Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nect nomads, most of whom by their nature keep moving, so even the roads are semino-
madic, shifting like restless rivers.
Remote tracks quickly turn into eight-lane dirt highways devoid of any traffic, making
navigation tricky. Expect to get lost.
While conditions are rough in most parts of the country, the government has been busy
paving roads from Ulaanbaatar to the provincial capitals. The entire 1000km between the
northern border at Altanbulag to the southern border at Zamyn-Üüd has been paved. Oth-
er paved roads from Ulaanbaatar now reach Tariat (Arkhangai), Bayankhongor, Bulgan/
Erdenet and Öndörkhaan. By the time you read this the roads to Choibalsan, Mandalgov,
Dalanzadgad and Mörön should be paved. The road from Mörön to Khatgal is also
paved.
Shortages of petrol and spare parts are uncommon, except in remote regions. Acci-
dents are not uncommon. Try to avoid travelling at night, when unseen potholes, drunk
drivers and wildlife can wreak havoc. Driving in the dark is also a great way to get com-
pletely lost.
SELF-DRIVE OR HIRE A DRIVER?
A self-drive tour is hard work and potentially hazardous. You have to deal with
breaking down, getting bogged and getting hopelessly lost.
Most travellers hire a car anda driver. In terms of price, it can often work out to
be the same or even cheaper than renting without a driver.
Vehicle Hire & Purchase
Self-drive
If you want to hire a car (and drive it yourself), contact Drive Mongolia (
Click
can contact them through Chuka Guesthouse (
Click here
). Another company that offers
self-drive trips is
Happy Camel
( 9911 2075;
www.happycamel.com
), with rates some-
what higher than Drive Mongolia. A third option is Sixt (
Click here
), which has a range of
vehicles including compacts for driving in UB or off-road vehicles for the countryside.
Car and driver
In Ulaanbaatar, the best place to organise such an arrangement is at the
various guesthouses. These guesthouses will take a commission, but you'll get a driver
and/or guide who should know tourist routes and can locate hard-to-find attractions such
as caves, deer stones and ruined monasteries.
Vehicles
The type of car you hire will depend on the size of your group. Four or more
passengers (plus driver and guide) usually fit in a van. Smaller numbers can take a Russi-
