Dear community,
Our Mongolia trip is getting closer!
Before we find ourselves somewhere between Ulaanbaatar, the open steppe, and the Gobi Desert, here is your pre-trip guide:
What to pack, what to expect, and a few cultural things worth knowing before we arrive.
Tick things off as you pack. The page remembers your progress, and the little train at the top moves with you.
Stop 01 · Packing
What to pack
September in Mongolia is unpredictable: warm by day, cold in the evening, and the desert can drop to around 2°C at night. Layers are everything.
Staying warm
For the journey
Personal care
Mind & soul
Bloom After Dark
One important thing: on Tuesday evening we will have a sexy jazz performance by Bloom After Dark, so dress as your most glamorous self. Think sequins, silk, feathers, velvet, dramatic accessories, or whatever you please. There is no such thing as too much… or too little.
Stop 02 · Paperwork
Health & travel insurance
Please don't skip this. Parts of our journey take us far from major medical facilities, so this really matters.
Complete all three to earn your stamp
Stop 03 · Food
A note about food
Traditional Mongolian cuisine reflects the country's nomadic history and climate, so expect a lot of meat and dairy.
What's on the table
Common foods include mutton, beef, dumplings (buuz), noodle dishes, soups and various dairy products, plus suutei tsai, the traditional salty milk tea.
Vegetarian and vegan options are limited. If you have dietary restrictions, allergies or intolerances, please come prepared with your own snacks and anything you may need along the way.
Stop 04 · Showers
The shower situation
A little heads-up so everyone arrives mentally (and physically) prepared.
Low-shower days
Access is quite limited. Arrive on the train on the 14th freshly showered. Your wet wipes will come in handy!
Sauna immersion day
A proper reset: sauna, shower, nap, and a return to civilization.
Gobi Desert showers
Showers available, but expect cold water, and hot water will be limited. Invigorating and character-building!
Stop 05 · Etiquette
A little Mongolian etiquette
We will be entering a culture shaped by centuries of nomadic life, Buddhism, and deep respect for hospitality and nature.
1Receiving food or drink+
If a host offers you something, receive it respectfully, even if you only try a little. Always use your right hand when giving or receiving.
2Dress respectfully+
Mongolia is more conservative than Europe, so be mindful of local customs and avoid overly revealing clothing, especially at sacred sites.
3Photography+
Be respectful when photographing people, particularly monks, ceremonies and local families. Ask first whenever possible.
4Hospitality+
Mongolia has a strong culture of hospitality, so enter homes and spaces with curiosity and respect, not simply as tourist attractions.
5Sacred landscape+
The land carries cultural and spiritual significance, so leave places as we find them and avoid disturbing sacred sites, cairns or offerings.
6Feet & gers+
Avoid pointing the soles of your feet toward people, religious objects, or the central area of a ger.
7Accidental contact+
If you step on someone's foot, shake or hold their hand afterward. It's a traditional gesture that restores friendliness.
Stop 06 · Language
A little Mongolian goes a long way
You definitely don't need to speak Mongolian, but learning a few words is a lovely way to connect with the people we meet. Tap a card to flip it.
Stop 07 · Important
Please note
Mongolia takes a very strict stance on recreational enhancers. It is imperative that each participant acknowledges their personal and collective risk.
Stop 08 · Route
Where the rails take us
- Sept 14thUlaanbaatar
- Sept 15thSukhbaatar Selenge
- Sept 16thUlaanbaatar
- Sept 17thSainshand Gobi Desert
- Sept 18thSainshand Gobi Desert
- Sept 19thUlaanbaatar outskirts
- Sept 20thUlaanbaatar outskirts · closing ~12:30 pm
Final Stop · Departure
Ready for departure
All aboard the Playground Express. See you on the platform.
Pack warm, come prepared, stay curious, look after each other, and leave some room for Mongolia to surprise you.
See you on the train.
Choo-choooo with Love,
your Playground team