Setting expectations
Facilities in the Mongolian countryside are much simpler than most visitors are used to at home. That is not a complaint, just a fact worth knowing in advance, since the most common surprise on a first rural trip is the bathroom situation. With some preparation and a sense of humor, it is manageable, and it becomes a minor part of the experience. Standards vary widely from one camp to another and change over time, so this is a general guide.
Toilets in camps and family gers
At many tourist ger camps, toilets are in a separate building at some distance from the gers. They may be:
- Pit toilets, often a wooden structure over a deep hole with a seat or a squat opening.
- Flush toilets in a block, at better-equipped camps, sometimes with limited water supply.
- Chemical or composting types at a few places that try to limit environmental impact.
Pit toilets can be basic, smelly in hot weather and not always well lit. Bring a flashlight or headlamp for the night, and keep it by your bed. Toilet paper is not always provided, so carry your own, and be prepared to put used paper in a bin if one is provided rather than flushing it, since plumbing and pit systems cannot handle much. Look for signs or ask your guide.
At a herder family’s home, the toilet is usually an outhouse or simply a spot at a distance from the ger. Families make do with what they have, and a guest should follow whatever they point out. Privacy can be limited. If you stay with a family, it is polite to ask politely where to go. For context, the nomadic life of the herders means many things are shared, and water is carried by hand, as described in the article on daily chores.
Going in open country
On long drives across open steppe, there may be no building for hours. Drivers will normally stop at a convenient point, and everyone finds a spot. Some practical and considerate habits:
- Walk well away from water sources, rivers, lakes and springs, so you do not contaminate them.
- Stay away from ger households, grazing animals and graves or sacred places.
- Pack out used paper and wipes in a small bag instead of leaving them, in line with Leave No Trace principles.
- Carry a small trowel if you are camping and dig a hole in suitable ground, covering it afterward, as guidance on remote camping advises.
- The steppe has few natural screens, so ask your guide or driver how the group usually handles stops, and be discreet.
Showers and washing
Showers vary a lot. Better ger camps often have a shower block with hot water at certain hours, perhaps heated by a stove or solar system, and quality ranges from comfortable to lukewarm and brief. Lesser camps have none. Hot water can be limited, so showering at the right time or sharing the supply helps. At a family stay, there is usually no shower at all; people wash with a basin and water heated on the stove.
Realistically, on a longer rural trip you may go several days without a full shower. Many travelers manage with:
- Wet wipes for the face, hands and body.
- A small quick-drying towel.
- A basin wash, using a little warm water.
- Dry shampoo or a hat for hair.
- Hand sanitizer and a bar of soap or biodegradable soap.
When you do wash outdoors, use only biodegradable products and keep soap and wastewater away from streams and lakes. In cold seasons, washing may be much less pleasant, and the Mongolian winter and shoulder seasons call for warm layers even indoors.
Towns and bathhouses
In towns, hotels and guesthouses commonly have regular showers, although hot water in some buildings depends on a central system that may be shut off for maintenance. Public bathhouses exist in places, but they are not designed with tourists in mind and conditions vary. Ask your accommodation about options.
Women, privacy and comfort
Many travelers appreciate extra preparation: sanitary products may be hard to find in the countryside, so bring enough from home and a way to dispose of them. People who need privacy for health reasons should discuss this with their guide in advance. Anyone with mobility limits should ask whether the facilities involve steps or long walks in the dark.
What to pack
- A headlamp or flashlight.
- Toilet paper and small trash bags.
- Hand sanitizer and wipes.
- A small towel and biodegradable soap.
- Slip-on shoes for night trips to the toilet.
- A lightweight rain layer and warm jacket for nighttime outings.
Seeing these as routine rather than a problem makes the steppe easier to enjoy. For more equipment ideas, see the packing list, and for hygiene and eating advice, see the other articles in this section. A sense of proportion helps: a few days of simple facilities is a small price for the open sky.