Trip Includes
- Accommodation on double occupancy basis in the listed hotels and ger camps.
- Meals: Three meals a day in Mongolia and breakfast only in Beijing and Tibet.
- All entrance fees.
- Sightseeing as per itinerary.
- Transportation by a 4WD vehicle in Mongolia and by a minivan in Tibet.
- Domestic flight within Mongolia.
- English speaking tour guide.
- Daily supply of bottled water.
The trip does not Include
- International airfare
- In-tour airfare Ulaanbaatar-Beijing-Lhasa and return (Estimated $1100-$1200).
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses such as phone, drinks, tipping, laundry, etc.
- Optional additional activity cost.
- Excess baggage charge, airport taxes, and fees.
- Single room supplement.
Trip Difficulty Level
Although no extreme adventures are involved, this is also not the trip for luxury and leisure seekers. You should be willing to walk and hike, in addition to the long day drives on dirt and rocky roads. 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. This trip requires some degree of physical fitness. The more physically fit you are, the more you will be able to enjoy the journey. If you do not lead an active life, please start soft training two or three months before the trip. Engage yourself in hiking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or aerobics for 25-30 minutes a day. Avoid using elevators or use bicycles instead of a car if it's a short ride.
We use 4WD Mitsubishi Delica van, which is right in Mongolian terrain. There will be a maximum of four passengers per vehicle.
While in Mongolia, you have options for camel riding, horseback riding, dune hiking.
Roads in Tibet are well paved. The main concern in Tibet is altitude-related issues. All travelers, regardless of age, are likely to experience some discomfort in the first couple of days. The symptoms should go away in a day or two. However, travelers with heart and lung issues must consult with their physician before they sign up for the trip.
In Mongolian rural areas, your accommodation will be in a yurt, locally known as a 'ger.' The toilet and shower are in a separate building. The camps usually have few en suite gers that you can book on an additional cost.
What is it like staying in a Ger Camp?
You have hotel accommodations in Ulaanbaatar, Beijing, and Tibet, but in South Gobi and other areas of Mongolia, you will sleep in a yurt, locally called Ger. A Ger is a tent made of latticed wood and covered with insulated felt and canvas layers. The Gers are simple, cozy, and comfortable and usually have two or three or four wooden beds with bedding, side tables, chairs, and flasks of hot water. Each ger has a central wood-burning stove to heat the space in the evening and morning. The dining hall and kitchen are in the main building or a large tent. The toilet and shower block will be in a convenient location within the camp. Most toilets have western-style flush toilets, but water speed is slow. Some camps also have a few en suite gers that you can request for an additional fee. Most camps have 24-hours electricity, and the generators support some. However, power fluctuation is very common. The main building has charge stations for phone and camera batteries.
Staying in ger camps gives an experience of the lifestyle of Mongolian nomadic culture.
Transportation:
All ground transportation will be by 4WD vehicles while in Mongolia and a regular van or coach while in Tibet, as all road conditions are generally good.
Guides:
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.
Best Time To Visit Mongolia and Tibet in One Trip
June to September is the best time to travel to Mongolia and Tibet. The weather is mild, generally dry throughout the central and southern areas. 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 cold. July and August receive some rain it doesn't affect the tours.
The winter begins in October and lasts through April and is not the best time to travel to these countries.
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. US citizens don't need a visa for Mongolia for up to 30 days.
For Tibet, you need a Chinese visa and Tibetan permits. You need to obtain a Chinese visa on your own, and we arrange a Tibetan permit for you.
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%.
The airfare cancellation fee is subject to the airline policies plus $25 per ticket by the consolidator.