditional techniques and discover how food weaves into the fabric of Mongolian culture — either alongside one of our all-female team of trip assistants, most of whom are mothers who prepare these meals every day, or with our local partner hosts. From making dairy products to rolling handmade noodles, it’s a shared process — one that’s as much about people and place as it is about recipes.
This experience moves between rural and urban Mongolia — from family kitchens and local markets to small cafés and community kitchens. Along the way, you’ll meet the people who keep these food traditions alive and see how Mongolia’s cuisine continues to evolve.
There’s also time to pause — to take in the vast landscapes, the clear night skies, and the slower pace that defines life here.
Whether you’re curious about food, culture, or simply how people live differently, this experience offers connection through something universal: the act of preparing and sharing a meal.
You’ll find the key locations and experiences below. For the full day-by-day flow — and the thinking behind it — please email us.
We share the detailed itinerary by email so we can explain the pacing, driving days and flexible options in context. We also keep a few moments back as quiet surprises.
See Ulaanbaatar from a more local perspective through its markets, food projects, social-enterprise cafés and independent food businesses.
Stay with the Nergui family beneath the wide desert-steppe horizons of the Middle Gobi and learn more about airag, Mongolia’s fermented mare’s milk.
Explore the sacred mountain of Khogno Khan and the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes, with an informal Mongolian cookery experience alongside your hosts and trip assistant.
Spend time with the Galbadrakh yak-herding family in the Khangai Mountains and see how milk is transformed into a range of seasonal dairy products.
Discover the history, culture and food traditions of Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongol Empire
Experience the Orkhon River Valley while staying with Tumee and Jargal’s herding family, and help prepare khorkhog, Mongolia’s traditional meat dish cooked with heated stones.
- 1 person: US$ 5,375 pp
- 2 guests: US$ 3,480 pp
- 3-4 guests: US$ 3,435 pp
- 5 guests: US$ 3,110pp
- 6 guests: US$ 2,855 pp
During this journey, you’ll experience a variety of accommodation styles, each offering insight into daily life in Mongolia and shaped by the season and setting:
Mongolian Family Ger Camps
Throughout the experience you’ll stay in a traditional Mongolian gers provided by our partnering families. Each family typically sets up 4–5 guest gers, thoughtfully adapted for the season. While the setup is simple, you’ll always have your own bed and a comfortable personal space.
Facilities: Showers are available every 2–3 days at the local public shower house. Toilets are traditional outdoor short-drop latrines.
Ulaanbaatar
Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar on April 25 and May 43 are not included although we provide recommendations and can help with booking.
Meals
During each trip you’ll share some meals with host families, stop at guanz (roadside cafés), and eat in local restaurants. Our trip assistants will also prepare some of the meals.
Our trip assistants are not trained chefs, but they know how to keep you well-fed. Meals are based around local, seasonal produce with a focus on food miles. You won’t find elaborate international dishes, but you can rely on hearty, filling food that sustains you. If five portions of fruit a day are a must, you may find this challenging in remote Mongolia.
We can cater for vegetarians, some dietary restrictions, and food allergies—but only with advance notice. Please share your requirements before booking so we can advise what’s possible and set realistic expectations.
Drinks
We provide filtered drinking water, tea, and coffee throughout. Alcohol and soft drinks are not included but can be purchased en route. Choice is limited in the countryside, so if you enjoy a good bottle of wine or whisky, we recommend stocking up in Ulaanbaatar before departure.
Since rural areas lack running water and recycling is minimal, we avoid bottled water. Each team carries large containers and filters water from town stations. Please bring a reusable bottle (a filter bottle is even better). A detailed packing list is provided on booking.
Transport
Our driving team is made up of men we know personally and have worked with for years. Their English is limited, but their road skills are unmatched—whether navigating tough terrain or practicing mongolchlokh (improvising the Mongolian way) when there's a flat tyre or a vehicle breaks down. And yes, breakdowns do happen—this is Mongolia, after all. By travelling with us, you’re supporting the long-term employment of experienced, traditional men who use their income to provide for extended families.
Each driver owns their own vehicle, which may include Furgon 4×4 vans, Toyota Land Cruisers and Lexus models, Hyundai Starex, or Mitsubishi Delicas. Because they’re driver-owned, interiors and seating layouts vary, and each vehicle is fitted with either lap or seat belts.
We assist with maintenance fees, and all vehicles undergo:
- Annual assessments by the Mongolian Government for tourism standards
- Standard MOT checks
- Licensing for tourism use.
Learn more about our drivers and their tour vehicles here.
Travel Times
Road travel is a central part of journeying through Mongolia, one of the world’s largest countries. Daily travel times are provided as a guide rather than a promise, and we deliberately allow generous estimates to help set realistic expectations.
Average speeds typically range from 30–65 km/h, depending on road and weather conditions. Where routes include dirt roads, this can mean anything from smooth gravel to corrugated tracks, rocky sections, tree roots, or mud, varying with location and season.
Included in the price
- All meals outside of the city of Ulaanbaatar unless otherwise stated: These are mainly prepared and cooked by your local team so they are fresh and it means we offer more flexibility for any dietary requirements. We also provide filtered drinking water (not bottled), tea, and instant coffee.
- You’ll be supported by one of our experienced intergenerational teams—made up of a male Mongolian driver and one of our English-speaking female trip assistants—helping create an immersive and well-supported experience. Jess and Tuya are also available throughout your journey via WhatsApp.
- Our complimentary 'Intro To Ulaanbaatar' experience including a local lunch and welcome drink
- Transportation to and from the airport or train station on arrival and departure days
- Entrance fees to monasteries, temples, and museums are included when you are with the local team. Please note this excludes camera tickets.
- Festival tickets are provided if listed in the itinerary.
Not included in the price
- International airfare to and from Mongolia
- Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar: Our trip pricing excludes the price of accommodation in UB though. Why? Everyone is different is the standard of accommodation they prefer at the start and end of a trip. As there is now such a variety of hotels in UB it is easier to exclude this cost. I provide a list of ideas covering varying standards and budgets and I can also help with booking. There’s everything from a homestay through to Airbnb, US$10 guesthouses and the Shangri-La!
- Domestic flight where/if applicable including any fees for excess luggage
- Passport and visa fees: Let us know your nationality at the time of booking and we’ll confirm whether you need to apply for a Mongolian visa. It is a relatively easy process depending on your nationality and we can help with some of the formalities.
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Gratuities: Each member of the local team receives a responsible but fair salary and none have to rely on receiving gratuities to supplement their income. In addition, we make sure that everyone who works with us or helps us is fairly rewarded for their work and the service they provide. At the end of the tour, if you wish to make a gratuity to the local team then thank you – it is not compulsory but it is appreciated when given. We give detailed information on booking.
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Personal Expenses: We provide detailed guidance on booking
- Alcohol: Alcohol is available to buy in shops and supermarkets throughout your trip, and your team will make regular stops.
- Horse and camel rides: We know these activities are not for everyone, so we do not include them in the tour price. You can decide once you are there whether you would like to take part. We recommend horse riding only for those with previous riding experience who feel confident and comfortable in the saddle. Mongolian horses are strong, responsive and independent in character, which means they are generally not suitable for complete beginners.
Travelling With Our Team
Every journey you take with us is guided by one of our intergenerational Mongolian teams — a female trip assistant and a male driver — who support the day-to-day flow of the trip while sharing insight, conversation, and good company along the way. Our teams use tourism to build more secure, confident futures for themselves and their families, and our female trip assistants — women from backgrounds often overlooked by mainstream tourism — sit at the heart of this work. As our guest, you become part of their personal and professional growth, not just a bystander to it.
Throughout your journey, you’ll be accompanied by one of our intergenerational Mongolian teams, where different ages and life experiences come together. This structure helps navigate social and cultural barriers — from gender roles to expectations around age and authority — softening social boundaries, encouraging shared decision-making, and creating a more open, supportive environment.
We work with and support our team year-round, rather than through short-term or seasonal contracts. These long-standing relationships are built on trust, shared experience, and mutual care. That continuity matters — and it shapes how your journey unfolds on the road.
Our female trip assistants are central to this approach. For many, tourism provides an opportunity to support their families while developing confidence and professional skills over time. They are not performing a role; they are growing into it, alongside us, and shaping their own futures through the work they do.
You’ll also be welcomed by local families with whom we’ve built enduring community partnerships. Their hospitality comes from familiarity and friendship, forming a quiet but meaningful part of your experience.
Behind the scenes, Jess & Turuu (Founders) and Tuya (Office Manager) remain closely involved throughout your journey, offering coordination and support — so even in Mongolia’s most remote places, you are never far from help.
FAQs
We have a detailed FAQ page covering everything from packing lists to payments. Below are answers to a few of the most common questions our guests tend to have at this stage.
Booking Conditions & Payment
Deposit
- Deposit of US$ 600 pp with flexible payment options for the remaining balance
Booking Conditions
Our booking terms and conditions cover payments, cancellations, and other key details. You can read them here.
- If you decide to cancel your trip, by choice or necessity, up to 10 weeks before departure, we will fully refund your deposit (and balance if paid). Refunds will be made in GBP or US$ excluding fees we incurred to receive your payment and any cancellation fees we incur for domestic flights or accommodation booked at your request. The actual amount you receive may be lower or higher depending on the exchange rate used by your bank.
- If you decide to cancel between 10 and 31 days before departure, we will fully refund your balance (if paid), and your deposit will be held as credit to be used on a different trip instead (with no cut off date. This can be transferred to a friend or family member). Refunds will be made in GBP or US$ excluding fees we incurred to receive your payment and any cancellation fees we incur for domestic flights or accommodation booked at your request. The actual amount you receive may be lower or higher depending on the exchange rate used by your bank.
- If you cancel within 30 days of departure, we will retain the following percentage of your deposit and balance.
- 30 days before departure – 50% of holiday cost
- 29 – 15 days before departure – 90% of holiday cost
- Less than 15 days before departure – 100% of holiday cost
Notes
- There is no time limit on when you may use your deposit credit, but it is non-refundable if you decide to cancel in future.
- Failure to join the tour will also mean you forfeit the tour cost. We will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.
Who This Experience Is For
This Is Right For You If…
- You’re curious, adaptable, and interested in Mongolia as it is — including the occasional bumps along the way
- You’re comfortable travelling with real people and adapting to change, understanding that plans may shift (with thoughtful alternatives in place)
- You enjoy unstructured time — space to read, wander, or share a mug of tea, letting the day unfold naturally
- You value travel that supports more equitable tourism, using travel as a force for positive social impact
This May Not Be Right For You If…
- You prefer luxury accommodation or frequent hot showers
- You’re uncomfortable with basic rural facilities, including occasional shared accommodation
- You expect fixed schedules and tightly planned days
- You’re looking for staged cultural performances or highly curated moments for social media
- You approach travel with a checklist mindset rather than an interest in everyday life
Accessibility Considerations
Our small-group journeys are shaped around traditional celebrations, rural environments, and specific travel routes. As a result, experiences may or may not be suitable depending on individual accessibility needs. We encourage travellers to review our Accessibility Information page for further detail and to get in touch with us directly with any questions — we’re always happy to talk through what’s possible and help you decide whether a particular trip is the right fit.
What Should I Pack?
Mongolia’s weather, road conditions, and accommodation styles vary widely by season and region, so packing well makes a real difference to your comfort.
We send all guests detailed packing information on booking, but you can also use our seasonal guides as a starting point. For summer journeys, see our Mongolia summer packing list. For colder months, see our Mongolia winter packing list.
Do I need to know anything about Mongolian cultural etiquette?
You don’t need to arrive in Mongolia knowing every custom. On booking, we provide all our guests with an introduction to Mongolian culture, traditions, and customs. Once you arrive, your trip assistant will also help guide you informally through everyday etiquette as you travel.
What matters most is travelling with awareness and respect. In Mongolia, small gestures can carry meaning — stepping over rather than on the ger threshold, accepting tea or food with your right hand, being mindful of where you point your feet, and showing care around the stove, family altar, and central supports inside a ger.
Please don’t worry about getting everything right. Mongolians are generous hosts, and visitors are not expected to know every custom. A willingness to listen, observe, and follow gentle guidance goes a long way.
Explore The Places You’ll Visit Through Our Journal
