Travellers In Mongolia Who Are Not In A Hurry

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bodiekern
bodiekern

I'm looking for people to do independent travel with anytime after May 20 or so. Nobody on a whirlwind tour or spare-no-expense tour. We pick a place, do some backpacking, maybe a lengthy horse trip. I like to visit gers to buy yoghurt, etc. but prefer to sleep in my own tent in isolated places. The idea is to spend maximum time in the countryside and minimum time in jeeps and vans.

I spent 88 days in Mongolia last summer, so if you are new to Mongolia, it might be helpful to team up with me. I know the basics of how to get things done, etiquette, a bit of the language, etc. If you are more experienced than I, so much the better.

I plan to concentrate on Arkhangai and the Gobi this year, but I'm flexible. I don't, however, want to repeat Khovsgol or Tavn-Bogd or Shargaljuut this year.

--Will

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23ausmale
23ausmale

G'Day Will,

I am definitely interested. I am in Beijing at the moment and am catching the train up this wed, the 20th of May. I am not sure what time frame comes under 'not in a hurry' as I think my visa is only 30 days, if that works that would be awesome or maybe I can slot into part of the trip. My e mail is mfblake@hotmail.com.
Hope we can work some thing out.

Matt

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everbrite
everbrite

23ausmale - You can probably extend your visa relatively easily but must do so within 7 days of arrival in Mongolia. Please read thess threads: Mongolian Visa Extension and Visa extension

Ruth

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beachdiva
beachdiva

If this was September I would definitely join you! I would like to do some long term trekking in Mongolia. How long are you planning to trek this time?

Also, how do you travel? I'm finding that you can only use a hired driver to get out of the main city and into the remote areas and from there you are on your own.

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bodiekern
bodiekern

Regarding visa services: go at 8:55 am. You will be first in and out fast. Later it becomes a madhouse.

Beachdiva--I plan to still be here in September (I'll have to go to a border and return).

I have 3 areas I want to see this year, and I'll probably come back to UB between each segment because it makes sense due to where they are located and the bus availability.

You don't necessarily have to "hire" a driver. Every town has a place--usually the market area--where vans and jeeps congregate with signs in their windshield saying where they are going. There is bus service from UB to Dalanzadgad (Gobi) and to Tsetserleg (Arkhangai) and to a couple of towns near Khentii where you can rent horses. So I don't anticipate having to travel in jampacked jeeps or vans this year.

Hitchhiking is also quite safe here. Other than the occasional drunk in UB, Mongols are an extremely gentle, peacable and generous people.

I am so flexible on my timing that I hesitate to tell you numbers of days other than that my time will be weighted toward the Arkhangai region.

Will

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bodiekern
bodiekern

UPDATE--I have an incredible deal for those who want to travel at a leisurely pace. $30 US/day for a 7-passenger van. That is $30 split between the group!! If the group is large, we SPLIT $40US. We set the itinerary. We buy gas, etc. I am an experienced camp cook and will cook for anyone who wants to split costs. Or you can take care of yourself.

We will have days of no driving, and days of little driving. If a place is great, why not spend a day or 2 hiking, fishing, swimming, reading. None of this, "OK, people (cattle) get back in! We have a schedule to keep!"

You can rent camping gear if you don't have it.

This price is 45% less than the going rate. The driver is antsy to get some business going after a long slow season.

He is from the Gobi, and knows it well. He speaks French if that is important to you.

This price is so good that one more person (me and Matt and one more) makes it worth going.

--Will

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