Western Mongolia - Mongolia - page 507

park (you're expected to carry your own rubbish out of the park). Bags are not handed out
at other national parks, so bring a few of your own if you plan to camp or stay at a ger
buudal .
Ger Camps
One unique option, particularly popular with organised tours, is to stay in tourist gers,
which are like those used by nomads - except for the hot water, toilets, sheets and
karaoke bars.
The camps are found all over Mongolia. They may seem touristy and are often surpris-
ingly expensive, but if you are going into the countryside, a night at one is a great way to
experience a Western-oriented, 'traditional Mongolian nomadic lifestyle' without the dis-
comforts or awkwardness of staying in a private ger. For information on staying in a family
ger, Click here .
A tourist ger camp is a patch of ground consisting of several (or sometimes dozens of)
traditional gers, with separate buildings for toilets, hot showers and a ger-shaped
restaurant-bar. Inside each ger, there are usually two to four beds, a table, tiny chairs and
a wood stove that can be used for heating during the night - ask the staff to make it up for
you.
Toilets Usually the sit-down types, though they may be (clean) pit toilets.
Prices Often depends on the location. Where there is lots of competition, ie Khövsgöl
Nuur, Kharkhorin and Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, you can find basic camps for around
T10,000 per night. Better camps or camps in remote areas may charge US$40 to US$50
per person per night, including three meals. The cheapest camps charge US$20 to
US$25 per person without meals. Activities such as horse or camel riding will cost extra.
As meals add so much to the bill, you can save considerable cash by bringing your own
food.
Meals Taken in a separate restaurant ger. With only a few exceptions, expect the usual
Mongolian fare of meat, rice and potatoes. Most camps have a bar (and sometimes satel-
lite TV). There's often little to differentiate between ger camps; it's normally the location
that adds the charm and makes your stay special.
Bring If you plan to stay in a ger camp, you may want to bring a torch for nocturnal visits
to the toilets, candles to create more ambience than stark electric lights (though not all
have electricity), towels (the ones provided are invariably smaller than a handkerchief),
and toilet paper (it may run out).
Seasons Except for a handful of ger camps in Terelj, most ger camps are only open from
June to August, although in the Gobi they open a month earlier and close a little later.