Archive for the 'Travel Guide' Category

Car Rental

Car Rental

Arranging a private car and driver is generally not difficult in Ulaanbaatar. Most hotels in Ulaanbaatar, travel agencies, government ministries with which business is being conducted or private individuals maybe of assistance in locating a car and driver. The rates vary from approximately $25-35 a day and $0.60 per kilometer for a short-term rental outside of Ulaanbaatar.
Vehicle types:
-Land Rover /Discovery, Range Rover & Defender/
-Nissan Safari
-Land Cruiser /80, 77 series/
-Uaz /Russian jeep/
-Uaz-Furgon /4×4 wagon/
-Trip truck
- Wagon /15 seats/
- Kitchen vehicle
- Service vehicle
- Off-road motorcycle /125 & 250cc/

Accommodation in Mongolia

Accommodation in Mongolia

The standards of accommodation vary widely between Ulaanbaatar and the countryside. There are now a large number of hotels, guest house and dormitories within the capital.

Hotel

Most places cost at least US$40 per single room. Most hotels (zochid buudal) have three types of rooms: a ‘deluxe’ (buten lyuks) room, which includes a separate sitting room, with TV, and a private bath-room, a half-deluxe (khagas lyuks), which is much the same only a little smaller but often much cheaper, and a ’simple’ (engiin) room, usually with a shared bathroom. Sometimes, dormitory-style (niitiin bair) beds are also available. Usually empty and falling apart, though aimag capitals such as Tsetserleg, Arvaikheer and Uliastai have new private hotels which are quite good.

Apartment

If you are staying in Ulaanbaatar for a week or more, it is cheaper and more convenient to rent an apartment. The hard part is finding one and arranging a short-term lease. Several of the guesthouses can arrange an apartment for between US$10 and US$20 per day. You must pay for the electricity and telephone. If you are traveling in a small group, it’s worth looking around for an apartment to rent. Most owners or landlords obviously prefer long-term rentals, particularly to resident experts, but if business is slow you may be able to arrange something with a short-term lease. A reasonable, furnished, two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen costs from US$200 to US$300 per month. Finding an apartment is usually a matter of asking around or checking over the classified sections of the local English-language papers.

Houses

The most houses which are wide range situated in Ulaanbaatar like most things about Mongolia. Like most things in Mongolia there is a wide range of different types of houses. They are vastly different from what you will find anywhere outside of the capital city - Ulaanbaatar. House rentals are available in Mongolia for travelers who want more complete accommodations. There are some housing rental companies who rent to foreigners for daily rates.

Ger Camps

While hotels cater for tourists staying in Ulaanbaatar, ger camps in the countryside provide travelers a perfect balance between comfort and authenticity. Staying in traditional nomadic dwelling Ger is itself a memorable experience for a traveler. Ger camps are mostly located near main travel destination. These camps provide accommodation in the round felt houses used by nomads and usually have separate toilet, washing and restaurant facilities. Tourists can camp virtually where they like although they are advised to stay away from settlement. Laws also prohibit camping within certain zones of protected areas. While traveling out in the terrain or mountain, travelers must rely on their tents.

Guesthouses

Guesthouse in UlaanbaatarUlaanbaatar now has several guest houses firmly aimed at foreign backpackers. Most are in apartment blocks and have dorm rooms for US$5 to US$10 a bed, cheap meals, laundry service, Internet connection and travel services. They are great places to meet other travelers to share transportation costs but can get pretty crowded during Naadam.  Outside Ulaanbaatar only Dalanzadgad in the Gobi and Khuvsgul Lake have accommodation aimed at backpackers.

Tourist Information Center (TIC)

Tourist Information Center (TIC)

The Tourist Information Center or TIC, is an independent organization located in Ulaanbaatar, and is the first such effort of its kind in Mongolia. We can provide you with reliable information about Mongolian tourism organizations (hotels, restaurants, tourist camps, tour operators, shops selling national products and souvenirs, museums, air and railway ticket offices, currency exchange facilities, guides and transportation) and tell you about routes that take in Mongolian sites of scenic and historical interest. The Tourist Information Centers are located in the Central Post Office, at Chinggis Khaan Airport, and at the International Railway Station. While you are at the Tourist Information Center, you can check your e-mail, buy maps or take a City Tour with us. If you need advice on any aspect of your trip please email us with your inquiries.

TIC in the Central Post Office, Ulaanbaatar:
Weekdays: 9.00 am - 9.00 pm
Weekends: 9.00 am - 8.00 pm
Public Holidays: 9.00 am - 4.00 pm

TIC at Chinggis Khaan Airport, Ulaanbaatar: During all International arrivals flight

TIC at International Railway Station, Ulaanbaatar: During all International arrivals
Phone: +976 11 311409 Fax: +976 11 311421 E-mail: [email protected]

Mongolian Currency and Exchanges

Mongolian Currency and Exchanges

The national currency of Mongolia is tugrug. Bank notes are issued for 20.000; 10.000; 5.000; 1000; 500; 100; 50; 20; 10 tugrug denominations.  Foreign currency can be exchanged at commercial banks through their branches and counters in the major hotels and international airport. It is recommended carrying a certain amount of US$ cash that is accepted for local currency. Major hotels and restaurants and tourist shops now accept credit cards. American express, VISA and Master cards are the most widely accepted. It is also possible to change travelers check and get cash advances on your credit card. At several banks and countless licensed money changers in Ulaanbaatar, you can change most major European and Asian currencies. The US greenback is still the easiest to change in Ulaanbaatar, and is the only currency you might be able to change in the countryside. Note that moneychangers will give you slightly better rates for new (ie, post-1996) US dollar bills and for higher denominations (US$50 and US$100). US dollar bills dated pre-1988 are difficult to exchange any-where. In the countryside however anything larger than a US$20 will be hard to change.  American dollars can sometimes be changed for tugrug at banks in aimag capitals but it is bound to take forever as officials try to find out the exchange rate, which is likely to be considerably lower than in the capital.

Tourist Shopping

Tourist Shopping

There are a number of souvenir shops that sell Mongolian made goods like hand woven carpets, leather and woolen clothing, furs, cashmere, camel hair products, Mongolian oil and water paintings, and wooden toys, puzzles and games. The most popular items are paintings, antiques, handicrafts, carpets, books, cashmere, traditional Mongolian clothing, leather goods, wall hangings, puzzles, and postcards, snuff bottles and woodcarvings. The food markets are well stocked on Mongolia, Russian, East and West European products although they may be a little more expensive than you expect. Many of the shops throughout Mongolia are in fact small kiosks within larger shops.
You will find that many shops sell the same things so you’ll have to look hard to find exactly what you want. Along the streets of Ulaanbaatar you will find many ‘Tuuts’, small kiosks that sell snacks and general provisions. The most adventurous traveler may wish to go out to the infamous “black market”, which is a giant flea market on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. Almost anything can be bought at this market, which is always very crowded.
There are many duty free shops where convertible currencies are acceptable. Wide range of goods may be bought for foreign currency at favorable prices; typical Mongolia souvenirs, wines, furs, garments in cashmere, camel wool blankets, national costumes, boots, jewelry, carpets, books, records, horns, etc. In all other local shops local currency must be used.

Tsagaan sar - Lunar Year

Tsagaan sar - Lunar Year

The name means white month and celebrates the passing of winter and beginning of spring. Tsagaan Sar was originally an end of summer festival, but once again it was Genghis Khan who changed things, moving the event to the end of winter in 1216. The Mongolian lunar calendar uses five cycles of twelve years.

Each cycle being named after an element (earth, water, fire, iron and wind) and each year after one of twelve animals. The Lunar calendar doesn’t operate within the European twelve month system and hence Lunar New Year dates change every year. The festival is celebrated at the end of January or beginning of February and officially lasts three days.

Readmore…

Naadam Festival

Naadam Festival

This annual sports festival Naadam is the most famous celebration across the country. It features the three manly sports: wrestling , archery and horse racing . Naadam is celebrated across the country and every town and village will hold its own wrestling, archery and horse racing contests. The official Naadam opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar is quite spectacular.
Riders dressed as Genghis Khan’ s entourage lead the huge procession around the Naadam stadium, which features hundreds of adults and children dressed in costumes representing all Mongolia’s ethic groups. In Ulaanbaatar, wrestling takes place in the main Naadam stadium. Archery competitions are outside the stadium everywhere, while the famous, perilous horse races take place outside the city.

Mongolian Visa Fees

Mongolian Visa Fees

A) Single entry-exit visa - US$25; for urgent service (within a working day) US$50,
B) Multiple entry-exit visa valid for six months - US$65; for urgent service (within a working day) US$130,
C) Multiple entry-exit visa valid for one year- US$130; for urgent service (within a working day) US$ 260
D) Visa extension valid for one week -US$1 5; for urgent service (within a working day) US$30; US$2 per a day exceeding a week.

Follow the link to see the List of Countries and Regions with no visa.
Readmore…

Domestic Transportation

Domestic Transportation

Domestic travel includes planes, trains and automobiles. For foreigners, flying is expensive as there are two rates applied to all tickets: local and foreign. Aero Mongolia is the only approved domestic airline offering service in country at this time. Trips from Ulaanbaatar to a provincial center range in cost from $200-$300 round trip.

The Trans-Mongolian Railway operates on a 24-hour basis and connects northern Mongolia with the south. Trains are clean and comfortable, and offer a choice between a hard seat (second-class) and a sleeper cabin. They are not equipped with restaurant cars. The line linking Moscow and Beijing via Ulaanbaatar, which was completed in 1955, provides a shorter route between Russia and China than the older line through Manchuria. As trains operate on time and are reliable, they are the most convenient way to travel in-country.

Travel among cities by bus, van, or Russian-made jeep is almost completely on unpaved roads. The price of rides, which depends on the price of the fuel supplied by Russia, has fluctuated greatly in recent years. Note that Volunteers are prohibited from driving motorized vehicles in Mongolia or from riding on or operating motorcycles.

Do’s and Don’ts in Mongolia

Do’s and Don’ts in Mongolia
You can visit the family anytime during ordinary days because Mongolian people are always hospitable and friendly. They offer food; drinks for guests who arrived form far places. House owners of the ‘ger’ would wish you to feel at home. Please remember the following:

Readmore…



gdsfgdsfgdf

    Flight
    By Mongolian Airline
    Valid within
    One Way 
    Round 
    UB-TOKYO 3 months
    440$
    680$
    UB-BEIJING 1 month
    174$
    280$
    UB-SEOUL  3 months
    350$
    460$
    UB-MOSCOW 1 month
    315$
    504$
dotmn logo   Copyright © 2006-2008 DotMN.
Mongolian Travel Guide