Accommodation on Selena Travel tours
Ulaanbaatar: Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia has many hotels ranging from basic 1* to high-end 5*. Some international hotel chains have opened such as Kempinski, Ramada, and Best Western to name a few. Some of Selena Travel Mongolia tours do not include hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, where clients are advised to take care of their own accommodation in Ulaanbaatar. Please refer to your tour program (Included services and Exclusions section) for more details.
Your Selena Travel advisor is happy to assist you with hotel booking on your request. Below you will find some suggested hotels in Ulaanbaatar:
- Best Western Gobi Kelso ***
- Springs hotel ***
- Ramada hotel ****
- Kempinski Khan Palace ****
- Best Western Premier *****
Outside Ulaanbaatar: Please take in mind that traveling in the countryside of Mongolia is often tough, a trip is conducted in remote areas where there’s no hotel and paved roads exist.
Outside of Ulaanbaatar, tourist Ger camps are the best accommodation for travelers. A Ger is Mongolian traditional dwelling made of felt layers and wooden construction, and the Mongols have lived in Gers since the time immemorial. Tourist Ger camps offer comfortable Gers with 1-4 beds with good bedding, and also have western style showers and WCs (mostly shared). A few Ger camps offer en-suite Gers at additional charge (please ask your Selena Travel advisor for this). Due to remoteness some tourist Ger camps may not excel in service, so travelers may not always expect high pressure showers, bubble baths or gourmet food etc.
Food on Selena Travel tours
During your tour in Mongolia you will be eating in good restaurants in Ulaanbaatar, we have a great variety in restaurants in the capital city. Once you are outside the capital, Ger restaurants in Ger camps and local cafes in the small towns and villages will be the places where you will be eating. Ger restaurants often have set menu, but their food is usually very good (Ger camps provide mostly continental breakfast, lunches consist of salad, soup, main course and dessert, whilst, dinners are usually salad, main course and dessert).
During your longer driving days you will take packed lunch from Ger camps (often vegetable salad, main course such as fried chicken/noodles/dumplings and a chocolate bar etc). Vegetarians are well taken care of both in Ulaanbaatar restaurants and tourist Ger camps.
Luggage allowance on Selena Travel tours
When you travelling overland in a vehicle (minivan & jeep), it would be suitable if you have 20kg luggage per person (max). However, please kindly note that domestic flight luggage allowance per person is 15 kg (10 kg for the check in luggage and 5 for the carry on luggage). For 1kg extra luggage you pay US$2 - 5.
DESTINATION & ATTRACTIONS BRIEF INFO
The majestic Mongolian Altai Mountain range dominates the western part of Mongolia. The name Tavan Bogd (Five Saints - Five Holy Peaks) was given to a cluster of 5 dramatic peaks that tower the extensive Mongol Altai mountain range. The mountainous area climate is extreme with very little vegetation, giving the surrounding landscape a barren appearance. The stunning mountains of Altai are home to wild animals such as the globally endangered Snow Leopard, Argali and Ibex, as well as wolves and many bird species.
Ethnic groups: Altai area is a place where many ethnic groups inhabit. You will meet the Kazak, Tuva, Torguud and many other small groups and enjoy their distinctive traditions and lives. The Kazakh is a small ethnic group of Turkic origin that was one of Genghis Khaan's tribes. They are Muslims and now live peacefully keeping their completely different customs, strict traditions, religion and inhabit the Altai Mountains. Not like their relatives in Kazakhstan, they speak in their own Kazakh language as Mongolian government gave them the rights to keep and conserve their native language and religion. The traditional Kazak gers are generally larger and more decorated than their Mongolian counterparts. Their traditions surrounding food are also quite different to those in Mongolia. Though, they are very friendly like the Mongols. Hunting by trained Golden eagles are tradition that dates back about 2000 years. The hunters catch young female eagles around two-years old and train them for their special hunting. Although hunting usually takes place in November and December the hunters are always proud to show their birds and to demonstrate their hunting methods.
Mongolia Altai Trekking - Some useful info about mountain trekking: The sport of trekking is not a modern fad but as old any other exploratory instincts known to mankind. The mountain folk have been doing it forever. There are no boundaries to trekking and age is no barrier, you are never too young and as old as you believe yourself to be. Trekking in the wilderness is apart from showing you some of the most amazing scenery that nature has bestowed upon us gives you the luxury of introspection and a sense of achievement at the end of the day. Welcome to the lands of infinite Mystique and unparalleled charm - Mongolia.
Trekking is one of the fundamental outdoor activities on which many others are based. Many beautiful places can only be reached overland by trekking. Mongolia hashed a lure for the traveler from time immemorial from those seeking salvation to the plain adventurous. Enthusiasts regard trekking as the best way to see nature. Trekking over long distances or over difficult terrain does require some degree of physical ability and knowledge. Trek along narrow winding trails with an abandon that comes only from knowing that the destination you seek will be beyond your expectations. Mongolia trekking is an unforgettable experience as Mongolia is a great place for hiking and trekking.
Adventure trekking and hiking in the Altai Mountains, Malchin Peak, Khangai Mountains, Terelj National Park, Gun-Galuut is wonderful. Trekking in Mongolia is unique as it gives you the chance to explore the country's nomadic culture and meet the friendly nomads while enjoying the nature beauty. No description of this trek would do justice to the scenery that unfolds in front of your eyes. Selena Travel organizes soft adventure short hikes and moderate treks to the hard adventure mountain climbing, mountain trekking and real challenging long treks.