Responsible Travel in Mongolia

The most direct way to travel responsibly here is to make sure your money reaches the families who host you. Wherever possible we work with herder households, locally owned ger camps and regional guides rather than distant operators, so that fees, accommodation and meals support people in the communities you visit.

Buying handmade felt, wool and dairy products directly from families, tipping fairly, and choosing local restaurants in towns such as Kharkhorin or Ölgii keeps value circulating where it is most needed. Small choices add up to a meaningful difference for rural livelihoods.

Steppe grasses and Gobi soils are slow to recover, and a single set of tyre tracks across virgin grassland can scar the surface for years. We stick to existing tracks, camp on durable ground already used by herders, and never cut new routes for a shortcut or a photo.

Please carry out everything you carry in, including organic scraps and cigarette ends, and leave campsites cleaner than you found them. In a land with almost no waste infrastructure, what you pack out is what protects the view for the next traveller and the next herd.

Mongolia is home to argali sheep, ibex, gazelle, cranes and, in remote ranges, the snow leopard. Keep a generous distance, never feed or chase animals, and use binoculars or a long lens rather than approaching for a closer shot. Quiet, patient watching is both more ethical and more rewarding.

Ovoo (sacred stone cairns) and mountain passes hold deep spiritual meaning. Walk clockwise around an ovoo if you wish to take part, add a stone rather than removing one, and ask before photographing ceremonies, monks or monasteries such as Erdene Zuu.

Fresh water is precious across much of Mongolia, especially in the Gobi. Use it sparingly, wash well away from rivers, springs and Khövsgöl's shoreline, and choose biodegradable soap. Never pollute a water source, as a single stream may serve both families and their animals for miles around.

We minimise single-use plastic by encouraging reusable bottles and filtration, and we separate and carry out waste to be disposed of properly in larger towns. Reducing what we bring in is always better than managing what is left behind.

Horses, camels and yaks are working partners in nomadic life, not props. On riding days we keep group sizes and distances reasonable, match riders to suitable animals, and follow the lead of experienced herders who know each animal's temperament and limits.

We avoid any activity that stresses or exploits animals for entertainment. If a horse or camel is tired, unwell or unwilling, we rest it, because the wellbeing of the herd is central to the herders' way of life and to a good experience for you.

A warm welcome into a ger comes with gentle customs worth knowing. Enter on the correct side, accept tea or dairy with your right hand, avoid stepping on the threshold, and never point your feet at the hearth or the family altar. A small gift for the household is always appreciated.

Learn a few words of Mongolian, ask before taking portraits, and dress modestly when visiting monasteries or attending events such as Naadam (11-13 July) or Tsagaan Sar. Curiosity offered with respect opens doors that a camera alone never will.