MONGOLIA
Many travelers opt to stop in Mongolia on a journey between Moscow and Beijing, an exotic country populated in large part by nomads whose lives have little changed since the time of Genghis Khan.
Ulan-Bator, the capital of Mongolia, was largely built with Russian help, but the Soviet architecture is complemented by Buddhist temples and palaces of Mongolian rulers. However, remaining true to their nomadic roots, many residents live in gers neighborhoods, in portable teepee-like structures that can be assembled or disassembled in hours. It is not uncommon to see cows or goats meandering the streets of the city, or deer coming down from the nearby mountains to graze.
Buuvelt is a gers camp in the National Park Reserve of Terelj which can be booked, about 70km from Ulan-Bator. Tourists stay in an individual gers, and have access to a wash facility and gers restaurant. It is possible to book a homestay in a gers with a nomadic family at another location in Terelj.
The Nadaam Festival is held throughout Mongolia each year, 11-13 July. Mongolian athletes compete in horseracing, archery and wrestling events in the first two days of the festival, and the last day is reserved for merrymaking.
SERVICES
Ulan-Bator:
Transfer from train station, $10; airport $22
Homestay: $32 single $46 double
4 hours city tour, 1 person $50, 2nd person $6
8 hours city tour, 1 person $68, 2nd person $18
Excursion to Manchur: $92 first person, $4/additional person
Round-trip transport
to Terelj from Ulan-Bator: $106 first person, $10/additional person
Gers camp full-board accommodation, Terelj: $47 single, $80 double
Gers homestay with nomads, half-board, Terelj, $36 single, $72 double
