June 30–July 11, 2026 | Arkhangai Province, Mongolia
A 12-day leadership-based volunteer trek centered on restoring water access with local partners.

Water isn’t an abstract concept in Mongolia.

For families living on the high steppe, access to reliable freshwater determines where livestock graze, how households manage daily life, and whether communities remain resilient in the face of environmental change.

In 2026, Trek Relief returns to Mongolia for Wells of Hope — a community-led water infrastructure project developed with Mongolian partners to revitalize dried-up wells and strengthen clean water access in rural Arkhangai. This 12-day expedition blends purposeful service with cultural immersion and leadership practice, designed not as tourism, but as a collaborative infrastructure effort.

Water Realities in Arkhangai: Why This Matters

Across Mongolia’s vast steppe, families have lived sustainably for generations. Nomadic herding communities depend on freshwater wells to sustain livestock and daily life. Unlike urban settings, there is no centralized water grid — each community’s water access is tied to local wells that must be maintained, protected, and restored when they degrade.

Several factors make this work urgent:

Harsh seasonal shifts strain well infrastructure
Desertification threatens traditional water sources
Remote landscapes make logistics complicated

Reliable wells make life possible. When wells falter, families must travel farther for water, increasing labor and uncertainty.

This is not symbolic service. It is repair of essential infrastructure upon which daily life depends.

The Wells of Hope Partnership Model

Trek Relief does not select projects based on marketing appeal. The Wells of Hope initiative is the result of multi-year collaboration with local leaders and our Mongolian partner, Family Agricultural Resources Mongolia (FARM). Local leadership drives, project selection, scope definition, timeline coordination, material sourcing, execution planning.

Trek Relief supports the process by providing project coordination, participant facilitation, and logistical support. This ensures every effort is anchored in community priorities. This ground-up partnership model is key to ethical, sustainable impact.

What Participants Will Do — Clear Expectations

Trek Relief designs this program so participants know exactly what to expect.

1. Infrastructure Restoration Support

Participants may help with:

Inspecting well sites
Transporting and positioning restoration materials
Assisting under guidance from local technicians and leaders
Supporting implementation of basic reinforcement work

2. Leadership Practice in Context

Participants will:

Collaborate with local partners in field decision-making
Engage with community members respectfully
Reflect on systemic challenges and shared problem-solving
Build leadership skills through real responsibility

3. Cultural Experience Through Immersion

Trek Relief includes a structured horse trek experience, designed to introduce participants to rural Mongolian landscapes, traditional ways of life, and local rhythms in a meaningful way.

This horse trek is intentional and complements the service work by deepening participant understanding of place and context.

Naadam Festival — Clarifying Expectations

Naadam — Mongolia’s national festival featuring wrestling, archery, and horse racing — is a cultural highlight for many travelers. However, participating in Naadam is not part of the Trek Relief program, and Trek Relief does not organize attendance, provide tickets, arrange events, or manage logistics for Naadam.

That said, the expedition dates were chosen so that participants who wish to stay longer and independently attend Naadam after the program may do so on their own. This allows for cultural choice without compromising the integrity of the service expedition itself.

Here are ways to raise your funds for the trip

This expedition extends beyond those on the ground. Trek Relief offers four established pathways to support the project from afar:

Personal Fundraising: Participants can raise funds that directly support well restoration materials and local coordination. Supporters contribute to individual fundraising campaigns that expand the project’s reach.
→ Create Fundraiser
Work-Trade Credits: Trek Relief offers work-trade opportunities that allow participants to offset costs by contributing skills and support to administrative or preparatory efforts, reinforcing shared responsibility.
→ See Opportunities
Trek Together Fund: This internal fund increases access for participants with financial barriers and strengthens the continuity of community partnerships by widening participation.
→Apply for the Trek Together Fund
Corporate Matching: Many employers offer matching gift programs. Corporate matches amplify individual fundraising, support infrastructure needs, and align organizational values with ethical travel and tangible impact.
→ Find Your Company