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Mongolia
Getting Started & Practical Information
When to Visit
Summers in Mongolia can be very rainy in the north,
but temperatures peak during this time so many still find it to be an attractive
time to visit. Ulaanbaatar boasts daily highs of about 72°F (22-23°C) during the
summer, but night temperatures still drop to only about 50°F (10°C). This season
allows easy travel options as the roads are cleared of snow and transportation options
tend to fall as there are little obstacles to travel; this is also the busiest tourist
season, but in Mongolia "busy tourist season" has a different meaning
than most places as it remains an fairly unknown destination. Winters are the opposite
extreme with highs of only 5-15°F (-10 to -15°C), but still fairly sunny most days;
unfortunately, this season makes transportation nearly impossible with snow closing
many roads and a trip to a nomadic village off the travel itinerary. Falls (autumn)
can be cold and receive snow, while springs seem to be the worst for visitors to
Mongolia. After the long winters the nomads are busy tending to their animals, many
roads are not cleared of snow, the plains are windy, and temperatures are still
cold. For a true cultural experience this is the time to visit as few other tourists
will be present, but what you have access to will be severely limited.
A final point to consider before planning your travel is local holidays. Holidays
can make travel either more attractive, such as for large festivals, or less attractive
due to tourist site closings and more expensive transportation options, so make
sure you look into this before booking your trip. Here is a list of Mongolia's Holiday Schedule.
Weather
Although weather can be generalized based upon years past, for more up to date weather
patterns and predicted future weather patterns, visit weather websites like weather.com; many local news sources also have information
for international weather forecasts.
Tours & Cruises
If you're looking for a pre-arranged trip, that involves little effort on your
part, then you should consider going on an organized tour or cruise. Organized tours
and cruises vary from all expenses included to only daily tours and perhaps hotels
included in the price, but all the options below will help you arrange all the details
so you don't have to worry about finding the best deal or right hotel.
Gap
Adventures: Known best among young adults, Gap Adventures provides local
transportation, housing, and food, which cuts costs and introduces the local culture,
but can also be challenging for those seeking luxury.
Gecko's Adventures: Active in "responsible"
tourism, Gecko's Adventures provides local transportation, housing, and food
in small group settings.
Intrepid Travel: Boasts
more "off the beaten track" destinations; do your research though since
some tours are very adventurous and involves camping and local hotels.
Mongolia's Official Tourism Website: This site lists tour operators
and tour agencies officially licensed and based in Mongolia.
Road Scholar: For older adults, Road Scholar offers tours
with an educational emphasis; formerly known as Elder Hostel.
Guidebooks
If you are just traveling on business and have little free time or are already familiar
with Mongolia, you may not need anything more than SafariTheGlobe.com's
Mini Guide to Mongolia! However, if you
need more detailed and up to date information, there is one guidebook available
for travel in Mongolia.
Lonely Planet: Great maps and updated often with comprehensive housing information,
restaurants, & transportation options. Backpackers and adventurers love these
guidebooks.
Visas
Many foreign nationals need a visa to enter Mongolia,
however the requirements for citizens of different nationalities varies. To learn
more about who need visas, what type of visa is needed, what requirements are needed
to obtain a visa, and visa costs, please visit the Official Website of Mongolia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs &
Trade or your nearest Mongolian Embassy.
Health & Insurance
Every part of the world has different health concerns and diseases, including Mongolia. Before traveling, consult with a physician
to learn more about your destination and what steps you can take to prevent illness.
At the time of writing, Mongolia didn't have any health immunizations that are
required prior to arrival, although a number of immunizations are strongly recommended.
Many health insurance providers don't cover health care that is provided outside
your home country. Before going abroad check with your health insurance to see if
they cover international care. If not, consider purchasing an international medical
insurance option, preferably from a company that specializes in international medical
insurance.
Transportation
Unless you're on an organized tour or working with a travel agent, you will
have to arrange some transportation. The below links can greatly help you start
your planning, first by finding a flight to Mongolia,
then with domestic airlines and car rental agencies. If you don't know where
to begin, try the "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" to learn competitor's
prices during your trip.
Largest International Airlines: Air France, American
Airlines; British Airways;
Cathay Pacific; China Southern Airlines;
Delta; Emirates;
KLM; LAN; Lufthansa;
Qantas; Singapore Airlines;
United Airlines.
Largest Mongolian Airlines:
Eznis Airways & MIAT Mongolian
Airlines
Flight & Rental Car Search Sites: Expedia.com;
Farecast.com; Kayak.com;
Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.
Housing
Housing options are numerous in most tourist destinations, but every individual
seeks out something different when it comes to housing. The below links should help
you get started, with low- to high-end hotels, hostels, and camping options.
Popular International Hotel Conglomerates: Accor Group (various price ranges); Choice Hotels (low- to mid-price range); Hilton (various price ranges); Hyatt (high-end to resorts); InterContinental Group (mid- to high-price
range); Marriott Family (various
price ranges); Starwood Hotels
(high-end); Wyndham Hotels
(low- to mid-price range).
Hotel Search Sites:
Expedia.com; Kayak.com;
Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.
Hostels: Although there are many hostel websites, some of the most
popular and reputable include hostels.com,
hostelworld.com, &
hostelbookers.com.
Camping: Camping (in western terms) is still a foreign concept
in Morocco. Many Mongolians still live in mobile gers and some will welcome
foreigners in for the night, although this is best pre-arranged through a tour company
as most tour operators in Mongolia have ger stay options available. Some
national parks will also allow camping, but check in advance to understand requirements
and availability.
Opening Hours, Expenses, & Tipping
Mongolia is on a similar time schedule as much of northern
Europe. Shops and the workday tend to open at about 8:00-9:00
am and close at about 5:00 pm, but inconsistencies exist, particularly in the countryside.
Most places close on weekends, which are Saturdays and Sundays in Mongolia, although
most restaurants are open seven days a week.
Mongolia is relatively inexpensive on
European standards. Hostels and even some hotels can easily be found for
as little as 7,000-20,000 tughrik ($5-15) a night per person, while business and
western hotels (which only really exist in Ulaanbaatar) can start at about 200,000
tughrik ($150). Food can range a little, from as little as 2,000 tughrik ($1-2)
to about 40,000 tughrik ($30) for a nice restaurant. Local transportation costs
are also fairly reasonable if you take public transportation and even taxis rarely
cost more than 7,000 tughrik ($5) for a cross-city journey if you are a good negotiator.
Generally there is no tipping in Mongolia, however there
are a couple exceptions. If dining in a western restaurant or staying at a western
hotel tips are expected, 10% being a good tip.
When using public restrooms there is at times an old woman standing guard, who demands
money, this is not a tip, it is a bathroom fee. Some will even charge different
amounts for the use of urinals versus toilets, but none ever seem to supply toilet
paper unless you want to dish out more money at the door.
Crime & Safety
Mongolia is a relatively safe place to visit. Petty
theft exists, but isn't prevalent and violent crimes are ever rarer. The greatest
threats are in the hazards of the roads and in hiking or trekking in the wilderness.
This page was last updated: December, 2011