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Mode of transport
The Mongolian Airlines operates basic flights to or from Mongolia. It’s possible to fly by MIAT from Beijing, Moscow, Frankfurt, Berlin, Tokyo, Seoul and Huh hot to Ulaanbaatar. Also you can catch a train from Beijing, Moscow, and Irkutsk to Ulaanbaatar. This journey will be much cheaper.
In Mongolia, the faithful mode of transportation will be vehicles. Especially the 4WD mini buses and jeeps are the most common and comfortable transports for your journey. The road condition in Mongolia is not so good. Travelers usually have to use natural ground roads in the countryside. However, you can fly by MIAT’s domestic flights, or travel by train to some destinations. But we advice you to travel by vehicles, because you will be able to stop at some places, take photographs, have some relax, or enjoy the surrounding area. More information about MIAT is available at: www.miat.com and about Mongolian railway is available at: www.mtz.mn

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Visas
You can either apply for a visa in advance in your home country, or upon arrival in Mongolia. Generally, everyone entering Mongolian territory must have a visa. However, because of bilateral agreements made with some countries, this is not always the case.All types of visas can be obtained from the Visa and Passport.
Division of the Ministry of External Relations, in Ulaanbaatar, and also Mongolian Embassies, Consulates, Honorary Consulates, Trade and Permanent Missions abroad.
Please note that the visa regulations have recently changed. It is now NOT possible to buy visas at Mongolian borders or at the airport upon arrival. Visas must be obtained in advance.
For all types of visa application, you will need your passport, a completed application form and at least one passport-size photograph. Passports should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months. The standard charge for a tourist visa is US$25 and for a transit visa US$15 if you obtain the visa in advance. If you require the visa urgently or if you obtain your visa at the border points, you will need to pay US$50 and US$30 respectively.
There have also been changes recently to Police Registration procedures. You are advised to find out up-to-date details from your Embassy or Consulate in advance.

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Accommodation
Rooms of deluxe, semi-deluxe, first-class and tourist categories are available at the hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Mongolian Ger at the tourist camp. For Ulaanbaatar being the single hub for any travel destinations within Mongolia, nobody can skip staying at least one or two nights in Ulaanbaatar. The Ger camps consist of gers, based on 2-4 beds, restaurants and shower/restroom facilities.

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The Mongolian ger
The nomads have developed a circular felt covered dwelling - the ger (or yurt in Turkish language), adapted to the difficult conditions of their daily life (cold, wind, sun) and easy to be moved as can be raised and dismantled in 30 to 60 minutes. The gers have beautiful carved and decorated doors, and south oriented. When entering into a herder’s ger, airag and cheese are handed and blown snuff bottles are exchanged.

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Electric current
The standard voltage in Mongolia is 220 volts\50 Hz, with plugs of two round pins, as in Southern Europe.

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Currency
The Mongolian currency is the Tugrug, which is available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, & 10,000 Tugrug Notes. Coins are beginning to become into circulation and are in denominations of MNT 20, 50, 100 and 200. All notes carry the face of Chinggis Khan or Sukhbaatar on them and because of their age can often look alike. The exchange rate is constantly changing. The rate of December 2004 is US$1 = MNT1212. For an up-to-date exchange rate visit.

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Foods
Despite what you might hear about food supplies in Mongolia, it's now very simple to have a balanced diet, even if you're a vegetarian. If you're intending to eat out in Ulaanbaatar, there are a large number of restaurants serving quality, Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Italian, English, American, French, Russian, Latin American and of course Mongolian cuisines.
There are also a lot of supermarkets and markets selling both Mongolian and imported goods from China, Russia, East Asia and Europe.

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Communication
Mongolia's national code is '00976'. Making international telephone calls from Ulaanbaatar is relatively easy. Most hotels have International Direct Dial Facilities.
The area code for Ulaanbaatar : 11.
Mobile phones: there are two services (Mobicom and Skytel). Some card phones provide instructions in English. International calling cards cost 3000-10000 Tugriks.

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Getting around
Trolley buses and buses in the city center have a fee of MNT 200 payable on board. Taxis charge MNT 300 per km. This is a relatively safe way to travel. For travel furthers a field, buses and private cars depart when full from long-distance bus stands. The rail network is limited, but there are flights to 17 airports within the country.

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Equipment
We’ll provide you with good quality two-men tents with mattresses. We also provide you with sleeping bags, kitchen equipments, food container, fishing gears if required.

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Opening hours:
Shops open 09:00 a.m.-08:00 p.m. Some shops open 24 hours.
Banks open 09:00a.m.-01:00 p.m. and 02:00 p.m.-04:30 p.m. Some banks open 24 hours.
Museums open 10:00 a.m.- 04:30 p.m.

Getting more info about Mongolia
We advice you to browse some books and guides about Mongolia to get a basic knowledge on the customs and traditions of the Mongols. You can have it from “Mongolei” guide by Barbara Stelling in German, “MONGOLIE” guide by Olizane (in French), and the Lonely Planet’s ”MONGOLIA” guide (in English).
If you wish to know more about the history of Mongolia, the “Secret history of the Mongols” is the best reference about the legendary history of Genghis khan. If you need more detailed information, we can send you more information by e-mail or post.

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