Preparation
How to prepare for the steppe.
This page gives practical preparation guidance for accepted guests and serious applicants: what to bring, how to pack for Mongolia's fast-changing steppe weather, how the cash split works, what food is like, and what mindset fits a remote Mongolian horse trek.
Documents, insurance, and money
- Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must cover horseback riding or adventure activities, emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation.
- Bring passport, visa documentation if required for your nationality, insurance details, and emergency-contact information.
- Bring $1,200 USD in clean cash notes for the host family. The online $959 booking payment is handled separately through 8 Lakes Tours / Adventure Therapy.
Packing basics
- Pack for all seasons, even in summer. The Mongolian steppe can swing from warm sun to cold wind, rain, and freezing-feeling nights quickly.
- Bring more warm layers than you think you need: base layers, fleece or down, warm socks, hat, gloves, and a proper waterproof shell.
- Comfortable riding trousers, waterproof outer layer, sun protection, and sturdy shoes or boots suitable for camp life.
- A personal first-aid kit, blister care, prescriptions, painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication you normally use and can safely take, toiletries, and any personal medical essentials.
Arrival and travel rhythm
- Fly into Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
- Expect onward countryside travel toward Bat-Ulzii, the Orkhon Valley, and the Naiman Nuur / Eight Lakes region.
- Exact timing, meet-up details, cash instructions, and local contacts are sent to accepted guests before departure.
Food and dietary fit
- Traditional remote host-family meals are meat- and dairy-heavy: milk tea, yoghurt, cheese, meat, and animal products are normal.
- Vegetarian guests may be possible with advance notice, but strict vegan diets and serious dairy/lactose intolerance may make this the wrong trip.
- Contact the team before booking if food is a major health, allergy, or ethical requirement.
Riding, fitness, and mindset
- Beginners are welcome, but guests should be reasonably fit and comfortable spending several hours outdoors each day.
- This is a real remote adventure: weather, horses, roads, and group dynamics can change the plan.
- Arrive flexible, patient, and ready for simple conditions, physical discomfort, shared space, and a slower host-family rhythm.
Communication and translation
- Guides and organisers handle the main logistics, but the host-family setting is cross-cultural and not every moment happens in perfect English.
- A phone with an AI translator such as ChatGPT or another translation app can help if you are stuck for words.
- Starlink or local connectivity may be available at some camps, but internet is a bonus — not something to depend on constantly.
Not sure if this fits?
Ask before paying. We would rather check riding level, diet, expectations, dates, and comfort with remote conditions before you commit.
Ready to apply? Return to the booking form.