Open Travel around Mongolia(OTAM)

Has anyone travelled with OTAM in Mongolia? I have looked at their webite and thought it seemed great and a reasonable price. We are interested in the South Gobi and Western Mongolia trips.If you have done tours withem-was it as god as it sounds?

Reports have been mixed. Their model depends upon a certain number of travelers and if they don't get that number then they don't operate.

Have you written to them?

Also look at another group whose name I think is One Pass.

Ruth

Thanks ruth. I just checked out Pass- mongolia which i think was what you were referring too. It sounds more reliable than OTAM, who have not yet replied to my email.We might well sort out a journey with them for 3 or 4 weeks. We still would like to take a trip across to Western Mongolia as well ( we wil extend our visas as soon as we arrive in UB. we are Australians.)
Anyone have any companies to go to the west with? Flying to Khovd is one option but would rather overland if we can find a more comfy way of going than being squashed for 60 hours in a public minivan!

If you'd like to travel in some comfort try contact guys at info@adventuresmongolia.mn
Sensible/reasonable pricing and professional service they offer as well as most of the outdoor equipment is included in the price. Japanese SUV and english speaking driver/guide is what you want if don't want to be squashed in public transport van like sardine.

Thanks Sloughboy. i have been emailing nomadic adventures as yu suggested. their itinerary which they rapidly put together really sounds fantastic and at just over $68 day per person for 2 people very reasonable. Of course it would be cheaper if more people were to join us it woud be cheaper for all of us. we are thinking of setting off for 24 days on July 12th ,doing the Gobi loop and then as far west as the altai mountains to hike etc and then back via the kharkiraa and turgen mtns to Khovskul lake etc. Anyone want to come?

OP - I suggest posting something on the Travel Companions branch and also a new post on this branch indicating your plans and costs. Note that with the days of Nadaam being July 11-13 you might want to reconsider your dates or clearly state why you have chosen those dates.

One more point, given your indicated start date, you need to be sure to arrange you transportation now. Where are you traveling from?

Ruth

Thanks again Ruth. We will post another thread on this branch as you suggested. thanks for the info re Naadam. we had thought to see some local naadams in the countryside rather than in UB but i guess if we want some companions a later start might work better for us. We are just now in the process of working out the trains to get to UB from Beijing ( thanks for reply on our other post) and also booking accommodation in UB.

If you want to see some smaller nadaams then talk to your company. Perhaps it would be better to start earlier. Also that might be a selling point for some people who don't want to be in UB for Nadaam and would prefer smaller and less commercial festivals.

Ruth

hi Everbrite.

how can you find that much time to reply for all theese threads ha. amazing.