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 ₮33,000 per night (about $9 USD / €9 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 ₮33,000/night per bed — 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 are part of 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 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?

If your host can't take you — camp moved, family emergency, weather — we first try to move your deposit to a nearby available host for the same dates. If no nearby option works (or you decline the alternates), 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.

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

The 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. Listings show how to get there (own vehicle, public train/bus, private taxi, host pickup) with indicative prices where relevant. At checkout you can choose Arrange myself (free), paid public transport info or taxi matching when the host offers those modes, and optional host pickup when priced — not together with taxi matching. GerBnB sells information and matching, not carriage; taxi fares are approximate and paid to the driver.

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 — check the listing for toilet and shower; most camps use a separate outdoor toilet.
• Ideally, bring your own bedsheets or a sleeping bag, and dishware — laundry isn't easy on the steppe.
• An open attitude — you're staying in someone's home, not a hotel.
• Food for lunch and dinner — breakfast (and other meals) may be add-ons when the host offers them; some hosts don't cook. If you want a snack at night, the nearest shop is often far — pack what you need.

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. Lunch and dinner are also optional add-ons when the host offers them (chosen at booking). If the host doesn't offer those meals — some don't cook beyond what's listed — plan to bring your own food and cook it yourself; a fire stove and basic utensils are usually provided. Camps are remote: if you want a night snack, the nearest shop is often far.

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 through the host directly. Once you're at the camp, communication is simple — gestures, a phone translator, and a shared willingness to understand are usually enough.

When can I book, and how far in advance?

You can book more than 30 days ahead — that's fine. Keep in mind the host may move camp, so the pin and surroundings can change even when the same family and (usually) the same ger stay with you. If you book far out into a different season, expect some amenities and activities to be unavailable (for example a summer shower or cow milking). Peak summer still tends to run roughly 1 June – 30 September, but the calendar is not a hard booking cap.

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 booking 48 hours or more before check-in, the deposit is refunded in full. Within 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). If you book when check-in is already within 48 hours, the deposit is not refundable if the host can't approve in time or you cancel — the reservation page shows this warning before you pay.

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.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Standard check-in is from 15:00, and check-out is by 11:00 local time. Agree the exact time with the host in advance — the family may be out on the steppe or busy with household work.

Who meets guests at the camp?

Usually the host, their partner, or another family member. After greetings they show you the ger, help you settle, and answer practical questions. There is no hotel desk.

How cold is it at night in a ger?

Even in summer the steppe cools after sunset. Bring a windbreaker, a warm layer, long trousers, and socks. You will almost certainly want them in the evening or at night. Hosts usually help light the stove before sleep.

Can I join in household work?

Yes, if the hosts are free and it fits that day. You may be able to watch milking, herding, or other ordinary work. It depends on season, weather, and that household's timetable — ask; do not assume a programme.

What if I have allergies or special dietary needs?

Tell GerBnB before you travel. If you need specific foods, bring them. Breakfast is an optional add-on and is usually dairy from the household that morning, not a fixed menu.

Is there a toilet, shower, electricity, and internet in a Mongolian ger?

It depends on the household. Almost all camps have a toilet separate from the ger. Shower, electricity, and signal vary. Read the listing before you book. The longer answer is in toilet, shower, electricity, and internet in a Mongolian ger.

What am I paying for with public transport info or taxi matching?

Those are GerBnB service fees — a fixed amount for a public-transport how-to pack, or for coordinating a private-driver match. They are not the train, bus, or taxi ride fare, and GerBnB does not operate the vehicle. Listing taxi prices are indicative; you pay the driver. Optional host pickup is separate (cash to the host) and cannot be booked together with taxi matching. Details are in the Terms of Service (§4.6).

Is a ger the same as a yurt?

Yes. Ger is the Mongolian word for the round felt dwelling, and yurt is the name most English speakers use, borrowed from Turkic languages. A Mongolian ger has a lattice wall, roof poles that meet at a crown ring, layers of felt and a stove in the middle. We say ger because that is what our hosts call it.