Mongolia Travel Forum

Hello :)

I am planning a trip to Mongolia between approximately (depending on flights) 6 and 22 August 2008 .

My rough plans are:
- flying from Perth (Western Australia) to Beijing, then Ulaanbaatar.
- flying to Olgii (or Khovd);
- hiring a jeep + driver in Olgii (or Khovd)
- touring around Olgii (or Khovd)
- heading to Altai
- flying back to Ulaanbaatar.
My traveling type is camping, or budget accommodation if camping is not suitable.

Would you be able to help me with the following queries?

1- I understand that there are two domestic airlines: MIAT and Aero-Mongolia. i did not managed to get the following information from their website and email.
1.1 - Which approximate budget shall I allow to flight from Ulaanbaatar to Olgii ( around 4 August)? and from Altai to Ulaanbaatar (around 22 August?)
1.2 - Can a local travel agent take care of my flight booking, if required? or
1.3 - Can I personally organise these flights once in Ulaanbaatar (I speak English...and French)

2 - I am planning to rent a car + driver in Olgii
2.1 - Will I be able to hire a jeep+ driver in Olgii to travel to Altai (one way trip)? or am I limited to a loop Olgii to Olgii?
2.2 - Could you recommend a driver in Olgii or Khovd or Altai?
2.3 - which budget shall I allow for a car+driver / day (including petroil).
2.4 - Can I expect to easily find a Jeep in Olgii (for instance from the market) if I have not organised one beforehand?
2.5 - Can I expect the driver to camp if I decide to use my tent for accommodation?

3 - Shall I carry lots of cash with me, or will I be able to use my Australian credit card (VISA) to withdraw money at a bank or ATM (Automatic Taylor Machine) in Olgii/Khovd/Altai?

Thank you very much for your help! :)

Regards,

Frederic
(Perth, Australia)

Hello!

First, sorry for my English ( I am French :). I hope everything will make sense...

I would be keen to hear your experiences in the Altai mountains south of Khovd (Hovd): driving conditions? daily driving speed? petrol availability? size of towns? Sources of supplies (for food)...

Thanks a lot!!!

I am further in the organisation of my own trip. My current plans are:
1- landing at Khovd;
2- hiring a jeep in Khovd;
- would you be able to recommend an driver who is experienced in the Altai mountains area and who has a reliable vehicle?
- would you be able to recommend a guide/translator in Khovd. I might use the service of the guide only for one day for the selection of the vehicle and to clearly explain my plans to the driver.
3- heading south across the Altai Mountains to the Gobi desert, and possibly Bulgan Gol.
- for details: the driving trip should be (hopefully!:) up to 16 days. I have prepared several routes between approximately 900km and 1500km. This is based on an average speed of 20km/hr and 4hr drive per day. I will have at least aerial photographs, topographic maps, 2 GPS with gps coordinates at 1km to 5km spacing over the full lengths of each route. The length of the final route will be decided based on the encountered conditions. At this stage, I know that petrol might be available on the main track at khovd, Tolbo and Darvi, and in the mountains at Deelun in the Bulgan Gol canyon.

Am getting excited!!! :)))

Thanks for your help!

Fred