Mongolia Ger Camp Stay

A few words about what is a ger?

The ger is a traditional dwelling, has been a home for the pastoral nomads for thousands of years. It is an eco-friendly, collapsible round tent made of local materials; Mongolians use local trees for wood frames, animal hairs and tails for ropes, and sheep wool for felt.

 The inner and outer white canvas is relatively new to the ger, was introduced to the ger in the mid-20th century. 

Mongolian name the ger size based on the number of wall sections such as 3-walled ger, 4-walled ger, 5-walled ger, etc. Wealthy families and families live around fertile pasture areas tend to live bigger gers because they do not need to move more often than the seasonal migration. 

The families in the Gobi desert prefer smaller and lighter gers suitable for their usual and long-distance movement in search of the pastureland and water.

What is a ger camp in Mongolia? Mongolia Ger Camp Stay. 

Outside Ulaanbaatar, the best and western friendly option to stay in the nature is the ger camp stay. The ger camps usually locate close to the scenic areas, near the top attractions, and in the national parks to cater for travelers.

The ger camp consists of several or dozen gers, shower and toilet facilities in a separate block, a ger or house restaurants that serves European and Mongolian cuisine, some of which also serve as a bar inside or either on a terrace.

How many beds in a ger and the ger furnishing?

The gers have 2, 3, 4 and some have 5 single beds with clean linens. Slippers are available at the showers or provided in the gers. Occasionally, there are double beds at the ger camps. 

Except for the beds, there is an alter, night tables, a dining table, chairs, hangers, and a charming wood-burning stove.

Meals at the ger camp

Ger camps feature large central ger or lodge-style restaurants to serve Mongolian and European style meals. The meal ingredients of nomadic Mongolians have always been nature-derived and basic. Meat is the main recipe for lunch and dinner, served along with seasonally available vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, beets, lettuce, pimentos, radishes, onions, and garlic, etc. plus salads, and soups. There will be more meat in traditional Mongolian meals.

BREAKFAST: A typical breakfast consists of tea, coffee, bread, jam, butter, eggs, sausage, cookies, cheese, and cereals.

LUNCH: They serve some salads, Mongolian soups, main courses (pasta, rice, vegetables, beef/mutton/chicken/fish near lakes/rivers, traditional meal), and dessert with tea.

DINNER: Salad, a main course, dessert, and tea will be served.

Are you a vegetarian or have a dietary restriction? If you are a vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance. We will arrange the meals accordingly.

Ger camp toilet and shower facilities

The ger camp bathrooms are mostly in separate houses used by all guests. Many ger camps have hot running water available for 24 hours; however, some ger camps use solar or fire heating systems, may offer hot water only at specified times of the day. Therefore, guests are asked to make use of hot water at those times. The bathrooms have electric lights, mirrors, basins with running water, flush toilets, and other modern facilities. Guests may bring personal amenities and a hairdryer as needed.

Please note that flushing toilets and hot showers may not be available for guests traveling in spring and autumn when the cold weather disables the use of the water pipes.

Some of the ger camps have gers with attached bathrooms. These are ensuite gers costs higher than the regular gers. Please inform us in advance if you wish to stay at the ensuite gers.  We will gladly arrange the ensuite gers for an additional fee.

Is there electricity? Can I charge during the ger camp stay?

Most of the ger camps provided with central electricity while few of the remote area camps’ electricity source from generators, wind, solar and is available at certain times of the day. The generator is open from dusk until around 23.00. They warn flashing several times before switching off the generator.

The gers have a single electric light bulb. 220-V Asian-style sockets installed in the gers of the central electricity connected ger camps.

In other camps in remote areas, guests also have the option to charge batteries at camp restaurants and lodges. We recommend you bring an adapter.

They lit the paths in the evenings and turn off the lights at night to not attract flies and other insects. Therefore, bringing a flashlight/torch is recommended.

How do they heat the gers?

The wood-burning stove warms the ger quickly. Although, please keep in mind that the ger camps in the Gobi desert have a limited supply of wood. Ger camp staff should attend to the fire several times when required and on request. Guests have the option to request a small amount of wood to self-manage their ger stoves. Extra blankets are provided upon request.

In winter, the gers are warmed up with extra layers of insulating felt, and the felt flap covers its top.

Is there WIFI available at the ger camp?

Internet or WIFI is not available at remote locations ger camps. You may purchase 3G sim cards in Ulaanbaatar for internet access near towns and use them at the ger camps located within the network reception area.

Are the ger camps open year-round?

Due to the cold weather and seasonal tourism, most of the ger camps work during the warm months between late May and the beginning of October.  Although, the ger camps near Ulaanbaatar remain open all year round. Travelers visiting Mongolia during the off-season could stay at the ger camps near Ulaanbaatar, local hotels, and nomad families when traveling the remote areas.

How to book the ger camp stay?

The ger camps are full at the heights of the season. So, we recommend you book the gers in advance.  Year by year, many new ger spring up while some of them do not exist anymore. Therefore, we suggest you book the ger through a travel company which has the most updated information on the ger camps and knows their service quality.

The ger ventilation

In general, the ger has the best air-circulation through its open top, door, and when roll up the ger side flap. The ger camps staffs open a flap on the ger roof window depending on the weather. It is closed when it rains or cold to keep the ger warm. The bottom flap of the ger could be hitched up for ventilation; however, this is not a good idea for your comfort; sand could come in the windy Gobi desert and some insects as well.

Warnings when staying in the ger

• Watch your head when entering and exiting through the low door of a ger.
• The gers are lockable with a padlock as a precaution. Make sure you lock the ger.
• Keep your belongings away from the hot stove.
• Do not put your belongings under the open roof. Rainwater may wet your items.
• Make sure the top window flap will not reach the hot chimney. Fire hazardous!