Gers in Mongolia

In English often the word "yurt" is used for "the ger", this practical and typical Mongolian dwelling. Yurt is in fact a Turkic word that has been exported via Russian to many different languages. Our camps are semi-permanent or completely mobile. We move our equipment, as we ride or trek, by yaks, camels or horses depending on the area we are in, and the availability of these animals.

If the terrain is easy, traditional wooden carts are used, and a ger is added to the mobile camp unit for use as mess tent.

A ger is assembled within half an hour by four people. It's design is collapsible and unique, and helping to erect it, is part of the cultural experience of our trips. The size of a ger depends on the number of sections of latticework which form the lower circular wall. When ready, with the wooden door in place, the central roof wheel is erected supported in the middle by two slender roof pillars. Tour members gather round the ger to insert the long slender roof poles into slots on the central wheel, so that they radiate out like spokes of a giant umbrella. This wooden frame of the latticework and roof poles, surrounded with layers of felt and canvas, keeps the ger warm inside, even during the harsh Mongolian winter. A stove is usually placed in the middle.

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