Packing Guidance for Mongolia

In general, most items you will need are available in country and locally acquired items are often the best at helping you integrate into your community. However, locally available items may not be the brands, quality, prices, or sizes you are used to. Bringing some key items from home might make your transition to service more comfortable.

This guidance has been compiled by Peace Corps staff and Volunteers and is based on their experience. Use this information as an informal guide as you make your own packing list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. There is no perfect packing list!

This packing guidance is designed to help you think through different categories of items and consider what you might want to bring, considering work expectations, cultural considerations, and your own personal preferences.

Mongolia contains many beautiful mountain ranges, vast steppes, and extensive desert areas. The country is located at a high altitude and often has little precipitation throughout the year. For these reasons, the country has extreme weather events and is often on the drier side no matter the region. However, in recent years, flooding has occurred in some areas during the summer.

“The land of eternal blue sky” has four distinct seasons and about 250 days of sunshine annually. Some days it seems that one experiences all four seasons at once. Weather conditions during each season can vary slightly depending on the region.

Winter lasts from November to February. Temperatures drop steadily over the course of the four months.

-40 °F temperatures or lower are not uncommon in many parts of the country during this time. Days and nights are cold and dry except in northern aimags (provinces). These areas have more snow than other regions and more humidity in the air. Snowstorms are not uncommon in many regions of the country during winter months.

Spring starts in March and ends in May. Temperatures begin to settle into the positive range more consistently, but days are still cold and the nights colder still. Sandstorms from the Gobi Desert are common during this time, and strong winds may bring desert sands into other parts of the country.

Summer lasts from June to August. The days and nights are warm, comfortable, and generally pleasant in most areas of the country.

Fall occurs from September to October. Temperatures begin to drop slowly from summer highs and more rain usually falls in many parts of the country as the seasons begin to change. The days and evenings are cool to cold but pleasant.

Peace Corps posts provide Trainees and Volunteers with some essential items. Peace Corps/Mongolia supplies the following items: sleeping bag, air filter, water filter, fire extinguisher, an extension cord, and a SIM card.

Peace Corps/Mongolia also provides a modest settling-in allowance for Volunteers to buy other items they will need.

Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take:

• Pets
• Weapons
• Explosives
• Radio transmitters (shortwave radios are permitted)
• Drones
• Automobiles or motorcycles
• Flammable materials or liquids such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers
• Valuables such as precious jewelry or family heirlooms

Drugs

Do not bring any drug that has not been authorized by the Peace Corps for medical purposes without prior consultation with Office of Health Services Pre-Service. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Illicit drugs, including marijuana and related products such as CBD and herbal substances such as kratom, are prohibited during Peace Corps service, even if they are legal in your home of residence. If you use, possess, or distribute illicit drugs, you will be administratively separated from service.

The list of suggested clothing items is grouped into three categories: general, work, and leisure. Mongolia offers many professional and personal opportunities, and as such, this list can help you prepare.

General clothing

Please note that many of these items are available in Mongolia, but larger sizes are harder to find.

• One set (tops and bottoms) of mid-weight long underwear
• One set (tops and bottoms) of heavy-weight long underwear
• Winter coat or parka - available in Mongolia, but most jackets are polyester. Down-filled jackets are harder to find.
• Fall and spring coat or parka
• Gloves or mittens
• Scarf
• Stocking cap or beanie
• 3-4 pairs of wool socks
• 3-4 pairs of cotton socks
• Sun hats
• Sunglasses
• Underwear and undergarments (larger sizes are difficult to find and the quality of items may not be what you are used to)

Work clothing

Please note that many of these items are available in Mongolia, but larger sizes are harder to find.

• 2-3 professional shirts for work, including one for summer
• 2-3 professional sweaters for work
• 2-3 pairs of nice pants for work, one lightweight
• One formal outfit, such as a suit or dress

Note: Professionals are not expected to wear a different outfit every day but should ensure their clothing is clean and pressed.

Leisure and recreation clothing

Please note that many of these items are available in Mongolia, but larger sizes are harder to find.

• 1-2 pullover sweaters
• 2 pairs of jeans (available in Mongolia, unless you are very tall)
• 5-6 of your favorite T-shirts
• Sweatpants and sweatshirts
• 2 pairs of shorts (essential for summer and playing sports)
• One semi-formal piece of clothing for parties, such as a dress

Note: Sports are a popular pastime in Mongolia. It’s common for teachers to have a weekly sports night. Additionally, for holidays such as Christmas or New Year’s, there are often parties or celebrations where you may be expected to dress up. For national holidays, such as Tsagaan Sar and Naadam, deels (the traditional Mongolian dress) are commonly worn.

• Winter boots
• Hiking boots (not necessary, but there are many opportunities to hike here)
• Sneakers
• Sandals (outdoor flip-flops are not available in Mongolia)
• Dress shoes

Note: Please note that many of these items are available in Mongolia, but shoes larger than a U.S. men’s size 10 and women’s size 8 are difficult to find in Mongolia.

You should bring a 3-month supply of any prescription and/or over the counter medications you use that are authorized/approved by the Peace Corps.

Prior to service, Peace Corps supplies all Volunteers with a medical kit containing basic over-the-counter medications as well as multivitamins.

The medical unit will replenish prescriptions after the initial 3-month training.

If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs (of the current prescription) with you. Contact lens use will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additional guidance: Medical Care During Service

Volunteers who have brought smartphones, laptops, or tablets have found them useful. For book lovers, Kindles are highly recommended.

Many different types of electronics at various levels of quality and price points are found at shops and stores throughout the country. Larger cities usually have a wider selection of items. Availability of items varies throughout the year.

Based on your interests and personal preferences there may be additional items you will want to consider packing. Below is a description of the common activities Volunteers engage in and what different Volunteers have said they enjoy having that might be more difficult to find in-country. Note that these items are not required or even recommended but might be nice to have.

Miscellaneous

• 220-volt converter (essential if you bring American appliances)
• Power bank
• Camera
• Flashlight
• Playing cards and board games
• Music
• Camping gear
• Fishing gear
• Backpack
• Flash drive
• HDMI cord
• If you plan to travel to other countries for vacation, you may want to bring extra money to suit your travel plans although credit cards are preferable to cash. There are ATMs in larger cities and most towns.
• Small gifts for host family and friends are not required but some Volunteers like to present tokens such as knickknacks for the house; pictures, books, or calendars of American scenes; souvenirs from your area; or hard candies that will not melt or spoil; photos to give away.

Care package items

These are useful items your friends and family may consider sending:

• Hand and foot warmers (i.e., the charcoal kind that are activated when exposed to air)
• Your favorite magazines (can be used as an English teaching resource once read)
• Printed or audio children’s books
• Portable French press coffee maker

Kitchen

• Leatherman or Swiss army knife
• Sturdy water bottle
• Cooking spices (some are available in Mongolia, but there’s a limited selection)