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Be careful from closed a deal, like Car Rental or organized tour, with Erdenebat Boris (Eric) – UB Mongolia. According to my experience (and also my friends) he abrogative preliminary agreement regarding tour conditions. For example: Vehicle not same vehicle booking, Driver not English spiking, extra payment contrary to the agreement and so on. Mr. Erdenebat Boris (Eric) is a faker. I am warning you.
I can confirm that pickpockets are a menace in Sukbaatar Square and the surrounding streets.I was attacked twice but managed to defend myself and my property. My partner and I were also pickpocked in the lift of the State Department Store while going up to the 6th floor. Use the stairs its safer. I attached chains connected with a digital padlock to my camera gear and carrying bags. This prevents losing your camera if the straps are cut. Light chain is easily available in any DIY outlet B&Q in the UK. They also use a mobbing technique where several people bar your way and your pockets are searched. Keep money under the instep of your foot in a plastic bag or use elastoplast to attach to your lower leg under trousers.
I was told that Mongolians just set whatever price that they feel like for the day, and exchange money that way....This was true on the train where people will come on board in Russia, near the last stop before Mongolia to exchange Togrog for Ruble. I thought 30 Togrog for 1Ruble was a fair trade...it wasn't. When I arrived in the capital the rate was 50 to 1. Check the price if you can beofre you trade.
At certain times of the year sandstorms are quite prevalent in Mongolia. The spring, which is when we travelled, is one of those times. Be prepared to run for shelter if you see a sandstorm appearing. The sand will get into every nook and cranny and infiltrate the delicate insides of your expensive camera equipment. We were in quite a few sandstorms and my favourite picture was the one I took in Dalanzadgad as we were setting off on our 12 hour drive to Sainshand, the line of telephone poles disappearing into the distance is such a great image. They can be quite dangerous, especially if you're travelling in the midst of one. We almost went off a low cliff when our driver was watching a swirling sandstorm off to the left of our van, I thought we were goners as he slammed on the breaks to stop the van.
Mid-January 2006 sees some severe political unrest in UB, with coalitions breaking apart and party offices destroyed by dissatisfied demonstrators. It is unclear what the outcome will be, and how it may affect travellers. There are updates and news on events on these sites:Contact: Guido Verboom, consultant for INMongolia Ltd., telephone: 00 976 99 08 11 03, e-mail: info@INMongolia.com
Plague ("The Black Death") is endemic to Mongolia, in fact it is one of the main reservoirs of the disease. There are three main strains of this terrible bacterial plague in the world, and the Mongolian/Central and East Asian one is about the worst. Especially the cute and cuddly marmots harbour the disease and it is spread via fleas. Just think about them down there in their underground dens and burrows, all furry and curled up, dinner time for fleas. The strain is very virulent and may kill very fast. Normally the strain is rodent-to-rodent only, spread by flea bites, but in there can be cases where the disease jumps from rodent to people and steps up from flea infestation to contagion by droplet/aerosolisation and all hell may break loose in a tight-knit population such as within ger family groups. Entire families and communities may go. While the rodents may have some...
Some people who travelled with me in Mongolia got sick from the food. In order to avoid this one can observe some hygienne rules.1. Never drink local tap water. Buy bottled water that you can trust has not been refilled with tap water.2. Wash your teeth with bottled water.3. Don't eat ice-cream as it may contain tap water.4. Always make sure no one puts ice in your drink or water, as ice is usually made from tap water.6. If you are sending postcards home, never ever lick the stamps with your tongue.7. Follow the old adage: cook it, boil it, peel it or forget about it. If you cannot do one of these things to your food then don't eat it.8. Don't eat raw vegetables or fruit or fruit juices because they may not have been washed or peeled correctly.7. Before you eat anything with your hands make sure you wash them with one of these hand desinfectants that you don't need to rinse or wash your...
I didn't feel particularly threatened or endangered by anything. However, if I was to go again, I would get a couple of immunisation shots. This is because you end up living a lot outdoors, and you feel safer, knowing you have taken your precautions. Also, it is best to feel at your ease and come in contact with people, food, outdoor experiences. Rather than be afraid to do this and that in case you contract something you are not prepared for. I would suggest immunisation for rabbies, as they have a lot of wild shepherd dogs guarding yurts. Also Hepatitis, Tetanus and something that protects you from unsafe dairy products.
Pickpockets operate in twos or threes on the crowded buses in Ulan Baatar. If you feel someone nudging you towards another passenger, just before the bus is coming to a stop, hold on tightly to your wallet. They will jump off the bus so fast that you'll never be able to catch them.
When you are in the Mongolian ger, do not lean onto or shake the wooden supporting structures or the whole ger may collapse, causing injuries and embarassment. The locals also find it rude to do that, so take note.
The Continental Hotel Ulaanbaatar
1 Review and 23 Opinions during my stay in UB I was completely cought of guard by this hotel. now they have a new fitness...
Chinggis Khaan Hotel Ulaanbaatar
1 Review and 46 Opinions Very good high end hotel. Modern, recently built. Very good service. We went there with very low...
Bayangol Hotel Ulaanbaatar
2 Reviews and 69 Opinions I stayed here for a couple of nights - the first and last night’s of my Mongolian tour. This 4-star...
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Q: We have the opportunity of visiting Ulaanbaator for two days in December this year. Could anyone tell me how difficult it is to...
A: That depends, do you know what -20 to -30 C fells like? The locals are used to it. Just because it's cold, doesn't mean the whole city goes into hibernation. Things are...
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