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

and i want to know how is everything going on now?

Hi there, I know this is a bit of a late post for the thread, but I figure by now you guys will have hopefully completed (successfully?) this trip?? I am heading to Mongolia very early June - with 3 friends. I too would like to cut west from Sainshand to the national parks/gobi etc instead of heading to UB 1st. At this time of the year, will it be possible to find a jeep and driver when we get to Sainshand? There are 4 of us so we can share the costs, but I would rather organise it when we get there rather than via a tour group online.

Also, we were just planning on taking a tent - will the driver be likely to find this suitable?

Thanks in advance!

At this time of the year, will it be possible to find a jeep and driver when we get to Sainshand? There are 4 of us so we can share the costs, but I would rather organise it when we get there rather than via a tour group online.

People have asked about this previously and generally speaking there are no guides or drivers in Sainshand unless it is prearranged. This is one of those situations where if you want it, you need to arrange it in advance.

Since many tours are arranged through guesthouses, you might want to contact one to see if it is possible that they have a guide and driver meet you in Sainshand. If you don't, it is likely that you will waste a day or more in Sainshand searching for something that doesn't exist and then have to head to UB to arrange this trip.

Ruth

Edited by: everbrite

Hi

As mentioned above, it is not an easy task.

In case you do insist, here are a few hints as to where you might find a "non English speaking" driver to take you.

1. Try the parking space near the sports palace in Sainshand, you may find a driver that came from the west, looking for riders to join him on the journey back.
2. Once in Sainshand ask a Mongolian to call on your behalf one of these numbers 317597, 991119820, 99090151 at the "Gobi Sunrise" tourist camp, they have jeeps taking tourists around.
3. In Sainshand go to the Danzan-Ravjaa museum, and ask for a driver.
4. There are a few mining company vehicles going between Khanbogd, Manlai and Sainshand, try hitching. You might find drivers at the hotel, taking a nap before the long ride.

A few notes
a) You asked about a tent concerning the driver - no problem
b) It will be faster to go to the Gobi national park through UB, expect to spend a few days in Sainshand before you find a ride.
c) In a few years time, there will be a new rail going west from Sainshand into the Gobi. The rail will be built to carry coal from the rich coal mines in the Gobi, they might add a passenger train on this line.

Keep us updated.

All the best
Dan