Everything you need to know about joining us on a trek
If you are like most of us, a major concern is that you are joining the right sort of trip, with the right sort of people. We want you to understand exactly what our trips are like, so you know what you are getting yourself in to.
We do not promise a luxury holiday, complete with hot showers and flushing toilets. What we do offer is a truly authentic experience of your chosen country, and to do that you need to get well off the tourist trail. You do need to 'rough it' at times.
Please ask us more about our trip style, if you have any doubts.
It does help to have riding experience, and some of our treks are better suited to more experienced riders than others. In general our treks are suitable for experienced riders, and anyone who is fit and active and willing to learn the local riding style. We have horses that are forgiving of inexperienced riders, and we will make sure you are matched to a suitable horse.
Once you gain more confidence, or for those with more experience, you will be challenging the locals to races in no time. For experienced riders, we have horses that you will be wanting to take home with you at the end of the trip.
We teach you the local riding techniques, and how to ride safely, such as never approaching a Mongolian horse from the right (i.e. the wrong!) side.
We take the attitude that horses are a much better (and more environmentally friendly) way to experience Mongolia than looking out the window of a jeep. The locals live and breathe horses and will respect you for choosing to ride rather than drive. We can also get to more places on horseback, but ultimately it’s just damn good fun!
Take the easy option and tell us what you hope to get out of your trip, and we will tell you which of our treks we think is the ideal one for you.
Don't assume Mongolia is definitely where you want to go - you should also be considering Kazakhstan or Sakha (Russia).
When we say we run 'small group' trips, we mean it. We take no more than 10 people. We find this is a good size in terms of managing the horses, and socially. Also in terms of impacts on the local culture and environment.
It's unlikely. We specifically aim to take you to the places other people don't go. The areas where we travel do not have specific 'tourist attractions'. It's more about getting out into the countryside, amongst the local people.
For example, the majority of visitors to Mongolia end up in the same handful of tourist hot-spots, so it is still possible for us to get off the beaten track. You do need to be prepared to be the subject of great interest by the local people. A bunch of odd-looking foreign people riding by makes an irresistible break from herding yaks!
It's difficult to describe a typical day on one of our rides, as each country is different, but there is a certain 'Zavkhan style', common to all trips. Around six hours riding is about right for most people, with plenty of breaks. We often set out at the start of the day with no clear idea of where we might end up, especially with pack-horses, but ideally we like to make camp no later than four in the afternoon. That gives us plenty of time to relax at the end of the day.
If you haven't had enough riding by then, there is always the opportunity to ride out from camp in the evening, perhaps as part of a foraging party looking for local herders to trade with for milk and yoghurt. Or just for a quick gallop.
The amount of time you can comfortably spend in the saddle depends on the pace too. Six hours of walking makes for a very long day. A mix of walking, trotting and cantering, with galloping for the confident riders, eats up the miles and makes the day fly by, and is our preferred way to travel. The horses prefer it too!
We usually have rest days along the way, where you can hike, fish, ride some more, swim or just read a book. If we feel the group is up to it, we will offer you the chance to try completely new routes some days (in Sakha, that's basically every day). You do need to be prepared for some longer days when doing this. On a 'normal' day we would cover around 30km, depending on terrain.
We prefer to use the tack that the local horsemen use in each country, rather than imported from the west. This way it's more likely to fit the horses, and is familiar to the wranglers. We like to think it makes the whole experience a little more authentic too.
The saddles may not be quite as comfortable as back home, but for most people they are just fine. We provide a lot of useful advice on how to avoid getting sore, before you even get near a saddle. Bring a 'seat-saver' if you are worried about the state of your butt after a long day's ride.
We have wranglers to look after the horses and help with saddling up, but you are welcome to help (on our Sakha trek you will be taught how to tack-up your own horse).
Mongolia
We mainly use a traditional local saddle design, which has a comfortable cushioned seat. Despite what we just said, we do have a few old (inauthentic) imported Barefoot treeless endurance saddles, which some people prefer. Many local people still use beautiful traditional wooden saddles (no padding), but you need to have been riding since before you could walk to enjoy that.
The bridles are basically similar to what you might have used in the past, and the horses respond to western-style neck-reining. Mongolians ride very short, like a jockey, so we have our own longer stirrup leathers, meaning that you are still able to walk at the end of the day.
Kazakhstan
The saddles and bridles here are quite familiar to anyone who rides back home, so no big surprises.
Sakha
Now it gets a little weird. You need to get used to just one rein. Turning right, you move the rein English style, and to the left it's western style neck reining. Does that make sense? It will when you start doing it, and it works perfectly well!
There is often a fear that a ride with Zavkhan Trekking will be like a pony trek back home. You know the sort of thing - tired old horses following nose to tail, the only sign of life when they turn for home. No riding faster than a slow canter. Stay behind the leader at all times. Etc.
That's certainly not us! The horses we use are forward-going and fun to ride. If you would like something challenging, we can oblige. If you would prefer to be able to enjoy the scenery, we have horses for that too. We try to have spare horses along on a trek, so you can swap from day to day, depending on your mood. There will be opportunities for fast riding, if you are confident (especially on our Mongolian Zavkhan Classic). However we do have rules relating to riding safely, particularly in ways that impact on other riders.
If you have a partner who would like to join you on a trip, but does not wish to ride, you might like to consider our new Zavkhan Multi trip, which has some riding but lots of other activities also.
If you have a non-riding partner who is fit and active and keen to learn during the trip, our Altai Mountain Horse Trek is a good option, as the pace is generally slower. We believe that Mongolia is the perfect place to learn to ride - in a fun and informal way.
First of all, let's define what we mean by 'gallop'. For us, that means letting your horse go as fast as it possibly can. So yes, if you are an experienced rider, we are happy to see you riding as fast as you wish. Obviously it depends on the terrain, and some of our treks are more suited to a fast pace than others.
See our individual Trip Pages for information about the pace. For example there is a lot of open terrain on our Zavkhan Classic trek that will make you want to gallop to the horizon. On the other hand, our Sakha trek, with a focus on pack-horsing, is generally slower-paced.
On all trips, the most important thing for us is safety (for you, your fellow riders, and your horse), so you will be given very clear guidance on when a fast pace is appropriate, and when it is not. Your trip leader will always remain in charge.
Booking Your Trip
How to grab a spot on a trip, payment options, and what happens if you can't make it after booking.
We are currently updating our Booking Conditions now that the threat of travel disruption due to Covid-19 has reduced. It could come back for another go at us anytime, so see our detailed scenarios for answers to questions such as 'what happens if I can't travel due to lockdown?'.
Step 1. Contact us and let us know you are keen
The first step is to contact us, and let us know you would like to join us on a trip, or are thinking about it. You may have noticed you can't sign up online. We prefer to keep things personal. Feel free to ask us any questions (we like questions, it shows you are thinking about what you might be getting yourself into), and we may also have some questions for you.
If the trip is close to full, we can put a seven-day hold on your place on the trip while you check out flights to avoid missing out. Flights can become scarce at the height of the season, so make sure you can get to the start point for your trip.
If there’s plenty of availability for the trip, and you are not ready to decide just yet, we can simply pencil you in. That way we can keep you posted as the trip fills, and let you know when it’s time to secure your place with a deposit.
Step 2. Submit a booking form and pay the deposit
Once you are ready to secure your place, we will send you an online booking form to complete. You will need to provide us with important details such as your riding and outdoors experience, and any special diets or health issues.
We will send an online invoice for the 20% deposit.
Once we receive your booking form and deposit, your place on the trip is secure and you are ready for action! The balance is due 60 days prior to departure, or if signing up less than 60 days to departure we require full payment.
Credit/Debit Card
We accept Visa or Mastercard (no additional fee), using our secure card payment system.
Bank Transfer
We will forward you our New Zealand bank account details for international transfers, or transfers within New Zealand.
PayPal
We will send you a PayPal money request.
Other methods
If you would prefer an alternative option, please ask.
We recognise that Covid-19 has made international travel more risky - not necessarily the disease itself, but because your travel insurance is unlikely to cover you in the event of something going wrong. In general, if you can't travel due to Covid-19, we will give you a refund or a credit toward a future trip.
See our Booking Conditions for details.
If you can't make it for a reason unrelated to Covid-19, such as breaking your arm in the lead-up to the trip, our standard cancellation policy applies, and you can claim any loss on your travel insurance.
It is likely that travel disruptions due to Covid-19, such as potential border closures, will continue in to 2021 and beyond. If it is just not operationally possible for the trip to go ahead, we will notify you 60 days before the departure date, or as soon as possible. We will give you a full refund including deposit.
We don't usually cancel a trip due to low numbers - we don't like to disappoint our local teams, but if necessary we will notify you 60 days before departure that the trip may not be able to proceed. Feel free to ask us how our bookings for a trip are progressing.
We endeavour to follow the trip plan, especially the number of days spent in the saddle. However Central Asia and Russia are not the sort of places where you can always stick to strict schedules and plans. There is a large element of the unexpected, which is probably part of the reason why you want to go there. Consequently we may need to make small changes to the plan prior to departure, in which case you will be notified. If the change is substantial you will have seven days in which to cancel your booking and receive a full refund.
More likely is that we will need to make small changes in response to conditions while on the trip, such as taking a different route to avoid a collapsed bridge, in which case we will not be able to offer any compensation.
If a necessary change in the trip plan through no fault of ours results in you missing your flight home, we will assist you with any insurance claim you may need to make.
The areas where we ride are safe to travel (OK, Afghanistan was a bit of an exception). It's unlikely, but these days you never know when a war, epidemic, terrorist attack, or hurricane might strike ('force majeure') and we can't be held responsible for any changes due to these sorts of reasons, which are beyond our control.
Firstly and most importantly, you should have fun.
You are also responsible for your own visa (which we can help with), travel insurance, and any necessary vaccinations or health checks (none are legally required as of 2020 but this may change post-Covid).
While riding, we like to operate as a team, making group decisions on where to go and when to stop, rather than being told what to do. However when necessary the group leader's authority must be respected.
If you have read the information on our website and decided that you are capable of meeting the challenges involved, then you are welcome to join us. If in doubt, please ask us. The main thing is to have the right attitude. A reasonable level of fitness is also required in order to get the most out of it, especially if you are not an experienced rider. You are expected to be able to mount and dismount unaided. Anyone who is fit and active enough to enjoy the trip will have no problem mounting and dismounting - remember the horses are small!
We do not have an upper age limit. HOWEVER, if you are 70 and a non-rider with a hip replacement and bad knees, we would suggest there may be a better way to see Mongolia. We hope to still be travelling off the beaten track at that age too, but the reality is that people do fall off, and the older we get, the less we bounce.
If you have a known medical condition which could be a problem you will need to let us know before the trip. If you weigh over 100kg (220 pounds), please talk to us. It is not necessarily a problem if you are fit and active.
We are happy to discuss this possibility. Our main concern tends to be how they will impact on the enjoyment of other members of the group. Teenagers who can ride confidently, keep up with the group, are happy camping in remote places, and can interact well with adults, are welcome to come. They are required to be well-supervised by a parent or guardian.
For 2021 we will be running a family-friendly ride in Mongolia - contact us now to be involved in the planning stage. This will be a good option for younger children.
Mongolia in particular is very family-focused and great for kids. Our Sakha (Russia) trek is definitely not one for kids.
It is important to remember that we are offering a serious wilderness trekking experience, which carries an inherent level of risk.
While we endeavour to minimise this risk, we cannot be held responsible for injuries sustained through no fault of ours. In the unlikely event of an injury, we will do all that is required to help you.
Our trip leaders are medically trained, so can deal with most events through to emergency childbirth...
We do not offer a single supplement option. Private hotel rooms with en-suite are included in the price of the trip, where possible (we like to ease you in to the wilderness camping to come). We aim to give you a private tent - no one really wants to share a tent for two weeks with a random stranger, so we don't make you pay more to avoid it.
In Mongolia you are likely to share a ger (yurt) at some point, for a night or two, and there is no option to have a private one. If you are someone who dreads that prospect, this trip is unlikely to be the one for you.
Our Sakha trek involves sleeping in large local-style communal tents while pack-horsing. Again, this is not a trip for those who prefer their accommodation to come with a comfortable bed and en-suite.
Each time we stop and set up a wilderness camp we dig a simple 'long-drop', with surround. During the day while riding there is always somewhere to wander off to for a bit of privacy. You might like to practice squatting at home to strengthen your legs (there is no need to go all the way with that...).
While using pack-horses we do not always dig a toilet, but there is plenty of forest to wander off in to.
And yes, we do provide toilet paper. We aim to provide everything that you could possibly need on a wilderness camping trip – not least toilet paper!
Central Asia has a dry climate, so you tend not to get hot and sweaty, but we always camp by a water source, so there will be water for a wash, and firewood to heat it up a little. There are also opportunities to swim in the rivers and lakes if the weather is warm enough, or you are Scandinavian.
We provide washing bowls and soap powder to wash clothes if necessary.
No, there aren't lists of chores or formal duties on our trips, but you are welcome to help our local team as needed. We try to avoid a 'them and us' feeling, and prefer to think of you and the locals as one big team. There are some differences in how it works, between countries.
Mongolia and Kazakhstan
Our teams on these trips include guide, drivers, cook, and horse wranglers. You can feel good about the employment you have helped create!
The wranglers are responsible for looking after the horses, but riders are more than welcome to assist and learn local techniques. Your cook is always happy to have a bit of help slicing and dicing, and you can help with camping activities such as gathering of firewood if you wish.
Sakha
This is quite a different style of trip, where more input is required from the group. We are not talking formal duties, but you will need to work together with our local guides when it comes to looking after the horses, cooking, erecting the communal tent, and gathering firewood. If you are someone who prefers to be mucking in and getting things done, this is your trip.
Yes, we can book extra nights at our group hotel, where we will all be staying for the first night of the trip, and at the end (Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, Ust-Kamenogorsk in Kazakhstan, or Yakutsk in Sakha). People often choose to add a day or two, to see more of these fascinating cities.
We can also suggest more basic (ie less expensive) hotel or guesthouse options, or if you would like to splash out after all the camping in the countryside, we can point you to somewhere bland and corporate. During Nadaam (11-13 July), in Ulaanbaatar, accommodation is scarce so let us know well in advance.
We strongly recommend that you consult a specialist travel doctor well in advance to get the latest information on what vaccinations to consider. There are no legally required vaccinations, but the following are standard for any developing country - some you will already have received:
- Typhoid
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis A
- Polio
Rabies is present in the region (as it is in the US and Europe) and some travellers do get vaccinated against it.
If you are an anti-vaxxer you should definitely stay at home.
We are not thrill seekers, in the sense of taking you deliberately in to the path of danger. The countries we ride in are peaceful. In fact while on a trip with us you are probably less likely to experience crime than back home. The usual precautions apply when travelling to any developing country, and our local teams know how to keep you safe.
Mongolia
Our personal experience is that it is very safe in the countryside where we go. The local people are extremely friendly and generous. There are no separatist movements or religious groups vying for power (except perhaps the Mormons, but they tend to be non-violent).
Ulaanbaatar has its dodgy areas, but no more than any big city. The centre is perfectly safe - even late at night there are families relaxing in the central square. There are lots of pick-pockets in the Black Market in Ulaanbaatar, and sometimes on the streets of the city, but as long as you don’t have wads of cash in your pockets and keep your wits about you, it’s no problem.
Kazakhstan
Like Mongolia, the culture is very welcoming, and the crime rate is low. Compared to other post-Soviet Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan has a relatively benign government and the country is orderly and well-run.
Sakha
This region of Russia is a little more edgy than what you may be used to. It's peaceful, but somewhat impoverished. Take the usual precautions in Yakutsk. Once we head off on the trip, you will find the local people to be perfectly friendly. By the time we reach the area where we ride, you probably won't see anyone except the family and friends of our team - and they are definitely fine!
We travel in remote areas, so we take your health and safety very seriously. We do everything in our power to avoid accidents, but they can happen, and it may be some time before you can get adequate hospital treatment in the event of an emergency. Our trip leaders have first-aid training, and will provide care to the best of their abilities until you are able to reach a hospital, if that is required.
The team carries a satellite phone in case of a serious emergency. It is vital that you have your own travel insurance which includes repatriation.
We require you to have travel insurance before riding with us. You may have travelled internationally without insurance previously, but Central Asia is definitely not the region to do that.
Most standard travel policies will cover you for general horse riding, but it does pay to check carefully. We can provide advice on what to look for in a policy. We suggest describing to a potential insurance provider exactly what you will be doing on the ride. If you don't already have an insurer you have used previously, we can provide a list of companies that people have used for our trips.
We do not require you to wear a hat, and we do not provide them, but we strongly recommend you bring one. Your insurance policy may have something to say about this. Check the small print to see whether you are still covered in the event of an accident if not wearing a hat.
We suggest that even if you don't normally ride in a hat, bring one along and wear it at least initially until you are familiar with your horse.
More information on our blog: Helmets-in-mongolia-three-things-you-need-to-know
Where we ride you can drink the water straight from the streams. Unlike in the West, local people have enough sense not to foul their own water supply, and there are no water-borne diseases such as bilharzia. Having said that, we do provide boiled water each day for those who think they need it. You may also like to bring water purifier tablets or another treatment method with you so you can treat your own drinking water.
Central Asia is a relatively safe and healthy region due to low population densities and cold winters. Ask a travel doctor about appropriate vaccinations, and what to take with you in the way of medicines. See some of our vaccination recommendations here.
Mongolia does have rabies, and we can't advise you to not get vaccinated. However from our experience we believe the risk is low. Local dogs can be aggressive to strangers, since their main job is protecting livestock from rustlers and wolves. It is good policy to not approach any dog, unless the owner has 'introduced you'. Then they tend to be perfectly friendly. If a dog does approach you - they sometimes come around camp - pretending to throw a stone at them sends them on their way.
The Black Death does occur now and then in Mongolia. We call it the 'marmots revenge' since it is mainly marmot poachers who catch it. These days it can be treated quite easily so shouldn't be something to worry about.
The countries where we ride are generally not known for their cuisine, and by the time we get far off the beaten track, food becomes quite limited. But you won't go hungry, and you may even be pleasantly surprised by what we can do. And no, you won't be eating boiled mutton every day.
At Zavkhan Trekking we pride ourselves on the meals we create from the limited supplies available. Usually we have to stock up for the entire trip at the start, with no opportunity to re-provision. We bring along fresh fruit and vegetables, and staples such as rice, flour and pasta. Where possible we trade for fresh food with local people we encounter - Mongolian herders in particular produce delicious yoghurt, cheese and milk. In the evening we cook fresh bread on the camp fire.
In autumn we like to forage and feast on berries, pine nuts and other fruits of the forest. Kazakhstan is especially good for wild strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and others which are unfamiliar but taste great. The rivers often hold excellent eating fish, if you can catch them.
Our local teams in Mongolia and Kazakhstan include a cook - it's a hard job cooking over a fire for a group of hungry riders, plus the rest of the team. You are welcome to help of course.
A special note about food on our new Sakha trek
Due to the remoteness and unpredictability of the region, meals on this trek will be more basic. We cannot guarantee that all meals will meet our usual standard. The local people we are working with live a fairly subsistence lifestyle. Their diet is based around hunting and and fishing. Our aim is to live like they do during the trek, so that may mean 'catch of the day' for dinner - in 2019 that meant moose meat, but who knows what 2021 may bring?
Picky eaters are likely to struggle on this trip.
We will not have a cook while travelling with pack-horses. This is a more 'hands-on' trek, and you will be expected to cook as a group. It's more fun that way!
Don't worry, we won't leave you to starve on the steppe and be eaten by wolves (with the exception of our Sakha trek - see below). Our meals tend to be based around a vegetarian main dish, with a meat accompaniment, so being vegetarian is no problem. If you're vegan, you will find it more difficult, but not impossible - we have had vegan riders who have survived just fine. Talk to us.
We can cater for people who choose a gluten-free diet, but we will need to discuss your requirements in advance. If you are fully coeliac, that is relatively simple since you will know exactly what you can and can't eat.
If you have a halal diet, our Mongolian Altai Expedition, or a Kazakhstan trek are good options, since our local teams are mostly (culturally) Muslim. In the countryside in general, pork products are a rarity and easily avoided.
"The food was much better than I had feared given my vegetarian requirements." Duncan, UK.
That could be taken as 'damned with faint praise', but our cooks have seen every kind of diet over the years so they know what they are doing. The one thing we must emphasize is if you are a fussy eater, our trips are not for you.
Due to the unpredictability of the food on our Sakha trek, we will not be able to cater for special diets (beyond flexible vegetarian).
Part of the fun of visiting another country is to try the local food. Most foreigners struggle with the meat-heavy Central Asian cuisine, but you will certainly have the opportunity to try it.
Mongolia
We normally buy a sheep off the local nomads, despatch it in the traditional way, and then everything is eaten, with nothing wasted. And we mean nothing - you will get to try every internal organ there is, if you wish (boiled of course). Some of it is great, some of it less so.
We often stop and visit nomadic herder families along the way, when you will get to drink bowls of suutei tsai or salty, milky tea (better than it sounds), and try other delicacies. We also keep an eye out for airag, or fermented mare's milk (koumiss in Kazakhstan), which everyone should try at least once.
Kazakhstan
We visit traditional rural villages where life in summer is focused on preserving food for the long winter. The sweet jam from wild berries is a reminder of what real jam should taste like! Our ranger Sergei may invite us to visit his bee farm, where you can sample honey produced from Katon-Karagay's lush wild-flower meadows. Yum.
Sakha
The cuisine of this region is unique. In Yakutsk at our favourite restaurant we can try raw frozen fish, reindeer steaks, and lean horse meat in various styles. During the trip we will mainly be eating what our team has hunted and fished. You can't get more local than that!
If you are anything like us, it's nice to have a drink around the campfire at the end of the day. If you like a wee dram of whisky, for example, it's a good idea to get that on arrival in duty-free (or bring it from home). Whether there is anything available during the trek, depends on the country.
Mongolia
There is nowhere to buy drinks (or anything else) once riding. However you usually have the opportunity to buy local beer at the last town before we meet the horses, to take along. There is also a wide variety of vodka, ranging from dire to passable. Don't even think about wine, unless you bring it from Ulaanbaatar.
Kazakhstan
This ride brings us through rural villages every few days, where you can pick up a cold beer. It won't be a craft beer, but fine for around the fire.
Sakha
You can stock up in Yakutsk, and you might find something in a small shop as we drive along the Road of Bones for the first two days of the trip, but once we meet the horses, that's it. Think of it as a de-tox trip. You don't want to be loading up the pack-horses with non-essentials.
That's a tricky question since we have such a wide range of people. We get all sorts! The thing that most people have in common is a desire to experience Mongolia, and our other destinations, in an authentic way, rather than something put on just for visitors. If the words 'cultural show' make you run a mile, then you should find yourself in good company with us.
"Best part of the trip was feeling I was in the real Mongolia, living and riding real horses with real Mongolian people, rather than in a tourist-Mongolia" Sue, from the UK.
Often our riders are people who might normally travel independently, or have done in the past, and have trouble with the idea of an organised tour. However, to do more than just visit the tourist hot-spots it makes sense to join a group of like-minded travellers when heading off the beaten track.
Have a read of the questions regarding the demographics of our past riders. If you are still worried about who you might end up with on a ride, ask us and we can tell you about the people who are already booked on upcoming trips. You are very unlikely to find yourself the odd one out in terms of age, or riding experience – the 'worst' that can happen is that you might be the only guy amongst nine women!
As of 2020, our riders have ranged in age from 19 up to 70. One thing we have learnt over the years is that age really is irrelevant – the sort of people who wish to trek in Central Asia with us are always young at heart, no matter how old they are. Half of the people who have ridden with us so far have been under thirty, and half over thirty (that just indicates that it's not only for 'grey nomads' or gap year students).
70% of our riders are in their 20s to 40s, so that means another 30% are in their 50s or older. The main point is that you will not be the only granny amongst a group of grandkids!
70% of our riders are women. It does seem a pity that more guys haven't realised that horse riding is actually great fun. We do get couples, but often our riders join the group as solo travellers, either because they prefer to travel with a group, or they have left a reluctant partner behind. In 2021 our Zavkhan Multi-trip will be aimed at encouraging non-riding partners to come to Mongolia, with not only horse riding, but also camel trekking, hiking, and other activities.
Trekking in Kazakhstan
Three-quarters of people who join our trips are either experienced riders or have at least been a rider in the past (before kids and career got in the way). The other twenty-five per cent recognises that the best way to see Mongolia and our other destinations is by horse (and in some areas the only way).
So regardless of whether you ride regularly now, you used to ride in the past, or you are just starting out, you are welcome to join us.
Roughly half our riders to date have come from the UK (that's where we started out), followed by the US, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and most other parts of Europe.
You may be surprised, but people do ask us if we take people from all countries. So yes, we accept people from anywhere. It helps to be able to speak English, as our local guides are English-speaking.
It's always fun to sit around the campfire at the end of the day, chatting with people from a range of different countries.
Advice on What to Bring
Here's what we advise that you bring with you, what to put it in, and how much you can take on a trip. Download our recommended Packing List.
Having read the description of the weather to expect, you can see that you need to bring light clothing for warm days, and plenty of warm clothing for the evening, or when the weather turns cold. By September you will want to pack a few extra layers. Bring more gear for Altai trips at any time of year, as you will be riding high into the mountains.
If you do not have a lot of experience in the outdoors (and camping at Glastonbury Festival doesn't count!), we strongly recommend that you talk to us about what to bring, particularly your sleeping bag (see below). We find that people tend to underestimate how much warm gear they really need. If you send us your proposed gear list, we can confirm whether it is appropriate.
Having the right gear is something we take very seriously because of the wilderness environment we ride in. If you get it wrong, you will be cold and miserable, or worse. You could consider buying a traditional Mongolian del – they're not cheap but are very warm and look cool!
You need a good waterproof coat. A proper outdoor one, not something that just looks good on the high street. A light pair of waterproof over-trousers is also a good idea.
A good three to four-season sleeping bag that lets you sleep comfortably down to zero in the summer, or down to -10 in September is ideal. If you know you are a cold sleeper, bring a better bag. Down bags are superior to synthetic if you are buying one.
If you're not sure that your bag is adequate, you can buy a 'booster' bag, a light down bag that adds a season to your main bag, or can be used on its own on a warm summer night. If you find yourself short of a decent bag, hiring from a place such as Trekhire in the UK or similar is a good option.
During the 2018 season, we provided good quality sleeping mats for all trips. We used Thermarest and Exped brand mats.
If you would prefer to bring your own mat that you know and trust to give a good night's sleep, please do.
A pair of light hiking boots is ideal. They can be used for riding, wearing around camp, leading your horse over rough ground, and for wandering around the streets of Ulaanbaatar. No need for serious hiking boots, but trainers (sneakers) are really not serious enough. The stirrup irons we use are 'plate-type' and wide enough to take light hiking boots. Some people do prefer to take a pair of short riding boots, which are also fine (as long as they have some tread on the sole), and keep another pair of boots or trainers for around the camp.
A pair of sandals can also be useful (depending on the time of year). It may sound odd, but a pair of gumboots can be very useful around camp when the grass is long and wet. We provide chaps, so there is no need to bring long riding boots.
Pack as you would 'normally' when travelling ie. one large backpack, or duffel bag, or two smaller pieces. A suitcase is also fine, especially one with off-road wheels (yes, they are out there), as it would fit nicely in the support vehicle and is easy to work out of. The downside is that it will get a hard time, dragged in and out of the vehicle, so it should be an old one (not your favourite piece of Louis Vuitton). There won't be a lot of carrying, just from the vehicle to your tent at the end of each day.
Having two medium pieces of luggage works well. Pack a duffel bag inside your main luggage while travelling to Mongolia, and for the domestic flight. Once in the countryside, divide your gear into one bag for the things you need daily, such as your sleeping bag, the other for spare clothes and items not used every day, that can remain in the vehicle. Less fighting to fit everything back into one bag each morning too.
Also bring a small day bag, for items that you would like to keep at hand while travelling from UB before we meet the horses.
On trips where we use pack-animals (eg Mongolian Altai and Kazakhstan), we provide the saddlebags for loading on the animals. You should bring dry bags (or heavy-duty rubbish sacks) to put your personal gear in to keep it dry.
There will be plenty of room in the support vehicle, so bring everything you think you may need. Don't skimp on warm clothes. We provide washing bowls, warm water and soap powder if you need to wash clothes. There will be rest days when you can do your washing.
For domestic flights, there is an allowance of 15kg per person (including hand luggage). You may need to pay airline baggage charges (about $4USD) for each kg over this.
You won't find the mighty Mongolian tugrik anywhere outside Mongolia, even in China. The easiest way to get cash is from an ATM (as tugriks), of which there are several around Ulaanbaatar. There is also one at the airport, which a good place to stock up as you arrive (if it's working). We can help with this when we meet you. Most cards are accepted, especially if visa-linked. Bring traveller's checks or cash (USD) as a back-up in case of emergencies (such as losing your card)
Major currencies can be exchanged at banks in UB, including UK pounds, US dollars, Euros and Australian dollars. Most banks will provide cash advances on a credit card (bring your passport). Once you leave UB, don't expect to be able to obtain cash.
Ask us about how much extra money you might need while in Mongolia. You shouldn't need much unless you plan on being in UB for a few extra days, and are buying lots of souvenirs.
Hiking Trips
Our main focus has always been horse trekking, but we have run several successful hiking trips over the years and are keen to run more. Some of the information on our website is still a little 'horse-centric', so we will be adding advice specifically for hiking trips here.
This section is under construction.
Yes, we encourage the group to introduce themselves in the lead-up to the trip, so you can share tips on good flight deals, or coordinate site-seeing before the trip officially starts. Of course if you prefer to remain anonymous until meeting up, that's absolutely fine too.
Yes, we will be there whenever you arrive, even if it's an unsociably early hour of the morning. The same goes for dropping you off after the trip if you decide to stay on for a few days. We provide extra information, once you have booked, about what to do if you don't find someone waiting with a friendly smile waving a 'Zavkhan Trekking' sign.
People like to talk up how bad the bugs can be, especially in Mongolia, but in our experience it is mainly just talk. In general it depends whether you go early in the season or later, and how high up you are. Take some insect repellent and you will be fine.
Mongolia
In July the mosquitoes and other bugs can be a bit annoying, but the reason they’re there is because of the profusion of wild flowers. As the weather cools off, the bugs decrease, but then so do the flowers.
A traditional Mongolian remedy is to burn small piles of dry horse dung around the camp - it works well. A traditional Kiwi remedy is to eat a lot of vegemite...
Kazakhstan
Even at the height of summer, the relatively high area where we ride, in the foothills of the Altai Mountains, is quite bug-free. So if you really do have a horror of biting things, this is a good option.
Sakha
The Siberian taiga is famously buggy, which is why we travel there late in the season, when the bug count goes right down.
Most of our trips are lead by our expert local guides who have been working with us for many years, wonderful cultural ambassadors such Jenya, Haldi, Amangul, and Anar. In the early days of Zavkhan Trekking we had foreign and local guides working side by side, learning together. Our local teams have now stepped up to running the show themselves.
If we are developing a new trip, John or Jen will work with the local team to help make sure the trip turns out roughly as expected. Sometimes we invite past riders back to help with new trips, and keep things running smoothly.
For all our trips, there is a secure lock-up at the first hotel where you can leave any items you don't think you will be needing. We encourage you to leave behind anything you don't really need.
It's not a bad idea to leave a set of clothes at the hotel to change in to after the trip, perhaps those you wore while flying internationally. That way you will have clean clothes for hitting the town on our final group dinner together.
We could write a book on the curse of tipping...so don't get us started. Let's just say we pay our local teams well, and they do not rely on tipping to supplement their income, in order to make a living. Tip if you would like to, as a way for you to say thanks to the team if you think they did an exceptional job, but most definitely do not feel like you must.
Any tips are pooled, so if you don't wish to tip, no one is any the wiser. We will advise you on a suitable amount, if you do choose to tip.