Jims Travel

If you are planning a trip to a wierd and out of the way place in the world why not try Mongolia. The people are friendly and helpful, the landscape varying from desert, too flats, too the edge of Siberia, and with all areas having bad transport in an such extensive country, make this country a must see if you enjoy an adventure.

One way to get into Mongolia is by train from Beijing. This train is comfortable, provides food, and is a good way to see a vast amount of countryside from the Great Wall of China to the Gobi desert. This is an overnight train from Beijing to Ulaan Baatar (the capital of Mongolia) and it has the added advantage that you have the opportunity to see Beijing as well.

Ulaan Baatar is a city a stark contrasts. Its West, meets Soviet stlye communism, meets a normadic culture, with people happily walking down the main high street with cattle. A must is to go and see the central square with its statue of Ghengis Khan amoung other things. If you wish to experience what can only be described as one in a million, go and visit the large black market. This is certainly a point of call if you need to buy provisions for an expedition. Also try if you can, go and visit a shanty town on the outskirts of the city. The best way to do this is to befriend a local Mongolian (which is easy to do) who if asked will take you there, as well as too his home for a meal and plenty of vodka.

If you are about to leave Ulaan Baatar for an expedition you should fill your stomach on good food as this is one of the only places in Mongolia that serves more than two dishes. Also this is the place to buy your provisions, organise the transport to your starting point, and if possible for your return journey.

One fanastic and beautiful place to go is lake Khovsgol and its national park. An enormous lake affected by tides and surrounded by amazing forests and mountains , this cannot be missed. One way to see the lake is to arrieve in a small village called Renchlem and to hire horses and your guides. From Renchlem you ride for several days over a mountain pass, through the forests, and along the lake until you reach your destination which is a small village called Khovsgol. On this trip you will encounter very very few tourists, and if your guides are friendly perhaps learn some local customs such as Mongolian wrestling, sample the local food of mutten and noddles, and if your lucky and meet some Mongolians and be invited into their Ger. There are also many walks to do in this area, but as the Mongolians are credited with being the masters of horse riding it is definatly worth doing no matter what part of the country you are in. However the trip up to either Renchlum or Khovsgol is not one of comfort. It will take you about three days if you travel from Ulaan Baatar, along dirt tracks with river crossings and in crampt vechicles. But it is an experience by itself as you get to meet many Mongolians and see the landscapes. An easier way is to fly to a town called Moron and get transport from here.

Of course there are many other places to go and explore in a country as big as this one, You can take part in many different adventure activities including trekking across the Gobi on camel back to white water rafting. A good time to go to Mongolia is during the Naadam festival, the Mongolian version of the Olympic games, consisting of wrestling, horse riding and archery. A very Mongolian event.

Definatly a country to visit if you wish to escape the tourist traps.