Mongolia Summer Packing List: 10 Essentials Our Local Staff Learned the Hard Way
Sain baina uu! I’m Sugi from Tsogto Mongolia Horse Riding Tour.
“I’m going to Mongolia this summer — what should I bring?”
We get asked this a lot. The truth is, Mongolia in summer means scorching sun by day, surprisingly cold nights, and dryness and wind all the time. And once you get home, there’s a “souvenir” you didn’t ask for: “Wait — did my bag really smell like this?!”
So rather than a generic “nice-to-have” list, I’ve picked the 10 essentials you really should pack for a summer trip to Mongolia — based on mistakes I’ve actually made on my own trips.
Not “this would be handy,” but only the things that are a real nuisance — or a real problem — if you don’t have them.
Mongolia Summer Packing Checklist in 1 Minute
Before the details, here’s a quick checklist.
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| 10 essentials learned the hard way | UV lip balm / light down jacket + rain-and-wind shell / odor-proof bags / power bank / hat with a chin strap / SPF 50+ sunscreen / long socks / insect repellent / sunglasses / LED lantern |
| Basics you must not forget | Passport / flight tickets / credit card / travel insurance |
| Extras for riding tours | Long trousers you can move in / flat-soled sneakers / riding gloves or work gloves |
10 Summer Essentials I Learned the Hard Way
Here are the items you should definitely bring, based on my own mishaps!
① UV lip balm — the time my lips peeled
This happened on a ger-stay riding tour to the giant equestrian statue. I’d carefully put sunscreen on my face and arms, but forgot lip balm.
The steppe is windy, and the air is far drier than most people are used to.
After half a day on horseback my lips were cracked, by evening they stung, and the next morning they were peeling.
In the end I rode with a cloth tied over my mouth, feeling like a suspicious person in disguise all day. The moment I got back to Ulaanbaatar, I ran into a pharmacy and bought lip balm.
Lips are surprisingly unprotected and burn even more easily than your face. Whatever else you forget, don’t forget this.
Tips
- Choose a UV lip balm with SPF, not an ordinary one.
- Keep it in a pocket you can reach easily, not at the bottom of your bag.
- You can buy it at Nomin department store in Ulaanbaatar, but bringing one you’re used to from home is the safest bet.
- I bring two, including a spare.
② Light down jacket + rain-and-wind shell — the night I froze in a tent
This was my first tent-camping tour, in July. The tourist camp on the first day was lovely and warm, so I decided a T-shirt and a thin down jacket would be enough.
Big mistake. At night it suddenly started raining and the temperature around the tent dropped to below 5°C in no time. I tried to tough it out in just the thin down jacket, but it was too cold to sleep.
In Mongolia’s summer, a warm day does not mean a warm morning or evening. The temperature can swing by more than 10°C in a day — sometimes more than 15°C.
Tips
- A packable light down jacket (such as Uniqlo’s Ultra Light Down or Muji’s light down) is a classic choice.
- For rainwear, choose a packable waterproof, windproof jacket. It protects you from the wind as well as the rain.
③ Odor-proof bags — the shock of opening my suitcase at home
Anyone who has been to Mongolia knows this one.
Because Mongolia is so dry, you don’t really notice smells during the trip (in my personal experience).
But the moment you open your suitcase at home — wow. The smell of campfire smoke soaked into your clothes, horses, sheep and who knows what else all comes out at once…
My family suggested, “Maybe leave the suitcase out on the balcony for a while…” — a polite way of saying it stinks.
From my second trip on, I started putting odor-proof bags inside my suitcase, in my shoe bag, and in the sealed bags holding my clothes. Since then, coming home has been a much nicer experience.
Tips
- Bring 5–6 odor-proof bags (Muji’s are a good example).
- Use a large one for the whole suitcase and small ones for shoes, riding clothes and underwear.
- They’re reusable after the trip, so buying in bulk makes sense.
④ Power bank — panicking when I couldn’t charge on the steppe
Many ger camps on the steppe run on solar power or other limited power sources, so you can’t charge as freely as at home. And on horseback tent-camping tours there’s no power at all.
Once, I misjudged how much charge my power bank had left, and on the morning of day 3 my phone died completely. No photos, no maps… On the last day a nomad lent me a battery and saved me.
Tips
- Capacity: 10,000 mAh or more (about 3–4 full phone charges), but within carry-on limits.
- Choose a safety-certified product.
- Follow your airline’s carry-on rules for lithium batteries. Typically, up to two power banks of 100 Wh or less are allowed; 100–160 Wh requires airline approval; over 160 Wh is not allowed.
- Solar-panel models are a “nice extra” at best. I tried a small one, but it charges slowly in cloudy or rainy weather, so I wouldn’t rely on it.
- I use an Anker model.
Rules for carrying power banks on planes have recently become stricter, so check with your airline before you fly.
⑤ A hat with a chin strap — the day my hat flew away
The steppe is often very windy. I was out for a walk in an ordinary cap when a gust carried it far into the distance. You really can’t catch up with it.
A chin strap is a must. You’ll wear a helmet while riding, but you can wear your hat under the helmet too.
To protect the back of your neck from the sun, we recommend a wide-brimmed hat.
My honest advice
- Wide-brimmed hat + chin strap.
- A packable material is handy because it fits in your backpack.
- We don’t recommend baseball caps on the steppe: your neck gets burned and they blow away easily.
- Light colors feel cooler (black absorbs heat).
⑥ SPF 50+ sunscreen — the price of being stingy
In July, Mongolia’s UV index averages 8 (“very high”) — you burn more easily than in a typical midsummer (source: Weather Atlas – Ulaanbaatar July).
I once thought, “The leftover low-SPF sunscreen I use at home will do,” and that was a big mistake. After just half a day on the steppe, my arms and face were stinging by evening. The redness didn’t fade for days, which made the trip quietly miserable.
What counts as “enough” at home and what counts as enough in Mongolia are completely different.
Tips
- Choose SPF 50+ / PA++++ (or a broad-spectrum equivalent).
- A type that’s easy to apply on both face and body.
- A stick sunscreen for reapplying is handy (no messy hands).
- Bring one that suits your skin from home — that’s the safest option.
⑦ Long socks — the day the stirrups rubbed my calves raw
I like to cut every gram from my luggage, so on one trip I brought only ankle socks to save weight.
While riding, my calves rubbed between my trouser hems and the stirrups (stirrup leathers), and within half a day they were raw. I got through it with sticking plasters.
Tips
- Long socks that cover well above the ankle.
- Hiking socks that aren’t too thick are ideal (thick socks get sweaty in summer).
- Always keep a spare pair in your backpack (socks get wet or torn more often than you’d think).
⑧ Insect repellent — the day the bugs rose up after the rain
“Mongolia’s so dry, there can’t be many bugs, right?” Wrong. What surprised me most was the moment right after rain.
Once I went to inspect a ger camp near Kharkhorin (not one of Tsogto’s — a place I’d never been before).
As soon as the rain stopped, insects rose up from the grass all at once and swarmed around the tents. I rushed into the ger and went to bed — and then found bugs in my bedding too. (I didn’t sleep much.)
In Mongolia’s summer, especially when you spend long hours on the steppe on horseback, insect repellent is a genuine necessity.
Tips
- Choose a strong, outdoor-grade repellent.
- Bring anti-itch cream for bites as well.
⑨ Sunglasses — underestimating the glare on the steppe
There’s very little on the steppe to block the sun. On days with few clouds, you’re hit by both direct sunlight and light reflected off the ground, and it’s far brighter than you’d expect.
One day I came with the light-tinted sunglasses I use at home, spent the whole ride squinting, and within half a day my eyes were dry and sore.
When you canter, wind can also blow sand and small insects into your eyes. Sunglasses are a quietly essential item that both cut the glare and protect your eyes.
Tips
- High UV protection.
- Polarized lenses are ideal.
- Firm nose pads so they don’t slip even when you bounce around on a horse.
- Lightweight, so they’re comfortable to wear all day.
⑩ LED lantern — the nervous midnight trip to the toilet
When you stay in a nomad family’s ger, you’ll be amazed at how dark the night is and how beautiful the stars are. The ground is pitch black, with only a few distant lights. That’s exactly why the stars are so stunning — but the first time I went to the toilet I could barely see my feet, and it took courage just to go.
Tourist camps have outdoor lights, but it’s still hard to see the ground. To avoid bumps and stones you might trip on, it’s better to have your own light.
Your phone’s flashlight will do in a pinch, but then you worry about the battery…
A small, light lantern separate from your phone is well worth bringing.
Tips
- A lightweight, rechargeable LED lantern.
- One with a hook (hanging it from the center of a ger or tent lights up the whole space).
- Collapsible or telescopic models are easier to pack.
I use a DOD collapsible solar lantern.
The Basics You Must Not Forget (Documents, Money, Insurance)
These aren’t from my mishaps, but here are the essential basics just in case. Check them one more time before you leave.
Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
You need a passport to enter Mongolia, valid for at least 6 months.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality — please check the latest rules for your country before you travel.
Flight tickets / e-tickets
Bring a printed e-ticket just in case. These days you can often board with just your passport or a phone screen, but a printout is a reassuring backup.
Credit card
Credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and large shops in the city. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely used.
Travel insurance
Not something you pack, but if you’re joining a riding tour, be sure to choose insurance that covers horse riding and falls.
More details: Do you need insurance for a horse riding tour in Mongolia? (English version of this article)
Extras for Your Type of Trip
What else to bring depends on your itinerary.
If you’re joining a riding tour
- Long trousers you can move in (stretch fabric recommended; hiking trousers are perfect).
- Sneakers with a flat sole and a low top (trekking boots can catch in the stirrups and are dangerous — not allowed).
- Riding gloves or work gloves (the reins can make your palms sore).
- Padded underwear (recommended for beginners on long rides; padded cycling shorts work too).
Must-read: Mongolia Horse Riding Safety Manual
Tsogto lends helmets and chaps (shin guards) free of charge.
If your trip includes tent camping
- A light fleece (a mid-layer between your down jacket and rain jacket).
- Pocket-size wet wipes (there’s nowhere to wash your hands).
→ See our English-guided tours
FAQ
Finally, here are some questions we’re often asked about packing for summer in Mongolia.
Q. What should I watch out for with liquids in my carry-on?
A. Follow the international rule: containers of 100 mL or less, all in a resealable bag of 1 L or less. This includes liquid sunscreen, lotion and insect repellent spray. Put larger bottles in your checked suitcase.
Q. Anything special to bring when traveling solo?
A. A larger power bank (within carry-on rules) so you can always use your phone for emergencies and maps, and — especially important — copies of your ID. As a precaution, split up your cash (not just in your wallet, but also in an inside pocket of your backpack).
Q. What extra should I bring when traveling with children?
A. Sunscreen and insect repellent for kids, and plenty of spare clothes. There are long drives, so their favorite books and snacks are a good idea too.
Q. What did you regret assuming you could buy locally?
A. In my experience: UV lip balm, technical base layers, and shoes and clothes in the sizes I’m used to. Often “they have it, but not one that suits me,” so if you’re particular about something, bring it from home.
Prepare well for an unforgettable summer in Mongolia
A summer trip to Mongolia in the best season is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Becoming one with your horse in the vast wilderness, feeling the wind, and spending nights under the stars will stay with you forever.
The essentials in this article are all about making that special journey more comfortable and safer.
Preparing for a trip is the start of the adventure. Use these items as a guide to plan your best summer in Mongolia — you’re sure to come home with plenty of unforgettable memories!