nomad horse riding adventure · 2020. 2. 26. · address: baga toirog, ulaanbaatar, mongolia phone:...

2020

Nomad Horse Riding Adventure 1

�8 nights,

twin share

�Grade 6 -

Intermediate (5-6 hrs/day)

�All transfers,

2 guides, plus porters

�8 Breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8

dinners

Horse riding is central to the culture and history of Mongolia. On this amazing adventure, ride through the iconic landscapes of Central Mongolia, visiting

picturesque 16th Century Buddhist monasteries nestled in the mountains, and revel in the scenery and escapism.

This YellowWood adventure takes you right into the geographical and cultural heart of rural Mongolia. We stay with local families in their warm “gers” (large flat tents or ‘yurts’), to learn about their ancient nomadic

way of life. Visiting spectacular Buddhist monasteries in the mountains will be a trip highlight, offering breathtaking views, and a chance to learn about the remarkable history of the area.

Horse riding is the perfect mode of transport in this stunning country, and as a way of getting as close as possible to an authentic Mongolian experience. To get the most out of this adventure, you need to have

experience riding outdoors, though we often have a mixed ability group from intermediate to expert.

2020: £1449 2021: £1449

Sat 18 - Sun 26th Jul Sat 22 - Sun 30th Aug

Sat 21 - Sat 29 Aug

Nomad Horse Riding Adventure Ride through the sublime Naiman Nuur region of Mongolia,

staying with local nomadic families to experience their pastoral way of life, delicious foods & culture.

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Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, city tour After transferring to our hotel (around 30 mins) we will take a tour of the capital, & largest city in Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar (Red Warrior). It is a city of contrasts, where modern meets tradition and bustle meets Buddhism. Our city tour includes the incredible Gandantegchinlen Monastery that houses a 26.5 metre high golden statue of Avalokiteśvara, and a Bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. The excellent museum also gives us a great overview of mongol history and the life and conquests of Chingiis Khan. Tonight we enjoy our first group dinner, and stay in a modern and comfortable 3* hotel excellently located in the heart of the city.

Day 2: Drive to Kharkhorin & visit Erden Zuu Monastery In the 13th Century, Genghis Khan began the largest empire the world has ever seen; stretching from the Sea of Japan to the Danube in Hungary. He founded the cosmopolitan city of Kharkhorin (also known as Karakorum) as his capital, although it was later moved to Peking by his grandson, Kubilai Khan. This morning we aim for an early departure for the drive to the site of Kharkhorin (approx 5.5 hours of driving). We’ll nip to the supermarket for snacks for the trip and stop en route for lunch and to breathe in

the landscapes. Once in the town, we will visit the museum to get an idea of the scale of Kharkorin, then explore the stunning temples of the 16th Century Erdene Zuu

Buddhist Monastery, surrounded by monumental walls and 108 white stupas. It is probably the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in the country, having withstood (though been significantly damaged by) the purge of monasteries in 1939 by Communist

leaders. Since the 1990s the monastery has become, once again, a place of Buddhist worship. Tonight we stay with local families in ‘gers’, enjoying the Mongolian hospitality.

Day 3: Ride to Tovkhon Monastery After a drive (2 hrs) out into the wild, forested steppe, we pick up our horses from Bayasgalan camp, for the ride up to Tovkhon Monastery (2400m), a UNESCO World Heritage site situated atop a small mountain with breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding area. This is where Zanabazar, the head and founder of Mongolian Buddhism, created his famous art works and also the

national script ’soyombo’ in the 16th Century.

The scenery, particularly as you enter the Orkhon Valley is breathtaking. The terrain is varied but frequently steep up through forest and so the horses will not be travelling fast today. It is a great opportunity to get to know your horse, and the riding style/ terrain of the country.

Please note that females are able to visit the

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Monastery, but are not permitted to summit the mountain top behind it, which is an optional short, there & back extension. On return to the camp we continue our trip from here by car, to our Ger camp for the night and an excellent meal prepared by our nomad host family.

Day 4: Start of ride into Naiman Nuur region While the guides and nomad hosts prepare our lunch and horses for our ride, we walk to where the Ulaan Tsutgalan (Red Convergence) River meets the Orkhon River in one of the biggest waterfalls in Mongolia. Once ready, we begin our journey into the beautiful Naiman Nuur mountains today, known for their series of stunning lakes. We trek along the Orkhon valley before heading up into the mountain scenery, past numerous ger camps and pasturing livestock. The route (total of about 4.5hrs riding) takes us over small rivers and through valleys before ascending a forested mountain where the river has cut a deep gash through the rock. There are opportunities for faster riding after arriving at our camp for the evening, on a separate optional route. We stay again with local families who will cook their traditional food for us and we can help to bring in the herds of yaks and goats before

nightfall. Without any light pollution, you will see the stars come out in all their brilliance in this remote region. 4-5 hours riding

Day 5: Horse riding in Naiman Nuur Khuisiin Naiman Nuur means ‘eight lakes of the navel’ and we will see many of these lakes throughout our route today. The area was created by volcanic eruptions 8000 years ago and is surrounded by the now extinct volcanoes. Our morning begins with a steep ascent up and over a pass before we make our way through a valley on a gentle incline up to

Huis Nuur where we will stay with families who transport their gers

here on yaks. The extremes of gradient mean dismounting at times to lead the horses. The camp enjoys a wide vista of this absolutely stunning area. Today there is 4 hours riding with optional extension ride from the evenings camp to lake Khuis Nuur.

Day 6: Horse riding/hiking in Naiman Nuur Today is our longest ride, with around 6hours in the saddle, and is truly spectacular; a day that just keeps giving.

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After making our way across the valley, surrounded by many smaller lakes, we again ascend, up through a forest until we come to the biggest of the lakes; Naiman Nuur itself.

With a long, forested peninsular cutting through its waters, and steep mountains rising from its banks, it feels a little like a Norwegian fjord, and it is a great treat to ride alongside its waters. We head up into the high National Park where we will meet back up with our vehicles and stay for the night. There is an opportunity for some fast riding from the col above Shirt Nuur, the largest of the 8 lakes, back to camp.

Camp tonight is particularly special as it is our last night in the ‘proper wilderness’ and milk vodka and a celebratory feast are likely.

Day 7: Drive to Bayan Gobi and Ride a Bactrian Camel Today we drive to the desert ger camp of Bayan Gobi, situated on the edge of the Gobi Desert. We will enjoy a short ride on enormous woolly Bactrian camels (two humps) across the sand dunes in this beautiful, windswept spot, surrounded by mountains receding into the distance and the fearsome desert stretching for waterless mile upon mile to the south.

For those preferring not to ride, there is the option of a self guided walk into the local area of desert. The camp tonight enjoys more facilities, and is busier than we have had in the nomadic camps in the wilderness.

Day 8: Return to Ulaanbaatar On our last full day, we return to the capital of Ulaanbaatar, passing through nomadic ‘towns’ off road, and stopping off to see some sacred rocks and yak statues. Depending on the time of our arrival back

into UB, we can fit in some souvenir shopping (there is a fabulous Cashmere shop with incredible quality prices and quality!) before attending a cultural performance with traditional Mongolian dancing and music. On a high from the show, we end our adventure with a celebratory group

dinner and exploring UB’s nightlife before returning to our hotel.

Day 9: Fly out of Ulaanbaatar All good things must come to an end and today you enjoy your last breakfast in Mongolia before catching flights home from Ulaanbaatar.

Accommodation We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism and use hotels run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.

We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller

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areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available.

An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.

This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel (eg wifi, or hot showers!) may not be functional on our arrival. This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice.

The accommodation on this adventure involves both hotel stays and camping in gers/yurts. Single supplement £50.

Ulaanbaatar (2 nights): Khuvsgul Lake Hotel Address: Baga Toirog, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Phone: +976 37607 8888 City centre location, with Wifi

Ger Camping (6 nights) A ‘ger’ or ‘yurt’ is a large felt tent made from sheeps wool, which results in a warm, cosy and waterproof shelter. The centre of the

yurt houses a metal wood burner with a chimney for all smoke to escape through the roof.

Yurts house either 2 or 4 simple, but comfortable beds with plenty of extra blankets to pile onto your sleeping bag

(please bring a winter season bag), should you feel chilly. If you are travelling with a group of friends then we are happy for friends to share a yurt (4 people), or YellowWood can arrange the rooming for solo travellers to share with others of the same gender.

Facilities vary depending on where we are staying. The ger camps tend to have running water and warm showers available, but when we are

staying with families, there are only likely to be outdoor toilet facilities, and not showers or hot water. Please note that there is generally no electricity in the camps, and limited mobile signals, if any.

Electricity: Mongolia runs on 220V and uses 2 round-prong plugs

(such as those in Europe), so please bring suitable adapters. Away from lodges, and hotels, (apart from at Bayan Gobi desert camp), there is no electricity so you should be prepared with solar chargers or battery packs.

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What’s Included… • 8 nights twin share accommodation

(unless you have paid for a single room). NB Yurt/ger accommodation creates a slightly unusual situation; each yurt sleeps 4.

• All transfers, including airport transfers

• 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners

• Full guided itinerary which includes your YellowWood guide and a Local Guide.

• Use of a horse during your adventure

• Porters and camp staff all ensure that you are well supported and secure on this holiday

& What’s not Flights Visas (around £40) Insurance Airport Taxes Tips (around $100) Alcoholic drinks Souvenirs

Food & DrinkMongolian recipes have been influenced by the historically nomadic way of life in the country, and are conducive to the long term preservation of food. They are also influenced by the extreme climate as it is fairly difficult to grow vegetables, so they have to be imported (and are therefore expensive). Mongolians typically cook with a wok, so dishes are likely to be stir fried or boiled.

It is worth noting that service in Mongolian restaurants is not generally fast or responsive compared to Western standards. We will pre-order where we can on this trip to minimise the effect but the best thing is to relax into it and realise it is all part of the experience!

Meat forms the basis of Mongolian cuisine, with mutton, goat, camel & yak most often on the menu (chickens cannot survive the extreme temperatures so have to be imported!) Accompanying ingredients are rice, flour based dishes, potatoes & onions.

Fruit & veg are not thought highly of (apparently they are considered unmanly and are used more for animals than people!).

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As Mongolian families often keep a herd of animals, a wide range of dairy products are home made, from butter and cheese (‘byaslag’) to dried curds ‘aaruul’. These are commonly served to guests who visit.

‘Buzz’ is the national food - a steamed dumpling filled with mutton.. you can find buzz in restaurants throughout the capital. ‘Khuushuur’ is a deep friend mutton pancake that is particularly popular during the Naadam festivities. ‘Boodog' is the whole carcass of a goat or marmot, roasted from the inside by gutting it and filling the cavity with burning hot stones (visually not everyone’s cup of tea!). ’Khorkhog’ is chopped up goat, potatoes and onions, slowly steamed inside a metal container. Scalding hot rocks are placed inside the container to create the steam

Drinks/Alcohol Water in Mongolia is traditionally regarded to be sacred and can be scarce in arid areas of the country. So milk tends to be the more available beverage, with the most popular drink being salted tea (‘Suutei Tsai’).

‘Airag’ is another traditional drink, which is slightly alcoholic, made by fermenting mare’s milk. It is only available fresh during the

summer (May to August) when it can be bought by the roadside in mountainous areas. It is probably considered the signature drink of Euro-asian nomadic culture, also consumed in Kazakhstan and Kyrgzystan. To warn you, it is pretty bitter /

sour!

Mongolian vodka is excellent. You will also be able to purchase Chinese & Korean beers, and beer is probably one of the most popular alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks are not included on this adventure. NB: A reminder to only handle food with your Right hand

Special diets Please inform us of any special dietary requirements prior to booking. The

Mongolian diet is traditionally meat based and a varied vegetarian diet is harder to find but by no means impossible. We do not feel confident in assuring vegan meals on this adventure.

Coeliacs and those with other intolerances can be provided for and we can communicate with you individually and prepare to make sure you have the right food throughout your trip. Supermarkets in Ulaanbaatar sell gluten free foods, and you can bring any essentials with you also, to supplement your diet when you are on your adventure.

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Guiding Supporting you on your holiday will be a minimum of 2 experienced, approachable and knowledgeable guides; one from the UK YellowWood team, and an in-country local guide who will be with us for the duration of the holiday.

This ensures you the perfect balance of information and support on your trip, with your Mongolian guides offering insight into local life and customs, as well as routes during walking/horse riding excursions, whilst your YellowWood guide ensures the smooth running of your adventure.

Your Group Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures an optimal level of service to you during your adventure.

We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a larger group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it out for you. Our links with in-country travel experts often mean that we can assist you in developing a personalised itinerary.

Fit Enough? Your itinerary involves horse riding over

rough terrain, with steep gradients at various times (when you may be leading your horse). To get the most of out of this adventure, you therefore need to be in good physical condition. You do not need to be an experienced rider but need to either have ridden regularly recently, or if more of a beginner, you need to have had several lessons of

riding outdoors. This is for your own safety and confidence. Group riding will aim to facilitate the aspirations of the group, but the terrain is a natural limitation on frequent fast riding. Once at our Ger camps in the evening however, (situated in flatter valley areas), there is the opportunity for you to head back out on optional faster canter/gallops. We can send you further information on what to expect from the riding prior to your trip.

You will be carrying just a soft day pack with camera, spare layers and a soft bottle of water. All other equipment is carried on horses.

Training As with all active holidays, the fitter you are, the more you can relax and enjoy the stunning route, and the better you can cope with challenges such as the outside elements. Clients are advised to get into a regular riding pattern before the trip as convenient.

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Start & End Khuvsgul Lake Hotel Address: Baga Toirog, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Phone: +976 37607 8888 City centre location, with Wifi

In Country Contacts: Ayan Travel (Mona): Telephone: +976 70109696 Email: [email protected] YellowWood Adventures: Sam McManus +44 (0)7742869969

Travel Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Ulaanbaatar.. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very

daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible, to help you prepare.

Finding flights

Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights.

Foreign Travel Advice For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

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Airport & Arrival Info Chinggis Khaan International Airport is the main international airport in Mongolia, located 18km SW of the capital, Ulaanbaatar. It is a small, though fully functioning, airport with 2 ‘terminals’ that you may arrive into, at different ends of the same building.

You will be met at the airport by your YellowWood guide and a local driver for transport to central Ulaanbaatar (approx 30 mins)

On arrival you:

1. Pass through Immigration

2. Collect your baggage

3. Meet your YellowWood Guide & driver (they will have your name on a board, along with the YellowWood logo)

4. Exchange Currency: The easiest is probably to use the ATM in the airport, however, there is however, there is also

the option of exchanging currency in Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon, during the city tour.

Toilets can be found in the arrivals lounge.

Hotel Arrival On arrival at your city centre hotel, you will be welcomed and have time to settle into your room.

Once the group have all arrived (they may be on a variety of different flights), you will be heading to a local restaurant for lunch and a trip briefing. This will be followed by a very interesting City Tour of Ulaanbaatar to kickstart your holiday!

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Geography Mongolia is locked between China and Russia, in Central & Eastern Asia.

Like many of its neighbours, it is fairly mountainous, with the high Altai Mountains that stretch across the West & SouthWest of the country and the Khangai Mountains occupy much of central and north-central Mongolia. They contrast with the plains and depressions in the East & the South. There is much volcanic/ seismic activity in the Altai Mountain ranges, resulting in hot springs (and frequent earthquakes!). As a landlocked country, the nearest ocean is over 640kms away, however Mongolia is home to one of Asias largest freshwater lakes, as well as many salt lakes.

Official statistics list that less then 1% of the country is arable, 8-10% is forested and the rest is either pasture or desert. Grain (wheat) is grown in the valleys of the Selenge river system in the north but yields fluctuate widely and unpredictably as a result of variably precipitation and widespread frosts.

Climate & Weather Mongolia is high (average height is 1580m altitude), and has a cold and dry, extreme continental climate. This means long cold winters and short summers, when most of the rain will fall. Some areas, such as the Gobi Desert in the extreme South of the country, have almost no precipitation at all.

Temperatures over most of the country are below freezing from November to March, and about freezing in April & October. However, Summer temps reach as high as 33 degrees in Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolias weather is characterised by extreme variability and short term unpredictability in the summer which poses severe challenges to human and livestock survival.

As in other areas at high altitude, the suns UV is very strong so you need to protect against it.

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Inoculations The World Health Organisation recommends that all travellers, regardless of the region they are travelling in within Mongolia, should be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and typhoid, as well as hepatitis A & B. Also varicella if you haven’t had chickenpox. While making preparations to travel, take the opportunity to ensure that all of your routine vaccination cover is complete. Rabies vaccine is also recommended for those hiking or camping, due to a risk from animal bites. NB none of these immunisations are required for entry into the county

For the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical advice for travel, please go to https://travelhealthpro.org.uk - a very comprehensive website providing up-to-date and reliable information for the traveller, travel industry and health professionals.

Water Whilst many people do drink the tap water without issue, there is also the feeling that locals have developed immunity to some of the ‘bugs’ you might encounter through water. Whilst bottled water is always safe and is widely available on your holiday, we are conscious of the negative effects of Single Use Plastics. We highly recommend use of a filtration water bottle such as the Aquapure Traveller. This gives you flexibility, confidence and is entirely re-usable. We have teamed up with Pure Hydration to offer you the opportunity to purchase an APT bottle for just £20. NB:You should be cautious when eating raw vegetables or salads that may have been washed in local water. Food should always be eaten freshly cooked. Remember the traveler’s mantra: “Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it.”

Medical Treatment The standard of healthcare is variable, especially outside Ulaanbaatar. Even in the capital, only basic health care is available and cash payment may be asked for, before treatment. Take basic supplies of over the counter medicines and any regular prescription drugs you may need. Ensure you

have adequate travel health insurance with you as medical evacuation costs can be substantial. High levels of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, especially in winter, may aggravate bronchial, sinus or asthma conditions.

Public toilet facilities Sit down toilets can be found at tourist focused hotels and in major cities but in the rural regions, pit toilets are the norm and conditions may not be tip top so be prepared to hold your breath. Always have Toilet paper or biodegradable wipes with you at all times as it may not be provided or may be actual paper which can lead to cuts where you don’t want them! Toilet paper can block up the pluming, so if there is a rubbish bin next to the toilet, this is where the paper should go.

In the wilderness, there may not be trees or bushes for some distance so you may have to put modesty to one side. Stay away from gers, rivers/lakes, ovoid (sacred cairns of stones) and marmot holes when selecting your location!

Women's Health Bring any contraception that you might need with you as well as sanitary towels & tampons.

Altitude Sickness Whilst there are certainly areas where it is possible for you to get Altitude Sickness, within Mongolia itself, it is not foreseen that you will have problems with altitude on this adventure as our maximum altitude is around 2400m. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms while trekking or sightseeing, make sure to inform your guide and they will support you in descending to a lower altitude as soon as possible.

• Headache

• Fatigue or weakness

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Excessive shortness of breath

• Persistent rapid pulse

• Peripheral oedema (swelling of feet, hands

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Social and Cultural NormsThe culture of Mongolia has been heavily influenced by the nomadic way of life. Musical themes are ‘parental love’ and ‘homesickness’ or a longing for the place where one grew up. Urbanization and modernisation have inevitably had their effect, but many old conventions have continued.

Yurts have been used by the nomadic communities for centuries, being totally transportable dwellings that are easily dismantled and moved on pack animals before being set up again. The west side of the get is the man’s domain, where saddle & tack are stored. The east side is the woman’s, where food is prepared and utensils stored. The stove stands at the centre.

Mongols have always been concerned with protecting their ancestral heritage and still practice exogamy, believing it wrong to marry within a clan. Families once had key family tree charts, but these were banned in 1925, for being ‘feudal’. Since 1997, fortunately clan names are now once again recorded on identity cards.

Religion Most locals in Mongolia still practise Buddhism despite the communist history. Kazah nomads and some Mongols practice

Islam. When visiting temples & monasteries, dress modestly with long sleeves, and removing hats, sunglasses & shoes before entering a religious building. Don’t touch prayer flags, altars, mani stones or other items of religious significance.

Hospitality If you do get invited into a local person’s home, here are a few top tips:

• Always take a gift with you and say hello (‘sain gainful’) when you arrive.

• Always receive objects with your right hand, keeping your palm facing up when holding cups etc.

• Keep your sleeves rolled down as it is considered impolite to show your wrists.

• Accept gifts and always take a bite or a nibble of offered food. Take your coat

and warm clothing off whilst eating (to show your hosts that you feel their home is warm)

• Never lean on a support column or ger wall. Also, don’t walk on the threshold of the doorway.

• Don’t mix dirty things and clean things - Mongolian people hold cleanliness in great esteem and think that if dirty things touch clean things, it will contaminate them.

• Fire is sacred so don’t step on it, put it out, or put rubbish on a fire.

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Pace of life It is worth us noting down that for the nomads particularly, there is not similar time pressures that we experience in a Western culture. We work with the local guides to stick to our itineraries and timings but, in the mornings particularly, when the families we stay with are preparing our lunch before we depart, there can be delays and some waiting. This is a great opportunity to relax with a book and enjoy the slower pace.

Communication Mongolian is the main language, spoken by the vast majority of people. It is an Altaic language, related to modern Turkish. Younger people may speak some English, especially in hotels and tourist destinations.

Mongols tend to be very direct and have little personal space. Talking involves lots of gesturing and pointing and dramatic facial expressions.

There is less personal space generally than in the UK or USA for example, with people sitting closer together / leaning against each other on public transport etc.

Drinking & Drugs Alcoholism is a problem in Mongolia and you are likely to encounter people ‘under the influence’ in both the city and rural areas. ‘Drunks’ are more likely to be an irritation than a risk.

Possession or using drugs is strictly illegal and will result in prison time.

Clothing Mongolian Dress hasn’t changed much since the days of the empire as it is so well

adapted to life on the steppe and daily activities of pastoral nomads. The kaftan is the Mongolian traditional garment worn on workdays and special days - a loose long gown with sleeves and a high collar, worn with a sash. Loose trousers might be worn underneath the ‘deel’ or kaftan. Each ethnic group in Mongolia has its own ‘deel’ design,

distinguished by cut, colour & trimming.

Photography Please ask before taking a photograph of any person. Many people will happily oblige, but others may not want their photos taken, and that should be respected.

Dogs Stray dogs around hers in the countryside can be vicious and possibly rabid. You will no doubt see the full range of dog personalities from downright lazy to car chasers. Before approaching any ger, make sure dogs are friendly or under control and feel free to use the phrase ‘Nokhoi chore’ which kind of means ‘Can I come in’ but also means ’Hold the dog’! If you need to make a night time trip to the toilet, take a torch to deter dogs.

Driving Conditions Roads may be less well surfaced, and cars may be a little more rough and ready too (!) than in the West.

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Horses It is not a random coincidence that we offer horse riding on this adventure. Horses are the integral to the culture of the country, and have always played an important role in daily life as well as in the arts. For over 2500 years, they have been at the heart of nomadic life as a companion, worker and source of food. Horses have allowed the nomadic way of life to continue and thrive. Mongolian horses are stockier and more muscly than a Western horse - more suited to the mountains.

Tipping 10% should be fine to tip in restaurants. It is the norm to tip local guides & drivers, with around $10-$20 a day being seen as a reasonable amount. Drivers tend to deserve as much as the guides as they work hard with the distances and terrain involved in Mongolia!

Our guides will talk to you about how you as an individual, or as a group, would like to approach tipping. We are often asked for a ballpark figure of how much to tip: we would broadly suggest that you put aside around $100 for tipping local staff during your adventure.

Safety & Security Mongolia is considered to be a safe place to travel but one has to be sensible, as you would be at

home.

Always watch your belongings and beware of pickpockets, especially in large crowds. Be especially vigilant at currency exchange offices and visiting markets in the capital where the regular presence of tourists is an attraction to opportunistic thieves and pickpockets.. Use common sense and keep all money in a money belt and all valuables in your hotel safe (or don’t bring many with you!).

Walking around at night requires a normal level of vigilance as does following the advice / recommendations of strangers. We are fortunate in having a guide with our group who can be our ‘go to’ for information that can be trusted.

Money Currency Mongolian currency is the Tögrög or Tugrik (MNT) where £1 is approx 3239 MNT. . Mongolia is very much a cash based society. It is available in notes of 10, 20, 50 & 100., 500, 1000 and 5000 or coins of 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.

Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops in Ulaanbaatar, but not so much out of the capital. .

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Exchange You can only exchange money once in Mongolia. It is most widely converted from US$. We advise changing what you need as you need it, as it is harder to exchange Tughriks back into $ at the end of your trip (some exchange offices state they have none to give you!). There are some exchange places on the 2nd floor at the airport, or you can sort out exchange in Ulaanbaatar.

ATMS (Visa &

Mastercard) There is one at Chinngis International Airport as well as being widely available in Ulaanbataar but it is best not to rely on ATMs outside of the capital as they are fewer and further between.

Travellers cheques These are no longer accepted.

Bargaining Gentle haggling is common in markets, but in all other instances you are expected to pay the stated price.

Stay in Touch Phone Mobicom booths (one of the main providers) can be found in Central Post Offices and some department stores in Ulaanbaatar. You can buy a SIM card for around T7000 and top

it up as needed. It is free to receive calls and texting is also inexpensive.

Mobile phones are popular in the city and the countryside and both 3G and 4G services are

available in some areas. However the biggest problem in rural areas is the poor reception where you may need to ride a horse to the top of the nearest hill to get a signal! Also, use 3G / 4G sparingly as it will drain your phone units.

Local SIM cards can be used in whatever phone you bring. You can also keep you own SIM card if you have a plan that allows roaming, but be wary of roaming charges, and check with your provider what these might be, before you travel.

Internet Internet only found its way to Mongolia in 1995 and the sparsely populated areas pose a real challenge to providers. Ulaanbaatar has almost half the countries population so landline technologies are deployed there, and there are a handful of internet cafes in the capital. Wireless technology has been more successful in rural areas and there are wi-fi hotspots in bigger cities and in villages . . Speeds will generally not match what may be the norm in most Western countries.

Post The postal service is generally reliable though post may take a couple of weeks to get home. Stamps are available in post offices and

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Those countries NOT requiring a visa for stays of:

less than 14 days are Hong Kong less than 21 days: Philippines less than 30 days: Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, and Russia. less than 90 days are: USA, Brazil, Serbia & the Ukraine, amongst others.

A 30-day tourist visa is required for many countries (including the UK) and can be easily obtained at any Mongolian embassy or consulate. It is only valid for 90 days from issue so you can’t apply too far in advance of your trip.

A Tourist visa lasts 30 days from the date of entry. Each Embassy sets its own price so be sure to check but for example, in the UK (London), it is £40. Visas for UK passports take up to 2 weeks to issue unless you pay an express fee, which is around double the cost. For more information, please go to http://embassyofmongolia.co.uk/?p=186&lang=en

You will be asked to give accommodation details for your trip. We would advise you providing a print off of this adventure pack and sending it in with your application, to provide the details required.

If you are travelling to Mongolia from a country that has no Mongolian consulate, then you can pick up a 30 day tourist visa on

arrival at the airport in Ulaanbaatar. For this you will need T108,000 (or the $ equivalent) and 2 passport photos, plus a pre-approval letter from an organisation or company in Mongolia.

Please note that you may be offered antiquities during your trip, as souvenirs. You will not be able to export them without a receipt and customs certificate from the place that you bought them.

Insurance Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend sorting your insurance when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.

Your insurance needs to cover you for hiking/trekking with the following fairly standard inclusions:

Medical Expenses Repatriation Helicopter rescue & Air ambulance

Some clients also like to ensure they have the following optional items: Cancellation cover & Loss or damage to property

http://embassyofmongolia.co.uk/?p=186&lang=en




2020


Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hr emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.

How to Book 1. Our website holds detailed trip

information and availability options, so booking can be made online via the trip adventure page. We use a secure World Pay service for online payments

2. If booking more than 3 months in advance of your departure date, a £200 non refundable deposit is payable. The remainder is due no less than 3 months before the departure date.

3. You will receive payment confirmation from WorldPay and the Travel Trust Association (TTA) as well as an email from YellowWood Adventures.

4. As your adventure draws closer, YellowWood will send you a detailed information pack and Packing List.

5. Should you have any questions about your holiday or the booking process, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch: email: [email protected] phone: +44 (0)2078460197

Financial Protection YellowWood Adventures Ltd is a member of the UK’s Travel Trust Association (TTA) – www.traveltrust.co.uk – whereby all client monies are placed directly into a trust account so your funds are 100% protected at every stage of your adventure.

Client monies stay in the TTA account until the end of your trip or can be released prior to that, to pre-defined suppliers, on the condition that their services are financially insured through the TTA’s Supplier Failure Cover system.

As part of our membership contract we are obliged to maintain a high standard

of service to you by the TTA’s Code of Conduct.

• We have full Tour Operators Professional and Public Liability Insurance with specialist brokers Tasker & Partners Ltd

• We carry out risk assessments on all of our holidays to ensure we have thought through every detail

• We employ staff with the correct experience and skills to ensure you have a safe and fun trip, and have a thorough training programme each season

• We comply with the legislation and Tourism Code for the countries we work in.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

nomad horse riding adventure · 2020. 2. 26. · address: baga toirog, ulaanbaatar, mongolia phone:...

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