Family-Friendly Educational Tours in Mongolia — Safe, Cultural, and Experiential Travel with GER to GER
30+ years of credibility
In late October 2025, GER to GER’s Founder, Mr. Zanjan Fromer, was Awarded the Presidential Polar Star of Mongolia – Highest State Honor, for 30+ years of extraordinary endeavors towards Mongolia’s social economic development / nation’s sovereign interests. *USA equivalent is the Presidential Medal of Freedom
GER to GER’s MAIN FOCUS AREAS
About GER to GER Experiences
Experience the heart of Mongolia with GER to GER, a trusted leader in authentic, ethical, and community-based adventure travel. For nearly two decades, we have connected travelers with Mongolia’s real nomadic families, creating meaningful journeys rooted in cultural respect, environmental sustainability, and responsible tourism.
Immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, rich nomadic heritage, and time-honored traditions—while directly supporting local rural communities. Whether you’re an adventure seeker ready to ride across vast steppes, trek through rugged terrains, or a family searching for a safe, enriching, and family-friendly travel experience, our immersive nomadic journeys offer:
- Authentic cultural activities led by local families
- Hands-on participation in daily nomadic life
- Ethical, community-based experiences that give back
- Safe, reliable logistics and experienced local guides
- Family-friendly, educational, and adventure-filled routes
As pioneers in sustainable tourism, GER to GER ensures that every experience supports rural livelihoods, preserves cultural heritage, and fosters meaningful cross-cultural understanding for students, families, and travelers of all ages.
Plan Your Mongolia Adventure with GER to GER Today!
“Join us for an unforgettable journey where adventure meets comfort, and every traveler—young or old—feels at home in the land of the eternal blue sky!”
Decades of Credibility: Honors, Recognitions & Media Features
GER to GER has been internationally recognized for excellence in adventure tourism, sustainable travel, and community-based development. Our work has been featured in global publications, award ceremonies, academic reports, and major television productions, earning us a reputation as one of Mongolia’s most respected travel innovators.
- Featured in National Geographic’s Best Travel Experiences Publication (shown below)
- National Geographic Society’s Power of Place Guide
- WHL/The Travel World Featured Article about GER to GER
- Extreme Travel’s Best Destinations
- Cultural Travel in Mongolia
- National Geographic Society Press Release – Innovative Travel Entrepreneurs Gathering
- Recommended in U.N. ESCAP Report (Page 17 — “Nomadic Tourism”)
- National Geographic Certificate of Excellence (shown below)
- The Amazing Race Australia — Mongolia Leg 5 (Location Management/Featured)
- The Amazing Race Australia — Mongolia Leg 6 (Location Management/Featured)
- The Amazing Race USA in Mongolia (Location Management/Featured)
- Featured in Lonely Planet Publication
- USA TODAY Recommends GER to GER (Gobi Desert)
- New York Magazine’s The Cut Features GER to GER
- Global Geotourism Listing — GER to GER (Mongolia)
- Horseback Riding at Khuvsgul Lake
- Solo Travel in Mongolia
- Ecotourism in Mongolia: Living the Nomad’s Life
- Petit Fute Recommended
- Ultimate Horseback Riding Vacation at Khuvsgul Lake
- Budget Travel in Mongolia — Backpacker’s Guide
- ExpatGo: Journey to Mongolia
- Verge Magazine — Eco-Friendly, Community-Focused Travel
Actively Confirming 2026 Tours & Itineraries
GER to GER operates within Mongolia’s real-world seasonal and logistical environment, which means different parts of our 2026 program confirm at different times. We believe in transparency and responsible planning—both for our travelers and for the communities we work with.
We are currently actively confirming our nomad-centered community experiences directly with herding families across Mongolia. These experiences are being updated and confirmed during December and January.
Nomadic Lifestyle & Community Experiences (2026):
Confirmed directly with nomadic families and updated during December–January.
Jeep Tours & Overland Expeditions (2026):
Final pricing and logistics depend on third-party suppliers—including ger camps, airlines, fuel providers,
and regional service partners—who typically confirm their seasonal rates around March to early April.
It is important to note that we could publish provisional prices now by adding a significant contingency margin. However, this would likely result in higher costs for travelers and does not reflect how we operate. Our priority is to offer fair, accurate, and best-value pricing, which requires waiting until suppliers release their confirmed 2026 rates.
In addition, Mongolia is currently experiencing fuel supply and pricing uncertainty. Because fuel directly affects long-distance Jeep travel, regional access, and expedition logistics, we are closely monitoring how this may influence availability, routing, and pricing for the 2026 season.
For this reason, we intentionally allow time to assess whether fuel-related costs stabilize, increase, or decrease before finalizing Jeep tour itineraries and prices. This approach helps ensure accuracy, fairness, and long-term sustainability for both travelers and local partners.
To support early planning, we keep our previous year’s itineraries published as a reference. These provide a clear overview of where we operate, the types of tours offered, and the style of travel you can expect.
Until an itinerary is explicitly marked “Confirmed for 2026”, please keep the following in mind:
- Prices may fluctuate once fuel, airline, and supplier rates are finalized.
- Specific services may adjust based on seasonal availability and logistics.
- Routes and timing may flex in response to real-world conditions such as weather, access, and supply chains.
We continuously update our website as soon as confirmations are received,
ensuring you have the most accurate and current information while respecting Mongolia’s unique operating environment.
Educational Tours for Schools & Youth Programs
GER to GER’s Educational Expeditions are designed for international schools seeking real-world learning,
cross-cultural competence, sustainability education, and unforgettable hands-on field experiences.
These programs are co-created with Mongolia’s nomadic families and local NGOs, ensuring authentic cultural exchange, responsible community engagement, and safe, well-coordinated learning experiences across Mongolia.
Our curated 2026 School Programs combine:
- Experiential learning & field-based knowledge
- Cultural anthropology & heritage studies
- Environmental science & climate awareness
- Leadership development & teamwork
- Digital storytelling (film, photography, interviews)
- Nomadic immersion & hands-on cultural experiences
- Soft adventure, navigation, and outdoor learning
- Community engagement and volunteer collaboration
Schools from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia, Germany, the UK, and beyond can tailor their itineraries using our modular experiential learning system, allowing seamless integration with academic goals and international curriculum requirements.
Tailor-Made Itineraries With Adaptive Learning Modules
Every school program is custom-designed in collaboration with teachers, administrators, and learning coordinators. GER to GER’s adaptive experiential modules allow educators to build the perfect combination of cultural, academic, environmental, and leadership-focused activities. These modules enrich the journey and ensure students experience Mongolia through meaningful, curriculum-aligned immersion.
Sample Cultural & Experiential Modules
- Traditional Mongolian archery workshop
- Folk dances, music, & throat singing demonstrations
- Morin Khuur (horse-head fiddle) & instrument lessons
- Nomadic arts & crafts sessions (felting, leather, wool)
- Calligraphy, painting, and traditional design classes
- Ger building & nomadic household participation
- Cooking cultural dishes with nomadic families
- Mini-concerts or cultural performances by local youth
- Film & photography masterclasses in the field
Community Engagement & NGO Collaboration
Beyond cultural immersion, GER to GER offers educational groups opportunities to contribute meaningfully to
Mongolia’s social, cultural, and environmental landscape through community-centered engagement. These programs strengthen global citizenship and help forge lasting friendships between Mongolian and international students.
Examples of Community Engagement Opportunities
- Collaborating with local NGOs on environmental or cultural projects
- Supporting rural and urban schools through exchange activities
- Cross-cultural friendship building with Mongolian student groups
- Participating in nomadic family livelihood activities
- Helping with community-based tourism cooperatives
- Youth-to-youth workshops on climate, culture, and global citizenship
These engagements are carefully coordinated to ensure respectful collaboration and mutual learning, reflecting GER to GER’s long-standing commitment to ethical tourism and rural development.
Sample Educational Themes for 2026
- Nomadic Civilization & Global Citizenship — culture, leadership, empathy-building
- Environmental Science & Climate Adaptation — steppe ecology, land use, pastoral systems
- Heritage Arts & Traditional Skills — music, dance, craftsmanship, storytelling
- Documentary Field Workshops — interviews, photography, travel filmmaking
- Adventure & Nature Exploration — hiking, camel riding, stargazing, geology walks
2026 Jeep Tours Update:
Final itinerary refinements and confirmed pricing for our 2026 Mongolia Jeep Expeditions will be released toward the end of March-beginning of April. This timing aligns with the March–April confirmation period when ger camps, airlines, fuel providers, and regional service partners finalize their 2026 operating costs. Until then, pricing and final routing details remain provisional.
You are welcome to review the itineraries below to understand where we operate, the regions covered, and the style of travel we offer. Our website will be updated continuously as soon as confirmed information becomes available.
4×4 Jeep Expeditions Across Mongolia
Explore Mongolia by 4×4 with Expert Local Guides
GER to GER’s Jeep adventures take you far beyond typical tourist trails — deep into nomadic territories, pristine landscapes, UNESCO cultural sites, and diverse ecosystems. Each expedition is designed with safety-first logistics, perfected through nearly 20 years of field operations nationwide.
Our Jeep Tours include:
- Professional, experienced rural drivers
- Safe & reliable 4×4 vehicles
- Local cultural expert guides
- Authentic nomadic homestays
- Flexible & photography-friendly itineraries
- Community-based experiences integrated into each route
2026 Featured Jeep Expeditions
Karakorum, Nomadic Heartlands & Tsenher Hot Springs (6 Days)
A cultural and natural immersion journey taking travelers from desert oases to the historic capital of the Mongol Empire. Horseback and camel riding excursions, sacred ovoo visits, nomadic homestays, Swan Lake, and rejuvenation at Tsenher Hot Springs.
- Karakorum & Erdenezuu Monastery
- Horse rides to Swan Lake & Mongol Desert Sand Dunes
- Nomadic family stays & cultural rituals
- Tsenher Hot Springs (82°C mineral waters)
Gobi Desert Marvels Expedition (6 Days)
A classic expedition following the legendary routes of explorers, paleontologists, and adventurers — from Tsagaan Suvraga’s cliff formations to Yol Valley’s ice canyon and the world-famous Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag).
- Tsagaan Suvraga & Ulaan Suvraga Cliffs
- Yol Valley & the Gobi Glacier
- Khongor Els Singing Sand Dunes
- Flaming Cliffs — dinosaur fossil site of Roy Chapman Andrews
Zavkhan: Desert Dunes to Otgontenger Sacred Peak (10 Days)
One of Mongolia’s most diverse Jeep expeditions — from Swan Lake and Elsen Tasarkhai dunes to Arkhangai’s forests, volcanic craters, Telmen Lake, Khar Lake, Senjit Khad, and the legendary Otgontenger Mountain.
- Mongol Els Sand Dunes & Swan Lake
- Tsenher Hot Springs, White Lake & Khorgo Volcano
- Khar Lake, Senjit Khad (natural arch), Muhart Oasis
- Uliastai & Otgontenger — spiritual mountain of Mongolia
Wildlife & Bird Habitats Jeep Expedition (5 Days)
A nature-focused expedition across Mongolia’s rich ecosystems — ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, photographers, and students of ecology.
- Gun Galuut Nature Reserve — rare wildlife & Argali habitat
- Khustai National Park — Przewalski’s wild horses (Takhi)
- Mongol Els Sand Dunes & Swan Lake horseback excursion
- Lake Ugii — Mongolia’s premier birdwatching site (150+ species)
Gobi Desert Oasis Expedition (13 Days)
A multi-regional odyssey through Mongolia’s greatest natural and cultural wonders: deserts, canyons, monasteries, sand dunes, oases, waterfalls, and nomadic homestays.
- Tsagaan Suvraga, Yol Valley & Khongor Sand Dunes
- Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) & Ongi Monastery Ruins
- Orkhon Waterfall & Tuvkhun Monastery (UNESCO site)
- Mongol Els camel riding + community-based cultural experiences
Crown Gems Expedition: Gobi Desert, Khuvsgul Lake & Amarbayasgalant Monastery (13 Days)
A spectacular cross-country Jeep tour for travelers seeking Mongolia’s ultimate highlights — desert dunes, volcanoes, sacred monasteries, lake regions, hot springs, and nomadic homestays.
- Mongol Els, Swan Lake & Khadagt Khoshuu Sacred Site
- Karakorum, Erdenezuu & ancient empire history
- Tsenher Hot Springs & Khorgo Volcano
- Khuvsgul Lake — Mongolia’s “Blue Pearl”
- Uran Volcano & Amarbayasgalant Monastery
Nomadic Community Experiences
Authentic, Ethical & Community-Based Journeys Across Mongolia
GER to GER has worked with nomadic families nationwide for nearly 20 years. Each journey is co-designed with local communities to ensure:
- Fair and transparent income distribution
- Cultural preservation and intergenerational knowledge sharing
- Environmental respect aligned with nomadic ecological ethics
- High standards of safety, coordination, and community involvement
Not a Tour – A Cultural Exchange
GER to GER homestays intentionally avoid rigid schedules. Your experience follows authentic nomadic life, shaped by weather, livestock needs, and family rhythms.
- No scripted itineraries – each day is real and unscripted (*online itineraries serve as guidance).
- Natural interactions – conversations and activities unfold organically (*real friendship building).
- Respectful participation – guests help where culturally appropriate.
In 2026, we introduce our expanded Nomadic Community Expeditions — deeper, more immersive, more resilient, and more educational than ever before. These experiences invite travelers, students, and partners to learn directly from Mongolia’s nomadic families in a respectful, community-centered way.
Community-Based 2026 Experience Options
Nomadic Lifestyle Immersion
- Live and travel alongside real herder families
- Learn about seasonal migrations and pastoral traditions
- Participate in daily activities: milking, herding, cooking, collecting fuel
- Play cultural games and explore the rhythm of nomadic life
Social Economic Development Opportunities
Our Story — Bridging Global Expertise With Nomadic Mongolia
GER to GER’s Social Economic Development initiatives are built on the combined strength of our founders’ international education, field expertise, and real-world development leadership. Together, we bring:
- 30+ years of hands-on rural development, humanitarian operations, and cross-cultural facilitation
- International academic credentials: Harvard Kennedy School (MPA), Oxford MSc Environmental Studies, Tourism Business Management (BA/MA)
- Extensive global experience across the USA, EU, UK, Korea, Taiwan, China, Mongolia, and Southeast Asia
- Proven results through collaborations with USAID, UN, World Bank, SDC, and global NGOs
- A 20-year nationwide nomadic community network established through GER to GER
- Award-winning innovations, including the Mongolian Presidential Polar Star (Highest State Honor eg in USA terms, The Presidential Medal of Freedom) and National Geographic GeoTourism distinctions — backed by networks of nomadic communities, highly capable guides and drivers, and strong public–private partnerships
Our combined international and local experience enables GER to GER to connect communities, technology, education, tourism, climate projects, private sector innovation, and global development partners under one unified mission:
To create sustainable, culturally respectful, environmentally responsible socio-economic progress throughout Mongolia.
GER to GER’s In-house Capacity
What We Do at GER to GER — Multi-Sector initiatives & Focus Areas
Our work spans multiple sectors but always remains grounded in community empowerment, cultural preservation, and global collaboration. GER to GER’s Social Economic Development pillar integrates all our platforms and programs into a unified ecosystem.
Awareness Development, Global Storytelling & International FILM/TV Production Support
terraPRO.media | terraPRO Media (YouTube) | terraPRO.marketing | Zanjan-Fromer.com (formerly Adventure-Studio.com)
We use multimedia storytelling, ethical content production, and international film/TV collaboration to raise global awareness about:
- Nomadic cultures and traditions
- Climate impacts on pastoralism
- Rural livelihood challenges
- Community-driven solutions
- Sustainable travel and cultural preservation
- As well as many other subject matters e.g. global multi-sector initiatives
GER to GER has supported filmmakers, travel channels, The Amazing Race USA, The Amazing Race Australia, NatGeo Museum (centerpiece film), international schools, and impact-driven content creators to amplify authentic Mongolian narratives.
Output: Public awareness → increased community visibility → funding → sustainable development.
AI for Good — Humanitarian & Multi-Sector Innovation
OmegaCodex.com | OmegaCompass.com
We develop socially responsible AI tools designed to:
- Assist rural communities through digital accessibility
- Support sustainable tourism, logistics, and safety systems
- Provide global educational resources
- Strengthen international cooperation and research
- Enhance development project design, monitoring, and outreach
By combining AI with real-world field experience, we build next-generation humanitarian tools that empower livelihoods, education, and rural resilience.
Environmental Impact & Climate Action
GER to GER collaborates with public and private sectors on:
- Net-zero awareness campaigns
- Sustainable land-use planning
- Pastoral climate adaptation strategies
- Environmental education for schools and communities
- Integrating nomadic ecological knowledge into global climate dialogues
- Supporting green finance, ESG initiatives, and sustainable tourism transitions
Here, “Net Zero” becomes a community-inclusive transition strategy, not just a policy term.
Community Engagement & Inclusive Development
Global Donor Agencies | Nomadic Networks | Tourism Partnerships
GER to GER fosters community engagement through:
- Donor-funded capacity-building programs
- Inclusive tourism development projects
- Rural entrepreneurship models
- Youth and women’s empowerment initiatives
- Transparent benefit-sharing frameworks
- Ethical tourism and cultural exchange partnerships
- UN, USAID, SDC, ADB, and World Bank-aligned social impact programming
Our 20-year grassroots nomadic networks make GER to GER a trusted partner for effective, on-the-ground implementation.
Why Partner with GER to GER?
Advantage 1 — Real Impact You Can See
GER to GER transforms funding and partnerships directly into improved livelihoods, training, cultural preservation, and environmental resilience.
Advantage 2 — Deep Local Access + International Standards
Few organizations offer our blend of:
- National community networks
- Senior academic credentials (Harvard, Oxford, etc.)
- Donor, NGO, and government collaboration experience
- Transparent, field-tested operational systems
Advantage 3 — Multi-Sector Integration
Partners gain access to an interconnected ecosystem:
- AI tools
- Educational programs
- Climate initiatives
- Community tourism
- Digital storytelling
- Donor engagement structures
Advantage 4 — Ethical, Sustainable, Scalable
All initiatives are aligned with:
- ESG principles
- UN SDGs
- Long-term sustainability frameworks
- Inclusive benefit-sharing
Advantage 5 — Leadership With Global Relevance
Our combined backgrounds (Harvard, Oxford, multinational field operations, national awards) give partners confidence that projects will be well-designed, culturally sensitive, and internationally credible.
Real Impact for Communities — Co-Created With Expertise
GER to GER is more than travel — it is a 20+ year social-economic development model grounded in high-level academic, field, and community experience.
Founders’ Background
- Multinational field experience (USA, EU, Korea, Taiwan, China, Mongolia)
- Harvard Kennedy School (MPA)
- Oxford MSc Environmental Studies
- Masters in Tourism Business Management
- 30 years of humanitarian & development leadership
- Awarded Mongolia’s Presidential Polar Star
- National Geographic GeoTourism Ambassador
- 20+ years USAID, UN, and donor collaboration experience
Development Partnership Opportunities
1. Community-Based Tourism Development
- Build sustainable tourism corridors
- Strengthen rural livelihoods
- Develop training programs for youth & women
2. Climate & Environmental Programs
- Pastoral land regeneration
- Climate adaptation for nomadic families
- Environmental education modules
3. Cultural Preservation Projects
- Safeguarding nomadic traditions
- Digital storytelling programs
- Heritage arts revitalization
4. Academic & Research Partnerships
- Field study support for universities
- Joint research on pastoralism
- Culture, history, and climate data collection
5. Strategic International Collaboration
Opportunities for organizations such as:
- World Bank
- UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO
- Asian Development Bank
- KOICA, JICA, GIZ, DFAT
- International schools & foundations
Call to Action — Let’s Build Mongolia’s Future Together
GER to GER invites:
- Development agencies
- International schools & universities
- Foundations & donors
- CSR programs
- Government partners
- Environmental organizations
- Media & film teams
…to collaborate on sustainable, educational, community-driven programs that uplift nomadic families and strengthen rural resilience.
Whether you seek to develop a new project, an educational expedition, a climate initiative, or an AI-driven solution — GER to GER provides the networks, expertise, creativity, and field experience to make it real.
*Online Operations: Since 2019, GER to GER has transparently announced its transition to a fully remote administration system (and is no longer located at the Arizona Office Building). This shift—initiated during the global COVID period and maintained due to its proven effectiveness—allows our teams, partners, and rural networks to operate more efficiently and sustainably. All bookings for our Jeep Tours and Nomadic Lifestyle Adventures are processed online, and our guides and drivers will meet you directly at your hotel or guesthouse (and/or at the airport if you have booked that service) on your scheduled trip start date. This remote model enhances safety, reduces overhead costs, strengthens rural income distribution, and ensures that a greater portion of tourism directly benefits nomadic families and local communities—supporting a wide range of social, cultural, and environmental initiatives.
Best Travel Experiences
TRUSTWORTHY GER to GER REVIEWS
“A truly Mongolian experience”
– Trip Advisor Review
“If you want to get an idea of what traditional life in Mongolia is like while also staying off the beaten track, this is the place to book a tour. I did a three day tour in the Middle Gobi region and a 6-day tour in Bulgan Province. I stayed in Mongolia near the end of April, which is a good time temperature-wise. Both tours greatly exceeded my expectations, as did the service provided by Ger To Ger…”
“…I thoroughly enjoyed staying with these people and want to thank Ger To Ger. These tours were the best combination of feeling safe (knowing you can always call them in case of emergency) and experiencing something real and unique. Definitely a highlight of my travels, you can’t miss this if you are visiting Mongolia!”
We had an unforgettable experience on the Mongol Els Sand Dunes & Orkhon Waterfall Jeep Tour with Ger to Ger. I try as much as possible to be an ethical and conscientious traveler, which is why I chose Ger to Ger. They are very mindful of the impact of tourism on local culture and work with herder families and local communities to ensure tourism benefits them directly.
Our guide, Yona and our driver Bayaraa were fantastic. They made our trips so fun and made us feel so comfortable and safe. They also shared so much about the history and culture of the areas we visited, very informative. We also laughed a lot! Our stays with the herder families were a highlight of our trip as well and Yona and Bayaraa helped to ensure there was good communication and connection. All the details of the trips were so well organized and taken care of. A big thank you to Fromer as well in the main office who helped us put the trip together and answered all our questions.
Thank you Ger to Ger!!
GER to GER CLIENT REVIEW – JUNE 21, 2019
Let me start off by saying that I’m glad I made this trip. This was what I wanted when I got to Mongolia. First I went on a tour with a guesthouse, which was fine, but it was a lot of driving around, seeing big sites and areas – but it wasn’t riding on horseback! Ger to Ger presents the opportunity of actually riding/trekking from and to each nomad family, -with- nomads. I loved it.
As a solo traveller, I was going alone. I didn’t speak the language, and neither did they speak English. While this provided ample opportunity to meditate on the gorgeous plains, hills and mountains surrounding us, I worried that I might get restless and bored when I couldn’t talk with anyone. But, as it turns out, Mongolian hospitality is extremely accommodating. They won’t stop feeding you and curiously peer over your items and try to talk to you until you go away. And this is another aspect of the nomad culture I really like: If you want to be left alone, you will be left alone. Family members come and go into the ger without greater fuss, and especially before and after meals. So it’s no big deal if you do the same.
I had the most fun when I was out with a nomad guide riding to the next ger. With a phrasebook and a bit of body language, you can get really far, in spite of much confusion and delayed comprehension on my part! I had fun trying to learn and memorize new words, especially with Mr. Byambaochar, who, with some success, drilled Mongolian Ger vocabulary into my brain. I was also glad that I got to ride my horse by myself, and not be towed by the nomad, or having to follow close in his heels. I even managed a bit of galloping at the end, when I was comfortable enough with the terrain.
The tour followed the itinerary on a broad scale and with the biggest sites, but it clearly got modulated. A few things went down differently, and I had a lot of other interesting experiences which wasn’t part of the itinerary.
For example, I saw a “Worship of the Fire” ritual with my second family, where two buddhist monks entered and commenced a lengthy ceremony with the gathered families, all of them gathering in the Ger I was supposed to sleep in! I was almost falling asleep during the ritual (Buddhist droning + a day of horseback riding = lullaby), much to the families’ amusement. I found it pretty hilarious as well – after I got that craved sleep, that is. One of the monks couldn’t keep up with the rituals and had a bit of trouble with his eye-veil, drum, and well, practically everything, which also caused no small amount of ill-concealed snickers and giggles. Truly, a unique and fun experience!
This wasn’t part of the itinerary, by the way. This was just something that ‘happened’ to occur as I got there. Very interesting!
So, all in all, a very nice trip, considerably cheaper than my first one, more physically challenging (which was what I wanted) and it’s giving back to the communities that guide you, to boot. I highly recommend this as a in-depth experience of Mongolian nomadic culture. And if you learn the language before-hand, or get some basic understanding of it, oh boy, you’re going to have a fun time
GER to GER CLIENT REVIEW – DECEMBER 2019
My thoughts on my Mongolian home stays organized through Ger to Ger.
First off, I must say this was one of the most unique, wonderful experiences I’ve had traveling. I spent 5 days/4 nights with four different families in the Terelj National Park area, and then traveled down to Dundgovi and spent 4 days/3 nights with three different families in that part of the Gobi Desert. In Terelj, I was a solo traveler, no one else was signed up for this trip, so I went alone.
During my days near Terelj, I crossed wide green valleys, and forded rushing rivers on horseback, climbed to hilltops and contemplated the vast quiet beauty of the country. I learned to make cheese, milked cows, and even got to bottle feed an adorable baby cashmere goat. I helped prepare meals, prep fresh cheese for drying, and churned yogurt. I played with some of the most darling, engaging children in the world, and practiced my Mongolian, which was laughable to start, but slowly improved with the help of my families and the wonderful guide and phrase book put together by the Ger to Ger staff. I felt so safe and well taken care of by my families, who were such gracious hosts, and so generous with all they had. My comfort was their upmost concern, and they could not stop feeding me! (That was the first phrase I mastered… “Bi tsat san” translation “I am full”). I had my own private ger (yurt) each night, all very comfortable. At night, after some amazing star gazing, I would lay on my bed writing in my journal and fall asleep listen to the rhythmic munching of cattle or horses as they moved about freely, grazing outside my ger.
In the Gobi region, I traveled by public bus, which was very comfortable, and then by jeep over a vast expanse of undulating semi-arid desert. Green with grass, as it had just rained a lot the week before. On this trip I had two other people traveling with me; a couple from Switzerland, who turned out to be just the most wonderful people and excellent traveling companions. We learned to milk goats, rode camels and horses, helped the boys bring in the goats for milking time, and in one of the homes helped prepare the meals and make cheese. We played with the children, tug of war and “Shagai” a game played with sheep ankle bones. (A fun game that can go on for hours…) One of our hosts took us for a hike into the rock formations of Baga Gazarin Chuluu where we climbed among the rocks, took in the views and explored a small cave.
Nothing on either trip was very physically strenuous, what is needed is great patience and flexibility. You needed to be able to “go with the flow” as they say… As Ger to Ger states in their trip descriptions, the home stays are not “guided tours”, the families are bringing you in as a guest, but they are not there to entertain you or take you around to “see the sights”. My main purpose of this trip was to spend time with nomadic Mongolian families. They are busy with their livestock mornings and evenings, times that I joined them and watched, or helped (I truly wasn’t much help milking – I did a little, they make it look so easy!) but I could haul buckets of milk to the ger and move stools and things like that. Between milking and meals I had a lot of free time to myself; I would go for walks, play with the children, write in my journal, or just sit outside and take it all in. It is a great place to go for contemplation.
Due to heavy rains and flooding, my trip itinerary changed mid-stream, the family I was with had to figure out how to get me to my next stop, plans totally changed, but it was exciting and fun. I just learned to roll with it, the great experiences come in not what was planned, but in the surprise twists – the unexpected. Stay flexible, surrender and you’ll enjoy yourself so much.
If you’re fussy about food and what you eat, this is not a trip for you. The nomadic fare is simple, and most tasted good, I grew to love the suutei tsai (milk tea) and drank the sweetest best goat milk in the world there. I still miss it months later. I think the Arruul (dried curds) are an acquired taste… they are hard, and can be sometimes very tangy! The summer food is mostly dairy, lots of milk, dried meats and rice or noodles. The only scant vegetables you’ll see is potato, carrot and onion. Yet as I said earlier, you will definitely never go hungry!
There are also formalities, protocols and customs within the ger that the Ger to Ger staff teach you about in a 2 hour “orientation” they give you before you go. I felt like the staff prepared me well for heading out alone. Respecting your hosts and their culture is of the upmost importance.
Lastly, the most challenging thing I found on the entire trip was the language. Like I said, Ger to Ger sent me out with a booklet loaded with information and a great phrase book (which all the families are familiar with) and as none of us spoke a common language, a lot of time was spent scanning the book looking for the right word or phrase for what I wanted to say or try to understand. And then trying to pronounce it correctly was another challenge! The Mongolians are not big “gesturers” (like Italians) so waving your arms or trying to gesture something most often resulted in blank stares from your host. It could get exhausting.
So that was a long review! If you’ve made it to the end here I will only say this: That a Ger to Ger trip with nomadic Mongolian families will be an adventure you will never forget. You will meet some of the most beautiful, enduring people you will ever meet, have unique adventures, and find that Mongolia and it’s people will hold a special place in your heart forever…
Oh – one last thing – if you’re a woman, make sure you bring a really good sports bra- the trotting gait of the Mongolian horse is very bouncy!
“For the last 8 years when someone asks me what my favorite country to travel to is, I always answer Mongolia. It won my heart a while ago when I went to the Gobi Desert for 2 weeks and spent time staying with and learning from local Ger families. The culture and the barren landscape was so extremely different from anything I had experienced at that point and I felt as if I had just come across this hidden gem…
Eight years later it’s not as ‘hidden’, but it is still a gem. And to get the most out of it I advise you to rough it and meet and stay with locals as opposed to luxury or semi luxury ger camps and fancy hotels…what fun is that? And it’s certainly not extreme travel!”
“How to go: I have utilized GER to GER on multiple trips I love them so much. It’s not easy travel, you are roughing it, but it is my authentic travel!”
SHERRY OTT – OTTS WORLD (FEMALE EXPLORER)
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