Mongolia Transit

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This brief encounter with Mongolia will bring you to Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, and Terelj National Park.A striking contrast in such a short period of time.Ulaanbaatar is urban whereas Terelj areas have beautiful scenery, forested mountains, steppe valleys and interesting rock formations.

Brief Outline Itinerary

This journey is suited for travelers arriving on the Trans Siberian Express from Moscow on Mondays wishing to continue to China by rail through the Gobi areas.You will be staying at one of the ger camps in Terelj National Park, in real Mongolian gers for two nights.Gers are very comfortable felt tents (yurts), comfortable like a hotel room really, fully equipped with beds, linen, a table etc.There are 3-4 beds in each. 

DAY 01: Mon,Arrive Ulaanbaatar

Arrival by train from Moscow sometime after 8 a.m. and you will be met by our local guide. Transfer to the Gandan lamasery in Ulaanbaatar, the only Lamaist monastery that was in function throughout the communist period.Gandan is now a very lively monastery, with newly recruited monks and novices.Prayers are usually performed before lunch.It is recommended that you eat breakfast on the train. 

Lunch at one of the many hotels in Ulaanbaatar.There will be an opportunity to shower, so please keep your toiletries at hand. After lunch depart for Terelj National Park and the Ger Camp.The drive is less than 2-3 hours. 

The ger camp is situated tucked away in a valley completely surrounded by the scenic mountains.There is larch forest and some birch groves around.You will probably need to walk the last stretch. Overnight in gers.

DAY 02: Tue, Ger Camp

A full day to explore this scenic area on foot, and visit nomads living nearby.The local guide will know how to go about, when visiting gers of the local people. Overnight in gers.

DAY 03: Wed, Ulaanbaatar

A.m.Return drive to Ulaanbaatar. 

P.m. Visit Bogd Khan Winter Palace, where the last Living Buddha of Mongolia lived.It is now a palace museum, and the personal ger of Bogd Khan is on display inside.150 snow leopard skins cover it. 

Optional: Folk music and dance performance such as the famous Mongolian long song, horse neck fiddle and throat singing. USD 10 p.p.

DAY 04: Thu, Train journey

Transfer to the train station in time for your departure.The journey will go through the eastern Gobi areas, perceived by Westerners as a desert.But only 3 percent of it is true sand desert.Most of it is a semi-arid steppe. Overnight in a 4-berth compartment. 

DAY 05: Arrive Beijing

The scenery is dramatically different the next day, having arrived in China. The train will journey through the mountains on which the Great Wall of China is built, and you will pass through it. Lots of villages.Arrive Beijing, the Chinese capital, in the afternoon.

Practicalities

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar

USD 430 per person, min 2 persons.

Single room supplement:USD 40
Private ger suppl:USD 60 (double) USD 120 (single). Gers have 3-4 beds in each.
Supplement train ticket 2-bed compartment: USD 25 p.p.

Includes: Full board in Mongolia.No meals included on the train. All local transport and transfers. Hotel in shared double with private bath one night and two nights at Turtle Rock Ger Camp in 3-4 bed ger.Train ticket one way to Beijing in a 4-bed sleeper compartment.

Additional: It is possible to arrive one day earlier from Moscow, adding one night in Ulaanbaatar. The cost is USD 35 in shared double or USD 55 in single room, incl breakfast, taxes and additional transfer.

DATES ex Ulaanbaatar
Every Monday throughout June, July, August and September.

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