Travelling partners Beijing to South Gobi (Sainshand - Dalanzadgad) October

This is one of those cases where almost all roads lead to Rome, in this case UB and what you want will have to be specifically arranged for you. There are no tours starting from this point and thus you would have to arrange something personal which is likely to be expensive. OTOH traveling in October there aren't likely to be too many tours anyway.

I would suggest contacting some guides like Gans (kbgans@yahoo.com) or tour companies like gobitours.com. As this is the off season, someone might be interested in doing such a trip.

It won't cost you less money to organize in Sainstand, but it might mean less time traveling.

Try looking for a post by manulike from summer 2007. He passed through this area and wrote about the town.

Ruth

Thanks for the tips Ruth!

So for anyone that wants to do something similar, this is what I found out, and would plan to do if enough people join to make it more affordable:

A 7 day trip from Sainshand to Dalanzadgad and then directly on to UB, including all the attractions in the Gobi such as; Flaming Cliffs, Khongor Sand Dunes, Three beauties national park, Vulture valley, Baga Gazar Rock Formations, sleeping in nomad's Gers etc is available for 1190 Us$ FOR ONE person - prices to go down considerably if more people join... you know you want to!!!

I suggest posting something separate here on the TT on this branch and on the travel companions branch.

I would also suggest being flexible about starting in UB as this is where you are more likely to meet fellow travelers.

Ruth

Hi

Ruth is right that this is not a common route by most travelers.

The locations you have mentioned are the popular locations near Dalanzadgad that are well known to all tour operators.
The route from Sainshand offers beautiful locations on the way to Dalanzadgad, some are less known.

If your tour is mainly to the popular locations near Dalanzadgad, I would suggest you stick to the regular route going from UB.
If you are adventurous (it seems so from your post) and want to explore the less known route from Sainshand - so here are some details.

You ask: get off the train in Sainshand
Yes the trains stops at Sainshand.

You ask: if this is possible?
Yes there is a very nice desert dirt road going across the Gobi all the way from Sainshand to Dalanzadgad (where the more popular tourist attractions are).

You say: looks like a beautiful part of the Gobi
Yes indeed this is a very nice part of the Gobi which is overlooked by tourists and most tour operators.

You say: stopping on the way to see whatever there is to see
Just to mention a few -

The renewed Danzan Ravja museum in Sainshand
Danzan Ravja (1803-1856) was one of the greatest intellectuals in Mongolian history, he is little known in the west.
He was a skilled artist, talented composer, leader, educator, play write, reformist, astronomer, architect, healer, and founder of 11 institutions and monasteries across the Gobi. The museum displays some of his works unearthed in the Gobi desert where his treasures where hidden for 60 years in crates, to protect them from the communist regime in the 1930's.

Tavan Har (Tabun-Khara-Obo) Impact Crater
A perfect circular crater created by the impact of a meteorite, it reminds images of the moon surface.

Kamariin Khiid monastery
Founded by Danzan Ravjaa in the Gobi, destroyed during the Communist purge in the 1930's and now reconstructed.
Near by is a reconstructed shamballa, hermit caves, remains of the first Mongolian theatre, large Ovoo in the shape of a woman's breast.

Demchig Khiid Monastery
Near Khanbogd, in a location named the Golden Pita, and by Buddhist's "world energy center", which is also the name of a tourist ger camp near by.

There are also remains of petrified forests in various locations along the way from the times that dinosaurs roamed the jungles in this area.

The challenges

Time
You say: spend about a week in Mongolia
The distances are long on difficult desert dirt roads. You might want to plan for longer to avoid driving long hours every day.

Accommodation
You can camp out if you bring the proper equipment.
A low profile hotel is available in Sainshand, khanbogd and Dalanzadgad.
There are a few tourist ger camps on the way to Kamariin Khiid, and one near Demchig Khiid.

October
You say: mid-October 2009
October marks the end of the tourist season, and the beginning of winter.
It will be cold at night, and not warm during the day.
Some of the ger camps might be closed as it is not high season.

Cost
You say: join me to lower costs
Depending on how many partners in your group expect about $60 - $90 per person per day for a shared jeep, and $70 - $120 with a tour company.

Finding a driver
Most tour companies and guest houses will offer to send a driver to Sainshand to wait for your group if you pay in advance.
You can also find drivers in Sainshand that will be happy to take you, but the chances of finding an English speaking driver in Sainshand are low.

Links:
Danzan Ravjaa treasure hunt published on ToMongolia

Danzan Ravjaa and Khamariin Khiid published on Mongolia-Web

Map of Sainshand and Khamariin khiid area on Google maps
Zoom in to the maximum and change to Satelite mode to see full details.

List of all Mongolian tour operators on ToMongolia

A 12 chapter story with pictures about a hike in the Golden Pita published on Mongolia-Web

Have a great trip

Dan

Wow, thanks Dan, for the really detailed information, and thanks Ruth for the tip re. finding someone to go with.

Hello Pattiperra!

I'm in UB right now and am planning on heading out towards Moscow the 20th. My only restriction is I have to be out of Russia by the 2nd of November. I would love a travel buddy as well. Also, I'm looking into doing some trekking... let's get in touch. mhammond08@gmail.com, or via FB Matthew Hammond (should be Ulsan, South Korea network still, graduated from Wake Forest... don't know how many me's there are). Hope to hear from you soon!

MH

I will be in Beijing from September 18 to October 4 so I plan to include a trip to Sainshand and Irkutsk in between. Does anyone wan to join me? I only have 2 weeks and really wondering how I'll fit the Gobi Desert and a hike around Lake Baikal but I'm looking forward to it!

If you want to join me, you may email me at loracaryn@gmail.com or call +63-939-317-8888. It's a Philippine cellphone number.

I only have 2 weeks and really wondering how I'll fit the Gobi Desert and a hike around Lake Baikal but I'm looking forward to it!

Unfortunately, I suspect that your goals may not be workable in the timeframe you mention. First, it is extremely unlikely that you will find a trip from Sainshand to the Gobi and back during this time period. Almost all trips to the Gobi start and finish from UB. In September there will be far fewer travelers and thus far fewer trips. Most trips to the Gobi take 5 days unless you fly from Ulan Bator.

Second, there are only two trains per week from Bejiing to Mongolia. Have you checked which dates they operate? I know one departs of Wednesdays and I think the other on Tuesdays or Saturdays at 0740, so your arrival on Saturday may mean that you will have to take alternative transport which will take longer.

And do you realize that just train travel direct without stops from Beijing to Irkutsk takes 2 days and almost 14 hours? Assuming that you would also have to return to Beijing, unless you plan to fly, your transport to and from Beijing will take over 5 days. And again, direct trains only operate once a week.

Third, you can't simply hike around Lake Baikal. Yes, there is some day hiking but generally speaking it is not advisable to do this alone and again, at this time of year you will have more difficulty finding fellow travelers.

Unless you reside in the Philippines, you are likely to find it impossible to obtain a Russian visa. Plus have you looked into the costs of obtaining one?

It is more realistic to spend the entire two weeks in Mongolia.

Ruth

a brave man!