Traveling to Mongolia

[sashas]

Its been quite a while (over one and a half years, in fact) since I've done something mindless.

I was planning a long trip to Mongolia and perhaps some of the more *dangerous* Eastern European countries. Plan to get a bike and ride it across the country (I've heard its quite an experience, riding over the steppes).

Has anybody been to that side of the world here? What are the requirements?
I'll be making a trip back home to India in the next month to be with my girl, and then might go over the summer on this Mongolian trip. I like to plan things out in advance, so that if there are any special requirements, they can be taken care of.

I hold an Indian passport, by the way.

I've always held a fascination for the Mongolian landscape. From the pictures I've seen and the accounts I've read, it is a desolate and unforgiving environment and life is hard, something I've always wanted to experience.

I believe getting a visa to the country was quite hard because of the pro socialism regime. Any ideas on this?

 

[Michelle]

I would just make sure you have up-to-date insurance that would take care of anything, enough money but not all on you incase you got mugged and do some research on the net of the area its people etc..

If you go have a great time, stay safe and take lots of pics to show us on your return

:tu:

 

[namebug]

I'm planning to take the Trans-Siberian there in the spring for the Namdan festival. Going to check out a the Lonely Planet book on it today . Heard it's not as safe as China, with muggings at night and drunks . Heard it's a great insult to touch a Mongolian mans hat, and will lead to a fight .

 

[sashas]

I'm planning to take the Trans-Siberian there in the spring for the Namdan festival. Going to check out a the Lonely Planet book on it today . Heard it's not as safe as China, with muggings at night and drunks . Heard it's a great insult to touch a Mongolian mans hat, and will lead to a fight .

you know some stuff! Gotta remember to touch a Mongolian man's hat then!

Btw, what is the Namdan festival?

 

[homebuyer]

This Should Help

Travel warnings for Mongolia:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_973.html

Travel warnings for all other countries:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html

Good luck.

 

[dezinerite]

Sasha - I have several Mongolian friends so if nobody answers your questions in here feel free to send me a list of questions over PM - or on this thread of course. - I'd like +reps for xmas by the way! :D

Namebug - There are muggings and drunks in every country...don't ever assume any place on earth is really THAT safe.

 

[sashas]

Dezinerite - PM sent (reps for Christmas added too

I wouldn't mind the muggings and drunks (aren't drunks in every country, every house? I have one in my house...wait...I live alone :hehe).

For all you know, I might go and settle down there (provided they have high speed internet there and NP works)

 

[dezinerite]

Yippee, my first Xmas present! :D

Sent one of my Mongolian friends an email.

 

[sashas]

Thanks Dezi...you were a great help. Wish I could rep you twice

 

[namebug]

As far as the muggings and drunks go, this is what I've heard from a friend who has lived in East Asia, so I was comparing it to China, Korea and Japan. This was in the early 90s, not sure how accurate it is now. He did stress not going out in UB at night alone .

 

[dezinerite]

As far as the muggings and drunks go, this is what I've heard from a friend who has lived in East Asia, so I was comparing it to China, Korea and Japan. This was in the early 90s, not sure how accurate it is now. He did stress not going out in UB at night alone .

...and what I meant was that this sort of thing happens in every country/continent. :cy: Besides - my being a foreigner in Asia, I'll tell you one thing: most of the 'drunks' here are foreigners. :D :sold:

 

[weblord]

sorry can't contribute here much, all i have a glimpse of mongolia is from a local tv show Mr. Shooli who lives in Mongolia and dressed up like funny or acts like Mr. Bean
but he's wearing the Mongolian eskimo-like coat.

Its been quite a while (over one and a half years, in fact) since I've done something mindless.

I was planning a long trip to Mongolia and perhaps some of the more *dangerous* Eastern European countries. Plan to get a bike and ride it across the country (I've heard its quite an experience, riding over the steppes).

Has anybody been to that side of the world here? What are the requirements?
I'll be making a trip back home to India in the next month to be with my girl, and then might go over the summer on this Mongolian trip. I like to plan things out in advance, so that if there are any special requirements, they can be taken care of.

I hold an Indian passport, by the way.

I've always held a fascination for the Mongolian landscape. From the pictures I've seen and the accounts I've read, it is a desolate and unforgiving environment and life is hard, something I've always wanted to experience.

I believe getting a visa to the country was quite hard because of the pro socialism regime. Any ideas on this?

 

[bluearrow]

One Big problem will be the language I think.

 

[htmlindex]

I would just make sure you have up-to-date insurance

Are you talking about life insurance???

I was planning a long trip to Mongolia and perhaps some of the more *dangerous* Eastern European countries.

 

[sashas]

Are you talking about life insurance???

it would be travel insurance. That would cover most of the stuff.

 

[italiandragon]

gun shots too?

 

[namebug]

...and what I meant was that this sort of thing happens in every country/continent. :cy: Besides - my being a foreigner in Asia, I'll tell you one thing: most of the 'drunks' here are foreigners. :D :sold:

No, from what I've heard it is not the same as the eastern Chinese, Korean and Japanese cities . In those cities you can go out alone at night and not have to worry . I'll let you know first hand when I go there, but I have heard reports of travelers being mugged there, it's probably something like the Russian Siberian cities, which I have been to . Anyway, don't want to panic the guy into not going, still safer than any larger American city .Of course you have to be on your guard everywhere, that goes without saying .
:sold:

 

[namebug]

Sorry, it's called the Naadam and it's in the summer, think the one in Inner Mongolia is in the spring . When are you going ? Looks like it will get down to -8 F/-22 C there tonight !

 

[dezinerite]

He said he plans to go there in the summer.

 

[moonlight77]

It must be an exciting trip.