Russia Altai to Western Mongolia | Russia - Lonely Planet Forum

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Wed, 08 Oct 2014 19:05:10 +0000

I'm thinking of trying to go from Russia to Olgii, Mongolia for a climb of Tavan Bogd next summer but unsure how to get there without my own car. I could go via Irkutsk/Ulan-Ude to Ulaan Bataar then spend way too many days in jeeps which would be painful and not cheap. But there may be a bus thru the Altai.

From Wiki:

"There is a bus from Tsagaannuur, Mongolia to Astana, Kazakhstan that passes through Altai Krai and the Altai Republic."

Where is Tsagaanuur? I put it in google maps and it locates Gurvansaikhan, Mongolia instead. Are they the same?

1)does that bus still operate ?
2) could I pick it up in Kosh Agach?
3) does this travel close to Olgii?

Cheers.

Jon

ONLINE

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:34:51 +0000

"Nuur" is the Mongolian word for 'lake' and Tsagaa-nuur is the name of the province to the east of Lake Hovsgol. Tsagaannuur is another province north west of Hovsgol. Notice the double nn spelling. See:

http://www.sublet.com/images/city_images/Mongolia/Khovsgol.gif

It's been years since I was there but you should be able to get a 6 day Hovsgol jeep tour from UB for around $200. There were also public buses but they didn't look very comfortable. Nor was there much accomodation in Moron or Bulgan on the way. Great white Lake enroute was amazing and a tour jeep stops here for horseriding. Found this on Trekearth: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Mongolia/West/Bayan-Olgiy/

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ONLINE

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:01:04 +0000

Thanks but I'm trying to go from Russian Altai to Mongolian Altai directly. If I have to go thru UB it will add considerable time and, presumably, expense.

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ONLINE

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 10:04:58 +0000

Tsagaanuur is a village 1st after you cross the border, in about 30 km from Durbet-Daba Pass (border), a bit aside from the road to Olgii (more 60 km to the South).
It looks like this bus is no longer available.
If you're on a budget, I would recommend to take scheduled taxi (marshrutka) Gorno-Altaisk - Kosh Agach (about $30) then hire the local driver to Tashanta (20 km) and here bargain with Mongolian drivers (usually on a Russian UAZ 4WD) waiting to cross the border to get you to Olgii (about $15-20), it is usual business for them. You might be lucky if you could hire someone in Kosh-Agach to get to Olgii (possible for locals having special permit and of course Mongolians - you can find them on the local market).
If the money isn't an issue, I would recommend to hire private car from Barnaul, Biysk or Gorno-Altaisk to get to Tashanta directly.
Take into account you must be i Tashanta early in the morning to cross the border, so most probably you would be managed to stay overnight in Tashanta or Kosh-Agach (homestay or GH in the 1st, homestay or hotel in the 2nd).
Regards - Igor

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Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:46:22 +0000

Incredibly helpful. Thanks a lot, Igor.

Jon

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