Master Sample Packing List

***Each person will have different needs and preferences, so please put some thought into this and personalize as necessary***

Non-Negotiables: A lot of things can be found and purchased in Ulaanbaatar if necessary. But these things are not replaceable (or very hard to replace)! Don’t forget them. 

__Passport

__Vaccination Card

__Perscription/regularly taken Medication

__Bank Card - this is the easiest way to get money in Mongolia (Be sure to tell your bank you’re traveling!)

__Cash - if you bring cash, make sure they are new bills, large denomination. Wrinkled, damaged, older bills may not be accepted at some of the exchanges, even if its legal tender at home.

__Insurance information (if things go south, you don’t want to be looking through emails to find this).

__Info sheet - bring a printed out card with all of your flight numbers/times, hotel information and my contact information just in case you have a major malfunction of some kind and can’t access your electronics.

Communications and electronics: Mongolia runs on 220v electricity, so make sure your devices can handle it, or that you have a proper power converters for this. Adapters are not necessary converters!

__ Cell Phone

__ Chargers for all devices

__ Sim card - can be bought cheaply and easily in Mongolia. I would not recommend trying to find an international plan with your usual carrier that works in Mongolia as these are so cheap and easy to get.

__ Laptop (optional - it’s dirty and rough so if you can leave it, do so. If you are working on a specific project like a GIS project or some kind of data analysis, you may need to bring it)

__ Power adapter (pretty optional these days as many power strips have all kinds of outlets on them).

__Headphones

__ Camera (if separate from phone)

__ Kindle/ipad (if you use them. Make sure all materials, apps, music, podcasts, etc. are all downloaded before we leave the city as it gets progressively harder to find appropriate internet connections as we go). 

__Solar panel charger (examples in info packet)

Camping gear: appropriate choices for these items covered in the info packet

__Water filtration device 

__Tent

__Sleeping pad

__Sleeping bag

__Headlamp (w extra batteries)

__Daypack style backpack

__Pocket knife

__Water bottles (at least 2 liters)

Clothing:

__Sun hat/baseball hat

__Warm hat/beanie

__Sunglasses

__Buff/headwrap/bandana (I like these a lot!)

__2-3 tshirts/tank tops

__1 sweatshirt

__1 long sleeve sun shirt/flannel

__2 Sports bras 

__5 pairs underwear

__2 pairs quick dry work pants

__1 pair shorts

__1 set of long underwear (top and bottom)

__5 pairs socks - mostly thick, warm socks

__1 pair hiking boots/tennis shoes

__1 pair sandals

__1 Rain jacket

__1 puffy/warm jacket

__1 pair warm gloves (project provides work gloves)

Toiletries and Medicine:

__Rapid COVID Tests (x2)

__Sunscreen

__Bug spray

__Lip balm/vaseline

__Deodorant

__Baby wipes (easy to buy in Mongolia)

__All purpose soap (Dr. Bronners or similar natural soaps preferred. Dry versions nice since they can’t explode in your bag. For body wash, hand wash, clothes wash, etc.)

__Toothbrush

__Toothpaste

__Comb

__Headache/pain medicine

__ Stomach medicine (for both too much and not enough happening on the toilet)

__Consider asking your doctor for a basic course of antibiotics just in case

__Period products (pads, tampons, diva cup, etc.)

__Basic first aid kit (bandaids, tweezers, moleskin for blisters, antiseptic alcohol cleaning pads, etc.)

__Nail clippers

__Q-tips

__Baby powder (for keeping feet dry and preventing chafing)

__Extra glasses/contacts/contact solution as needed. Lots of dust in the air!

Archaeology gear: Most gear is supplied by the project.If you WANT to start putting together a dig kit, we can talk about what goes in them. But for this project, you will need….

__Trowel (example in the info packet)

__Are you doing a special research project? Make sure you have the gear you need to get YOUR project done, or confirm with Dr. Clark that the project will have those things available for you. 

For fun/extras:

__Coffee (instant? Travel percolator? Not common in Mongolia and not provided on project)

__Other drink mix (gatorade powder, packets, etc.)

__Small Roll of duct tape for repairs

__Sewing kit/need and thread

__Ear plugs

__Reading materials

__Mongolian dictionary/dictionary app (eg. Mazaalai), Bolor Toli)

__Spices/sauces to flavor up your food

__Soda, candy, snacks that you love

__What are your super transportable hobbies? Weaving friendship bracelets? Drawing? Harmonica? 

__Gifts for Mongolian friends and colleagues - does not need to be expensive, but small useful things to give to friends and people you may interview. Kids toys? Toiletries? Useful tools? Something from your home state/town/region?

__Riding helmet - required for Sessions 2 and 3, optional for other sessions. There will be a few around camp, but if you want to ensure a good fit and availability, bringing your own is not a bad idea!

__Saddle bags - optional, but nice for Sessions 2 and 3 to keep gear handy. Backpacks can be difficult to manage on the horse and may put you off balance, scare your horse, get stuck on a tree, etc.