INTRODUCTION
Travellers
to Mongolia are becoming increasingly discerning about the type of journey they
would like to make. We are ready to hear your ideas, contribute our knowledge
and together work out a journey for you, which will not only fulfil your requirements
but will also enchant and intrigue you. Your tailor-made journey could take the
form of travelling with your own ger and yak cart, horses, guide, cook and 5 *
treatment or it could involve working as a volunteer planting trees in the Gobi
Desert. The possibilities are endless.
The price of a tailor-made journey
will vary depending on several factors: size of group, type of accommodation,
nature of travel and type of activities. Please contact
us to discuss costs.
MAGIC GER
Personal, unspoilt and unique travel experiences are becoming a rare commodity
as previously secret unexplored corners of the world become accessible and talked
about. Mongolia is no exception in some regions. Our forethought and anticipation
have led us to develop the concept of the Magic Ger in our quest to go one step
beyond to satisfy your tailor-made travel needs. Imagine your own ger in the middle
of the majestic inspiring countryside - in a lush valley; at the foot of a forested
mountain; or by the edge of a river - or all three! You will be able to enjoy
serene isolation far from other people and civilisation. Your personal 'ger' team
will travel ahead each day, whilst you take in the sights and activities that
we have designed and arranged for you. By the time you arrive at our specially
chosen private destination, the ger that you left earlier that morning will have
'magically' reappeared, complete with a hot shower and delicious freshly prepared
3-course meal. Experience this personal service and unique enchanting journey
in spellbinding style.
The Magic Ger is available as a short 2-3 day extension
to complement your existing booking with us, or as a complete journey of up to
2 weeks. Please contact
us to discuss details.
HORSE RIDING
Mongolian
horses are not big, averaging around 13/14 hands, but they are quick and fun to
ride, strong and surefooted. They are incredibly resilient, surviving the intense
cold of the Siberian winters. It was upon these brave mounts that the Mongol warriors
won the largest land empire in history in the 13th and 14th centuries AD. The
horse is a central figure in Mongolian culture, a symbol of prestige and national
identity as well as a means of transport. At present 3.1 million horses outnumber
2.5million people in a sparsely populated wilderness of 1.5 million square kilometres.
That's the population of Wales in a land area 3 x the size of France.
Riding
in Mongolia is an exhilarating experience. Endless countryside, with not a fence
in sight, stretches out in front of you dotted only with the occasional family
ger, where nomadic hospitality extends to every passing traveller. Relish the
freedom on the back of your trusty mount across open steppe, over rolling hills,
across mountain passes, next to bubbling brooks, alongside crystal clear lakes
and rivers.
We offer set-departure horse riding journeys as part of our
'Expeditions' portfolio
- overviews can be downloaded here and detailed itineraries can be requested.
In addition, we can arrange tailor-made horse rides almost anywhere in the country
- whether it is for 1 day or 1 month; for 1 person or a group of up to 10. For
more information please e-mail us or call 0044 (0) 1608 811 183
FISHING
& RAFTING
Mongolia is one of the world's great remaining freshwater
fishing grounds - combining pristine wilderness with well-stocked waterways. Asia's
continental watery divides characterise Mongolia - comprising a Pacific basin,
an Arctic basin and an inland basin, splitting the country's more than 5000 rivers
and streams. The crystal clear waters are home to the world biggest salmonid,
the Taimen, which often reach over 100lbs. Mongolians call the fish the "River
Wolf" because it will eat anything - sometimes taking whole ducks off the
surface. Other abundant species include the Lenok, Grayling, Pike, Sturgeon, and
many different species of Asian carp and perch. In the rivers and lakes of the
above drainage basins, there are 76 species of more than 40 families of fish.
Late August to October is the best season for fishing in Mongolia. We offer
tailor-made fishing trips for the casual amateur fisherman to a variety of rivers
in the country. Locations can range from helicopter drop-off wilderness spots
to accessible well-known fishing stretches. Evenings are spent over rustic fare
by the fireside and nights under canvas beneath starry skies.
Mongolia's
rivers offer fantastic opportunities for rafting. We have an 8-man raft which
is perfect for navigating the waters through the awe-inspiring countryside. Rafting
trips can be combined with a fishing journey or booked as a rafting-only adventure
expedition - from a couple of days to a week or more.
For more information
on fishing and rafting please e-mail us or call 00044 (0) 1608 811 183.
CAMEL
TREKKING
About 285,000 Bactrian camels - 30% of the world's population
- live in Mongolia, mainly in the Gobi desert. Opinions (and camels) vary, but
at peak fitness they can go 5 days without water, cover up to 70km a day, carry
100-200kg of cargo - all before downing up to 100 litres of water at a refuelling
stop! A flaccid hump is a sign of poor condition, and when fully watered their
humps are erect.
Take a camel trek with us across the sprawling Gobi desert
and enjoy its vast arid majesty as you travel through remote endless landscapes.
Visit nomadic families in their gers and learn more about the life of camel breeders
and the camels themselves - your hosts will no doubt make sure you also try out
some homemade camel milk products. Out in the open, experience spectacular views
and enjoy the feeling of freedom engendered by the immense space around you. Evenings
are spent over rustic fare by the fireside and nights under canvas beneath starry
skies.
Camel treks can be booked as a full tailor-made expedition, or as
an extension to - or part of - a longer journey booked with us. Treks can last
anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks or more.
For more information please e-mail
us or call 00044 (0) 1608 811 183
SUITABLE
FOR ALL AGES
We cater for all ages, abilities and levels of fitness.
We encourage people from the very young to those in their 80s to travel to China/Mongolia
provided they feel comfortable with nature of the travel.
GROUP
SIZE
We feel strongly that travelling in small groups is the only
satisfying way to experience Mongolia. We are increasingly aware of the developing
impact of tourism on Mongolia. Tourism can bring mutual benefit if organised with
care and sensitivity and keeping our group sizes to a maximum of 12 people is
part of our commitment to this. Small groups ensure you are looked after to the
best possible standard, it ensures our presence amongst the local people, in particular
the nomads, is not overwhelming and that we are not making excessive demands on
sometimes scarce resources.
GATHER A GROUP
Creating your own small group to travel with is becoming an increasingly
popular way to organise a tailor-made journey. Gather a group of similarly interested
people, tell us what you would like to do and where you would like to go in Mongolia
or China and we'll do the rest.
TRAVELLING
ALONE
If you are wondering whether you can travel without
a friend - come! Travelling as a single person in a group, you will not be lonely.
The small group size and the vehicle layout ensure plenty of opportunity for lively
discussions, good humour and a chance to get to know your fellow travellers. All
meals whether they are in a restaurant, ger camp or outside on the steppe are
shared and ger accommodation can also usually be shared. If you would like to
travel on your own without a group, you will be accompanied by a driver and an
English-speaking guide. You will encounter all sorts of people on your journey
without a doubt - striking up a conversation in Mongolia couldn't be easier though
you may find some Mongolian language comes in handy.
