Pre-DepartureInformation

INTHEREALMOFGENGHISKHAN

TableofContents

TRAVELINFORMATION PassportVisasMoneyTippingSpecialDietsCommunicationsElectricity

MEDICALINFORMATION InoculationsStayingHealthyMedicalEvacuation

HELPFULINFORMATION PhotographyBeingaConsiderateTravelerFoodBackgroundInformation

PACKINGLIST TheEssentialsWTGearStoreLuggageWeightLimitsNotesonClothingLayersClothingEquipmentPersonalFirstAidSuppliesOptionalItems

READINGLIST EssentialReadingAlsoRecommended

RemindersBeforeYouGo

WELCOME!

We’redelightedtowelcomeyouonthisadventure!Thisbookletisdesignedtoguideyouinthepracticaldetailsforpreparingforyourtrip.Asyouread,ifanyquestionscometomind,feelfreetogiveusacallorsendusanemail—we’reheretohelp.

PLEASESENDUS

TripApplication:Complete,sign,andreturnyourTripApplicationformassoonaspossibleifyouhavenotalreadydoneso.MedicalForm:Complete,sign,andreturnyourMedicalFormassoonaspossibleifyouhavenotalreadydoneso.AirSchedule:Pleaseforwardacopyofyouremailconfirmation,whichshowsyourexactflightarrivalanddeparturetimes.RefertotheArrival&DeparturesectionoftheDetailedItineraryforinstructions.PleasereviewyourproposedschedulewithWildernessTravelbeforepurchasingyourtickets.PassportPhotocopy:Scan*aCOLORcopyofyourpassportphotopageandemailittousasaJPGorPDFattachment,orsendusahighqualityphotocopybymail(immediatelyuponreservingyourtrip).VaccinationCard:PleasesendusaphotoorscannedcopyofyourcompletedCovid-19VaccinationCardifyouhavenotalreadydoneso.Justthefrontsideofthecardissufficient.

*Ifyouarescanningdocumentstoemail,wesuggestamaximumresolutionof300dpi.

PLEASECAREFULLYREVIEW

TravelDocuments&MedicalInformation: CarefullyreviewtheTravelDocumentsandMedicalInformationsectionsofthisbooklettofamiliarizeyourselfwithPassportandVisaentryrequirementsforyourdestination,aswellasanyrecommendedinoculations.OptionalTravelInsurance: ReviewtheTripCancellation&TransferFeeScheduleincludedintheDetailedItinerary.WerecommendthatalltripmemberspurchaseTravelInsurance.ExtraServices:RequestanyExtraServices(hotelnights,transfers,extensions)withyourWTofficecontactusingtheExtraServicesRequestFormsentwithyourconfirmationpacket.FinalDocuments:Approximatelythreeweeksbeforeyourtrip,wewillsendyoufinaldeparturedocuments,includinghotelandlocalcontactinformationandrendezvousinstructions.

QUESTIONS?

Call:1-800-368-2794,gotoourwebsiteore-mailusat:info@wildernesstravel.com.

TravelInformation

PASSPORT

Avalidpassportisrequiredforyourtrip.Besuretochecktheexpirationdate.YourpassportmustbevalidforsixmonthsafteryourdateofexitfromMongolia.Inaddition,werecommendyourpassporthaveatleasttwocompletelyblankvisapagesforeverycountryyouwillbevisiting.Itisveryimportantthattheblankpagessay“Visas”atthetop.Thelastfewpagesofyourpassport,whichsay“AmendmentsandEndorsements,”andthefinalpageofyourpassport,whichmaynothaveapagenumber,arenotconsideredtobelegitimatevisapages.TheserviceofaddingpagesforvisaswasdiscontinuedasofJanuary1,2016.YoucanrequestanewpassportthroughUSPassportServicesOfficeoruseavisaserviceagency,whichcantakecareofyourpassportrenewalandexpeditetheprocess,ifneeded.WerecommendPassportVisasExpress.Besuretoallowsufficienttimetoacquirethisbeforeyourtrip.

Itisagoodideatocarryphotocopiesofyourpassport’sphotopageandanyacquiredvisapagesforyourtrip(ifapplicable)incaseyourpassportislostorasanadditionalpieceofidentification,aswellastwoextrapassportphotos.

VISAS

UScitizensdonotneedavisaforMongolia.

IfyouareaUScitizentravelingto/fromMongoliaviaSeoul,youdonotneedavisafortransitinKorea.

IfyouareUScitizentravelingto/fromMongoliaviathefollowingcities/airportinChina,youdonotneedtoobtainavisaforChinapriortoarrivalifyoustaylessthan72hoursandholdanairticketshowingyourconnectingflightinformation(withaconfirmeddeparturedateandseatnumber):Beijing(PEK),Shanghai(PVG),Guangzhou(CAN),Chengdu(CTU),ChongqingJiangbei(CKG),ShenyangTaoxian(SHE),DalianZhoushuizi(DLC),Xi'an(XIY),Hangzhou(HGH),Guilin(KWL),andKunming(KMG).

YouwillnotbeallowedtotraveltoothercitiesorprovinceswithinChina.

IfyouwouldliketospendextratimeinChina(morethan72hours)oryouareflyingviaaChinesecityotherthanBeijingorShanghai,youmustobtainaChinavisapriortoyourarrival.YoucanobtainavisadirectlyfromtheChineseconsulateoryoumaycontactourrecommendedpassportandvisaprocessingservice,PassportVisasExpress(PVE).PVEcanalsobereachedbyphoneat888-596-6028.LetthemknowyouarebookedonaWildernessTraveltrip.IfyouareacitizenofanycountryotherthantheUS,checkwithalocalconsulateforentryrequirements.

MONEY

CashintheformofUSdollarsisacceptedinmostplaces,alongwithMongoliancurrency,theMongoliantugrik(MNT).

WerecommendthatyoubringsmalldenominationsofUSbills($1s,$5s,$10s),inadditiontosomelargerbills($20s),andmakesurethattheyarecrispnewbills(oldbillsareoftennotaccepted,especiallythosethatarerippedortorn).

ATMmachinesareavailableinUlaanbaatartowithdrawtugrik.TouseanATMinternationally,youmusthaveafour-digitPIN.CreditcardsareacceptedatstoresinUlaanbaatar,andarebecomingmorewidelyacceptedoutsidethecapital,butitisbesttohavecashwithyou.Ifyouplantouseyourcreditcards,informyourcreditcardcompanybeforeyourdeparturethatyouwillbeusingthecardabroad.Traveler’schecksarenotrecommendedastheycanbedifficultandtime-consumingtocash.PersonalchecksarenotacceptedanywhereinMongolia.

Youwillneedtobudgetspendingmoneyforgratuities,foranymealsnotincludedinthetripitinerary,andforpersonalitemssuchassnacks,phonecalls,etc.

TIPPING

Tippingiscompletelydiscretionary,butovertheyears,clientshaveaskedusfortippingguidelinestorewardguidesforoutstandingservice.

Arangeofreferencewouldbe$150–$200fortheTripLeader,$75-$100pertripmemberforlocaldrivers,and$10perperson,pernightforthegercampstaff(duringthenightsyouareatthegercamps).Thereisusuallyamaingratuityboxatthegercampswhereyoucanputthesetips.OryoucangivethegratuitiestoyourTripLeaderandtheywillmakesurethatthegerstaffreceivesit.

YourTripLeaderwilltakecareofgratuitiesforrestaurants,luggageporters,andotherlocalguidesthatarewithusforashorttime.

SPECIALDIETS

Pleasereachouttousdirectlytodiscussanydietaryrestrictionsorconcernsyoumayhave.Wecaneasilymakearrangementsformostdiets,butpleasekeepinmindthatcertainculturaldifferencesorlogisticallimitationscanmakeitdifficultorattimesimpossibletoaccommodateallrequests.Withthisinmind,pleaseinformusatleasteightweeksbeforeyourtripifyouhaveaspecialdiet,andanyfoodallergiesinparticular,sowecandoourbesttomeetyourneeds.

COMMUNICATIONS

TelephoneTheinternationaldialingcodeforMongoliais+976.Pleasecontactyourcellphonecompanyforspecificinstructionsforinternationaluse.

Email&InternetAccess InternetaccessisavailableatourUlaanbaatarhotel(thismaycomeatanadditionalcharge),butwillbeunreliableornotavailableoutsideofthecity.

ELECTRICITY

Mongoliahas220-voltcurrent.Bringaconverterandplugadapterkitforapplianceuse.Thegercampshaveelectricityforchargingappliances.

MedicalInformation

Thefollowingrecommendationsshouldbeusedasaguidelineonly;consultyourphysicianformedicaladvice.ItisvitalthatyouletWildernessTravelknowofanymedicalproblems,allergies,orphysicallimitationsyoumayhave.Pleasefilloutandreturnthepersonalmedicalquestionnaire,andfeelfreetoconsultusifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourabilitytoundertakethisparticulartrip.

WildernessTravelisnotamedicalfacilityandhasnoexpertiseorresponsibilityregardingwhatmedicationsorinoculationsyouandyourphysiciandecidearenecessaryforyoursafeparticipationinthetrip.

Traveler'shealthinformationisavailablefromtheCentersforDiseaseControl.MedicaltravelproductsareavailablefromTravelHealthMedicineandfromMagellan'sTravelSupplies.

INOCULATIONS

Entryrequirementsaresubjecttochange;checkwiththeCentersforDiseaseControlforupdates.AllshotsshouldbeenteredonyourInternationalHealthCard(yellowcard),whichisprovidedbythefacilitygivingtheshots.Keepitwithyourpassportwhiletraveling.Thisprovidesanimportantpersonalrecordforyoutorefertowhenmakingfuturetravelplans.Werecommendyoudiscussthefollowingwithyourphysician:

PolioPeoplewhohavereceivedtheprimaryseriesofatleastthreedosesofpoliovaccineareconsideredfullyimmunized.Peoplewhoareunsureoftheirstatusshouldreceivethevaccine(threedosesspacedatintervals).

HepatitisThevaccinesHAVRIXandVAQTA(twoinjections,sixto18monthsapart)givelong-termprotectionagainstHepatitisAandareworthwhileifyoutravelregularlytodevelopingcountries.

TetanusBoosterAboosterisstronglyrecommended(effectivefor10years).

TyphoidTheCDCrecommendstheshotortheoralvaccine,VivotifBerna.

STAYINGHEALTHY

Treateddrinkingwaterisprovidedatcamp.Inhotels,don’tbrushyourteethwithtapwater;usebottledwater.Don’tuseiceinyourdrinksunlessyouaresureitwasmadewithtreatedwater.Whenindoubt,askyourTripLeaderforguidelines.

MEDICALEVACUATION

MedicalservicesarenotreadilyavailableinMongolia.Intheeventofanillnessrequiringevacuation,therearerisksinvolvedandevacuationmaytakeseveraldays.TripmembersrequiringevacuationareresponsibleforpaymentofallevacuationcostsdirectlytoouragentinMongolia.Acceptableformsofpaymentarecashorcreditcards.Ifyouuseyourcreditcard,beawarethataservicechargewillbeassessedinadditiontotheactualcostoftheevacuation.

HelpfulInformation

PHOTOGRAPHY

CameraRecommendationsWiththemanyadvancesindigitaltechnology,asimplecompactdigitalcameraorevenyoursmartphoneiscapableoftakingpicturessuitablefortheneedsofmostpeople.Forhigherqualityimagesandtheabilitytouselonglensesforcloserwildlifepictures,aDSLRcameraiswellworthwhile,thoughheavier.Mostdigitalcamerasandphoneshavegoodvideooptions,butyoumaywanttoconsideraGoProforalightweight,waterproofoption.Alwayspracticeaheadoftimewithnewequipmentandbringyourmanualwithyou.CameraequipmentisavailableforrentfromBorrowLenses,witha10%discountofferedtoWildernessTravelclients.Thisisanespeciallygoodideaforrentinglargezoomlensesthatyoumayneedforjustonetrip.

CameraAccessoriesWerecommendbringingatleasttwolargecapacitymemorycardsorasmalldigitalstorageunit(ortablet)tobackupyourphotos,freeingspaceonyourmemorycards.Don’tforgettobringabatterychargerandabackupbatterysooneisalwayschargedandreadytouse.Fortripswhereyoumaybeawayfrompowersourcesformultipledays,considerlookingintoasolar-poweredbatterychargerorbuyingadditionalbackupbatteries,andcheckthatyouhavetheappropriateadapterfortheelectricaloutletsinyourdestination.

SharingYourImagesWewouldloveforyoutosharephotosfromyourtrip,andwithyourpermission,mayevenuseyourphotosinourmarketingmaterialsoronourphotoblog.Werequestthatyousendusasmallsampleofyourbestimages.Pleaseemailyourphotostowtphotoblog@gmail.comortagus@WildernessTravelonsocialmedia.

PhotographyEtiquetteWhentakingpicturesoflocalpeople,beawareofculturalconsiderations.Approachingpeoplewithawarmsmileandusingpolitegesturesorsimplephrasestoaskpermissiontophotographthemusuallyworkswell.Itisalwaysrecommendedtoengagepeopleinconversationbeforeaskingtophotographthem,butifpeopledonotwishtohavetheirphototaken,pleasehonortheirrequests.Weurgetravelerstoavoidgivingmoneyinexchangeforphotoopportunities,whichmakesitharderforfuturetravelerstohaveameaningfulpersonalinteractionwithlocalpeople.PleasealwaysheedyourTripLeader’sguidelinesforwhatisappropriate.

BEINGACONSIDERATETRAVELER

Pleaseshowrespectforthecultureswearevisitingbyobservinglocalcustomsconcerningappropriatedress,particularlyinsacredplaces.YourTripLeaderisalwaysavailabletoansweranyquestionsthatyoumayhaveregardingthis.Ifitisnecessarytouseacellphoneduringthetrip,pleasedosoprivately.Smokingisrarelyanissuethesedays,butifyoudosmoke,pleasedosoonlyawayfromthegroup.

FOOD

MongolianfoodreflectstheinfluenceofRussiaandChina.Dairyproducts,breadandmeat(primarilymuttonandbeef)formthebasisoftheMongoliandiet.Sometypicaldishesinclude:shorlog(MongolianBarbecueorshishkebab), horhog(roastedsheep),buuz(steameddumplingswithmuttonorbeef),and guriltaishol(muttonnoodlesoup).Foodisgenerallyoilierthanyoumaybeusedto,andmanydishesservedarefried.Noodles,riceand/orbreadarelikelytobeapartofmostmeals.AlthoughvegetablesandfruitsarenotwidelycultivatedorconsumedinMongolia,mostmealsarealsolikelytoincludepotatoes,carrots,cabbage,cucumbersand/ortomatoes.Fruitisusuallycanned.Mongolianvodkaisexcellentandyoumayhavetheopportunitytotrythenationaldrinkofairag(slightlyfermentedmare'smilk).

BACKGROUNDINFORMATION

WeofferbackgroundinformationonMongoliaonour website.

PackingList

THEESSENTIALS

Airtickets(orE-tickets)PassportOneotherpictureID,suchasadriver’slicenseExpensemoney

WTGEARSTORE

TohelpyouprepareforyournextWTadventure,we'veputtogetheragreatcollectionoftopbrandsincludingPatagonia,OutdoorResearch,EagleCreek,andmoreatourWTGearStore .

LUGGAGE

Soft-sidedluggagewithasmallpadlock(mustbeunlockedforairtravel).Daypack,largeenoughforasweater,waterbottle,camera,andotheritemsyouwantwithyouduringthedayIfyouareanavidshopper,asmallroll-upduffeltocarryhomeextrapurchases

IMPORTANT!Valuableoressentialitemssuchascameraequipmentorprescriptionmedicationsshouldalwaysbehand-carriedonanyflighttoavoidlossordamage.

WEIGHTLIMITS

DomesticairlinesinMongoliarequirethatyoulimityourcheckedbaggagetoamaximumweightof33lbs.perpersonforflightswithinMongolia(11lbs.forcarry-onluggageand22lbs.forcheckedluggage).Excessbaggageweightischargedatapproximately$3-5(subjecttochange)forevery2.2lbs.overthelimit.Anyexcessbaggagechargesareyourresponsibilityandfeesmayincreasewithoutwarning.

NOTESONCLOTHING

YoucanexpectawiderangeoftemperaturesandweatherconditionsinMongolia—besureyoubringclothingthatprotectsyouinthecoldestconditions.Ingeneral,dressisinformal.Whendininginthecapital,fieldwearisnotappropriatebutcasualsportswearwillsuffice.Forvisitingmonasteries,youwillneedmodestclothingthatcoversyourshoulders.Therewillbefewopportunitiesfordoinglaundryduringthetrip.

Atourgercamps,youmusthaveseverallayersofgoodqualityclothingforwarmthforwalkingaroundcampinthecoolevenings.Evenifyoudon’tuseextralayerswhilehiking,you’llappreciatethematnightincamp.

LaundryLaundryserviceisavailableatourhotelinUlaanbaatar,butnotatthegercamps.

LAYERS

FabricsSyntheticsinsulateandkeepyouwarmevenwhentheyaredamp.Polypropylene,Capilene,fleece,andothersyntheticfabricsareexcellentinsulatorsandarefarlighterthanwool;theyalsohavetheaddedbenefitofdryingquickly.Cottonisnotagoodinsulator,especiallyasafirstlayernexttotheskin.Onceitgetswetfromperspiration,itstayswetandkeepsyoucold.Cottonisfineforcitywearandtouring.

ShellClothingShellclothingincludesjacketsandpantsthatprotectfromrainandwind.Gore-texandequivalentfabricsarewaterproofandbreathable,sotheyarethebestchoice.Shellclothingshouldberoomyenoughtofitoverotherlayersofclothing.

CLOTHING

Theclothinglistbelowisprovidedasaguidelineonly;weencourageyoutopackaslightlyaspossible.

Comfortablelightweighttomedium-weighthikingbootswithgoodtractionRunningshoesorothercomfortableshoesforcityandcampwearWaterproofsandalssuchasTevas(foruseinthebathandtoiletfacilitiesatcamp)WarmfleeceordownjacketFleecevest,optional,dependingonhoweasilyyougetchilledHikingpants;synthetichikingpantswithlegzippersareapracticalchoice.SturdyhikingshortsLightweightcottonpants,jeans,orkhakisforcitywearLong-sleevedshirts.Fleeceorquick-drying“travel”fabricslikenylonarepractical.ShadehatwithawidebrimFleecehatforwarmthFleecemittensorglovesT-shirtsforcitywearHikingsocks,suchasThorlobrand(synthetic)thatworkwithyourbootsSleepwear—werecommendasetofmediumtoheavyweightlongunderwearfornightsatcampSportsbra(s)forwomenBathingsuitforhotelsinthecitiesBandanaorfacemask(fordustydrives)

EQUIPMENT

GoodqualitysunglasseswithcasePlasticbagsorstuffsackstoorganizeitemsinyourduffelandprotectagainstdustSmallsupplyofKleenexpacketsFlashlightorheadlamp,sparebatteriesToiletries,includingbiodegradablesoap,shampoo,etc.

PERSONALFIRSTAIDSUPPLIES

Everytripmembershouldbringasmallkitforpersonaluse.Yourownexperiencewillinfluenceyourchoices.SunscreenSPF30orhigher.Werecommendmineral-basedsunscreenswithzincoxideortitaniumdioxidebecausetheydonotcontainharshchemicalsthatareharmfultotheenvironment.BrandssuchasHonestCompany,Badger,andAlbaBotanicaarefoundinmostsportinggoodsstoresanddrugstores.LipbalmwithsunscreenAspirin,ibuprofen,orTylenolformusclepainorheadaches,TylenolPMforsleepTopicalantibiotic(suchasNeosporin)forcuts,bites,orsoresInsectrepellent.RepellentswithDEETarerecommended.DEETcontentofabout30-35%isideal(higherDEETcontentisnotrecommended).WipeDEEToffyourhandsbeforetouchingplasticsurfaces(suchasbinoculars)becauseitcandamagetheplastic.Aerosolrepellentsareusefulforsprayingonclothes.Blisterkit.Lookforthelong-lastinggel-typebandagesthatyoucanapplydirectlyonblisters,suchasBand-AidAdvancedHealingBandagesorCuradGelMulti-DayBandages.“Liquidband-aids,”suchasNew-Skin,areusefulbecausetheydryrapidlytoformatoughprotectivecoveroverablister.Dramamineorothermedicationformotionsickness(forlongdaysofroadtravel)Anti-bacterialgelforhandwashing(atleast60%alcoholtobeeffective)AntihistaminesuchasBenadrylDecongestant(daytimeandnighttimetypes)forcolds,sinusheadachesCoughdrops(fordrythroatcausedbyaltitude)Imodiumfordiarrhea.Ifyouwishtobringanantibioticfordiarrheaprophylaxis,pleaseconsultyourphysician.PrescriptionmedicationsproperlylabeledSparecontactlensesorspareprescriptionglasses

OPTIONALITEMS

Therm-a-RestpadorothercompactsleepingpadifyouparticularlyneedextracomfortatthegercampsCamera,sparebatteriesReading/writingmaterialConverter/plugadapterforapplianceuse.Binoculars(small,lightweight)TravelclockExtrasnacks:werecommenddriedfruitornutsforgoodtrailsnacksMoneybeltorneckpouch.Alwayscarryyourpassport,creditcards,andcashwithyouinamoneybeltorneckpouchtuckeddowninsideyourshirtorblouse.

ReadingList

ESSENTIALREADING

ALSORECOMMENDED

GenghisKhanandtheMakingoftheModernWorld JackWeatherford2005,352PAGESWeatherfordinterweaveshisowntravelsandfieldworkontheCentralAsiansteppewithalivelyportraitofGenghisKhanandtheworldofthemedievalMongols

HearingBirdsFly LouisaWaugh2004,270PAGESAtransportingaccountofthepeople,landscapesandchallengesoflifeinwesternmostMongolia.TheauthorisattunedtothediverseethnicmixoftheregionwithitsdominantpopulationofMuslimKazakhs,MongolHalkhsandAltaiTuvans.

WildEast,TheNewMongolia JillLawless2000,230PAGESLawlesscapturesthestartlingcontrastsofemergingtechnologies,MTVcultureandcrumblingSovietheritageonthewide,openplainsinthisentertainingtaleoflifeinmodernMongolia.

LonelyPlanetMongolia MichaelKohn2014,304PAGESAcomprehensiveguideintheLonelyPlanetstylefeaturing46maps,backgrounddetailonthecountryandcultureandpracticalinformationforthetraveler.

MongoliaMapGiziMap2012Thisattractivemap(1:2,500,000)includesasmallstreetplanofUlaanbaatar.

EssentialTibetanBuddhism RobertThurman1996,317PAGESTheforemostWesternscholarofTibetanBuddhism,Thurmanhaschosenwellfromthattradition'ssacredliteratureandhelpfullyincludessuggestedfurtherreading,explanatorynotesandadirectoryofsacredsites.

BradtGuideMongolia JaneBlunden2014,448PAGESOncethestudentofexplorerandhistorianOwenLattimore,BlundendrawsonherlongassociationwithMongolia(andmanyfriends)forthiscomprehensive,up-to-dateguide.

LonelyPlanetMongolianPhrasebook J.Bat-Ireediu2014,212PAGESAhandypocketguidetoKhalkhMongolian,thelanguagespokeninMongoliaandsurroundingpartsofRussiaandChina.

OdysseyGuideMongolia CarlRobinson2010,536PAGESForthiscomprehensiveillustratedguide,Robinsonincorporatescontributionsfromfriendsandcolleagues,includingAmericanMuseumofNaturalHistorypaleontologistMarkNorrellandSmithsonianethnographerWilliamFitzhugh.

KhubilaiKhan'sLostFleet:InSearchofaLegendaryArmadaJamesP.Delgado2010,240PAGESDrawingonevidencefromhisunderwaterexpeditions,marinearchaeologistDelgadorevealsthefateofKhan's13th-centurynavy,for700yearsconsideredlittlemorethanlegend,inthispopularaccount.

ModernMongolia,FromKhanstoCommissarstoCapitalistsMorrisRossabi2005,397PAGESRossabidocumentsthedramaticchangesinMongoliasincethecollapseoftheSovietUnioninthisdetailedanalysisofMongolia'spoliticaleconomy,recenteconomicchangesandprospects.Adetailed,comprehensiveportrait.

ModernMongolia,ReclaimingGenghisKhan PaulaSabloff2002,148PAGESThisslimprimer,richlyillustratedwith120colorphotographs,coversthesweepandexcitementof20th-centuryMongolianhistory,thecountry'snomadicheritageandthelegacyofGenghisKhan.

TheMongolsStephenTurnbull1986,48PAGESShort,yetinformative,thismilitaryhistoryoftheMongolEmpireintheMen-at-Armsseriesfeaturesfull-colordepictionsofthemedievalMongols,archivalillustrationsandanoverviewofMongolhistory,warfareandsieges.

TheSecretHistoryoftheMongols,TheOriginofChingisKhanPaulKahn2005,240PAGESThe13th-centuryMongolianaccountofthelifeofChingisKhan,adaptedasaprosepoeminthetraditionofVirgilandHomer.It'saheroictributerichindetailsaboutthedailylife,historyandcultureofthenomadicclansofCentralAsia.

WomenofMongolia MarthaAvery1996,187PAGESAnastoundinglydiversesampleofcontemporaryMongolianwomenfromeverysegmentofthecountry.Eachwomanisprofiledwithaphotographandabrieffirst-persondescriptionofherlife.

IntheEmpireofGenghisKhan,AJourneyAmongNomadsStanleyStewart2004,266PAGESMixinganecdoteandhistory,thisspiritedtaleisanepicjourneyacrossEurasiatoMongolia,muchofitonhorseback.Stewartcapturesthewarmthandspiritofpeopleheencountered.

TheBloodyWhiteBaron JamesPalmer2011,274PAGESPalmerturnshisbiographyoftherabidlyanti-SemiticmadmanBaronNikolaiMaximilianvonUngern-Sternberg--andhisimprobablereignasthelastKhanofMongolia--intoafascinatingtaleofpoliticsrunamokinMongoliaandtheRussianFarEast.

Revised:April21,2022

TheSecretHistoryoftheMongolQueens JackWeatherford2011,336PAGESWeatherford(GenghisKhanandtheMakingoftheModernWorld)turnstothewivesanddaughtersofthegreatmedievalleaderinthisboldhistoryofthewomenoftheSilkRoad.

WalkingtheGobi HelenThayer2008,272PAGESThayerweavesherexperiencesonacameltrekwithaportraitoftheregion'snomadicculturesandnaturalhistory.

Genghis,BirthofanEmpire ConnIggulden2007,528PAGESTheauthorofthebest-sellingseriesofnovelsonJuliusCaesartakesonthelegendarywarriorinthisgrippingandhistoricallyaccuratenovel.

MongolianFolktalesHilaryRoeMetternich1996,131PAGESAwell-chosencollectionofstorieswithdramaticpaper-cutillustrationsbyNorovsambuugiinBaatartsog.

TheShadowWalkerMichaelWalters2008,352PAGESWalter'scunningtaleofmultiplemurder(sounusualinmodernMongoliathataBritishdetectiveiscalledintohelphimonthecase)issetagainstvividdescriptionsofMongolia,itspeopleandculture.

WolfTotem JiangRong2009,544PAGESDefiant,unyielding,feared,huntedandrevered,thegreatMongolianwolfistheheartandcenterofRong'sepictaleofayoungmanfromBeijingandhissurprisingencountersontheMongoliansteppe.Astirringepic,allegoryandelegyforavanishedwayoflife,thenovelwonthefirstManAsiaPrize.

DinosaursoftheFlamingCliffs MichaelNovacek1997,352PAGESNovacekpensanamazingtaleofdiscoveryintheGobiDesertthatcapturesthethrillofexplorationandthechallengesoffieldworkaswellasthestoryofpaleontologyandtravelinthefootstepsofthelegendaryRoyChapmanAndrews.

BirdsofEurope,Russia,China,andJapan:Passerines:TyrantFlycatcherstoBuntingsNormanArlott2007,240PAGESThisPrincetonIllustratedChecklist,spanningalloftheRussianArctic,Europe,China,Mongolia,NorthKorea,SouthKorea,JapanandtheMiddleEast,features80colorplateswithrangemapsandsuccinctdescriptions.