Attendees
International Conferences on Block and Sublevel Caving
Caving 2026 | 11–13 August 2026 | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Attendee information
Please find below important attendee information.
Event venue
Shangrila TBC
Registration
Onsite pre-registration will be available during the Welcome Function, from 17:30 on Monday 10 August, and regular registration available from 07:00 on Tuesday 11 August at the registration desk outside TBC
Equipment required
PLEASE NOTE Attendees are to bring their own laptop to this event.
WiFi
TBC
Accommodation
TBC
Parking
TBC
Welcome function
A welcome function will be held among the trade exhibition booths from 17:30 TBC, Monday 10 August to welcome delegates and sponsors/exhibitors. Pre-registration will be available during this welcome function at the registration desk, in the foyer area outside the Ballrooms. TBC
Caving 2026 Authorised Delegate List
Please be aware of people offering to sell the Caving 2026 delegate list. We would like to assure you that we do not sell our data to third parties and this this is a scam. We urge you not give out credit card details or other personal information to anyone contacting you offering to sell details of attendees to our events. For more information, please refer to UWA’s Privacy Policy.
Terms and conditions
Click here for ACG Attendee Terms & Conditions.
Conference proceedings
Caving 2026 papers will be made openly available from Monday, 3 August 2026, at ACG’s Online repository of Conference Proceedings.
PD hours
This event will provide attendees with a number of personal development hours. A certificate of attendance can be provided on request, post-event.
ACG event contact
Josephine Ruddle, Event Manager
Mobile: +61 409 118 003
Email: josephine.ruddle@uwa.edu.au
Australian Centre for Geomechanics
Tel: +61 8 6488 3300
info-acg@uwa.edu.au | acg.uwa.edu.au
Getting around Ulaanbaatar: public transport, taxis, ride-share
Buses/trolleybuses/microbuses
- Ulaanbaatar has a public bus/trolleybus/microbus network covering much of the city. Cash is not accepted on board: you need a reloadable “smart card” (U Money card). Go MonGOlia. Fare: around 500 MNT per ride. Smart cards can be bought and topped up at kiosks or certain convenience-store outlets. Route information can be limited (bus numbers often in Cyrillic), so it’s helpful to ask hotel staff for guidance, or use a map/translation app.
Note: Buses and trolleybuses get crowded at peak hours (morning, evening). For those with luggage or travelling at odd hours, consider taxis/ride-share instead.
Taxis & ride-share apps
- Trusted ride-share apps and services in UB include UBCab and sometimes local variants depending on availability.
- Taxi fares within the city centre are often modest: short rides typically cost 5,000–15,000 MNT (~USD 1.5–5). When hailing a taxi off the street (not via app), exercise caution: many are unofficial/unregulated. Without a meter or clear fare I.D., tourists may be overcharged. Use licensed taxis or ride-share for safety.
Car rental/self-drive
- Car rental is possible: if you plan to travel outside the city (e.g. countryside, national parks) a sturdy 4×4 is recommended.You may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an English-translated license.
In-city driving is often slow due to traffic congestion. As of recent data, average peak-hour speed in UB is low; many locals and travellers prefer public transit or ride-share over driving.
Bicycles/walking
- Bicycling is possible but limited: bike-lane infrastructure is weak, and traffic can be hectic. If you do rent a bike, be cautious, especially outside dedicated park paths.
- Ulaanbaatar is very walkable in the central area, but traffic can be heavy, and paths uneven and rough. Plan travel time accordingly.
Visa information
Mongolian visa
Current visa-free arrangements, applicable for some countries, expire 31 December 2025 and may change before August 2026. Other foreign nationals may apply for short-term (up to 90 days) diplomatic, official, or business visas on the condition they meet health-related entry requirements. You must register with the Mongolian Immigration Agency within 48 hours of arriving in Mongolia.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice.
Chinggis Khan International Airport is recommended for entry to and exit from Mongolia. Restrictions apply to travel by foreign nationals to some border areas. If you plan to travel in these areas, you must get permission from local authorities.
Please see visa information.
We encourage international attendees to secure visas early.
Arriving in Ulaanbaatar: getting from airport to city/CBD
Most international travellers arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN), which is located outside the city. Your Layover Guide
Airport to city transportation options
- Taxi: Official taxi counters in the arrivals area offer flat-rate and metered services to central Ulaanbaatar. Expect a 50–60-minute drive for the 52 km journey. Standard taxis cost around 60 000–80 000 MNT. Ride-hailing apps (Bolt) also operate here. Always confirm the fare or request the meter upfront. Drivers usually accept cash; some accept mobile payments and credit cards.
- Airport shuttle bus: There is a public bus (sometimes referred to as “X19” or airport-link bus) that runs between the airport and central Ulaanbaatar (e.g. Sukhbaatar / CBD area). It operates roughly every hour. Fare is around 15,000 MNT (adult). More information.
- Car rentals: Several international and local car rental companies (Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Soyol) have counters in the arrivals hall. Vehicles range from compacts to SUVs. Rentals require a valid driver’s license, passport and credit card deposit. Pick-up and drop-off are available 24/7. Insurance options, GPS units and child seats incur extra fees. Learn more.
Recommendation for conference attendees:
Plan airport transfer in advance especially if you arrive late at night. Ride-share availability can fluctuate, so booking ahead helps. (E.g., a taxi at midnight from the airport might cost ~100,000 MNT, which some consider worth it.)
For group arrivals or large luggage loads, consider arranging a private shuttle or airport-hotel pickup via your accommodation or a licensed tour/transport company.
Have some local cash on hand for taxis, buses, small shops, tips, etc. While tipping is not mandatory in Mongolia, it is appreciated, especially in the tourism sector.
What to expect: weather in Ulaanbaatar in August
August in Ulaanbaatar is generally mild and pleasant. Daytime temperatures typically reach around 22 °C, while nights can cool down to around 9 °C.
Rain: August is among the wetter months — expect about 72 mm of rain on average, over ~16 rainy days.
What to pack: light to mid-weight clothes for the day (T-shirts, light long sleeves), a warm layer or light jacket for evenings, and a compact umbrella or rain-proof jacket just in case. Comfortable walking shoes are also a good idea. Tip: because the weather can shift (sunny → rain → cool at night), layering is your friend.
Practical information for foreign travellers
- Safety & security: Generally, exercise “normal precautions.” Petty theft (pickpocketing, bag-snatching) is sometimes reported, particularly in crowded public transport, markets, busy streets, or near popular tourist sights.
- Scams/unlicensed taxis: Unofficial taxis are common — avoid them if possible; use licensed taxis or ride-share apps. If you use a street-hailing taxi, always clarify fare or ensure the meter is running.
- Money: The currency is the Mongolian Tugrik (MNT). While some hotels, restaurants or shops accept cards (especially in the city centre), cash remains widely used. It’s wise to carry small denominations.
- Connectivity: If you want local mobile data/SIM, you can often purchase a tourist SIM at the airport or in central shops. Good to have for ride-sharing apps or maps. (It’s also useful because signage and transit info may not always be in English.)
- Language: English is spoken in hotels and major tourism businesses, but not always widely. A translation app is useful. Mongolians are very welcoming to visitors. Hospitality is an important part of the culture.
- Hydration: The city is at a high altitude and the air is dry. Staying hydrated helps.
Tourism: Museums and cultural sites may close earlier than expected, so it is worth checking hours in advance.
International and domestic attendees
The ACG is delighted to welcome both international and domestic attendees to this event. For attendees intending to travel to Australia for the conference, please see acg.uwa.edu.au/attend for information on visa requirements.