Mongolia in Early October 2011

Last month, I visited UB as part of a bigger trip on the Trans-Mongolian railway. From there, I took a 4 day trip and visited Kharakorum and some hot springs plus stayed with a Mongolian nomadic family. You seem to understand that taking such a trip is the best way to see the country but what you may not know is that it's very easy to design your own trip in terms of duration, departure date and what you do. That's what we did and then other (less organised) backpackers can join your trip when they arrive which brings the cost down.

I've written up what the trip encompassed in my website in the 'Trips' section of www.footlooseferrett.co.uk. Take a look as the write-up and phots may help you decide what to do once you're there.

I did 3 trips in 4 weeks in Mongolia, in 2007 all about 6 days each. The rest of the time was spent in UB, plus 39 hours on the train from Beijing to UB & another 30 hours on the train from UB to Irkutsk in Russia:

• South Gobi from UB return including Dinosaur Valley
• Lake Hovsgol
• Terelj / Turtle Rock

I paid $200 US for the Gobi / Hovsgol trips combined

The latter (Terelj) is very easy to diy. A local bus from UB was only $1 each way. Or you can pay $40 US each way to hire a private jeep. Try to sit on the left side of the bus so you can see the turnoff to Mirage Guesthouse, which has hot showers.

http://www.mongolianaltaitravel.com/day_tour/terelj.html

It will be much colder in October than June, when I went, so take a jacket or 2. woollen socks gloves etc You can stock up on dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, matches etc at the Central Dept Store in UB, before you go. The folks in the gers / yurts you stay at overnight will appreciate the matches as a gift.

Since you will be heading back to China, you might see about getting a tour to Gobi and having the guide/driver drop you at Sainshand instead of going all the way back to UB. You should be able to catch the train from there to the border.

Ruth

#3: In which case I'd do the Lake Hovsgol / Great White Lake tour first, & then the South Gobi trip. Both of them included Erdene Zuu at Kharkhorin. Good advice, btw. Some pics I took:

http://www.treklens.com/map.php?ctr=Mongolia&member=chrisJ

Great advice everyone, we appreciate the help. And great pics too!