Bulgan Homestay & Service - CARRI SEAN CULTURE - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

Imagine wide-open valleys and vast plains surrounded by gentle hills beneath a deep blue sky. Small gers dot the hillsides and horses graze nearby. Mongolia’s vast landscape has made hospitality a vital part of Mongol culture, and you’ll be warmly welcomed into this fascinating culture during your stay here.
This is a rustic cultural immersion that is bound to change the way you think about your own life.

At Home in Mongolia
The sun cracks over the steppes and paints the vast sky a brilliant palate of oranges and pinks. Mongolian families rise to a peaceful morning and leave their gers to milk the maze of goats outside. A young man treads across the open grassland to bring his horses in from the night. A mother makes a breakfast of tea and fresh cheese. Welcome to your home for the next week. After a few days together sharing stories and laughter, strangers will become friends, and by the end of the week, friends will become family. Join in this peaceful life and learn about a culture that is starkly different from any other you have known.

Life in the Ger
The ger is the perfect place to learn about Mongolia’s nomadic traditions. Hospitality is customary in these remote parts, and visitors like you will be welcomed to participate in ger life. Take
on the daily chores alongside your Mongolian family and learn to make cheese and other fresh dairy products the oldfashioned way. You can also step out onto the steppes and help bring in the horses like a true Mongolian cowboy.
Dining with a Mongolian family can be quite a learning adventure, as traditional families usually forgo utensils and plates. Tasty food staples may include sholte khool (soup with pasta and meat), bortzig (fried bread), tsuivan (steamed flour slices with meat), and potatoes. Dairy items may very well be produced right in front of your eyes and could include yogurt, cheese, and milk drinks. Vegetables are difficult to grow on the Mongolian steppes, and most people survive primarily off of nourishment from their animals. But don’t fret; we’ll bring along plenty of options for the vegetarians in the group to ensure that everyone samples something new and delicious.

The National Pastime
Sports have long been a part of Mongolian culture, and if you are lucky, you may even find yourself in the middle of a few impromptu competitions! Wrestling is the national pastime and a common evening activity. Horse racing across the open countryside is also common, and jockeys are traditionally young children who are no more than 12 years old. You may also have a chance to learn archery, which is another popular sport out on the steppes and is performed by both women and men.

Reach Out and Help
You will also have the chance to help out children in these remote areas, as it can be difficult for them to receive a solid education in such a wild and remote landscape. Get to know the local kids as you teach them English and help impart skills that will lead them to a brighter future. Mongolian children are bright-eyed and eager learners, and teaching them even a few simple educational games can help improve their English vocabulary and build lasting friendships.

WHO SHOULD COME
This program is for students interested in exploring new cultures and ways of life. If you have an open mind and heart, then come join us on this journey deep into the far reaches of Mongolia. Add this program on to one of our other Mongolia programs for an in-depth introduction to this intriguing country.

If you have questions about this or any of our other Mongolia programs, please e-mail Mongolia@rusticpathways.com

Checked Luggage:
A medium sized duffel bag or large back pack will be most efficient. Wheeled bags are not recommended due to the rough terrain, but is acceptable if that is what you have. It is important that you try to keep your total luggage to one piece of checked luggage, and do your best to keep it under 40 pounds. You will be carrying it with throughout the program and you want to keep it movable.

You Should Bring :
small backpack- this can be used as your carry on and will also be used for day hikes
sleeping bag (The nights in Mongolia can get chilly, so a sleeping bag with a rating of 0 degree is reccommended)
Sleeping pad or Thermarest – optional but recommended for extra comfort while sleeping.
hiking shoes (for all trips) – it is best to wear hiking shoes for all trips, which give good support and protect your feet from rocks, loose stones, etc.
towel – a travel towel that is compact, very absorbent, and fast drying is the best kind
waterproof shell/rain jacket or poncho – in most cases a waterproof/windproof shell with a hood is ideal. Ponchos are more practical on a horse trek as they can cover your saddle and prevent your seat from being wet. Jackets or ponchos for horse treks should be of a subdued, darker color, and preferably of a material that does not crackle or rustle much. Some Mongolian horses are spooked by unfamiliar bright/light colors and noises from plastic or nylon rain gear.
waterproof pants – should fit over your other pants, and from May through September need not have a lining or should have a very light, breathable lining.
fleece jacket or warm sweater/jumper –a fleece jacket with a full length zipper in front would be the most practical. Pull over fleece jackets or any kind of synthetic material would be good as well.
cotton t-shirts – two to three T-shirts will usually suffice
long sleeve shirts – one light weight, fast drying, light colored one, preferably with buttons down the front so you can wear it open over a T-shirt for sun protection – and one medium weight for cool evenings.
lightweight pants – two pair, and if you have one with zip-off legs that can double as shorts, this is ideal
shorts – the fast drying kind are ideal
warm hat – wool or fleece, which can cover your ears
long underwear – (for treks and horse treks) in summer a lightweight top and bottom will suffice. Your long underwear should be the synthetic kind that wicks away moisture from the skin and keeps you dry
swimsuit- be mindful that Mongolia has a very conservative culture, so be considerate of the type of suit you pack
socks – socks should be of a material that keeps your feet dry
underwear – fast drying. Sports/athletic bras offering good support are best for countryside portions of all trips – roads are bumpy here!
sun hat – should shade your face, ears, and the back of your neck
gloves – lightweight for trekking and riding, warm for spring and autumn trips
sandals – to be worn around camp, in the shower, and wading in streams or lakes. The best kind have adjustable straps around the ankle, and will stay on your feet if you are walking in a slippery stream bed
sun glasses – should be dark and offer UV protection
sunscreen – choose one with stronger protection (SPF 20 or more) if you are light skinned. A sunscreen in stick form that can be applied to lips, nose, cheeks, and the tops of your ears is a very handy item
comfortable shoes – should have sturdy soles and good support
insect repellent – read the label carefully and avoid those that are toxic to fish and amphibians, or wash these off well away from rivers, lakes, and streams
resealing (ziploc) plastic bags – bring enough to protect your documents, money, camera, binoculars, and other items from wetness, sand, and dust. A few extra bags are handy for repacking wet clothing until you reach your next camp and can dry them out
binoculars/camera – carry in a soft padded case if possible
water bottle – for treks and horse treks, should have a wide mouth for refilling easily
wet tissues – choose unscented ones that will not attract insects
chapstick- a stick that has spf would be best
watch/alarm clock – an inexpensive watch with an alarm is a handy item
hand sanitizer- just something to keep your hands clean.
notebook and pen- good to keep track of you adventures through Mongolia.
Optional- gifts for your host families. These can be simple gifts like a tee shirt or some small souvenir from the states.

1 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
Traveling through a very dry country such as Mongolia, we will be sure that you will receive the proper amount of water, and we will only be drinking bottled water or pure natural spring water.

2 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
On arrival to Mongolia you will receive a stamp that will be valid for thirty days. No other paperwork is necessary.

3 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
You will spending your nights nestled inside a traditional nomadic ger. Also known as a yurt these glorified tepees have been the home of the Mongolians for generations.

4 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
There are no immunizations required for this trip.

5 - What costs are not included on this trip?
You should bring your own money to buy souvenirs or for any snacks.

6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
There will be a flight leader that will escort the students to Korea. In Korea someone from the rustic pathways team will be there to pick them up and take care of them for the night. The next day they will be escorted back to the airport and put on the flight to Ulaanbaatar. At Ulaanbaatar their program leaders will be waiting for them at the terminal.

7 - How does this program connect to other programs?
Due to the somewhat secluded nature of Mongolia, we recommend starting your Rustic Pathways summer in Mongolia and then connecting to other programs.

8 - How long is the flight to this country?
Total flight time should be around 14 hours.

9 - What kind of food will we be eating?
You will spend each meal with your host family, eating the same foods they have eaten for centuries. Their diet usually consists of meat and dairy products that is taken straight from their herd. If necessary we will pack in our own food from the city grocery store. If you have any food allergies or are a vegetarian please let us know before you arrive so we can properly cater to your food requests.

10 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
This is the first year for our Mongolia programs and we are uncertain of what the ratio will be. However, we expect it to be fairly even between the amount of girls and boys.