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 Mongolia 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.

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.

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.

*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 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.*