Mongolia - May '18

Mongolia, a nation bordered by China and Russia, is famous for being the homeland of Genghis Khan, his mighty Mongol Empire and a nomadic people whose lives have not changed in many ways from the days of the Mongolian Empire.

Travel Date : 12th May ’18 to 18th May ‘18

Company : Countryside Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd.

When Countryside announced the Trans-Siberian train Tour, I was very keen to do this trip. The train is from Beijing to Moscow via Ulaanbaatar. I was not very keen to do the train tour from Beijing. So, I decided to fly into Ulaanbaatar spend a couple of days before joining the train trip in Ulaanbaatar. Besides me, Dr. Ravindra Rupwate and Dr. Prabha Unadkat.

As we landed in Chinggis Khaan airport we had a car waiting for us with an English-speaking guide. It was a long journey from Mumbai and hence we had scheduled a day rest in Ulaanbaatar before we start exploring of Mongolia. We were treated with a brilliant Mongolian cuisine. With the limited days available for us our plan was to cover only Central Mongolia.

14th May:

We drove to Karakorum and it was about 6 hour drive stopping on the way to capture the landscapes and nomads on horses managing the cattle. Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire between 1235 and 1260, and of the Northern Yuan in the 14–15th centuries. Its ruins lie in the north western corner of the Övörkhangai Province of Mongolia, near today's town of Kharkhorin, and adjacent to the Erdene Zuu monastery. We visited this first Buddhist monastery in central Mongolia founded in 1586.

15th May :

We drove into the volcanic surrounds of Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan - the 'Great White Lake'. The lake lies calmly in the arms of tall hills, its water extremely clear and lined with long sand beaches. The road winds along the shoreline, past Shamanic piles of black lava, before it cuts a short distance inland towards the Khorgo Volcano. At around 10,000 feet up, the volcano is now extinct, but still revered by the nomads of the region. A short walk takes you to the crater rim, where red-stained rock descends into a deep chasm surrounded by sacred Ovoo mounds.

16th May:

We drove to Tsenkher hot springs with a stop in Tsetserleg town to visit the Zay Bandida monastery currently operating as a Khalkh ethnic museum.

17th May :

In the morning, we drove to Elsen Tasarkhai passing Karakorum on our way. Our stay was at a ger camp. Ger are tents instead of typical hotel room but these tents are super luxury ones with very good furniture and attached bathroom. One of the activities you can do here is holding an eagle. The eagle was about 6 Kgs and I never thought it will be that heavy.

18th May:

We drove back to Ulaanbaatar for 4-5 hours and visited a few interesting places in the city. That night we once again had Mongolian cuisine before reaching the station to board the Trans-Siberian train.

On all these days while we were driving we had abundant photography opportunities due to the varied landscape, nomadic culture, people, livestock etc. Staying in Ger camps was definitely an experience and one should not miss this. Finally don’t miss Mongolian Vodka, it is amazing !!

Landscape with mountain and clear lake water

Nomad with his herd of sheep

Sunrise with Ger in the foreground

Accommodation :

1. Ulaanbaatar - Best Western Premier, Tuushin

2. Karakorum - Munkhtenger camp

3. Khorgo Terkh National Park - Maikhan Tolgoi camp

4. Tsenkher Hot Springs - Altan Nutag camp

5. Elsen Tasarkhai (Bayangobi) - Hoyor Zagal camp

Tips :

• From Mumbai there is no direct flight to Ulaanbaatar. I flew into Hong Kong by Jet Airways and then to Ulaanbaatar by Mongolian Airlines. Since I managed to get a single PNR, I was able to check-in my bags directly to Ulaanbaatar. However I had to collect the boarding pass in Hong Kong. While booking ensure that the luggage can be checked in directly to the final destination otherwise it may be too much of a hassle.

• I never had an issue with vegetarian food. But it is important to inform them well in advance.

• Acceptance of card is very limited. So carry sufficient cash.

• English is not generally spoken. Hence it is advisable to have local English speaking guide.

Source of information : Countryside & Wikipedia

To view album --> http://mongolia--may-18-3.gopsview.com