Planning a Mongolia trip in September 2012 or 2013

Hi all

New here, but from having a quick browse it seems there are certainly enough people that know their stuff...so let's hope you can assist one more clueless voyager!

Mongolia has long been a destination that has intrigued me, and I'm desperate to make a trip of anywhere between 2 and 3 weeks long over there, around August/September of 2012 or 2013.

I am in full time employment, so time is the key issue with regard to the travel and the destinations I can visit, however I want to take in as many of the sights of this fascinating country as I can within that time period.

I've taken a look at the tours on offer by the travel company Intrepid, which certainly look impressive. What I'd like to know is - are there any others you would recommend that may be cheaper or better than Intrepid? As I said above, I want to take in as many sights as possible, but likewise want to take in the local culture too e.g. a stay in gers etc.

I'd likely be travelling with my girlfriend, and currently await news of the dates of her university placement that begins around June/July as part of her masters. Ideally, it will finish before September so that we could try and get something arranged. If not, it'll have to be postponed until 2013 :-(

Also, given that I would be travelling from the UK, I had a quick look at flight prices yesterday and couldn't see any cheaper than £900? That seems a hell of a lot given that you can travel to say Beijin for around £600, so am I missing something here?

Many thanks in advance, and any great experiences that you have had out in Mongolia I'd love to hear about, particularly if you have any specific recommendations!

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy,
Look on our website:www.bluewolftravel.com.Pls,talk with us.We are only local company in western Mongolia with over 19 year experinaces.And we can offer you safety,productive,authentic and interesting tour.
Canat

Hi Andy,
take the ship to Germany and take the Miat flight from Berlin.Miat is Mongolian airline company.It's cheaper
1 week for Hovsgol
1 week for South Gobi
1 week for Terelj & UB
for the trips if you need help in Mongolia contact to our friend Amar.
amardalai31@yahoo.com
he can arrange any type of the trips in Mongolia.He was our guide and driver last year.
have a nice time

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Hi,

My personal opinion:

1. Arrange a tour when you are in Ulaan Baatar. There are plenty of options available, you can discuss what you want face-to-face, and you will be able to join with fellow travellers if you want. It might mean staying 2 days in Ulaan Baatar before you start the trip, but that is no bad thing.

2. If the flights are £300 cheaper to Beijing, I would fly there and take the train to Ulaan Baatar. This is a very interesting experience in itself. But you would have to balance the cost with the extra time you would need (one day train journey each way plus any time you want in Beijing).

I did a similar trip in 2005 and there are lots of details (costs, itinerary, photos etc) on www.jackfisher.org.uk.

Jack.

There is an air monopoly to get to Mongolia, hence the high prices. There are less than half a dozen airlines that fly to Mongolia:
Aeroflot
Air China
Korean Air
MIAT

The recommendation to consider flying to Beijing and then taking the train is a good one except that the international train runs infrequently - two to three times a week and take more than a day (30 hours).

If you fly from Beijing to UB, I recommend you take MIAT or another Mongolian airline as Air China frequently cancels their flights.

Ruth