Mongolia FAQ

Q: What language is spoken in Mongolia?
A: Mongolian speak (no surprise here) Mongolian language, which is probably not like anything you've heard before, although it's grammatically similar to Japanese and Korean. Many young Mongols and business owners can speak English and most folks over 40 years old will be able to speak decent Russian.

Q: How much time is needed for a trip to Mongolia?
A: Given the great distances involved and time needed for a trip to Mongolia, I'd recommend spending at least a month in the country. With a month, you could fly out west to Bayan Olgii, head up to Tavan Bogd National Park and make your way back to Ulaanbaatar via Uvs, Khovsgol, Arkhangai and Kharkhorin. This would take around a month. Tack on a few more days to have a more relaxed visit to Ulaanbaatar and environs. With six full weeks you could tag on a trip to the Gobi or a visit to the eastern aimags.

Q: But I only have 10 days, what to do?
A: With 10 days you'll need to just concentrate on one area: try Bayan Olgii (though you'd need to fly both ways), Khovsgol or the Gobi (flying one way). Better yet, sign up for a Ger to Ger trek in Arkhangai or the Gobi. Or just stay closer to UB: do some horse riding in Terelj, trek over Bogd Khan Mountain, go rafting on the Tuul and see the takhi horses in Khustain Nuruu.

Q: How is the food?
Mongolian cuisine is based on mutton and flour in all sorts of forms... mutton with noodles, fried mutton pancakes, steamed mutton dumplings, fried noodles with mutton chunks etc. The mutton dumplings (called: buuz) aren't bad (tip for cholesterol watchers: drain the fat before eating). Second best is goulash, which tastes better than it sounds. In summer there are lots of dairy products like dried cheese and airag (fermented horses milk). If you think you'll need more fruit and vegetables in your diet, you'll need to fend for yourself (local markets offer a decent selection of greens). In the countryside you'll be car camping most of the time so before leaving the city stock up on fruit, veggies, pasta, snacks and plenty of bottled water.

Q: How much money do I need to budget?
In the capital, you can get by on US$12-15 a day at the very least. This will get you a dorm bed in a guesthouse and basic meals. Add in a little more for tickets to museums and shows. Things are very cheap in the countryside if you are out camping and on your own. But if you've hired a vehicle, expect to pay $40 a day, plus $15-30 a day for petrol. This can be split up among other travelers if you can find any to join you. If you've got more cash to splash around, go for a mid-range hotel in Ulaanbaatar and stay in ger camps in the countryside.

Q: What is it like getting around the countryside on your own?
A: Getting around the countryside is difficult without your own transport. If you rely on hitchhiking or local transport you'll only go between dismal towns with no opportunity to see interesting places along the way. Even if you make it to the destination of your choice, it's unlikely that onward transport will be readily available; you may end up waiting hours, or even days, for another ride to turn up. Probably the most difficult area for solo travelers is the Gobi. Getting up to Lake Khovsgol on your own is less difficult.