Packing the right gear (and the right amounts) is the first step to an incredible travel experience.
Follow these tips to pack like a pro:
Travel light. Pack only the essentials. You’ll need less than you think!
Bring the right clothes. Pack clothes that are culturally appropriate for your destination and acceptable for service projects. This means not packing shorts, which are not appropriate for Mongolia, bringing weather appropriate clothes, and appropriate footwear.
Leave your valuables behind. While traveling, it’s easier for things to get lost, stolen, or damaged. Keep any prized possessions safe at home.
Check with TSA. Make sure your luggage complies with TSA regulations, especially your carry-on.
Useful tip: Pack an empty water bottle and fill it up after security.
Carry-On
- A school backpack or similar sized bag is ideal.
-
Passport
- Photocopy of passport
- Wallet/money
- Book and/or journal
- Pen
- Phone
- Camera
- Chargers
- Ear plugs
- Change of clothes
-
Water bottle
- Medication
- Additional community service forms
- Outlet power converter
- Consent to Travel form
- Yola emergency contacts
- Copy of flight information
Checked Luggage
A 50-70 Liter duffel bag or backpack is ideal.
Clothes
-
Non-cotton socks (4-6)
- Underwear (10-12)
- Bras (3-4) (athletic-style recommended)
- Non-cotton base layers/long underwear
- Pants/capris (2-4)
- Jeans (1)
- Long shorts (zip-off pants are recommended)
- T-shirts (3-5)
- Long sleeved shirt (1-2)
- Fleece sweater
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit (one-piece recommended)
- Quick-dry towel
- Rain jacket
-
Waterproof pants (should fit over other pants)
- Heavy fleece jacket
- Micro puff down jacket (rated for cold temperatures)
- Soft shell jacket
- Strappy sandals (like Tevas or Chacos)
- Sneakers
- Hiking boots
- Sunglasses
-
Hat (one for sun and one for warmth)
- Gloves
Toiletries
Travel size bottles in Ziploc bags including Shampoo, Conditioner, Body wash, Face wash, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Sunscreen, Lip balm with sunscreen, Bug spray, Feminine hygiene products, Contacts Contact solution, Foam earplugs, Personal med kit, Deodorant, Hand Sanitizer, Wet wipes, Small packs of tissues, Razor / shaving cream.
Optional
-
Gifts for host family
- Portable games (Bananagrams, cards, etc)
Mongolia is quite a conservative country in dress. Students will be expected to keep their shoulders and knees covered during the entire trip.
Gifts for your host families – something simple like a T-shirt or small souvenir from home, a few pieces of candy for the family’s children, a coloring book/crayons, etc.
Note on footwear: Deep-tread footwear, like hiking boots, are not advisable for horseback riding. Be sure to bring a pair of sneakers with a shallower tread, which make it easier to insert and remove your feet from stirrups. Riding boots are not necessary.
Electricity is scarce for a large part of this program. You might consider bringing a personal solar charger for camera batteries.