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Many results are in French, the community’s main language. English translations are added over time.

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Exploring Mongolia Independently
by Brunomoncel · 2025-08-25 · 2 replies
Hi, We usually travel using local transportation. In Mongolia, that seems a bit complicated—has anyone tried this kind of trip there? Thanks.
Driving route from Ulaanbaatar to Lake Baikal
by Flopromène · 2025-08-07 · 11 replies
Hello, We're hitting the road again in 2027 to discover new countries and cultures. Could anyone give me some tips on driving from Ulaanbaatar to Lake Baikal and the route to take? Thanks, and safe travels to those who are setting off!
Back from 4 weeks in Mongolia
by Tonivoyage · 2025-07-21 · 15 replies
Hi there, After making good use of the tips on this site, I’m now adding my own contribution. We’ve just returned from 25 days exploring Mongolia. A trip that took us from the capital to the Gobi Desert, from the ancient capital Karakhorum to the Orkhon Valley, and also off the beaten path to places close to nature and nomadic life, all thanks to our guide Hacha. I’m used to traveling as a couple or solo, in "backpacker" mode, and I rarely—or only occasionally—hire a guide. But this time, I have to admit that choosing a guide-interpreter and a driver was an excellent idea. We set off as a group of four to share the costs. I’d spoken with Hacha, a Mongolian who used to work at the French Alliance, speaks perfect French, and has been organizing trips for over 25 years. Needless to say, she knows her job inside out and has built strong relationships with nomadic families over the years. Since she only works with small groups, she can steer clear of the main tourist spots. With her help, we were able to personalize our itinerary—and even adjust it as we went along. For example, we’d planned to attend the Naadam festival in a small town, but we found out there was another festival two days later that wasn’t on the schedule. So we tweaked our route to catch both, and we didn’t regret it. Anyway, if you’d like more details or Hacha’s contact info, feel free to reach out.
Motorcycle rental and possible routes in Mongolia
by Chênejean · 2025-06-09 · 5 replies
Hi everyone. Three of us (me and two friends) want to go on a 15-day road trip in Mongolia, starting from the capital. We're looking for info on motorcycle rental, as well as possible routes for 15 days. Thanks.
Looking for a Mongolian interpreter in August
by EmmanuellePm · 2025-05-29 · 1 reply
Hello everyone,

I’m looking for a French-Mongolian interpreter to accompany me to a nomadic family in the Altai Mountains starting August 21st, for at least two weeks. Do you know anyone you could recommend? Looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks! Emmanuelle
Tips for a motorcycle road trip across Asia
by RoyalHimalay · 2025-05-13 · 7 replies
Hi, I’m Franck and I’m planning to head to Asia this summer on my 410 Himalayan. No set destination—just a hankering for China, Mongolia, Laos… Now that I’m retired, I’ve got all the time in the world. I’m not planning to tackle hardcore off-roading, but I’ll probably leave the tarmac every now and then. If anyone has any tips on potential administrative hassles, essential tools and spare parts, or anything else, I’d love to hear them. Thanks for sharing! Best, Franck
What's the procedure for applying for a Mongolia visa?
by EmmanuellePm · 2025-05-13 · 2 replies
Hi everyone,

I’m finally heading to Mongolia for two months this August and September. Do you know the procedure for applying for a visa, since I’ll be there for more than 30 days? Looking forward to your tips! Thanks! !
Renting a UAZ in Ulaanbaatar - Mongolia
by StefduCarol · 2025-05-01 · 6 replies
Hi,

I’m looking to rent a UAZ without a driver for about ten days at the end of June. Does anyone have any contacts there?

Thanks,

Stéphane
Traveling to Mongolia in Winter: Practical Info and Experience Feedback
by Projecteur · 2025-03-05 · 2 replies
Hi everyone, here are some practical tips from my 5 weeks in Mongolia in February.

The famous Lonely Planet paper guide mostly gives wrong information—we often got let down.

From the airport to the city center (25 km), there are normally buses, but it’s not straightforward, especially for your return trip. Check with the tourism office on Genghis Khan Square.

If you need to stay more than 30 days, your hotel can request an extension for you online. Do this immediately because it can take time. At customs, you’ll get an extra stamp. Each day costs a very small fee, and no photo is needed.

I only travel by public transport. Don’t follow the paper guide, and remember there are buses running daily between Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii (and other routes).

The main issue is finding out the departure time and location. Insist strongly with your hotel—the bus might pass in the middle of the night. Locals have the drivers’ numbers and will let them know there are passengers to pick up. You pay on the bus.

From Karakorum Monastery, if you want to reach Arvaikheer via the mountains, the route is truly stunning. The postal service has a 6-seater van that leaves around 1 PM from the post office—ask around. This avoids going back to Ulaanbaatar. Plus, the van stops right in the center of Arvaikheer, next to a hotel that’s a really ugly red but has good rooms, great prices, and friendly staff.

The Black Market isn’t far, and neither are the city’s two museums.

The yurt camp next to the monastery is well-maintained, with very kind people. It gets too hot in winter, so you’ll have to sleep with the door open.

Ulaanbaatar There are two main long-distance bus stations: "Dragon Station." They’re far from the city center, so take a bus or a taxi—allow plenty of time to get there.

The city is constantly congested and polluted. Climate change is a very visible issue here.

To see a wrestling match in Ulaanbaatar, go directly to the "stadium" on Peace Avenue. Matches often take place at 11 AM, and tickets are sold on-site. Bus No. 1 goes there, among others.

For the Black Market, taking the bus is faster. You’ll find everything for daily life—fabrics, dishes, etc. But be careful: the "antique dealers" don’t provide authenticity papers, and you could get stopped at customs. Stick to the antique dealers in the city center.

I was really disappointed by the Lunar New Year—nothing happens outside, shops and banks are closed. Make sure to bring food, though ATMs work.

To exchange money, go to the 4th floor of the "state store" across from Beatles Park on Peace Avenue. The exchange rate seems good.

There are many great museums in Ulaanbaatar and smaller towns—worth a visit, even if you sometimes have to hunt for the keys and lights. However, the art galleries in Ulaanbaatar no longer exist (at least not when I was there).

I stayed at GoldenGobi Guesthouse—very family-like atmosphere, right in the center, and budget-friendly. They can also help organize things. There’s a kitchen and a terrace for summer, and it’s just a short walk from the "state store" and museums.

The Thousand Camel Festival in Dalanzadgad takes place at the end of January—check the dates, as climate change may shift them.

There’s a direct bus from "Dragon Station" very early in the morning. For accommodation, I stayed at "Happy Bee Hostel," which is well-located on the festival route. It has 3 nice dorms and a small kitchen, and the owner is very friendly. The place was clean.

The festival is 5 km away, but hitchhiking works really well. It lasts 3 days and is free. Day 1: Introductions, networking, and handicrafts. Day 2: Archery (men’s and women’s), camel presentations, and camel polo. Day 3: Camel races, beauty contests, and training demonstrations. There are several yurts where you can enjoy culinary tastings—very pleasant when it’s a bit windy and cold.

You can eat on-site throughout the festival.

There’s also the Ice Festival in the north, which lasts 3 weeks—look into it.

Alcohol (vodka and very strong Mongolian alcohol—cheap) I never encountered any issues on the road—there are lots of police checks. However, I did witness several nighttime fights in hotels. I always made sure my door locked and let the shouting and punches fly. I only took out my whistle if I heard a woman screaming, but usually, it’s just men drinking in their rooms.

I didn’t experience any specific issues as a woman.

Health: Don’t forget your prescriptions. I used SMECTA (a digestive aid), which helped when I couldn’t refuse mutton dumplings—I’m not a big meat eater.

That’s all—I’m sure I forgot some things. I chose winter to attend the Camel Festival and also because there are no tourists or 4x4s everywhere. The downside is that there’s a lot of snow, especially near the Kazakh region, and sometimes it’s impossible to go off the beaten path. Near Ölgii, summer must offer some great hikes. Marie
Motorcycle insurance for Russia?
by Rapanuhi · 2025-02-26 · 15 replies
Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Mongolia on my motorcycle in early May 2025, but I’m really struggling to find insurance with a Green Card that covers Russia. Do you know where I can get one? Thanks! Best, Philippe
Looking for a guide to reach the Altai Mountains in Mongolia in August and September 2025
by EmmanuellePm · 2025-02-19 · 4 replies
Hello,

I’m heading to Mongolia in August and September and I’m looking for a French-speaking guide who can accompany me to the Altai Mountains to stay with a nomadic or semi-nomadic family that would be willing to host me in exchange for work and money. Do you know anyone? Looking forward to your replies! Thanks, Emmanuelle
Motorcycle rental in Ulaanbaatar
by StefduCarol · 2025-01-30 · 2 replies
Hi, does anyone have a tip for renting a motorcycle or a sidecar in Ulaan? Thanks
Winter local transportation and getting around in Mongolia
by Projecteur · 2024-12-12 · 4 replies
Hi everyone, I’m setting off to put one foot in front of the other for 5 weeks in Mongolia starting mid-January. I always travel like the locals do—buses, shared "taxis," trucks... Has anyone here had experience with winter transportation there?

Weather-wise, I’ve dealt with extreme cold before, so I’m all set with gear.

See you soon, Marie
Currency exchange in Paris
by Projecteur · 2024-11-26 · 2 replies
Hi there, I'm in Paris and looking to exchange some Tugrik bills. Maybe someone has some they brought back? Thanks so much! Have a great day
Two weeks with a host family in Mongolia
by FabriceGav · 2024-11-10 · 4 replies
Hey everyone! So, I’m planning to head to Mongolia in April 2025 for two weeks (I know, it’s pretty short, but work leaves me no choice!). That’s why I don’t want to waste any time! It’s not a big deal if I can’t see the whole country or miss some must-see spots—my main goal for my trips is meeting families, staying with locals, discovering the culture, the way of life, and everything else! That’s what travel is all about for me. So if you know of any families (preferably nomadic) who’d be open to hosting me, I’m all ears! I never go through guides or agencies—usually, I connect with locals who need a little extra money and know their region well. They’re happy to spend the day showing me around! Thanks so much for your help! Fabrice.
Trans-Mongolian Railway trip, post-2022 info?
by Alicoptere · 2024-10-24 · 4 replies
Hi,

I’m supposed to be going on a university exchange in Shanghai from February to June 2025, and I’d love to return to Europe afterward via the Trans-Mongolian Railway. My plan was to fly from China to Mongolia’s capital and maybe spend 3-4 days exploring the country. Then, I could take the train, with a stop in Irkutsk before heading to Moscow for a two-day visit, followed by two days in Saint Petersburg. After that, I’d take a bus to Tallinn and possibly fly home from there due to time constraints. I was thinking this whole trip would take about two weeks. This site: Russian Train Tickets - Online Booking for Russian Train Tickets seems useful for buying tickets (though the ones that go through Mongolia need to be booked via a form or on tutu.travel), and this one for the bus from Russia to Estonia: St. Petersburg - Tallinn buses and tickets.

From what I’ve gathered, Russia now offers an e-visa, and Mongolia has suspended visas for Europeans until the end of next year.

Would anyone have any info or advice? Given the current situation in Russia, everything is pretty complicated to research, and most of the information is outdated.

Thanks in advance, Alicia
1000 Camels Festival in the Gobi in February: new location in Dalanzadgad
by Meridiana · 2024-10-21 · 0 replies
hi,

for those interested in Mongolia in winter and more specifically the 1000 Camels Festival in the Gobi, it’s now held in the town of Dalanzadgad, which you can reach by bus from the capital (2 daily buses, about 14 hours journey). It takes place in early February, February 1-3. (It used to be held in the small village of Bulgan, lost in the middle of the Gobi.)

happy travels
Voyage au long cours à vélo: remplacement des pièces et consommables?
by Pierre · 2020-09-22 · 22 replies
Bonjour,

Lorsque les conditions seront favorables, je projette un voyage au long cours à vélo. Hypothétiquement, l'idée de départ est un voyage d'environ 12 000 km, j'irais bien de France jusqu'en Mongolie. Je me pose la question du remplacement de certaines pièces et consommables. Je veux bien partir avec des patins de frein, des câbles, des rayons... Mais comment remplacer chaine/cassette, pneus... si l'on est dans des zones où l'on ne trouve pas un tel matériel. Peut-être trouve-t-on tout ce que l'on veut partout ?

Merci !

🙂
Train sans transit vers la Mongolie: plusieurs visas nécessaires?
by 57michele · 2020-06-27 · 6 replies
Bonjour,

Je prépare un voyage vers la Mongolie. Si je voyage en train sans m'arrêter , sans transit dans un pays hors EU (par exemple Berlin- Moscou), ai je besoin des visas des pays traversés sans m'y arrêter? Merci pour votre réponse, Michèle
Communications avec WhatsApp et forfaits en Mongolie
by Gwirith · 2020-03-08 · 2 replies
Bonjour,

avec mon opérateur(Orange, mon fils me dit que c'est nul et veut me mettre sous tutelle...), je n'ai trouvé que des forfaits de 7 jours alors que je pars un mois.Je vais me rabattre sur le forfait internet à 25 euros les 50 mo. Pouvez vous me dire si whattzapp ou autre passent bien dans le nord(pays tsagaan, lac khogol, arkanzai, jargalant, moron)? Merci

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