Mongolia – Mt Malchin

Experience Required

This trek is graded 2B

Mt Malchin is well-suited for trekkers who are new to multi-day high-altitude climbs above 4,000m, yet it still requires excellent physical conditioning. Expect to carry a 4–5kg day pack while trekking 4 to 8 hours a day for 6–7 consecutive days over varied and undulating mountain terrain.

Summit day is the most demanding, involving 9 to 10 hours of trekking. Expect sub-zero temperatures in the early morning, gradually warming to around 10–15°C by midday, depending on weather conditions. Although the climb takes place during the summer season, snowfall is still possible.

Throughout the journey, trekkers will experience the simplicity and charm of nomadic living, camping in remote valleys, moving with camel support, and immersing in the rhythms of Mongolia’s Kazakh and Tuvan herders who have lived off this rugged land for generations. This rustic style of travel adds to the adventure but also requires adaptability and comfort with basic facilities.

While the route is non-technical, good fitness, strong mental resilience, and an understanding of how altitude may affect you are essential for a safe and enjoyable ascent.

Equipment and Gear

Proper alpine trekking attire is essential for this expedition. Temperatures at base camp drop sharply, especially after sunset, so be sure to have warm layers such as a fleece and a down jacket. A waterproof and windproof outer shell is a must-have to protect you from strong winds, sudden weather changes, and potential snowfall during the trek.

A packing list will be provided to all our participants. Please refer to our Resource Centre page for information on the layering system and how to choose the right gear/equipment for your trek.

• Package fee is based on a group size of 8-12 people

Other group size package fee:
6-7 people: $4,650 (SGD) / person

For enquiry, send an email to us at [email protected].

Inclusions

• Return airport transfers in Ulaanbaatar (UB) / Ulgii
• Return domestic airfare UB-Ulgii-UB & airline taxes & fuel surcharge (maximum 15kg luggage allowance / pax)
• All land transfers as indicated in itinerary
• Meals as indicated in itinerary
• Boiled drinking water during trek
• Accommodation: Local 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar, and Ulgii (twin sharing); tent (twin sharing) during trek
• Camping equipment: Sleeping tent, Sleeping bag & mat, dining tent, toilet tent (communal)
• Trek support: Trekking guide(s), kitchen crew, and porterage services by camels
• Permits & fees: Conservation, National Park fees, trek permit
• Satellite phone for emergencies
• Visit to Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex

Exclusions

• International air tickets, airline taxes and fuel surcharge
• Excess luggage on domestic flight (if exceeding 15kg)
• Visa fee (if any)
• Single supplement (S$455 / hotel & tent)
• Meals not indicated in itinerary
• Beverages – meals in the city
• All tipping
• Personal porters
• Personal travel insurance (mandatory to cover travel agent insolvency and trekking up to 4500m)
• Personal expenses like shopping, laundry, etc.
• Personal travel & trekking gear – warm clothing, shoes, backpacks, sleeping bag/mat, etc
• Compensation for damaged or lost of personal items (eg: climbing/trekking gear and equipment, cameras and any valuable items, etc.)
• Emergency evacuation and medical expenses
• Any expenses including accommodation, meals & transfer outside the stipulated trek/climb itinerary – i.e. any person leaving the group for personal travel, illness/injury or any form of extension of stay

Pre-trip support:

1. Trip briefing and information kit
2. Gear list 
3. Complimentary group training sessions

Our Local Trek Operator

We carefully select and establish strong working relationship with our local trek operator to ensure safe participation by everyone.

Our local trekking guides have extensive experience in guiding treks in all regions in Mongolia, possess intimate knowledge of the local surroundings, conditions and culture. They carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergency purpose.

Visa

Holders of ordinary passports issued by the following countries do not need a visa to enter Mongolia as long as their trip does not last longer than the visa-free period listed below.

Citizens of the following countries can apply for a visa on arrival for 30 days validity: Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Arab Emirates.

All other nationals will need to apply for a visa at a Mongolian diplomatic mission in your country of residence.

For latest updates and details of visa application, please visit http://consul.mn/eng.

Money

Currency exchange services are available at hotels, banks and moneychangers in Ulaanbaatar. Banks and moneychangers accept most major currencies like USD, EUR and GBP. The most efficient and reliable moneychanger is at the State Department Store in Ulaanbaatar. Outside of the capital, banks and moneychangers are scarcer so make sure you carry enough cash.

Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in upmarket hotels, travel agencies and shops. They can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs of the major local banks with branches in Ulaanbaatar and the countryside.

Electricity

Mongolia’s electricity is 220V and 50HZ. The plugs used are the two narrow round pins Types C, E and/or F, which are commonly used in Europe.

Language

The official language, Mongolian, is spoken and understood throughout the country. Russian is the other major language used. However, other foreign languages, primarily English and Chinese, are becoming more popular especially in Ulaanbaatar.

Drinking Water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Buy bottled water to drink when in the city, or boil water in the hotel.

It is recommended that you bring a water purification method such as purifying tablets or a bottle with an inbuilt filter, as these are more environmentally friendly options than buying bottled water if you are not able to get boiled water, which is available at the camps during the treks/climb.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary except at restaurants in Ulaanbaatar, where waiters expect a tip, especially from tourists, or hotel bellhops.

We suggest tipping drivers as much as guides since with the distances and terrain involved in Mongolia, they often work as hard, if not harder than the guides.

General Etiquette / Culture

The ger is the home and a ‘sacred’ place to the Mongolians especially the nomads. It is a great experience to visit a family in their ger, and understanding and respecting their customs allow a more enriching experience.

Do’s & Don’ts in a Mongolia Ger

• When Mongolians arrive at a ger, they yell, “Catch your dog!”, or simply enter. This is because every ger is protected by one or more guard dogs. Do not approach to near a ger until the owners or your guide confirm the dogs are ok.
• Do not attempt to pet Mongolian herders’ dogs; they are not pets but guardians.
• Mongolians do not speak to each other across the threshold of the door, or stand on the threshold of the door.
• When you enter a ger, do not step on the threshold. Usually, guests move in a clockwise direction when entering a ger, first to the west and then north (ger doors always face south). The east side of the ger (on your right as you enter) is normally where the family will sit and the west side (on your left as you enter) is for guests. Food and cooking implements are stored on the right side, or women’s side of the ger, saddles, bridles, and things associated with men’s work on the left or men’s side.
• Do not walk between the central supports of a ger, or pass something between them to another person.
• Do not lean against the central supports of the ger, the walls, or the furniture.
• Sitting on the beds in the ger is not considered rude, these double as seats, sometimes even if someone is sleeping in them.
• Hats should always be placed with the open end down. A man’s hat and belt should never be placed on the floor, and should not touch other hats or belts.
• Do not whistle inside gers or any kind of building.
• Avoid standing up when drinking tea or other beverages.
• If food or other items are placed out when a group sits together, they become communal property. Cigarettes, for example, placed on a table belong to the group.
• Guests are often offered tea with milk and salt (depending on the region) in a bowl, and a plate with various cheeses and bread or cookies. Visitors are expected to take at least one small piece or a sip of what is offered to you.
• Do not throw any trash or litter into the fire. This is disrespectful to the fire. Put the trash into the fuel bin or the metal pan in front of the stove. It will be saved to start the next fire. ‘Trash’ is transformed into ‘fuel’ by this brief stop in the fuel bin.

Travel Safety Advice

With evolving world situations that may occur unexpectedly due to natural disasters, pandemics/epidemics, conflicts and unrests, it is best to read up and keep tabs on news and developments at your destination country and region before the trip. Check on the country’s official website and/or your own foreign ministry website for any travel advisory or safety precautions to be taken while abroad.

As with traveling in anywhere in the world, regardless of the local crime rate, stay vigilant and take care of personal safety. Good to read up on any possible exposure in the country prior to departure.

It is a good practice to register with your respective foreign ministry if there is such a service provided to citizens, to contact you in order to make sure that you are safe and, if need be, assist you should an emergency (e.g. natural disasters, civil unrest, etc.) occur when you are overseas.

For Singaporeans, this is the link to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ eRegister:
https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/eregisterportal/common/preLoginEregisterView.action.

Travel Insurance

It is highly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance(s), upon payment of your trip, to cover adverse situations that may occur while you are overseas or even before departure. Ensure that the coverage is suitable for your destination and the activities that you are participating in. Be familiar with the terms and conditions before purchasing and travelling abroad.

Travel Immunization Advice 

There is no compulsory vaccine to be taken to enter Mongolia. You should, however, be up to date on routine vaccinations, especially vaccines against water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (examples: hepatitis, typhoid and tuberculosis) while traveling to any destination. You are encouraged to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up, and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.

Recommended routine vaccinations for travellers in general:

For more information and professional advice on travel vaccinations, please consult your doctor or travel clinic.

For people residing in Singapore, you may visit The Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Clinic (THVC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital:

Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic
Address: Level 4, Clinic 4B, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Medical Centre
Contact number: 6357 2222
Website : https://www.ttsh.com.sg/Patients-and-Visitors/Medical-Services/Travellers-Health-and-Vaccination-Clinic/Pages/default.aspx.