Trip Includes
- Four nights four-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
- Five nights in traditional ger camp with en suite gers.
- Three meals a day, as indicated in the itinerary.
- All entrance fees.
- Sightseeing as per itinerary.
- Transportation by 4WD vehicle.
- Internal airfare roundrip(Ulanbaatar-South Gobi-Ulaanbaatar).
- English speaking local tour guide.
- Daily supply of drinking water.
Trip Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Travel insurance.
- Drinks, tipping, laundry, phone, internet usage, and other personal expenses.
- Extra expenses due to nature and unforeseen events such as flight cancellation, delays, inclement weather, personal health, etc.
- Optional additional activity cost.
- Excess baggage charge, airport taxes, and fee.
Trip Difficulty Level
This trip is a moderate adventure and so travelers with an average health condition can join this trip but must be prepared for the long drive on unpaved or gravel roads. We use 4WD vehicles for all transfers and tours, and there will be occasional stops on a long day drive. The trip offers some optional activities such as camel riding, horseback riding, dune hiking, etc.
Although no extreme adventures are involved, this is also not a luxury trip. You should be willing to walk, hike, and prepared for long drives on different road conditions. Outside Ulaanbaatar, roads are unpaved, so they are bumpy and can be dusty as well. Please bring the pollution mask to protect your nose and mouth to avoid inhaling the dust.
Although the trip is not challenging, you will enjoy the journey if you are fit. If you do not lead an active life, please start some exercises several weeks before the trip. Engage yourself in hiking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or aerobics for 25-30 minutes a day.
Transportation
In Ulaanbaatar, we will use a well-conditioned minibus, which is usually Hyundai County or Toyota Coaster or similar. In South Gobi and other areas where roads are mostly unpaved, we use 4WD vehicles such as Mitsubishi Delica or Land Cruisers.
Vehicles
Guide:
Our tours are led by experienced local guides who are proficient in English and have good knowledge of history, culture, and religion of Mongolia. Guides in different cities can be different persons.
Climate and weather
The weather is mild, generally dry throughout the central and southern areas. It can be still cold in the northern mountainous regions. The temperature in the steppe averages around 66°F, and may fall to 50°F, or below, at night. In the Gobi, temperatures in summer average 85-95°F; however, the nights can get quite chilly. In the mountains, temperatures will be lower with the increase of the altitude. July and August receive rains in the northern and southern areas, but it is brief and shouldn't affect the tours.
The winter begins in October and lasts through April and is not the best time to travel to the north.
Passport and Visa:
The remaining validity of your passport must be at least six months on the last day of the tour. Please, also make sure you are not running out of blank visa pages for entry and departure seals. American citizens don't need a visa for Mongolia for up to 30 days.
Booking and payment schedule
We request a deposit of US$ 300 along with a completed application and a passport scan to secure your place on the trip. You can pay the deposit by check or credit card. The balance payment is due 90 days before departure. The payment schedule may vary with customized and private trips on case to case basis. Balance payment by credit card attracts an additional 3 to 3.5% fee. A credit card holder also must be the traveler.
Cancellation and refund
If you need to withdraw from the trip, please, notify us in writing by email or fax. Below is the cancellation policy of Far & High.
Ninety days before departure: US$ 150 (Administrative Fee).
Sixty-Eighty-nine days before departure: US$ 250 or 25% of the land cost whichever is higher.
Forty-five days to Fifty-nine days prior departure: US$ 450 or 50% of the land cost whichever is higher.
Thirty days to Forty-four days before departure: US$ 600 or 75% of the land cost whichever is higher.
Less than Thirty days: 100%.
If the airfare cancellation fee is subject to the airline policies.