FAQs

A: Sayat Travel is a specialised tour operator offering cultural and adventure tours in Mongolia and Western Mongolia, the camel ride in the Gobi desert, and experiencing the life of the reindeer herders of northern Mongolia, including eagle hunting experiences, and trekking in Altai Tavan Bogd.

A: Sayat Travel is an eco-friendly tour company founded almost 10 years ago in Mongolia, dedicated to showcasing the incredible beauty of the country and it’s unique cultural traditions with the outside world. On all our tours we practice a “Leave No Trace” policy and expect our guests to help us protect the environment we are visiting.

A: Mongolia is very safe regarding petty crimes – things like pickpockets or purse slashers don’t really exist here.

The only place that you should be a bit cautious about is Ulaanbaatar. As Mongolia’s largest city, it has a few crowded tourist hot spots that could be targeted by people looking to steal from tourists.

Be mindful of your belongings in busy malls such as the State Department Store or the Ulaanbaatar Department Store. The same goes for the local bazaars that are scattered throughout the city.

The Mongolian countryside is very sparsely populated and lacks a lot of infrastructure and can often have unstable and extreme weather. If you bring your prescription medications, appropriate warm and waterproof footwear/clothing, and extra layers for Fall and Winter months, you will not be in any serious danger.

An encounter with any dangerous animals such as snow leopards, bears, or wolves is extremely rare.

A. Mongolia was fortunate to take early action in January and as of July 1 2020, has not had any local transmissions or local deaths.

https://medium.com/@indica/covid-underdogs-mongolia-3b0c162427c2

A: You are not allowed to bring them on a plane, except for smaller knives for check-in. Please check with your airline ahead of time for their specific restrictions.

A: You can communicate with the Sayat Travel team in English, Russian, Kazakh and Mongolian languages. Our guides mainly speak those four languages. Our drivers speak Russian, Mongolian, and Kazakh.

A: We provide locally made camel wool sleeping bags (if you do not bring your own), foam mattresses, waterproof tents, kitchen facilities, a gas stove, a waterproof kitchen tent, lunch boxes, camp stools, and a camping toilet.

A: What is the climate like in Western Mongolia?

The weather in Mongolia can be characterised as dry, cold, and sunny. Because the country is so far removed from the regulating influence of any oceans, the continental Mongolian climate brings great extremes in weather.

Western Mongolia compared to other parts of Mongolia is a bit cooler; the daytime temperature in the Altai National Park fluctuates from 15C to 18C. In the park, the temperature is unstable and always a bit windy.

This weather is suitable for activities like hiking, climbing, horseback riding, driving, and fishing. Winter temperatures can drop to -25C and below at night.

A: A tourist visa is not required for the following countries: https://www.evisa.mn/en

A: We can help your group book domestic flights at your convenience. Price quotes for tours can include or exclude the cost of domestic flights accordingly.

http://miat.com/

https://www.aeromongolia.mn or https://www.hunnuair.com/

For international flights you can check: http://miat.com/

A: First-time travelers always ask about the appropriate amount of tips for local staff.

Though by definition a tip is never legally required, it is recommended when you are on tour. This is not spoiling the market or ruining hospitality, it is simply being fair and supporting the local community.

Tips will vary depending on the length and complexity of the trip, the number of staff on the trip and the number of clients on the trip. Generally, groups like to meet together before the end of the tour to discuss how much they would like to tip each staff member based on their individual trek experience.

Tipping in hotels and restaurants is up to the individual, 10% never goes wrong here.