Travel Guide

Horse riding is still a major form of transport in this remote region of Mongolia. Nomadic tribes still cross this land on horseback and lead lifestyles that haven’t altered much in the last thousand years.

Although you can do a trip like this on your own, it’s difficult to organise and most outfitters will arrange for you to stay with local families, try traditional dishes and visit still little known temples.

The scenery is wild, wide and sprawling, grassland poked with wildflowers spreading up into the snow topped mountains – perfect for long distance views, then pockets of dense forests – cool, clear and genuinely unspoilt by people.

This kind of trip is becoming easier to do, with operators beginning to venture into Mongolia in larger numbers. A two week trip in the Darkhad Valley timed with the Naadam Festivities is offered by several guide services, and would be my suggestion for people who don’t mind the idea of other tourists around – a cultural as well as scenic adventure. Naadam is held in July.

Things to Consider About Horseback Riding

Weather

The weather in many destinations in Mongolia is often dry and hot. Rain can last for weeks, even in the desert, and even during dry seasons a strong bout of rain can occur, therefore waterproof and easy drying clothing is a good idea. Protection from the sun in the form of hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are important in most rainforest locations, particularly those where you will be in rivers and lagoons. Nights, even in the steppe and mountains can be chili.  In more temperate climates and mountains, rain or snow can appear at any time specially early summer or later summer. One minute there’s sun, the next the sky is full of thick gray clouds. Always be sure to prepare for any possible weather condition while riding.

Horse Health

While we cater to foreign tourists generally guarantee that their horses are well fed and groomed, you’ll find that the horses provided by local guides are lame and full of sores. In most cases there is little you can do. If you find someone abusing a horse and not caring for it properly you may report to company. Sometimes speaking or volunteering with an NGO or animal rights group can help. But Mongolians respect their horses.

Food and Water

When traveling in countryside eating strange foods and the chance to drink unfiltered water is quite common, as are certain ailments. Medicines to counter these travel illnesses are recommended such as antibiotics and diarrhea medicine. Only drink bottled water, as the chance for cholera and water borne diseases. If you cannot get bottled water or intend to drink water from mountain streams and rivers, or just want to cut down on your plastic bottle waste, try iodine tablets, purifying drops, or water filters or try to drink boiled water.

Medicine

In many of the world’s best horseback riding destinations are in regions surrounded by dense forests where insects, and especially mosquitoes, are everywhere. There is 1 case of Malaria has been registered in Mongolia. So Malaria tablets such as doxycycline or mefloquine are recommended to prevent the sickness, although you need to check which pill works in which part of the world as some mosquitoes are resistant to some medicines. The best protection against malaria though is basic protection against mosquitoes such as bug spray (best with DEET), mosquito nets, wearing long sleeves, mosquito coils, and the countless other remedies. Most of Mongolians have a little knowledge of it.

Horseback Riding Overview

Horseback Riding Basics

Horseback riding is simply riding a horse. The ride can be on a trail through the mountains, in a national park, to see wildlife, and a canyon, through a forest and rivers. How long and how far you go depends on you. Some riding is more difficult and is more intense than others. The majority of rides that tourists take are of the day or half day sort where a guide leads them through a path that is run almost on a daily basis. Other rides last for weeks. These involve camping in the wild and covering dozens of miles today and traversing a vast and sometimes difficult terrain.

Horseback Riding – Beginners

Although most can get by with no formal training to ride a horse, many prefer not to. Horseback riding lessons are an extremely popular activity at ranches. But Mongolians count everyone as proper riders even the ones from the city which he or she never has mount horse before.

The majority of beginning riders stick to day trips. They are often extremely sore after a day of riding even with a great saddle, so multiple day treks is sometimes out of the question. It takes a little bit of time to get adjusted to riding a horse. They aren’t machines. They need to be told what to do and the horse reacts differently to every rider. Each person needs to spend a bit of time with a horse before they can really start thinking about trekking off into the wilderness. Day trips can be quite varied though. They can be gentle trots or a tour of a national park.

Horseback Riding – Advanced

Steeper ascents, higher altitudes, and longer trips are favored by the advanced horse rider. These hard core adventurers head to isolated locations, often weeks away from the modern world that are home to pristine terrain, rare wildlife, and little known tribes and cultures and these are often the goal of top riding expeditions. The farther away and the more remote the better. These horse junkies love GPS, maps, compasses, and gadgets and love to bring them along if it doesn’t weigh them down.

Many will even set out on their own without a guide. The thrill of survival in the wilderness and knowing the lay of the land may be part of the thrill for some. When they do go with a tour operator, they go with the best. They want the best horses, the most experienced guides, and they want to know the specifics of altitudes, the type of food, and wildlife they will encounter.

Preparing for your Horseback Riding Trip

Horseback Riding Training

The absolute best training you can do on a horse is to ride more frequently. The more you ride the more comfortable you will be on the horse and the more comfortable your horse will be with you. Most people do not own a horse, so taking day tours or short rides and using different horses whenever you can is a good way to see where you stand.

Riding lessons are perhaps the best way to get to know how to ride and prepare yourself for different situations. Professionals can teach you how to sit properly, as well as fall off. There are numerous skills to learn and many are near impossible to pick up without some sort of training. Jumping for instance is a hard earned skill that involves loads of practice. Riding lessons can last just a few hours or even weeks that involve distance trekking. Many tour operators offer training programs.

Horseback Riding Gear

If you aren’t comfortable in your riding gear and saddle, chances are you are going to have a miserable trip. Even if going on a tour that provides every piece of necessary equipment, you may want to look into your own riding gear that can be purchased in tack and feed stores, online, or from mail order catalogs, especially if you have special needs.

Boots – While tennis shoes are sufficient during short rides on easy terrain they are far from ideal and can even be a safety concern. Specially designed riding footwear keeps your feet from slipping through the stirrups or your legs getting caught which could lead to a fall from the horse where serious injuries and deaths often occur. There are numerous styles of boots depending on the type of riding you like to do. For long trail rides leather riding shoes and paddock boots are your best bet. A combination of leather boots and chaps are important for show riding and jumps.

Saddle – The saddle is the most important piece of equipment you have when riding a horse. The saddle is the seat for the rider, which is attached to the horses back. Saddles have been used in some form or another for several thousand years. They are made of wood and leather -sometimes of synthetic materials- and help make every ride more comfortable. There are two main types of saddles in Mongolia: Mongolian and Western. Mongolian saddles are what are used for military purpose for a long ago but still keeping the style. Western saddles are the more common.

Jeans or Breeches – Yes, jeans actually have an official function. For western riders they are often the choice pant. Breeches, which are most often made of cotton and lycra, are the form fitting pants popular for long rides.

Helmet – On the trail there are helmets are important that are comfortable, lightweight, and vented and an easy precaution that could save your life.

Overall

The most isolated locations in the world are too far to be reached on foot and lack roads to get there by car. That leaves one major form of transportation: the horse. Exploring the vast, isolated regions of our planet takes four hoofs, a saddle, and a good guide. Tours take you to ger camps and cattle drives amid vast plains as well as mountain treks over rocky passes. Ancient ruins, ovoo (piles of stones or wooden tee- pee like sacrifices on the top of passes)…your horse will lead the way.

It took me 2 weeks to physically recover from our trip, the memories will stay for ever.

Thank you so much for looking after us and showing us your amazing country,

thank you for always doing it with a smile and bringing much laughter.

It was a very special trip that will have always have it’s own place in my memory and my heart

JULIE BEECHER

Thanks for everything!

Wonderful experience!

Michael Hudson

The recce to Mongolia was an unforgettable experience.

The vast open Steppe, the friendly local people, the history, the horse race, the tiny, tough ponies and the food – especially the authentic fare we were able to sample like goat, curd cakes and airac! An ideal trip for those wanting their first taste of a horse trekking adventure.

Didi Goodenough

Mongolia is for those who really want to get away from it all rather than just talking about it…..we covered mile upon mile of the most stunning wilderness scenery, with strictly no mobile phone or email reception to interrupt the reverie for the best part of two weeks.

Bliss. We hardly stuck to the itinerary, but it didn’t matter one jot in a place like Mongolia.

The highlights? Camping at some or other place, the land underfoot was carpetted with edelweiss, with a stunning sunset, campfire….and a bush shower!!!

The perfect night in Mongolia.

Nicolette Krajewski

Tom, Tulga and his team were excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly, and anxious to share their knowledge. The organisation appeared seamless – accommodation, food, vehicles, horses, camels all appeared on time and as expected. Forget boiled greasy mutton and no vegetables – we ate very well indeed with plenty of salads.

The cook team would erect their tent at lunchtime in the middle of nowhere and produce a three course meal in no time at all! Even the dreaded fermented mare’s milk proved drinkable. Sharing eclipse glasses with the local population was an unforgettable experience and we hope it was for them, because otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to see it from beginning to end. And the greatest impression of all was the vast beautiful emptiness of the country…

Janet Locke

We learned a lot about Mongolia – and how nice Mongolian people are! It was a great holiday and we loved it all. The ger camps were better than I had expected and the facilities were better too than I’d imagined, having stayed in yurts previously in Kyrghizstan. We were very comfortable in all the ger camps…

We were hugely impressed by Tulga’s team when we were at the eclipse ger camp and when we were camping – I’ve never seen such excellent wilderness loos (with seats!) and his showers were a thing to marvel at.

Peter & Jenny Alderson

The itinerary went through a number of iterations before the tour and it was an excellent introduction to a fascinating country… To experience Mongolia,

horse ride over the Mongolian steppes and live in gers – it could not have been a better introduction

to such a fantastic landscape and people.

Roger & Lyndsey Jones

My trip to Mongolia was amazing. The landscape was beautiful and I felt that I was on top of the world most of the time. The people were so warm and genuine. This was my first trip abroad on my own and Tulga and Dowa, our guides, and Nagi, our driver, made me feel so safe and secure that all my anxieties disappeared as soon as I met them.

It was a pleasure to see how the nomads live and to be invited into their lives for a short time. Mongolia is so beautiful and peaceful – I can’t wait to go back again.

Lisa Fry

Send  your inquiry to;
Mr. Tulga
Nomadic Trails Co.ltd.,
Bayangol District, 6r khoroo, Aminii Oron suuts 11 7B
Ulaanbaatar 44 P.O. Box 793 Mongolia
Tel/fax: + 976 11 68 82 56
Mobile: +976 9904 0894

info@nomadictrails.com

www.nomadictrails.com

Private Groups

If you have a group of friends or relatives, or are part of a club or organisation, and would like to travel on a private tour organised by Nomadic Trails – either using an existing Nomadic Trails itinerary, guide and departure date or by tailor-making a trip of your own – we’d be happy to help.

In fact, we feel this offers the best of both worlds, enabling you to tailor-make your holiday, travel when you like, and with exactly who you want!

Not only that but by arranging your own group you can qualify for significant discounts.

If you manage to get 10 passengers we will give 1 place free of charge;

if you get 8 passengers we will give the lead booker a 50% discount;

and if you get 6 passengers we will give the lead booker a 25% discount.*

On this mind-blowing trip you will be visiting some of the most recommended and least travelled places, that few travellers are privileged enough to see.

Our journey takes us through National Parks, vast landscapes and river valleys, from the Mongol Els Sand Dunes and Kharkhorin (the ancient capital of Mongolia), to the fascinating monasteries of Erdene Zuu and Amarbayasgalant.

Intrepid adventurers will be rewarded with spectacular scenery and memorable sights, plus the chance to discover Mongolian nomadic culture first-hand, by visiting local families and a getting swept up in a fascinating rural version of the famous Naadam Festival in the Bulgan Province.

With plenty of good walks, culture, the thriving capital city of Ulaan Baatar and the epic Mongolian scenery, this Naadam trip will be like no other.

Naadam Festival in Bulgan

Naadam Celebration is opens by speech of head of the Bulgan Province as usual or same as anywhere else. It followed by local folk singing and dancing in the center of the stadium.  Pretty interesting to see the performances and enjoyable to watch it with local crowd. Looking at the crowd, most people wear their traditional costume called “Deel”. Some modern fashionable Deel can be seen and most of them look like long colorful coat!  Flowery dressed little children in the crowd are more looking at shop corners who sell sweeties, colorful balloons, some other toys and most important thing is “Ice Cream”.

With a hundreds of horsemen around stadium in Bulgan town make the area on the move. Policemen trying to stop them with no or small luck.

Opening ceremony would carry on with big and strong wrestlers who wear pants, men and women with bow and arrows coming into the stadium make locals cheering whole area…

Horse Racing

Unlike Western horse racing, which consists of short sprints generally not much longer than 2 km, Mongolian horse racing as featured in Naadam is a cross-country event, with races 15–30 km long. The length of each race is determined by age class. For example, two-year-old horses race for ten miles and seven-year-olds for seventeen miles. Up to 300 horses from any part of Bulgan province, Mongolia can be chosen to participate. Race horses are fed a special diet.

Children from 5 to 13 are chosen as jockeys who train in the months preceding the races. While jockeys are an important component, the main purpose of the races is to test the skill of the horses.

Before the races begin, the audience sings traditional songs and the jockeys sing a song called Giingo. Prizes are awarded to horses and jockeys. The top five horses in each class earn the title of “Airgiyn Tav” and the top three are given gold, silver, and bronze medals. Also the winning jockey is praised with the title of “Tumny Ekh” or leader of ten thousand. The horse that finishes last in the two-year-old class (thedaaga class) is sung a song wishing him luck

Archery

Mongolian archery is unique for having not only one target, but hundreds of beadrsor surs on a huge wall. In this competition both men and women participate. It is played by ten-men/women teams who are given four arrows each; the team has to hit 33 “surs”. Men fire their arrows from 75 meters away while women fire theirs from 65 meters away. When the archer hits the target the judge says uuhai which means “bulls eye”. The winners of the contest are granted the titles of “national marksman” and “national markswoman”.

Wrestling

The matches are generally held in an open grassy field in a stadium just outside of Bulgan town. Since there are no weight classes a small wrestler can compete against an opponent twice his size. Traditionally, wrestlers were not equal matched. The host of a Naadam had the privilege to arrange these matches and would often lend their favorites an advantage. Sometimes such arrangements would result in serious disputes between hosts and visiting wrestlers.

128 wrestlers meet in a single-elimination tournament that lasts 7-8 rounds. Mongolian traditional wrestling is an untimed competition in which wrestlers lose if they touch the ground. When picking pairs, the wrestler with the greatest fame has the privilege to choose his own opponent. Wrestlers wear two-piece costumes consisting of a tight shoulder vest (zodog) and shorts (shuudag). Only men are allowed to play.

Each wrestler has an “encourager” called a zasuul. The zasuul sings a song of praise for the winning wrestler after rounds 3, 5, and 7. Winners of the 7th or 8th stage (depending on whether the competition features 128 wrestlers) earn the title of Zaan, “Elephant”. The winner of the 9th  stage, is called Arslan, “lion”. In the final competition, all the “zasuuls” drop in the wake of each wrestler as they take steps toward each other. Two time winner-Arslans are called the champions, or the “Avraga”.

Accommodation

We use 4 star Hotel Bayangol in Ulaanbaatar city, then we transfer to ger camps, Mongolian dwelling called “Yurt”.

Ger camp is complex comfortable camp in the countryside, hot shower facility, restaurant and Mongolian Ger or Yurt.

Food

The hierarchy of foods in the Mongolian diet

The meat-dependent diet arises from the need for hearty food to stave off the cold and long winters. Traditionally nomadic herders, Mongolians have for centuries been dependent on mostly animal products for their dietary staples.

Mongolians traditionally have turned to foods that are high in protein and minerals, relying less on more seasonable foods like vegetables and fruits. This means a diet heavy on meat and dairy products, the latter when sour in the summer time thought to clean the stomach. It isn’t just about meat though. Mongolians do also eat cereal, barley and natural fruits and plants native to the country.

There are several good Asian or western cuisine restaurants are available in Ulaanbaatar city where there are more choices than countryside or villages and towns.

Some fast food local restaurants are interesting to visit and not bad food they have. Most of them look clean and not many varieties available in there. “Tsuivan” is the most known fast fried vegetable noodles you can find in there.

Food in the ger camps is similar to each other , while ones near in the city provide more chicken dishes more to countryside provide beef or mutton dish. Fish dish could be served ones nearby fishing lake or rivers. Forget about seafood in the countryside.

*How is the weather in Mongolia?

Spring: April – June

Summer: June – September

Fall: Sep – October

Winter: October – March

Summer is little more crowded (not so crowded that it would spoil your trip). The weather in Fall is usually change from bright sun to thunderstorm and back again several times ina day. Autumn is another good time to visit, when the leaves are turning color.

Winter is cold, though blue skies are the norm.

Month Temperature Precipitation in avarageJune +18.0 C; 48.5 mmJuly +24.0 C; 72.6 mm August + 20.0 C; 47.8 mmSeptember + 15.5 C; 24.4 mm

* How to get there?

Gateways to Mongolia are Beijing, Moscow, Osaka and Seoul. Mongolian International Airlines (MIAT), Korean Airline and Air China operate Boeing and Airbus planes on flights toUlaanbaatar.

*Do I need Mongolian Visa?

What is duration of validity of the Mongolian visa or visa fee? Single entry/exit and transit visas are valid for entry within 90 days from the date of issue. Multiple entry visa is valid for a period of 6 months. Mongolian Embassy and Honored Consuls in foreign countries will issue a visa.

If there is not any Embassy Consular Office and also Honored Consul in your country (or country,where you are available to apply) you can get a visa at the immigration office of Mongolian border. In this case, you have to inform us at least one week before your arrival. We will fix official documents and also visa request letter to the Border Immigration Office. If Embassy Consuls and Honored Consul request an invitation letter for a visa we will provide with it.

List of countries without visa fee

1. India – All type of passports need a visa, no visa applications, photos and fees required

2. USA- USA- no visa for all type of passport holders, including A, H, J visas within 90 days. Visit more than 90 days need visa, service charge – $131, no visa fee requiredList of countries and regions with non-visa regime for all types of passport holders-Hong Kong – 14 days for all type of passports. There is no visa fee for diplomatic and official passports. Ordinary passport holders pay visa fee if they travel for more than 14 days.

3. Israel – 30 days for all type of passports-Kazakhstan – 90 days for all type of passports-Malaysia – 1 month for all type of passports-Philippines – 21 days for all type of passports-Singapore – 14 days for all type of passports

*Is there any online Mongolian visa application?

Yes, please visit to following official website http://www.mfat.gov.mn/images/dwfile/VISAAPPLICATIONFORMMONGOL.pdf

*How long does it take to obtain a visa?

Usually it takes 2-5 working days. It is impossible to give a firm answer. Most applications are assessed initially within 24 hours upon their receipt.

*Are there any health requirements? Do I need immunizations to enter Mongolia?

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Mongolia. You should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend that you seek advice fromyour local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. We also recommend:

• That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to us at the time of your booking.

• A dental check-up prior to travelling.

• That you know your blood group in case of emergency. To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk.

*Top five tips for staying healthy:

• Ensure you have the correct vaccinations before you travel and that you have an adequate supply of any prescription medication to take with you.

• Remember – high factor is recommended.

• Make sure you drink plenty of (clean) water – dehydration is very common when travelling – but avoid ice cubes as they may be made from un-purified water.

• Wash your hands regularly. You can buy antibacterial dry hand gel or take some wet- wipes.

• Use insect repellent and long sleeves to avoid getting bitten, even in non-malarial areas.

*I have autistic kid, could my kid ride a horse?

Most people do not own a horse, so taking day tours or short rides and using different horses whenever you can is a good way to see where you stand.Riding lessons are perhaps the best way to get to know how to ride and prepare yourself for different situations. Professionals can teach you how to sit properly, as well as falloff. There are numerous skills to learn and many are near impossible to pick up without some sort of training. Size of Mongolian horse would allow you to lead your horse or walknext to it with your kid is riding on it and you feel more comfortable with it.

*Equipment & Luggage:

Travelling in Mongolia is a relatively easy pastime and therefore you should bring whatever you feel comfortable with.

However, as a guide we suggest a packing list like this:

Kit List:

• 4 x Light cotton shirts or T-shirts, short sleeved and long.

• 2 x Lightweight jumpers or sweatshirts

• Good quality fleece or warm jumper

• 2/3 pairs of cotton trousers. If preferred, women can wear sensible dresses and skirts.

• Set of thermals

• Set of waterproofs

• Swim suit or trunks

• Sun hat or cap

• Pair of comfortable hiking boots/shoes

• Pair of recreational shoes

• Pair of flip flops – useful for showers

• Sleeping bag liner/sleep sheep (cotton, fleece or silk)

• Towel, travel soap and toiletries

• Water bottle

• Socks, thick ones for walking as well as light weight ones for evenings etc. towel, travel soap and toiletries

• Torch (a headtorch keeps your hands free)

• Plug adapter (see ‘Film and Photography’ section)

• Rucksack, duffel bag or soft case (no hard suitcases please)

• Additional snack supplements – see food section. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

Optional Extras:

• Ear plugs (if sharing a room / camping)

• Alarm clock

• 3-4 plastic carrier bags are very useful for dirty washing, dirty shoes and rubbish

• Binoculars

• Small packs of tissues

• Money belt or secure pouch for money and passport etc.

• A bandanna or large handkerchief is useful for dusty tracks, as are eye patches if light affects your sleep!

• Sewing kit

• Sunglasses

• Writing materials

• Swiss Army knife

• Calculator (for currency conversion)

• A trekking pole

NB: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visualirritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

*Hand Luggage:

Although it is very rare that luggage goes missing it has been known to happen and so it’s a good idea to carry a spare t-shirt, toothbrush, wash kit, spare underwear and anyother essentials in your hand luggage so that you can at least freshen up while waiting for your bags to catch you up. If you wear your sturdy shoes/boots it will also reduceweight in your luggage and keep them safe.

*Cultural Sensitivity:

On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them withrespect. Your tour leader will be able to advise you accordingly.

*Why should I bring a electric converter?

Throughout Mongolia, 220 volt/50 cycle is used. Appliances designed to operate at 110 volts will need a Converter. Two-phase and three-phase sockets are commonly used inhotels. You may also need an adapter plug in order to use your electrical appliances. In case you forget it, try to ask the room service.

*How about the money stuff?

It is of course, entirely up to you how much you choose to bring, but £200 (or equivalent) per person should be more than enough to cover all your incidental expenses, bottledbeer /cokes, laundry in guesthouses, presents, etc. Bring US dollar travellers’ cheques and US dollars in cash-clean notes would be ideal. Travellers Cheques offer a safe means of carrying money around although are sometimes difficult to exchange and incur afee for the process. Credit cards are handy at some hotels and at airline offices in Ulaan Baatar, but you won’t be able to buy anything on credit outside the capital. US dollars dated before 2002 are unacceptable. Newer notes offer the best means of currency within the country for flexibility and ease. In Mongolia the unit of currency is the Tugrik.

NB – please do not change more than you think you will need as in some cases you will not be able to change it back into hard currency.

*What suggestions do you have for the first-timers?

Join a group and visit the most popular places before you explore this special world by your own. With a mind of adventures and good will, expecting minor changes or not smoothminutes due to cultural or material differences, relax yourself and enjoy your trip. The Mongolian people are friendly to foreign visitors, your guides would be trained,experienced and your most reliable help. Follow his /her directions and your trip will be smooth and most enjoyable.

*What are the ger and ger camp like?

White felt tent, known as a GER and seen all over Mongolia, is probably the most identifiable symbol of the country. The word YURT is a Turkic word introduced by the Russians.Ger is one of the Mongolian Nomad traditional accommodation which can be assembled in one to three hours depending on the size. Mostly 5 or more gers in together and restaurant, toilet and shower buildings in separate, that is a picture of ger camp in the countryside. Gers can be surprisingly comfortable, supplied with electricity, stove, bedsbasicly. Toilets and showers are in the separate building.

*What is it the Mongolian food and do we have it throughout the trip?

An old Mongolian saying goes something like: ‘Breakfast, keep for yourself; lunch, share with your friends; dinner, give to your enemies’. The biggest and most important meals for Mongolians are breakfast and lunch, which will usually consist of boiled mutton with lots of fat and flour and maybe some dairy products or rice. The Mongolians are big teadrinkers and the classic drink is süütei tsai (salty tea). Men who refuse to drink arkhi (vodka) are considered less manly, while herders make their own unique home brew airag,which is fermented horse’s milk with an alcoholic content of about 3%. Many Mongolians distil it further to produce “shimiin arkhi”, which boosts the alcohol content to around 12%.

Mongolia is a meat-eating country, but vegetarians can be accommodated on our trips with advance notice. The variety of restaurants in Ulaanbaatar continues to expand, and currently includes French, Korean, Mexican, Thai, Russian, Italian and Indian. Meals in the Ger camps and at our backcountry campsites are prepared for you by cooking and trekking staff, and are as varied as possible given their remote locations but still offer a great spread of food. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible so we can make any arrangements to cater for your needs.

Food to consider bringing:

• Flavoured salt is useful for spicing up bland food

• Nutri-grain bars are a good stand-by option.

• Ground Coffee Bags (Lyons) are a treat and easy to pack

• Condensed milk in a tube – very useful for adding to coffee

• A wee dram should you not prefer local vodka or fermented horses milk.

*Treats:

In many of the regions Nomadic Trails travels through edible treats are often very hard to come by. We have found it is therefore a good idea if we all bring something a little bitspecial from home to share out at picnics, on long jeep drives or while having a drink in the evening.

Favourite treats are Wurther’s Originals, dried fruit and mixed nuts, marmite,special fudge or toffee and boiled travel sweets. We even had a homemade fruitcake once – which with a bottle of Whisky in it was very welcome indeed. It is no problem if youforget but if you can it is certain to be well appreciated.

*Guide Books and Maps:

You might like to read up on Mongolia’s interesting history and sites prior to your tour. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as

Lonely Planet, Odyssey Guides, The Rough Guide, Footprint Guides the Horse Boy. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the areas you visit. Good books and maps of Mongolia are available at Stanfords in Covent Garden, London or online at www.stanfords.co.uk.

*Time:

Mongolia is 8hrs ahead of GMT.A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com

*Keeping in Touch:

The time may arise on your trip when you need to contact someone at home (or vice versa). This can always be done via a message to our office in London. Your own mobilephone may work in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) if it is roaming facility enabled. Contact your network provider to check. Coverage is generally restricted to large towns. E-mail is available in the capital but once out in the countryside the email and phone facilities are very limited but in a every villages we can have mobile phone signals.

*Flexibility:

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to adverse weather conditions, road closures, unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and publicholidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Mongolia does not always run likeclockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents.

Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when youwill need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Please remember your sense of humour! – You will enjoy your tour much more.Lastly, your tour leader tries to be conscious of everybody’s views, but sometimes they will have to make an unpopular decision and your flexibility will be appreciated. Please bearin mind that the tour leader does have your best interests at heart.

*Final Recommendations:

We recommend that you leave copies of your documentation with a close relative (ideally someone who has knowledge of your medical history). You should include copies of thefollowing:

• Full itinerary

• Passports

• Travellers Cheques

• Insurance Certificates

• Credit Card details (in case they need to be stopped or cancelled).

*Do’s and Don’ts

DON’T

• let a post or fence come between you if you are walking with Mongolians

• whistle inside a ger or house belonging to a Mongolian

• let your feet point in the direction of the altar (which will be on the north side) when sitting in a ger

• let people walk over your outstretched legs

• tread on the threshold of the ger when you walk over it

• lean against a support column, a piece of furniture, or a wall of the ger (they represent stability and a link with heaven)

• stamp out a fire or put water or any rubbish on it; fire is sacred

• walk in front of an older person

• turn your back to the altar and religious objects at the back of the ger

• touch other people’s hats

• have long conversations in your own language in front of hosts who don’t understand it

• point a knife in the direction of anyone, or touch the hearth with it (the hearth symbolizes ties with ancestors)

• pass anything to a Mongolian with just two fingers

• take food from a plate with your left hand

• spill milk inside a ger

• wave your sleeve, as it is a mark of protest, or extend the little finger of your right hand, as this is a sign of disrespect

• Hold a cup by the bottom, and not by the top rim

DO

• keep your hat on when entering a ger if you are wearing one, but lift it as a sign of greeting

• Keep your sleeves rolled down, if you have any (or pretend to, if you have short sleeves); try not to expose your wrists

• receive things with your right hand or both hands and ensure that your sleeves are rolled down

• ensure you remove your gloves when shaking hands if you are wearing them

• walk around inside the ger in a clockwise direction

• receive food, a gift, or anything similar from a Mongolian with both hands or with your right hand, supported at the wrist or elbow

• take at least a sip or nibble of the delicacies offered

• pick up things with an open hand, palm facing upwards

• grab the hand of a Mongolian if you have accidentally kicked their feet

• sit cross-legged with your feet underneath you

• leave a small gift, other than money, for your hosts

• Sleep with your feet pointing towards the door

• Leave weapons outside

Send  your inquiry to;
Mr. Tulga
Nomadic Trails Co.ltd.,
Bayangol District, 6r khoroo, Aminii Oron suuts 11 7B
Ulaanbaatar 44 P.O. Box 793 Mongolia
Tel/fax: + 976 11 68 82 56
Mobile: +976 9904 0894

info@nomadictrails.com

www.nomadictrails.com

Private Groups

If you have a group of friends or relatives, or are part of a club or organisation, and would like to travel on a private tour organised by Nomadic Trails – either using an existing Nomadic Trails itinerary, guide and departure date or by tailor-making a trip of your own – we’d be happy to help.

In fact, we feel this offers the best of both worlds, enabling you to tailor-make your holiday, travel when you like, and with exactly who you want!

Not only that but by arranging your own group you can qualify for significant discounts.

If you manage to get 10 passengers we will give 1 place free of charge;

if you get 8 passengers we will give the lead booker a 50% discount;

and if you get 6 passengers we will give the lead booker a 25% discount.*

Planning your trip… 1. When to go? What class of sleeper to use? What’s Trans-Siberian travel like? Is it safe?

It’s perfectly safe, even for families, and you can go at any time of year as the Trans-Siberian Railway operates all year round. However, the summer months from May to September have the best weather and the longest hours of daylight so are the most popular. On board the trains, ‘Kupé’ 4-berth sleepers (2nd class) is the usual choice for most westerners. 2-berth ’spalny vagon’ costs twice the price and is only for people who aren’t concerned about the cost. See Trans-Siberian travel tips for more advice on each of these issues.

2. Decide on your route & final destination… The Trans-Siberian Railway doesn’t just go to Vladivostok. It links Europe with China, Japan, Korea, even Vietnam and South East Asia. How about going to Beijing? Shanghai? Hong Kong? Tokyo? Tibet? See the interactive Trans-Siberian route map to open your eyes to the possibilities offered by the Trans-Siberian Railway. You can even reach Hanoi, Saigon, Bangkok or Singapore overland from London. Vladivostok is an interesting place for a day or two, but not worth a 7 day journey from Moscow unless you’re catching the ferry to Japan or Korea. Beijing is a better choice of destination than Vladivostok, an amazing city that’s well worth the trip. And the Trans-Mongolian is arguably the most interesting route, with great views of the Gobi desert and a chance to stop off in Mongolia on the way. But why end your trip in Beijing? Shanghai or Xian are just an overnight train ride away. How about Japan? There are ferries from Shanghai to Japan and a ferry from Vladivostok to Japan. There’s even a twice-weekly train from Beijing to Hanoi in Vietnam taking 2 nights, 1 day (see the Vietnam page), then you can take daily trains to Saigon, a bus to Phnom Penh and on to Bangkok, then a train to Malaysia & Singapore, see the Cambodia & Thailand pages.

3. Do you want to make the whole trip in one go, or to stop off on the way? Travelling to Vladivostok in 7 days without stopovers can be tedious, and it is better the break up the journey and see something of Siberia. On the other hand, the more varied scenery and camaraderie on board the direct Moscow-Beijing trains makes non-stop travel on these trains a very enjoyable option and maximises your time in China. If you’d like to stop off, the best stopovers are Irkutsk in Siberia and Ulan Bator in Mongolia. Ekaterinberg & Ulan Ude are also worth a stop if you have more time to spare. To help decide if and where to stop off, buy a copy of Bryn Thomas’ truly excellent Trans-Siberian Handbook, with journey planning information, town guides, the history of the line, and best of all, a mile-by-mile guide to the sights you can see from the train, to help you get the most from your trip. The Lonely Planet Trans-Siberian Railways guide is also good.

4. Plan your Trans-Siberian trains… There is no such train as the ‘Trans-Siberian Express’ but a whole range of trains across Siberia, including many Russian domestic trains plus a handful of direct international trains to Mongolia and China. Plan your trains using the Trans-Siberian timetable below or the Real Russia Trans-Siberian trip planner. Within Russia, there are both faster quality ‘firmeny’ trains & slower cheaper trains, it’s your call. Fares are shown in the fares section.

5. How much will it cost? How long will it take? How to plan your own itinerary and budget… I suggest sketching out an itinerary and budget using the method explained on the How to plan an itinerary & budget page. In terms of cost, It all depends on what you want to do. But for the cheapest trip put together yourself, you can buy a Moscow-Beijing 2nd class train ticket for around £500, and add London-Moscow train tickets for another £200. Use the the Real Russia Trans-Siberian trip planner to get a good idea of cost, even if you pick a date before you actually intend to travel. You’ll also need at least 1 night in a hotel in Moscow, and of course budget for visas for Russia, China and possibly Mongolia and Belarus. In terms of time, London to Beijing with a one day stopover in Moscow takes around 10 days, London to Beijing with 2-days in Irkutsk and 3 days in Ulan Bator in Mongolia would take 15 days. London to Tokyo or Hanoi with stopovers in Moscow and Vladivostok takes about 14 days. You could reach Bangkok in around 20 days. But where and how long you stop off is up to you.

Send  your inquiry to;    Mr. Tulga
Nomadic Trails Co.ltd.,
Bayangol District, 6r khoroo, Aminii Oron suuts 11 7B
Ulaanbaatar 44 P.O. Box 793 Mongolia
Tel/fax: + 976 11 68 82 56
Mobile: +976 9904 0894

info@nomadictrails.com

www.nomadictrails.com

Private Groups

If you have a group of friends or relatives, or are part of a club or organisation, and would like to travel on a private tour organised by Nomadic Trails – either using an existing Nomadic Trails itinerary, guide and departure date or by tailor-making a trip of your own – we’d be happy to help.

In fact, we feel this offers the best of both worlds, enabling you to tailor-make your holiday, travel when you like, and with exactly who you want!

Not only that but by arranging your own group you can qualify for significant discounts.

If you manage to get 10 passengers we will give 1 place free of charge;

if you get 8 passengers we will give the lead booker a 50% discount;

and if you get 6 passengers we will give the lead booker a 25% discount.*

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Travel Guide

On this mind-blowing trip you will be visiting some of the most recommended and least travelled places, that few travellers are privileged enough to see.

The Gobi desert, one of the world’s great deserts, covers much of the southern part of Mongolia. Unlike the Sahara there are few sand dunes in the Gobi; rather you’ll find large barren expenses of gravel plains and rocky outcrops.

The climate here is extreme. Temperatures reach +40° C. in summer, and -40 in winter. Precipitation averages less than 100 mm per year, while some areas only get rain once every two or three years.

Strong winds up to 140 km/h make travel dangerous in spring and fall. Great Gobi National Park is one of the largest World Biospheres, with an area larger than Switzerland.

It contains the last remaining wild Bacterian (two-humped) camels, wild ass, and a small population of Gobi bears, the only desert-inhabiting bear.

Transport

There are internal flight to Gobi takes about 1 hour and half from Ulaanbaatar only. Also you can be arranged jeeps and 4WD mini vans to get there. But it has to be overnight trip sleeping in some  ger camps and small excursions could be done along the way. We arrange wide range of transports and excursions.

Accommodation

We use comfortable 4  star hotels in Ulaanbaatar, capital city and good service Ger camps throughout countryside.

(Basically, they provide lodging, food, hot shower, toilet facility and other services like massase, if it is health spa ger camp. There are categories like- luxury,- high standart- meduim and very basic according to their offer and facilities) Also please see “gallery”

*

Food

The hierarchy of foods in the Mongolian diet

The meat-dependent diet arises from the need for hearty food to stave off the cold and long winters. Traditionally nomadic herders, Mongolians have for centuries been dependent on mostly animal products for their dietary staples.

Mongolians traditionally have turned to foods that are high in protein and minerals, relying less on more seasonable foods like vegetables and fruits. This means a diet heavy on meat and dairy products, the latter when sour in the summer time thought to clean the stomach. It isn’t just about meat though. Mongolians do also eat cereal, barley and natural fruits and plants native to the country.

Out of necessity Mongolians have found creative and ingenious ways to use the milk of all five of the domestic animals in the country: sheep, cattle, goats, camels and horses.

Orom is the cream that forms on top of boiled milk; aaruul are dried curds and can be seen baking in the sun on top of gers in the summer; eetsgii is the dried cheese; airag is fermented milk of mares (female horses); nermel, is the home-brewed vodka that packs a punch; tarag, is the sour yogurt; shar tos, melted butter from curds and orom, and tsagaan toss, boiled orom mixed with sometimes flour, natural fruits or eezgii.

The method of drying the dairy products is common in preparing them. The Mongolians prepare enough dairy products for the long winter and spring.

While in the countryside we serve you western and eastern European and Mongolian type of food.’

Tips for riding camel

1. Because of the height of a camel, it is very difficult to mount a camel when he is standing. This has to be done only when the camel is sitting. There is a ledge attached to the saddle horn of a camel. This ledge is to help you to get on the camel. Place one leg into the ledge and then put another across the camel’s hump. Take precaution not to hurt the camel while doing this. The best way is to do this mounting process in one go. Do not take breaks while mounting.  This will prevent you from falling down while mounting.
2. The scariest part is when you mount the camel and are sitting on the camel is when it is time for him to stand. Many people are scared of this part and avoid camel riding only because of this reason. If you are not sitting properly you can fall from his hump injuring yourself. To avoid any embarrassing incident you need to have a firm grip of your knees on the saddle horn.  While getting up, when the camel leans forward, you should lean backwards and if he is leaning backwards, remember to lean forward. This will stop you from falling and losing your grip.
3. Once you have mounted the camel and after he gets up, next thing is to know how to sit on a camel.  You have to know his disposition and the way a camel walks. Although the camel’s movements are very slow, you can be pitched forward at about 45 degree angle. This can be stressful sometimes. But if you allow yourself to be a little flexible, you will enjoy the ride.
4. Once you are mounted, hold the reins confidently and draw your knees to a 90 degree bend. This will help you in balancing yourself even if there is a constant movement on a large angle of degree.
5. Never try to dominate on a camel after mounting. Sit confidently but without troubling the animal. The camel might take his own time to get accustomed to you
6. Getting off from the camel is very similar to mounting. Again, the deadliest part can be when a camel sits. Follow the same instructions of leaning to the opposite side on which the camel leans.

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*How is the weather in Mongolia?

Spring: April – June Summer:

June – September

Fall: Sep – October

Winter: October – March

Summer is little more crowded (not so crowded that it would spoil your trip).The weather in Fall is usually change from bright sun to thunderstorm and back again several times in a day. Autumn is another good time to visit, when the leaves are turning color. Winter is cold, though blue skies are the norm. Month Temperature Precipitation in avarage June +18.0 C; 48.5 mm July +24.0 C; 72.6 mm August + 20.0 C; 47.8 mm September + 15.5 C; 24.4 mm

* How to get to Mongolia?

Gateways to Mongolia are Beijing, Moscow, Osaka and Seoul. Mongolian International Airlines (MIAT), Korean Airline and Air China operate Boeing and Airbus planes on flights to Ulaanbaatar.

*Do I need Mongolian Visa? What is duration of validity of the Mongolian visa or visa fee?

Single entry/exit and transit visas are valid for entry within 90 days from the date of issue. Multiple entry visa is valid for a period of 6 months. Mongolian Embassy and Honored Consuls in foreign countries will issue a visa. If there is not any Embassy Consular Office and also Honored Consul in your country (or country, where you are available to apply) you can get a visa at the immigration office of Mongolian border. In this case, you have to inform us at least one week before your arrival. We will fix official documents and also visa request letter to the Border Immigration Office. If Embassy Consuls and Honored Consul request an invitation letter for a visa we will provide with it.

List of countries without visa fee

1. India – All type of passports need a visa, no visa applications, photos and fees required

2. USA- USA- no visa for all type of passport holders, including A, H, J visas within 90 days. Visit more than 90 days need visa, service charge – $131, no visa fee required

List of countries and regions with non-visa regime for all types of passport holders

-Hong Kong – 14 days for all type of passports. There is no visa fee for diplomatic and official passports. Ordinary passport holders pay visa fee if they travel for more than 14 days.

-Israel – 30 days for all type of passports

-Kazakhstan – 90 days for all type of passports

-Malaysia – 1 month for all type of passports

-Philippines – 21 days for all type of passports

-Singapore – 14 days for all type of passports

*Is there any online Mongolian visa application?

Yes, please visit to following official websitehttp://www.mfat.gov.mn/images/dwfile/VISAAPPLICATIONFORMMONGOL.pdf ”

*How long does it take to obtain a visa?

Usually it takes 2-5 working days. It is impossible to give a firm answer. Most applications are assessed initially within 24 hours upon their receipt.

*Are there any health requirements? Do I need immunizations to enter Mongolia?

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Mongolia. You should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend that you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.

We also recommend:

• That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to us at the time of your booking.

• A dental check-up prior to travelling.

• That you know your blood group in case of emergency. To be on the safe side you can also check onwww.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk.

*Top five tips for staying healthy:

• Ensure you have the correct vaccinations before you travel and that you have an adequate supply of any prescription medication to take with you.

• Remember – high factor is recommended.

• Make sure you drink plenty of (clean) water – dehydration is very common when travelling – but avoid ice cubes as they may be made from un-purified water.

• Wash your hands regularly. You can buy antibacterial dry hand gel or take some wet- wipes.

• Use insect repellent and long sleeves to avoid getting bitten, even in non-malarial areas.

*Equipment & Luggage:

Travelling in Mongolia is a relatively easy pastime and therefore you should bring whatever you feel comfortable with. However, as a guide we suggest a packing list like this:

Kit List:

• 4 x Light cotton shirts or T-shirts, short sleeved and long.

• 2 x Lightweight jumpers or sweatshirts

• Good quality fleece or warm jumper

• 2/3 pairs of cotton trousers. If preferred, women can wear sensible dresses and skirts.

• Set of thermals

• Set of waterproofs

• Swim suit or trunks

• Sun hat or cap

• Pair of comfortable hiking boots/shoes

• Pair of recreational shoes

• Pair of flip flops – useful for showers

• Sleeping bag liner/sleep sheep (cotton, fleece or silk)

• Towel, travel soap and toiletries

• Water bottle

• Socks, thick ones for walking as well as light weight ones for evenings etc. towel, travel soap and toiletries

• Torch (a headtorch keeps your hands free)

• Plug adapter (see ‘Film and Photography’ section)

• Rucksack, duffel bag or soft case (no hard suitcases please)

• Additional snack supplements – see food section. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

Optional Extras:

• Ear plugs (if sharing a room / camping)

• Alarm clock

• 3-4 plastic carrier bags are very useful for dirty washing, dirty shoes and rubbish

• Binoculars

• Small packs of tissues

• Money belt or secure pouch for money and passport etc.

• A bandanna or large handkerchief is useful for dusty tracks, as are eye patches if light affects your sleep!

• Sewing kit

• Sunglasses NB: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses. You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

• Writing materials

• Swiss Army knife

• Calculator (for currency conversion)

• A trekking pole

*Hand Luggage:

Although it is very rare that luggage goes missing it has been known to happen and so it’s a good idea to carry a spare t-shirt, toothbrush, wash kit, spare underwear and any other essentials in your hand luggage so that you can at least freshen up while waiting for your bags to catch you up. If you wear your sturdy shoes/boots it will also reduce weight in your luggage and keep them safe.

*Cultural Sensitivity:

On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour leader will be able to advise you accordingly.

*Why should I bring a electric converter?

Throughout Mongolia, 220 volt/50 cycle is used. Appliances designed to operate at 110 volts will need a Converter. Two-phase and three-phase sockets are commonly used in hotels. You may also need an adapter plug in order to use your electrical appliances. In case you forget it, try to ask the room service.

*How about the money stuff?

It is of course, entirely up to you how much you choose to bring, but £200 (or equivalent) per person should be more than enough to cover all your incidental expenses, bottled beer /cokes, laundry in guesthouses, presents, etc. Bring US dollar travellers’ cheques and US dollars in cash. Travellers Cheques offer a safe means of carrying money around although are sometimes difficult to exchange and incur a fee for the process. Credit cards are handy at some hotels and at airline offices in Ulaan Baatar, but you won’t be able to buy anything on credit outside the capital. US dollars dated before 2002 are unacceptable. Newer notes offer the best means of currency within the country for flexibility and ease. In Mongolia the unit of currency is the Tugrik. NB – please do not change more than you think you will need as in some cases you will not be able to change it back into hard currency.

*What suggestions do you have for the first-timers?

Join a group and visit the most popular places before you explore this special world by your own. With a mind of adventures and good will, expecting minor changes or not smooth minutes due to cultural or material differences, relax yourself and enjoy your trip. The Mongolian people are friendly to foreign visitors, your guides would be trained, experienced and your most reliable help. Follow his /her directions and your trip will be smooth and most enjoyable.

*What are the ger and ger camp like?

White felt tent, known as a GER and seen all over Mongolia, is probably the most identifiable symbol of the country. The word YOURT is a Turkic word introduced by the Russians. Ger is one of the Mongolian Nomad traditional accommodation which can be assembled in one to three hours depending on the size. Mostly 5 or more gers in together and restaurant, toilet and shower buildings in separate, that is a picture of ger camp in the countryside. Gers can be surprisingly comfortable, supplied with electricity, stove, beds basicly. Toilets and showers are in the separate building.

*What is it the Mongolian food and do we have it throughout the trip?

An old Mongolian saying goes something like: ‘Breakfast, keep for yourself; lunch, share with your friends; dinner, give to your enemies’. The biggest and most important meals for Mongolians are breakfast and lunch, which will usually consist of boiled mutton with lots of fat and flour and maybe some dairy products or rice.

The Mongolians are big tea drinkers and the classic drink is süütei tsai (salty tea). Men who refuse to drink arkhi (vodka) are considered less manly, while herders make their own unique home brew airag, which is fermented horse’s milk with an alcoholic content of about 3%. Many Mongolians distil it further to produce shimiin arkhi, which boosts the alcohol content to around 12%. Mongolia is a meat-eating country, but vegetarians can be accommodated on our trips with advance notice.

The variety of restaurants in Ulaanbaatar continues to expand, and currently includes French, Korean, Mexican, Thai, Russian, Italian and Indian. Meals in the Ger camps and at our backcountry campsites are prepared for you by cooking and trekking staff, and are as varied as possible given their remote locations but still offer a great spread of food. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible so we can make any arrangements to cater for your needs.

Food to consider bringing:

• Flavoured salt is useful for spicing up bland food

• Nutri-grain bars are a good stand-by option.

• Ground Coffee Bags (Lyons) are a treat and easy to pack

• Condensed milk in a tube – very useful for adding to coffee

• A wee dram should you not prefer local vodka or fermented horses milk.

*Treats:

In many of the regions Nomadic Trails travels through edible treats are often very hard to come by. We have found it is therefore a good idea if we all bring something a little bit special from home to share out at picnics, on long jeep drives or while having a drink in the evening. Favourite treats are Wurther’s Originals, dried fruit and mixed nuts, marmite, special fudge or toffee and boiled travel sweets. We even had a homemade fruitcake once – which with a bottle of Whisky in it was very welcome indeed. It is no problem if you forget but if you can it is certain to be well appreciated.

*Guide Books and Maps:

You might like to read up on Mongolia’s interesting history and sites prior to your tour. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, Odyssey Guides, The Rough Guide and Footprint Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the areas you visit. Good books and maps of Mongolia are available at Stanfords in Covent Garden, London or online at www.stanfords.co.uk.

Also amazing recommended “Horse Boy” by Rupert Isaacson. Nomadic Trails has done logistic and Tulga, our director and tour leader had lead this trip.

*Time:

Mongolia is 8hrs ahead of GMT. A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com

*Keeping in Touch: The time may arise on your trip when you need to contact someone at home (or vice versa). This can always be done via a message to our office in London. Your own mobile phone may work in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) if it is roaming facility enabled. Contact your network provider to check. Coverage is generally restricted to large towns. E-mail is available in the capital but once out in the countryside the email and phone facilities are very limited but in a every villages we can have mobile phone signals.

*Flexibility: Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to adverse weather conditions, road closures, unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Mongolia does not always run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Please remember your sense of humour! – You will enjoy your tour much more.Lastly, your tour leader tries to be conscious of everybody’s views, but sometimes they will have to make an unpopular decision and your flexibility will be appreciated. Please bear in mind that the tour leader does have your best interests at heart.

*Final Recommendations: We recommend that you leave copies of your documentation with a close relative (ideally someone who has knowledge of your medical history).

You should include copies of the following:

• Full itinerary

• Passports

• Travellers Cheques

• Insurance Certificates

• Credit Card details (in case they need to be stopped or cancelled).

*Do’s and Don’ts DON’T

• let a post or fence come between you if you are walking with Mongolians

• whistle inside a ger or house belonging to a Mongolian

• let your feet point in the direction of the altar (which will be on the north side) when sitting in a ger

• let people walk over your outstretched legs

• tread on the threshold of the ger when you walk over it

• lean against a support column, a piece of furniture, or a wall of the ger (they represent stability and a link with heaven)

• stamp out a fire or put water or any rubbish on it; fire is sacred

• walk in front of an older person

• turn your back to the altar and religious objects at the back of the ger

• touch other people’s hats

• have long conversations in your own language in front of hosts who don’t understand it

• point a knife in the direction of anyone, or touch the hearth with it (the hearth symbolizes ties with ancestors)

• pass anything to a Mongolian with just two fingers

• take food from a plate with your left hand

• spill milk inside a ger

• wave your sleeve, as it is a mark of protest, or extend the little finger of your right hand, as this is a sign of disrespect

• Hold a cup by the bottom, and not by the top rim

DO

• keep your hat on when entering a ger if you are wearing one, but lift it as a sign of greeting

• Keep your sleeves rolled down, if you have any (or pretend to, if you have short sleeves); try not to expose your wrists

• receive things with your right hand or both hands and ensure that your sleeves are rolled down

• ensure you remove your gloves when shaking hands if you are wearing them

• walk around inside the ger in a clockwise direction

• receive food, a gift, or anything similar from a Mongolian with both hands or with your right hand, supported at the wrist or elbow

• take at least a sip or nibble of the delicacies offered

• pick up things with an open hand, palm facing upwards

• grab the hand of a Mongolian if you have accidentally kicked their feet

• sit cross-legged with your feet underneath you

• leave a small gift, other than money, for your hosts

• Sleep with your feet pointing towards the door

• Leave weapons outside

It took me 2 weeks to physically recover from our trip, the memories will stay for ever.

Thank you so much for looking after us and showing us your amazing country, thank you for always doing it with a smile and bringing much laughter.

It was a very special trip that will have always have it’s own place in my memory and

my heart

JULIE BEECHER

Thanks for everything!

Wonderful experience!

Michael Hudson

The recce to Mongolia was an unforgettable experience.

The vast open Steppe, the friendly local people, the history, the horse race, the tiny, tough ponies and the food – especially the authentic fare we were able to sample like goat, curd cakes and airac!

An ideal trip for those wanting their first taste of a horse trekking adventure.

Didi Goodenough

Mongolia is for those who really want to get away from it all rather than just talking about it…..we covered mile upon mile of the most stunning wilderness scenery, with strictly no mobile phone or email reception to interrupt the reverie for the best part of two weeks.

Bliss. We hardly stuck to the itinerary, but it didn’t matter one jot in a place like Mongolia.

The highlights? Camping at some or other place, the land underfoot was carpetted with edelweiss, with a stunning sunset, campfire….and a bush shower!!! The perfect night in Mongolia.

Nicolette Krajewski

Tom, Tulga and his team were excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly, and anxious to share their knowledge. The organisation appeared seamless – accommodation, food, vehicles, horses, camels all appeared on time and as expected. Forget boiled greasy mutton and no vegetables – we ate very well indeed with plenty of salads.

The cook team would erect their tent at lunchtime in the middle of nowhere and produce a three course meal in no time at all! Even the dreaded fermented mare’s milk proved drinkable. Sharing eclipse glasses with the local population was an unforgettable experience and we hope it was for them, because otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to see it from beginning to end. And the greatest impression of all was the vast beautiful emptiness of the country…

Janet Locke

We learned a lot about Mongolia – and how nice Mongolian people are! It was a great holiday and we loved it all. The ger camps were better than I had expected and the facilities were better too than I’d imagined, having stayed in yurts previously in Kyrghizstan. We were very comfortable in all the ger camps…

We were hugely impressed by Tulga’s team when we were at the eclipse ger camp and when we were camping – I’ve never seen such excellent wilderness loos (with seats!) and his showers were a thing to marvel at.

Peter & Jenny Alderson

The itinerary went through a number of iterations before the tour and it was an excellent introduction to a fascinating country…

To experience Mongolia, horse ride over the Mongolian steppes and live in gers – it could not have been a better introduction to such a fantastic landscape and people.

Roger & Lyndsey Jones

My trip to Mongolia was amazing. The landscape was beautiful and I felt that I was on top of the world most of the time. The people were so warm and genuine. This was my first trip abroad on my own and Tulga and Dowa, our guides, and Nagi, our driver, made me feel so safe and secure that all my anxieties disappeared as soon as I met them.

It was a pleasure to see how the nomads live and to be invited into their lives for a short time. Mongolia is so beautiful and peaceful – I can’t wait to go back again.

Lisa Fry

Just to say the time spent with you in Mongolia was fantastic.

I can never express the gratitude I feel for such an outstanding and exciting time,

it will take a while for me to adjust to ordinary life in the UK. I couldn’t stop talking!

Jenny Smith

I loved my holiday it was wonderful, and I keep telling everyone to go to Mongolia. Naadam in Bulgan was amazing experience!

Patricia Bernard

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Mr. Tulga

[View with PicLens]

12►

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

*How is the weather in Mongolia?

Spring: April – June

Summer: June – September

Fall: Sep – October

Winter: October – March

Summer is little more crowded (not so crowded that it would spoil your trip). The weather in Fall is usually change from bright sun to thunderstorm and back again several times ina day. Autumn is another good time to visit, when the leaves are turning color.

Winter is cold, though blue skies are the norm.

Month Temperature Precipitation in avarageJune +18.0 C; 48.5 mmJuly +24.0 C; 72.6 mm August + 20.0 C; 47.8 mmSeptember + 15.5 C; 24.4 mm

* How to get there?

Gateways to Mongolia are Beijing, Moscow, Osaka and Seoul. Mongolian International Airlines (MIAT), Korean Airline and Air China operate Boeing and Airbus planes on flights toUlaanbaatar.

*Do I need Mongolian Visa?

What is duration of validity of the Mongolian visa or visa fee? Single entry/exit and transit visas are valid for entry within 90 days from the date of issue. Multiple entry visa is valid for a period of 6 months. Mongolian Embassy and Honored Consuls in foreign countries will issue a visa.

If there is not any Embassy Consular Office and also Honored Consul in your country (or country,where you are available to apply) you can get a visa at the immigration office of Mongolian border. In this case, you have to inform us at least one week before your arrival. We will fix official documents and also visa request letter to the Border Immigration Office. If Embassy Consuls and Honored Consul request an invitation letter for a visa we will provide with it.

List of countries without visa fee

1. India – All type of passports need a visa, no visa applications, photos and fees required

2. USA- USA- no visa for all type of passport holders, including A, H, J visas within 90 days. Visit more than 90 days need visa, service charge – $131, no visa fee requiredList of countries and regions with non-visa regime for all types of passport holders-Hong Kong – 14 days for all type of passports. There is no visa fee for diplomatic and official passports. Ordinary passport holders pay visa fee if they travel for more than 14 days.

3. Israel – 30 days for all type of passports-Kazakhstan – 90 days for all type of passports-Malaysia – 1 month for all type of passports-Philippines – 21 days for all type of passports-Singapore – 14 days for all type of passports

*Is there any online Mongolian visa application?

Yes, please visit to following official website http://www.mfat.gov.mn/images/dwfile/VISAAPPLICATIONFORMMONGOL.pdf

*How long does it take to obtain a visa?

Usually it takes 2-5 working days. It is impossible to give a firm answer. Most applications are assessed initially within 24 hours upon their receipt.

*Are there any health requirements? Do I need immunizations to enter Mongolia?

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Mongolia. You should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend that you seek advice fromyour local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. We also recommend:

• That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to us at the time of your booking.

• A dental check-up prior to travelling.

• That you know your blood group in case of emergency. To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk.

*Top five tips for staying healthy:

• Ensure you have the correct vaccinations before you travel and that you have an adequate supply of any prescription medication to take with you.

• Remember – high factor is recommended.

• Make sure you drink plenty of (clean) water – dehydration is very common when travelling – but avoid ice cubes as they may be made from un-purified water.

• Wash your hands regularly. You can buy antibacterial dry hand gel or take some wet- wipes.

• Use insect repellent and long sleeves to avoid getting bitten, even in non-malarial areas.

*I have autistic kid, could my kid ride a horse?

Most people do not own a horse, so taking day tours or short rides and using different horses whenever you can is a good way to see where you stand.Riding lessons are perhaps the best way to get to know how to ride and prepare yourself for different situations. Professionals can teach you how to sit properly, as well as falloff. There are numerous skills to learn and many are near impossible to pick up without some sort of training. Size of Mongolian horse would allow you to lead your horse or walknext to it with your kid is riding on it and you feel more comfortable with it.

*Equipment & Luggage:

Travelling in Mongolia is a relatively easy pastime and therefore you should bring whatever you feel comfortable with.

However, as a guide we suggest a packing list like this:

Kit List:

• 4 x Light cotton shirts or T-shirts, short sleeved and long.

• 2 x Lightweight jumpers or sweatshirts

• Good quality fleece or warm jumper

• 2/3 pairs of cotton trousers. If preferred, women can wear sensible dresses and skirts.

• Set of thermals

• Set of waterproofs

• Swim suit or trunks

• Sun hat or cap

• Pair of comfortable hiking boots/shoes

• Pair of recreational shoes

• Pair of flip flops – useful for showers

• Sleeping bag liner/sleep sheep (cotton, fleece or silk)

• Towel, travel soap and toiletries

• Water bottle

• Socks, thick ones for walking as well as light weight ones for evenings etc. towel, travel soap and toiletries

• Torch (a headtorch keeps your hands free)

• Plug adapter (see ‘Film and Photography’ section)

• Rucksack, duffel bag or soft case (no hard suitcases please)

• Additional snack supplements – see food section. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

Optional Extras:

• Ear plugs (if sharing a room / camping)

• Alarm clock

• 3-4 plastic carrier bags are very useful for dirty washing, dirty shoes and rubbish

• Binoculars

• Small packs of tissues

• Money belt or secure pouch for money and passport etc.

• A bandanna or large handkerchief is useful for dusty tracks, as are eye patches if light affects your sleep!

• Sewing kit

• Sunglasses

• Writing materials

• Swiss Army knife

• Calculator (for currency conversion)

• A trekking pole

NB: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visualirritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

*Hand Luggage:

Although it is very rare that luggage goes missing it has been known to happen and so it’s a good idea to carry a spare t-shirt, toothbrush, wash kit, spare underwear and anyother essentials in your hand luggage so that you can at least freshen up while waiting for your bags to catch you up. If you wear your sturdy shoes/boots it will also reduceweight in your luggage and keep them safe.

*Cultural Sensitivity:

On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them withrespect. Your tour leader will be able to advise you accordingly.

*Why should I bring a electric converter?

Throughout Mongolia, 220 volt/50 cycle is used. Appliances designed to operate at 110 volts will need a Converter. Two-phase and three-phase sockets are commonly used inhotels. You may also need an adapter plug in order to use your electrical appliances. In case you forget it, try to ask the room service.

*How about the money stuff?

It is of course, entirely up to you how much you choose to bring, but £200 (or equivalent) per person should be more than enough to cover all your incidental expenses, bottledbeer /cokes, laundry in guesthouses, presents, etc. Bring US dollar travellers’ cheques andUS dollars in cash-clean notes would be ideal. Travellers Cheques offer a safe means of carrying money around although are sometimes difficult to exchange and incur afee for the process. Credit cards are handy at some hotels and at airline offices in Ulaan Baatar, but you won’t be able to buy anything on credit outside the capital. US dollars dated before 2002 are unacceptable. Newer notes offer the best means of currency within the country for flexibility and ease. In Mongolia the unit of currency is the Tugrik.

NB – please do not change more than you think you will need as in some cases you will not be able to change it back into hard currency.

*What suggestions do you have for the first-timers?

Join a group and visit the most popular places before you explore this special world by your own. With a mind of adventures and good will, expecting minor changes or not smoothminutes due to cultural or material differences, relax yourself and enjoy your trip. The Mongolian people are friendly to foreign visitors, your guides would be trained,experienced and your most reliable help. Follow his /her directions and your trip will be smooth and most enjoyable.

*What are the ger and ger camp like?

White felt tent, known as a GER and seen all over Mongolia, is probably the most identifiable symbol of the country. The word YURT is a Turkic word introduced by the Russians.Ger is one of the Mongolian Nomad traditional accommodation which can be assembled in one to three hours depending on the size. Mostly 5 or more gers in together and restaurant, toilet and shower buildings in separate, that is a picture of ger camp in the countryside. Gers can be surprisingly comfortable, supplied with electricity, stove, bedsbasicly. Toilets and showers are in the separate building.

*What is it the Mongolian food and do we have it throughout the trip?

An old Mongolian saying goes something like: ‘Breakfast, keep for yourself; lunch, share with your friends; dinner, give to your enemies’. The biggest and most important meals for Mongolians are breakfast and lunch, which will usually consist of boiled mutton with lots of fat and flour and maybe some dairy products or rice. The Mongolians are big teadrinkers and the classic drink is süütei tsai (salty tea). Men who refuse to drink arkhi (vodka) are considered less manly, while herders make their own unique home brew airag,which is fermented horse’s milk with an alcoholic content of about 3%. Many Mongolians distil it further to produce “shimiin arkhi”, which boosts the alcohol content to around 12%.

Mongolia is a meat-eating country, but vegetarians can be accommodated on our trips with advance notice. The variety of restaurants in Ulaanbaatar continues to expand, and currently includes French, Korean, Mexican, Thai, Russian, Italian and Indian. Meals in the Ger camps and at our backcountry campsites are prepared for you by cooking and trekking staff, and are as varied as possible given their remote locations but still offer a great spread of food. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible so we can make any arrangements to cater for your needs.

Food to consider bringing:

• Flavoured salt is useful for spicing up bland food

• Nutri-grain bars are a good stand-by option.

• Ground Coffee Bags (Lyons) are a treat and easy to pack

• Condensed milk in a tube – very useful for adding to coffee

• A wee dram should you not prefer local vodka or fermented horses milk.

*Treats:

In many of the regions Nomadic Trails travels through edible treats are often very hard to come by. We have found it is therefore a good idea if we all bring something a little bitspecial from home to share out at picnics, on long jeep drives or while having a drink in the evening.

Favourite treats are Wurther’s Originals, dried fruit and mixed nuts, marmite,special fudge or toffee and boiled travel sweets. We even had a homemade fruitcake once – which with a bottle of Whisky in it was very welcome indeed. It is no problem if youforget but if you can it is certain to be well appreciated.

*Guide Books and Maps:

You might like to read up on Mongolia’s interesting history and sites prior to your tour. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as

Lonely Planet, Odyssey Guides, The Rough Guide, Footprint Guides the Horse Boy. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the areas you visit. Good books and maps of Mongolia are available at Stanfords in Covent Garden, London or online at www.stanfords.co.uk.

*Time:

Mongolia is 8hrs ahead of GMT.A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com

*Keeping in Touch:

The time may arise on your trip when you need to contact someone at home (or vice versa). This can always be done via a message to our office in London. Your own mobilephone may work in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) if it is roaming facility enabled. Contact your network provider to check. Coverage is generally restricted to large towns. E-mail is available in the capital but once out in the countryside the email and phone facilities are very limited but in a every villages we can have mobile phone signals.

*Flexibility:

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to adverse weather conditions, road closures, unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and publicholidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Mongolia does not always run likeclockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents.

Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when youwill need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Please remember your sense of humour! – You will enjoy your tour much more.Lastly, your tour leader tries to be conscious of everybody’s views, but sometimes they will have to make an unpopular decision and your flexibility will be appreciated. Please bear in mind that the tour leader does have your best interests at heart.

*Final Recommendations:

We recommend that you leave copies of your documentation with a close relative (ideally someone who has knowledge of your medical history). You should include copies of thefollowing:

• Full itinerary

• Passports

• Travellers Cheques

• Insurance Certificates

• Credit Card details (in case they need to be stopped or cancelled).

*Do’s and Don’ts

DON’T

• let a post or fence come between you if you are walking with Mongolians

• whistle inside a ger or house belonging to a Mongolian

• let your feet point in the direction of the altar (which will be on the north side) when sitting in a ger

• let people walk over your outstretched legs

• tread on the threshold of the ger when you walk over it

• lean against a support column, a piece of furniture, or a wall of the ger (they represent stability and a link with heaven)

• stamp out a fire or put water or any rubbish on it; fire is sacred

• walk in front of an older person

• turn your back to the altar and religious objects at the back of the ger

• touch other people’s hats

• have long conversations in your own language in front of hosts who don’t understand it

• point a knife in the direction of anyone, or touch the hearth with it (the hearth symbolizes ties with ancestors)

• pass anything to a Mongolian with just two fingers

• take food from a plate with your left hand

• spill milk inside a ger

• wave your sleeve, as it is a mark of protest, or extend the little finger of your right hand, as this is a sign of disrespect

• Hold a cup by the bottom, and not by the top rim

DO

• keep your hat on when entering a ger if you are wearing one, but lift it as a sign of greeting

• Keep your sleeves rolled down, if you have any (or pretend to, if you have short sleeves); try not to expose your wrists

• receive things with your right hand or both hands and ensure that your sleeves are rolled down

• ensure you remove your gloves when shaking hands if you are wearing them

• walk around inside the ger in a clockwise direction

• receive food, a gift, or anything similar from a Mongolian with both hands or with your right hand, supported at the wrist or elbow

• take at least a sip or nibble of the delicacies offered

• pick up things with an open hand, palm facing upwards

• grab the hand of a Mongolian if you have accidentally kicked their feet

• sit cross-legged with your feet underneath you

• leave a small gift, other than money, for your hosts

• Sleep with your feet pointing towards the door

• Leave weapons outside

You held our hands across the steppe and up to Siberia. You found the shamans. I owe you a lot.

Without you we could not have done it.

Rowan gets better an better!

Thank you isn’t enough Tulga!

Rupert’s family

We miss Mongolia and we miss you. Daniel is doing better every day. He is back in school, and the teachers
say that he is a changed man. There is a lot of improvement.
We all came back healthier, energetic and re-charged from Mongolia.
It was a very good trip for us and we love your amazing country.

Nirit Raviv

Pélo is doing good. There is no specific change for the moment but generaly speaking I find her calmer and more on earth, more in her body.

I wish to continue the healing in a manner or another.

I’m sure it opens fields and it reconnect things bit by bit.

Claire Doyon

We want to thank you for this most beautiful journey, and all the good care we enjoyed from you and your crew!

Perhaps we’ll meet again, who knows.

This would be very nice some day…Team was very kind, and gave us excellent service!

Lieve Verhelst.

The trip was a great experience for me.

I enjoyed the view, the group, the activities and of course the company. We got all the help we asked for and everything was well organised.

Gilad

Send  your inquiry to;
Mr. Tulga
Nomadic Trails Co.ltd.,
Bayangol District, 6r khoroo, Aminii Oron suuts 11 7B
Ulaanbaatar 44 P.O. Box 793 Mongolia
Tel/fax: + 976 11 68 82 56
Mobile: +976 9904 0894

info@nomadictrails.com

www.nomadictrails.com

Private Groups

If you have a group of friends or relatives, or are part of a club or organisation, and would like to travel on a private tour organised by Nomadic Trails – either using an existing Nomadic Trails itinerary, guide and departure date or by tailor-making a trip of your own – we’d be happy to help.

In fact, we feel this offers the best of both worlds, enabling you to tailor-make your holiday, travel when you like, and with exactly who you want!

Not only that but by arranging your own group you can qualify for significant discounts.

If you manage to get 10 passengers we will give 1 place free of charge;

if you get 8 passengers we will give the lead booker a 50% discount;

and if you get 6 passengers we will give the lead booker a 25% discount.*

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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*How is the weather in Mongolia?

Spring: April – June

Summer: June – September

Fall: Sep – October

Winter: October – March

Summer is little more crowded (not so crowded that it would spoil your trip). The weather in Fall is usually change from bright sun to thunderstorm and back again several times ina day. Autumn is another good time to visit, when the leaves are turning color.

Winter is cold, though blue skies are the norm.

Month Temperature Precipitation in avarageJune +18.0 C; 48.5 mmJuly +24.0 C; 72.6 mm August + 20.0 C; 47.8 mmSeptember + 15.5 C; 24.4 mm

* How to get there?

Gateways to Mongolia are Beijing, Moscow, Osaka and Seoul. Mongolian International Airlines (MIAT), Korean Airline and Air China operate Boeing and Airbus planes on flights toUlaanbaatar.

*Do I need Mongolian Visa?

What is duration of validity of the Mongolian visa or visa fee? Single entry/exit and transit visas are valid for entry within 90 days from the date of issue. Multiple entry visa is valid for a period of 6 months. Mongolian Embassy and Honored Consuls in foreign countries will issue a visa.

If there is not any Embassy Consular Office and also Honored Consul in your country (or country,where you are available to apply) you can get a visa at the immigration office of Mongolian border. In this case, you have to inform us at least one week before your arrival. We will fix official documents and also visa request letter to the Border Immigration Office. If Embassy Consuls and Honored Consul request an invitation letter for a visa we will provide with it.

List of countries without visa fee

1. India – All type of passports need a visa, no visa applications, photos and fees required

2. USA- USA- no visa for all type of passport holders, including A, H, J visas within 90 days. Visit more than 90 days need visa, service charge – $131, no visa fee requiredList of countries and regions with non-visa regime for all types of passport holders-Hong Kong – 14 days for all type of passports. There is no visa fee for diplomatic and official passports. Ordinary passport holders pay visa fee if they travel for more than 14 days.

3. Israel – 30 days for all type of passports-Kazakhstan – 90 days for all type of passports-Malaysia – 1 month for all type of passports-Philippines – 21 days for all type of passports-Singapore – 14 days for all type of passports

*Is there any online Mongolian visa application?

Yes, please visit to following official website http://www.mfat.gov.mn/images/dwfile/VISAAPPLICATIONFORMMONGOL.pdf

*How long does it take to obtain a visa?

Usually it takes 2-5 working days. It is impossible to give a firm answer. Most applications are assessed initially within 24 hours upon their receipt.

*Are there any health requirements? Do I need immunizations to enter Mongolia?

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Mongolia. You should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend that you seek advice fromyour local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. We also recommend:

• That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to us at the time of your booking.

• A dental check-up prior to travelling.

• That you know your blood group in case of emergency. To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk.

*Top five tips for staying healthy:

• Ensure you have the correct vaccinations before you travel and that you have an adequate supply of any prescription medication to take with you.

• Remember – high factor is recommended.

• Make sure you drink plenty of (clean) water – dehydration is very common when travelling – but avoid ice cubes as they may be made from un-purified water.

• Wash your hands regularly. You can buy antibacterial dry hand gel or take some wet- wipes.

• Use insect repellent and long sleeves to avoid getting bitten, even in non-malarial areas.

*I have autistic kid, could my kid ride a horse?

Most people do not own a horse, so taking day tours or short rides and using different horses whenever you can is a good way to see where you stand.Riding lessons are perhaps the best way to get to know how to ride and prepare yourself for different situations. Professionals can teach you how to sit properly, as well as falloff. There are numerous skills to learn and many are near impossible to pick up without some sort of training. Size of Mongolian horse would allow you to lead your horse or walknext to it with your kid is riding on it and you feel more comfortable with it.

*Equipment & Luggage:

Travelling in Mongolia is a relatively easy pastime and therefore you should bring whatever you feel comfortable with.

However, as a guide we suggest a packing list like this:

Kit List:

• 4 x Light cotton shirts or T-shirts, short sleeved and long.

• 2 x Lightweight jumpers or sweatshirts

• Good quality fleece or warm jumper

• 2/3 pairs of cotton trousers. If preferred, women can wear sensible dresses and skirts.

• Set of thermals

• Set of waterproofs

• Swim suit or trunks

• Sun hat or cap

• Pair of comfortable hiking boots/shoes

• Pair of recreational shoes

• Pair of flip flops – useful for showers

• Sleeping bag liner/sleep sheep (cotton, fleece or silk)

• Towel, travel soap and toiletries

• Water bottle

• Socks, thick ones for walking as well as light weight ones for evenings etc. towel, travel soap and toiletries

• Torch (a headtorch keeps your hands free)

• Plug adapter (see ‘Film and Photography’ section)

• Rucksack, duffel bag or soft case (no hard suitcases please)

• Additional snack supplements – see food section. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

Optional Extras:

• Ear plugs (if sharing a room / camping)

• Alarm clock

• 3-4 plastic carrier bags are very useful for dirty washing, dirty shoes and rubbish

• Binoculars

• Small packs of tissues

• Money belt or secure pouch for money and passport etc.

• A bandanna or large handkerchief is useful for dusty tracks, as are eye patches if light affects your sleep!

• Sewing kit

• Sunglasses

• Writing materials

• Swiss Army knife

• Calculator (for currency conversion)

• A trekking pole

NB: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visualirritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

*Hand Luggage:

Although it is very rare that luggage goes missing it has been known to happen and so it’s a good idea to carry a spare t-shirt, toothbrush, wash kit, spare underwear and anyother essentials in your hand luggage so that you can at least freshen up while waiting for your bags to catch you up. If you wear your sturdy shoes/boots it will also reduceweight in your luggage and keep them safe.

*Cultural Sensitivity:

On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them withrespect. Your tour leader will be able to advise you accordingly.

*Why should I bring a electric converter?

Throughout Mongolia, 220 volt/50 cycle is used. Appliances designed to operate at 110 volts will need a Converter. Two-phase and three-phase sockets are commonly used inhotels. You may also need an adapter plug in order to use your electrical appliances. In case you forget it, try to ask the room service.

*How about the money stuff?

It is of course, entirely up to you how much you choose to bring, but £200 (or equivalent) per person should be more than enough to cover all your incidental expenses, bottledbeer /cokes, laundry in guesthouses, presents, etc. Bring US dollar travellers’ cheques andUS dollars in cash-clean notes would be ideal. Travellers Cheques offer a safe means of carrying money around although are sometimes difficult to exchange and incur afee for the process. Credit cards are handy at some hotels and at airline offices in Ulaan Baatar, but you won’t be able to buy anything on credit outside the capital. US dollars dated before 2002 are unacceptable. Newer notes offer the best means of currency within the country for flexibility and ease. In Mongolia the unit of currency is the Tugrik.

NB – please do not change more than you think you will need as in some cases you will not be able to change it back into hard currency.

*What suggestions do you have for the first-timers?

Join a group and visit the most popular places before you explore this special world by your own. With a mind of adventures and good will, expecting minor changes or not smoothminutes due to cultural or material differences, relax yourself and enjoy your trip. The Mongolian people are friendly to foreign visitors, your guides would be trained,experienced and your most reliable help. Follow his /her directions and your trip will be smooth and most enjoyable.

*What are the ger and ger camp like?

White felt tent, known as a GER and seen all over Mongolia, is probably the most identifiable symbol of the country. The word YURT is a Turkic word introduced by the Russians.Ger is one of the Mongolian Nomad traditional accommodation which can be assembled in one to three hours depending on the size. Mostly 5 or more gers in together and restaurant, toilet and shower buildings in separate, that is a picture of ger camp in the countryside. Gers can be surprisingly comfortable, supplied with electricity, stove, bedsbasicly. Toilets and showers are in the separate building.

*What is it the Mongolian food and do we have it throughout the trip?

An old Mongolian saying goes something like: ‘Breakfast, keep for yourself; lunch, share with your friends; dinner, give to your enemies’. The biggest and most important meals for Mongolians are breakfast and lunch, which will usually consist of boiled mutton with lots of fat and flour and maybe some dairy products or rice. The Mongolians are big teadrinkers and the classic drink is süütei tsai (salty tea). Men who refuse to drink arkhi (vodka) are considered less manly, while herders make their own unique home brew airag,which is fermented horse’s milk with an alcoholic content of about 3%. Many Mongolians distil it further to produce “shimiin arkhi”, which boosts the alcohol content to around 12%.

Mongolia is a meat-eating country, but vegetarians can be accommodated on our trips with advance notice. The variety of restaurants in Ulaanbaatar continues to expand, and currently includes French, Korean, Mexican, Thai, Russian, Italian and Indian. Meals in the Ger camps and at our backcountry campsites are prepared for you by cooking and trekking staff, and are as varied as possible given their remote locations but still offer a great spread of food. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible so we can make any arrangements to cater for your needs.

Food to consider bringing:

• Flavoured salt is useful for spicing up bland food

• Nutri-grain bars are a good stand-by option.

• Ground Coffee Bags (Lyons) are a treat and easy to pack

• Condensed milk in a tube – very useful for adding to coffee

• A wee dram should you not prefer local vodka or fermented horses milk.

*Treats:

In many of the regions Nomadic Trails travels through edible treats are often very hard to come by. We have found it is therefore a good idea if we all bring something a little bitspecial from home to share out at picnics, on long jeep drives or while having a drink in the evening.

Favourite treats are Wurther’s Originals, dried fruit and mixed nuts, marmite,special fudge or toffee and boiled travel sweets. We even had a homemade fruitcake once – which with a bottle of Whisky in it was very welcome indeed. It is no problem if youforget but if you can it is certain to be well appreciated.

*Guide Books and Maps:

You might like to read up on Mongolia’s interesting history and sites prior to your tour. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as

Lonely Planet, Odyssey Guides, The Rough Guide, Footprint Guides the Horse Boy. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the areas you visit. Good books and maps of Mongolia are available at Stanfords in Covent Garden, London or online at www.stanfords.co.uk.

*Time:

Mongolia is 8hrs ahead of GMT.A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com

*Keeping in Touch:

The time may arise on your trip when you need to contact someone at home (or vice versa). This can always be done via a message to our office in London. Your own mobilephone may work in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) if it is roaming facility enabled. Contact your network provider to check. Coverage is generally restricted to large towns. E-mail is available in the capital but once out in the countryside the email and phone facilities are very limited but in a every villages we can have mobile phone signals.

*Flexibility:

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to adverse weather conditions, road closures, unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and publicholidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Mongolia does not always run likeclockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents.

Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when youwill need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Please remember your sense of humour! – You will enjoy your tour much more.Lastly, your tour leader tries to be conscious of everybody’s views, but sometimes they will have to make an unpopular decision and your flexibility will be appreciated. Please bear in mind that the tour leader does have your best interests at heart.

*Final Recommendations:

We recommend that you leave copies of your documentation with a close relative (ideally someone who has knowledge of your medical history). You should include copies of thefollowing:

• Full itinerary

• Passports

• Travellers Cheques

• Insurance Certificates

• Credit Card details (in case they need to be stopped or cancelled).

*Do’s and Don’ts

DON’T

• let a post or fence come between you if you are walking with Mongolians

• whistle inside a ger or house belonging to a Mongolian

• let your feet point in the direction of the altar (which will be on the north side) when sitting in a ger

• let people walk over your outstretched legs

• tread on the threshold of the ger when you walk over it

• lean against a support column, a piece of furniture, or a wall of the ger (they represent stability and a link with heaven)

• stamp out a fire or put water or any rubbish on it; fire is sacred

• walk in front of an older person

• turn your back to the altar and religious objects at the back of the ger

• touch other people’s hats

• have long conversations in your own language in front of hosts who don’t understand it

• point a knife in the direction of anyone, or touch the hearth with it (the hearth symbolizes ties with ancestors)

• pass anything to a Mongolian with just two fingers

• take food from a plate with your left hand

• spill milk inside a ger

• wave your sleeve, as it is a mark of protest, or extend the little finger of your right hand, as this is a sign of disrespect

• Hold a cup by the bottom, and not by the top rim

DO

• keep your hat on when entering a ger if you are wearing one, but lift it as a sign of greeting

• Keep your sleeves rolled down, if you have any (or pretend to, if you have short sleeves); try not to expose your wrists

• receive things with your right hand or both hands and ensure that your sleeves are rolled down

• ensure you remove your gloves when shaking hands if you are wearing them

• walk around inside the ger in a clockwise direction

• receive food, a gift, or anything similar from a Mongolian with both hands or with your right hand, supported at the wrist or elbow

• take at least a sip or nibble of the delicacies offered

• pick up things with an open hand, palm facing upwards

• grab the hand of a Mongolian if you have accidentally kicked their feet

• sit cross-legged with your feet underneath you

• leave a small gift, other than money, for your hosts

• Sleep with your feet pointing towards the door

• Leave weapons outside

Send  your inquiry to;
Mr. Tulga
Nomadic Trails Co.ltd.,
Bayangol District, 6r khoroo, Aminii Oron suuts 11 7B
Ulaanbaatar 44 P.O. Box 793 Mongolia
Tel/fax: + 976 11 68 82 56
Mobile: +976 9904 0894

info@nomadictrails.com

www.nomadictrails.com

Private Groups

If you have a group of friends or relatives, or are part of a club or organisation, and would like to travel on a private tour organised by Nomadic Trails – either using an existing Nomadic Trails itinerary, guide and departure date or by tailor-making a trip of your own – we’d be happy to help.

In fact, we feel this offers the best of both worlds, enabling you to tailor-make your holiday, travel when you like, and with exactly who you want!

Not only that but by arranging your own group you can qualify for significant discounts.

If you manage to get 10 passengers we will give 1 place free of charge;

if you get 8 passengers we will give the lead booker a 50% discount;

and if you get 6 passengers we will give the lead booker a 25% discount.*

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The Shaman

Western people believe that a shaman is something like a “medicine man”, “holy priest” or “magic doctor”. But in Mongolia and Siberia the shamans are not simple doctors (folk doctors), they are very spiritual people. There exist many different kinds of healers in this homeland, and they are masters in their field. There are otochi (healers), bariachi (bone-setters), and bariyachi (midwives). All of these specialists are believed to have some sort of help from the world of spirits.

It is the shaman, however, that is the true master of knowing really well the spirit world. The shaman is chosen by the spirits at his birth, and it is then that an extra soul called utha enters this person. This soul helps shamans to gather the help of other spirits.

Without this protection, rituals and other spirits, the world journeys are dangerous. The main function of the shaman is to restore and maintain balance in his community. Shamans conduct blessings, rituals of protection, hunting magic, rain making and divination. They also cure sicknesses that have spiritual causes. Shamans are also the caretakers of traditional culture. With their knowledge of ancient tradition, their counsel has been sought throughout the ages. Some tribes have more than one type of shaman, among some groups they are ranked by their power, or they will be differentiated as white or black depending on what spirits they use and where they travel to.

Taiga Forest

The taiga or boreal forest exists as a nearly continuous belt of coniferous trees across Eurasia and North America. Overlying formerly glaciated areas and areas of patchy permafrost on both continents, the forest is mosaic of successional and sub climax plant communities sensitive to varying environmental conditions. Taiga is the Mongolian name for this forest which covers so much of that country. However, the term is used in North America as well.

Accommodation

We use 4 star Hotel Bayangol in Ulaanbaatar city, then we transfer to ger camps, Mongolian dwelling called “Yurt”.

Ger camp is complex comfortable camp in the countryside, hot shower facility, restaurant and Mongolian Ger or Yurt.

Food

The hierarchy of foods in the Mongolian diet

The meat-dependent diet arises from the need for hearty food to stave off the cold and long winters. Traditionally nomadic herders, Mongolians have for centuries been dependent on mostly animal products for their dietary staples.

Mongolians traditionally have turned to foods that are high in protein and minerals, relying less on more seasonable foods like vegetables and fruits. This means a diet heavy on meat and dairy products, the latter when sour in the summer time thought to clean the stomach. It isn’t just about meat though. Mongolians do also eat cereal, barley and natural fruits and plants native to the country.

There are several good Asian or western cuisine restaurants are available in Ulaanbaatar city where there are more choices than countryside or villages and towns.

Some fast food local restaurants are interesting to visit and not bad food they have. Most of them look clean and not many varieties available in there. “Tsuivan” is the most known fast fried vegetable noodles you can find in there.

Food in the ger camps is similar to each other , while ones near in the city provide more chicken dishes more to countryside provide beef or mutton dish. Fish dish could be served ones nearby fishing lake or rivers. Forget about seafood in the countryside.

od.

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Please send  your inquiry to;
Mr. Tulga
Nomadic Trails Co.ltd.,
Bayangol District, 6r khoroo, Aminii Oron suuts 11 7B
Ulaanbaatar 44 P.O. Box 793 Mongolia
Tel/fax: + 976 11 68 82 56
Mobile: +976 9904 0894

info@nomadictrails.com

www.nomadictrails.com

Send  your inquiry to;
Mr. Tulga
Nomadic Trails Co.ltd.,
Bayangol District, 6r khoroo, Aminii Oron suuts 11 7B
Ulaanbaatar 44 P.O. Box 793 Mongolia
Tel/fax: + 976 11 68 82 56
Mobile: +976 9904 0894

info@nomadictrails.com

www.nomadictrails.com

Private Groups

If you have a group of friends or relatives, or are part of a club or organisation, and would like to travel on a private tour organised by Nomadic Trails – either using an existing Nomadic Trails itinerary, guide and departure date or by tailor-making a trip of your own – we’d be happy to help.

In fact, we feel this offers the best of both worlds, enabling you to tailor-make your holiday, travel when you like, and with exactly who you want!

Not only that but by arranging your own group you can qualify for significant discounts.

If you manage to get 10 passengers we will give 1 place free of charge;

if you get 8 passengers we will give the lead booker a 50% discount;

and if you get 6 passengers we will give the lead booker a 25% discount.*

Art of hunting with Golden Eagle

In Kyrgyzstan, central Asia, the area around the lake of Issyk Kul is known for its hunters with falcons and golden eagles.  The Kyrgyz tradition dates back 900 years to the time of the Mongol invasion in the area.  Hunting with one of nature’s most formidable bird’s of prey – the golden eagle.

The primal culture of hunting is practised the world round, while hunting with birds of prey is not only more challenging but it also offers a glimpse to another time.

This style of hunting is a difficult sport, as it takes three to four years to teach a bird to hunt.

The bird must always be taught by the same man, and that man should be with the bird at all times, in order to get the bird used to the voice of the “berkuchi” – its master, its friend and teacher.

To prepare the bird for hunting professional golden eagle hunter, Mirlan Kalilov, says he doesn’t give the bird anything to eat, to clean his system. He needs to keep the bird hungry and fit, so that it could fly easily.

Both falcon and golden eagle attack and kill their prey instantly, breaking its neck or spine and leaving only barely visible marks on the fur of the prey, so the fur and skin are left practically intact.

The hunter has to keep his bird on a stretched arm.

The prey of falcons could be small rodents, rabbits, and foxes, but for such a powerful bird as the golden eagle it could be bobcats, roe deer, and even young wolves stranded in deep snow in winter.

Hunting season usually starts at the end of October or beginning of November and lasts for four months.

The Golden Eagle

A superb hunter the golden eagle possesses lethal talons that can carry animals as large as foxes effortlessly into the air. Examples of their still larger prey include deer, lambs and young goats but these are usually not slain by the eagle but eaten as carrion.
Domestic animals such as dogs are not excluded from the skilled hunter’s talons.

They possess incredibly keen eyesight and are easily able to scan far enough to spot a rabbit, lizard or a mouse two kilometers away. Their hearing is also excellent because they need to be able to hear the cries of their young when they are flying some distance away from the chicks.

The golden eagle has over 2,000 feathers, from small, downy ones for keeping the bird warm when it’s riding the often freezing thermals to large broad flight feathers. They take immaculate care of them, preening meticulously. Considering that they have a wing span of up to two meters this is not a task to underestimate.

Their mating habits are amazing because they dance in the air, enticing each other by soaring, swooping, chasing and diving until eventually they lock talons and spiral down to earth.

It is not difficult to understand why numbers are dwindling when it is considered that each pair of golden eagles requires 3,000 acres of land for their hunting territory. As man demands more land for himself terrain is spoiled for hunters like the eagle.

In a nearby woodland area I sometimes see an eagle, wings spread out, gliding on the fresh breezes. As its piercing cries conjure up bygone times when our ancestors were forest dwellers peaceably co-existing with these wondrous feathered creatures my heart is wrenched with sorrow that in the future we might cause their extinction. Yet they are not considered to be under threat of it currently and the golden eagle has soared back from near extinction in certain parts of the world. There is still time for us all to respect the environment that we share with them so that we all may survive for many years to come.

Accommodation

We use comfortable 4  star hotels in Ulaanbaatar, capital city and good service Ger camps throughout countryside.

Food

The hierarchy of foods in the Mongolian diet

The meat-dependent diet arises from the need for hearty food to stave off the cold and long winters. Traditionally nomadic herders, Mongolians have for centuries been dependent on mostly animal products for their dietary staples.

Mongolians traditionally have turned to foods that are high in protein and minerals, relying less on more seasonable foods like vegetables and fruits. This means a diet heavy on meat and dairy products, the latter when sour in the summer time thought to clean the stomach. It isn’t just about meat though. Mongolians do also eat cereal, barley and natural fruits and plants native to the country.

Out of necessity Mongolians have found creative and ingenious ways to use the milk of all five of the domestic animals in the country: sheep, cattle, goats, camels and horses. Orom is the cream that forms on top of boiled milk; aaruul are dried curds and can be seen baking in the sun on top of gers in the summer; eetsgii is the dried cheese; airag is fermented milk of mares (female horses); nermel, is the home-brewed vodka that packs a punch; tarag, is the sour yogurt; shar tos, melted butter from curds and orom, and tsagaan toss, boiled orom mixed with sometimes flour, natural fruits or eezgii. The method of drying the dairy products is common in preparing them. The Mongolians prepare enough dairy products for the long winter and spring.

While in the countryside we serve you western and eastern European and Mongolian type of food.

photos by T.Bayanjargalan

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It took me 2 weeks to physically recover from our trip, the memories will stay for ever. Thank you so much for looking after us and showing us your amazing country, thank you for always doing it with a smile and bringing much laughter.

It was a very special trip that will have always have it’s own place in my

memory and

my heart

JULIE BEECHER

Thanks for everything!

Wonderful experience!

Michael Hudson

The recce to Mongolia was an unforgettable experience.

The vast open Steppe, the friendly local people, the history, the horse race, the tiny, tough ponies and the food – especially the authentic fare we were able to sample like goat, curd cakes and airac!

An ideal trip for those wanting their first taste of a horse trekking adventure.

Didi Goodenough

Mongolia is for those who really want to get away from it all rather than just talking about it…..we covered mile upon mile of the most stunning wilderness scenery, with strictly no mobile phone or email reception to interrupt the reverie for the best part of two weeks.

Bliss. We hardly stuck to the itinerary, but it didn’t matter one jot in a place like Mongolia. The highlights? Camping at some or other place, the land underfoot was carpetted with edelweiss, with a stunning sunset, campfire….and a

bush shower!!! The perfect night in Mongolia.

Nicolette Krajewski

Tom, Tulga and his team were excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly, and anxious to share their knowledge. The organisation appeared seamless – accommodation, food, vehicles, horses, camels all appeared on time and as expected. Forget boiled greasy mutton and no vegetables – we ate very well indeed with plenty of salads.

The cook team would erect their tent at lunchtime in the middle of nowhere and produce a three course meal in no time at all! Even the dreaded fermented mare’s milk proved drinkable. Sharing eclipse glasses with the local population was an unforgettable experience and we hope it was for them, because otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to see it from beginning to end. And the greatest impression of all was the vast beautiful emptiness of the country…

Janet Locke

We learned a lot about Mongolia – and how nice Mongolian people are! It was a great holiday and we loved it all. The ger camps were better than I had expected and the facilities were better too than I’d imagined, having stayed in yurts previously in Kyrghizstan. We were very comfortable in all the ger camps…

We were hugely impressed by Tulga’s team when we were at the eclipse ger camp and when we were camping – I’ve never seen such excellent wilderness loos (with seats!) and his showers were a thing to marvel at.

Peter & Jenny Alderson

The itinerary went through a number of iterations before the tour and it was an excellent

introduction to a fascinating country… To experience Mongolia, horse ride over the Mongolian steppes and live in

gers – it could not have been a better introduction to such a fantastic landscape and people.

Roger & Lyndsey Jones

My trip to Mongolia was amazing. The landscape was beautiful and I felt that I was on top of the world most of the time. The people were so warm and genuine. This was my first trip abroad on my own and Tulga and Dowa, our guides, and Nagi, our driver, made me feel so safe and secure that all my anxieties disappeared as soon as I met them.

It was a pleasure to see how the nomads live and to be invited into their lives for a short time. Mongolia is so beautiful and peaceful – I can’t wait to go back again.

Lisa Fry

Just to say the time spent with you in Mongolia was fantastic.

I can never express the gratitude I feel for such an outstanding and exciting time,

it will take a while for me to adjust to ordinary life in the UK. I couldn’t stop talking!

Jenny Smith

I loved my holiday it was wonderful, and I keep telling everyone to go to Mongolia.

Naadam in Bulgan was amazing experience!

Patricia Bernard

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[View with PicLens]

__________________________________________________________________

Send  your inquiry to;

Mr. Tulga

Bayangol District, 6r khoroo, Aminii Oron suuts 11 7B
Ulaanbaatar 44 P.O. Box 793 Mongolia
Tel/fax: + 976 11 68 82 56
Mobile: +976 9904 0894

info@nomadictrails.com

www.nomadictrails.com

Private Groups

If you have a group of friends or relatives, or are part of a club or organisation, and would like to travel on a private tour organised by Nomadic Trails – either using an existing Nomadic Trails itinerary, guide and departure date or by tailor-making a trip of your own – we’d be happy to help.

In fact, we feel this offers the best of both worlds, enabling you to tailor-make your holiday, travel when you like, and with exactly who you want!

Not only that but by arranging your own group you can qualify for significant discounts.

If you manage to get 10 passengers we will give 1 place free of charge;

if you get 8 passengers we will give the lead booker a 50% discount;

and if you get 6 passengers we will give the lead booker a 25% discount.*

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