When is the best time to come to Mongolia?
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year and also the months when the steppe is the most beautiful. However be assured our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time (Mongolia can boast to have 200 sunny days per year).
The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
However, if you’re hardened to cold, the mantle of snow covering the as far as the eyes can see steppe is a unique gift for the brave travellers wishing big thrills.
How do I get to Mongolia?
All direct flights come into Ulaanbaatar – most of them from Beijing, Moscow, Seoul or Berlin. The Trans-Mongolian train from Moscow or Beijing makes a particularly exhilarating entry into the country. There are domestic flights and trains from Ulaanbaatar to the rest of Mongolia. Many of the tours use a 4WD Japanese and Korean vehicle to transport you to your destination.
What visa requirements are there?
Your passport should have 6 months validity on it, and you will also need a visa. Visas are available from the Mongolian embassy in your country. One month visas can be obtained on the spot once you arrive at the airport or railway station – you will need an official confirmation letter from Chinggis Nomads Travel Agency if you choose to do this. There will also be a fee of $53US.
What is the accommodation like?
If you are staying in Ulaanbaatar, you will be in a hotel. During any trips around the country, you will be camping in tents and in traditional Mongolian ger. All accommodation offered by Chinggis Nomads is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
What should I bring with me?
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best, try and bring a hat or headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Insect repellent, sun cream, water purifying tablets and all your camera equipment as these items are not plentiful in Mongolia. If you are planning to backpack, you should have a high quality tent, mattress and sleeping bag, and a cooking stove and equipment.These items are available to buy in Ulaanbaatar should you have any difficulties, or to be rented to our travel agency.
How’s the food?
During your trip in countryside mutton, rice and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian.
How do I make payment in Mongolia?
US Dollars are often accepted, especially in Ulaanbaatar, but it is also useful to carry some cash in the local currency, the Tugrik. 1USD=1230 Tugrik /December 2005/ Many businesses accept American Express Travelers checks. The American Express card is acceptable in hotels and some banks, as are Visa and Master Card. Also JCB card is acceptable. There are no branches of International Bank. However international bank wire transfers are possible. Several banks accept and issue Travelers Check. Traveler Checks may be cashed into Tugriks for 2% commission.
