Ger Stay in Mongolia: Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a ger stay in Mongolia cost?

A ger stay with a nomadic family in Mongolia typically starts around ₮40,000 per night (about $11 USD / €10.80 EUR). Pricing is set by each host and shown on every listing, so it varies stay to stay. As a rule, hosts price around three tiers: a family ger or a shared ger — both usually around ₮40,000/night — and a whole private ger at roughly ₮100,000/night (about $29 USD / €27 EUR). Breakfast is an optional host-priced add-on, chosen when you book.

What's the difference between a family ger, a shared ger, and a whole private ger?

It's a privacy choice, not a quality one — all three sit on the same working camp with the same family. A family ger means you're a guest inside the household's actual home: the most immersive and typically the cheapest way to experience nomadic life. A shared ger is a separate ger set up for guests, with your own bed — more privacy, at a similar price to the family ger. A whole ger is an entire ger reserved just for you or your group, fully private.

How does the deposit work, and how do I pay for the rest of my stay?

You pay a 10% deposit online when you book — that's the only online payment. The remaining balance, the actual cost of the stay, is paid directly to your host in cash (Mongolian tögrög) when you arrive. It's built this way on purpose: you commit only a small amount before you've reached the camp and confirmed your host is there for you. The deposit is refundable, as described in the next question.

What happens if my host can't host me, or I can't find the camp?

You get a full refund of your deposit. Every booking's exact location is reconfirmed with the host 48–72 hours before arrival, specifically to catch this before you're on the road. If the host can't host you for any reason — camp moved, family emergency, weather — the deposit comes back in full.

Can I pay with a foreign card, or only Mongolian payment methods?

The 10% deposit is paid on our secure Bonum checkout page. You can use QPay or Visa/Mastercard. Either way, you're only ever paying the small deposit online — the balance is cash, paid to your host at check-in.

How do I get to a nomadic camp when there's no street address?

That's normal — these are working camps on the open steppe, not street addresses. You'll get the exact location within 48–72 hours before arrival. In practice, the map pin and camp photos are usually enough to find your host without trouble. If you need help on the last leg, ask your host to meet you where the paved road ends and guide you the rest of the way.

Is it safe to stay with a nomadic family, and how do you vet hosts?

We personally check every stay before it goes live — for location reliability, cleanliness, water safety, genuine hospitality, and hazard handling. Camps that don't clear that bar aren't listed. We don't rely on star ratings, because there aren't enough hosts yet for them to mean anything. We're also upfront that this is remote rural travel: there's no on-site medical care and no travel insurance bundled with your booking, so treat it with the same care you would any backcountry trip.

What should I bring, and how should I pack for a ger stay?

• Cash (Mongolian tögrög) for the balance of your stay — there are no ATMs on the steppe.
• Warm layers, even in summer, since nights get cold.
• A headlamp or flashlight and a power bank — solar power is limited and shared.
• Basic toiletries — facilities are a simple outdoor latrine, not a shower.
• Ideally your own bedsheets and dishware — laundry isn't easy on the steppe.
• An open attitude — you're staying in someone's home, not a hotel.

Is breakfast included, and what about other meals?

Breakfast is an optional add-on, priced by the host and chosen when you book. What you get is normally dairy — milk, yoghurt, or whatever seasonal dairy the family has that morning — not a cooked hotel breakfast at a set hour, and not a fixed menu of milk tea and fried bread. For other meals, most hosts don't cook unless they've said otherwise — plan to bring your own food and cook it yourself, as a fire stove and basic utensils are usually provided.

I don't speak Mongolian — will I be able to communicate with my host?

Many hosts speak little or no English, so booking coordination, the pre-arrival location check, and any logistics questions are handled for you rather than going directly through the host. Once you're at the camp, communication is simple and mostly nonverbal — and that's part of the experience.

When can I book, and how far in advance?

Summer season runs 1 July – 30 September. You can book up to 30 days ahead of your stay within that window — bookings aren't taken further out, since camps and conditions can change and every confirmed booking should be reliable.

Is there a cancellation fee if I change my mind?

If the interruption is on the host's side, you're always refunded in full (see above). If you cancel your own plans 48 hours or more before check-in, the deposit is refunded in full. Inside that window, or if you don't show up, the deposit is not refunded. Cancel from your account — details are in the Terms of Service (§7).

Are the gers really mobile and nomadic?

Yes — as a rule we work only with real nomadic families. We work closely with herders to keep our map up to date as camps move with the seasons. Keeping an accurate map of moving camps is challenging, but it's central to what we do, and we're proud of it.