I travelled to western Mongolia from 26 September to 8 October 2026, right as the Altai gets cold. Between a 25-hour bus ride, homestay nights in a sleeping bag, and an open trip that told me to pack in a carrier instead of a suitcase, I had to pack warm and light. The limits were 25 kg on Singapore Airlines and 20 kg on MIAT. I left Jakarta with 16 kg and came home with 12 kg.
How cold was it, really?
The coldest it got was about 5°C. It never went below zero, and there was no snow. The cold that people warn you about is the wind. On a calm moment 5°C is fine, but with wind on the open steppe it felt far colder than the number.
Clothes
- Three Heattech tops
- Two Heattech leggings
- One Jeans
- Two usual pants
- Two outer shirts (yellow, blue floral)
- One sleeping outfit
- Underwear
- Uniqlo puff jacket
- Raincoat (serious one, from Eiger).
Layers of Heattech and thermal were enough for me, and the clothes and pants I packed were enough for the whole trip.
When it’s very windy, I use both the puff jacket and the raincoat, with gloves, beanies, and neck warmer. And I did survived.
Feet and accessories
- Three pairs of Heattech socks
- Pashmina, gloves, and a neck warmer
- Two beanies
- A crossbody bag for sightseeing
The gloves, beanies and the neck warmer did the most work against the wind.
Toiletries
- Shampoo and conditioner, bar soap, 12 sachets of detergent
- A washcloth (waslap) and a travel towel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dry and wet tissues
- Sunscreen, lip balm, and night cream
- A waterproof bag for wet items
- Perfume and deodorant
During the two days in the Altai (30 September and 1 October), I didn’t shower at all. There was no water at all, and it was so cold that nobody noticed. If you’re going to a homestay out there, accept that now.
Medicine and supplements
- Throat lozenges FG Troche, cough medicine, Tolak Angin (10 sachets)
- One strip of cold medicine and one strip of motion-sickness tablets
- Omega 3, magnesium, glucosamine, and vitamin C
- Mouth tape for sleeping
- My regular prescription medication
This is where I was short. The dust in the Altai is something else, and I came home with a cold and a cough (no fever). I wish I had packed more cough medicine and cold tablets. I am ok during the bus trip though, no motion sickness.
Food from home
- Abon (shredded meat floss) and serundeng (spiced coconut)
- Energen vanilla cereal
- Ketchup and pepper
Next time I’ll bring something tastier. Boneless milkfish (bandeng presto) is my current idea. Hahaha.
Electronics and everything else
- International plug adapter and an extension cord with a T-plug
- Sleeping bag
- Headlamp
- Rubber bands, seven ziplock bags, pen, and a notebook
What I’d change
- Bring a suitcase. The open trip advised a carrier, and I packed to the limit, but with the road trip done by car I would happily take a suitcase next time.
- Pack more cough medicine and cold tablets. The dust is no joke.
- Skip the coat.
- Bring better food from home. I don’t quite like the food. Only meat, no vegetables, no pork. And tend to be cold. (from not a picky eater)
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