Some advice to travellers coming to Mongolia:
About transport network
Whoever thinks about Mongolia pictures endless steppe, landscape and freedom. But one should be aware of the reverse side of this immensity : the road network is one of the under developed in the world and infrastructures are scare even, in some regions, nonexistent.
Besides routes packed because of trade or tourism (i.e. the North-South road, Darkhan/UB or the UB/Karakorum road), the road network consists in trails. One should be very patient whether travelling by bus or private vehicle as the journey will, anyway, be long and uncomfortable.
Cars used to tourism purposes are mainly Russian jeeps and minivans and Délica (Japanese cars).But the cars do not matter as you will wander on “roads” on which average speed is around 40 or 50 km (when climate conditions are ideal). Be aware that the Western region (Gobi Altai, Bayan Ölgii) roads are more difficult than the others, as a result journeys can be much more longer from a site to another.
If you feel like travelling and discovering Mongolia through the « inside » while going with local transport, be aware that there are few bus companies providing regular departures from UB to the region main city. But travelling in a minibus with 17 or 18 people may be an interesting experience however the lack of comfort is obvious : stops are scarce, breakdowns happen on a regular base. Count on a numerous luggage (stored on your knees), weeping children, meat, alcohol, and milk smells…
Please note that there are no local bus transport from region cities to others.
The above description is, in no way, a travel barrier but knowing it will allow you to enjoy more your stay in Mongolia.
About Mongolian climate
Mongolian climate is continental. The country is quite dry and rainfalls occur during Summer. Temperatures can vary a lot (important difference between day and night, even in a same day and in a same season).
Winter (November, December, January, February) is cold, sunny and dry. Snowfalls are scarce. The snow is only settling if the wind is not strong. Temperatures vary from –10°C to –40°C.
Spring (March, April, Mai) is the worst season because of the dryness and of the strong wind carrying along dust. Temperatures vary from –10°C to +20°C.
Summer (June, July, August) is quite short and hot. It is the rainy season of this dry country. Temperatures vary from +10°C to °30°C.
Fall (September, October) is the nicest season as it is not cold nor too hot. You may see the first snowfalls but the snow is not settling. Temperatures vary from +5°C to +15°C
About the first aid kit needed
No compulsory injection but the rabies one is strongly recommended.
About clothes
If you are travelling during Winter, tights to put under your trouser and warm socks. Shoes must be comfortable and well cold proofed. Hat, gloves and scarf are necessary.
A good sleeping bag is always useful whether you are sleeping in guest house, hostels or staying to locals.
About the Mongolian visa
To enter Mongolia each and every foreigners (who is not Mongolian citizen) must carry a valid Mongolian visa, a passport and any other travel documents recognized by the Mongolian authorities.
To obtain the tourist visa, here is the list of documents required:
- Passport whose validity exceeds 6 months after the end of the stay
- Visa form fully filled in
- ID picture
- Ticket bookings or travel certificate
- Repatriation certificate delivered by your insurance company with your name, exact date of your stay in Mongolia and the insurance policy number
- Visa fees
Short stay visa or tourist visa:
Tourist visa allows a 30-day-stay in Mongolia. After being issued, the visa is valid up to three months. Visa fees amount for 60 EUR. Once in Mongolia it is easy to renew your visa for a further month to the immigration office (near the airport) for a cost of about 60 USD.
Transit visa:
The visa is delivered after showing passport or travel certificate along with a valid visa for the target country and finally a return visa, if necessary. The maximum delay validity is 5 days.
Long stay visa:
If you are staying more than 30 days up to 365 days you are categorized in the long stay visa. The employer in Mongolia (Mongolian or foreign company, NGO, etc. …) should ask for a « temporary resident » visa permit to the Immigration and Naturalization Agency for Foreigners in Ulaanbaatar. This permit is then transferred to the Mongolian Embassy of your country through the Consul Department of the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassy does deliver long stay visa upon receipt of the permit.
Visa fees cost 100 EUR to 120 EUR
If you are staying more than 30 day you must register, within the 7 days after your arrival, to the Immigration and Naturalization Agency for Foreigners whose direction is:
Immigration and Naturalization Agency for Foreigners
Ministry of Justice and of Internal Affairs
Near the Airport and the new Sport Stadium
Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
Email address : gihaea@mongolnet.mn
Website : http://www.mngimmigration.mn
Payment
The visa fees can be paid by cash or bank cheque payable to the Mongolian Embassy when filing your visa request. Any urgent request (delivered upon 24 hours) is subject to a 40-EUR-additional fees per passport.
Validity
The term of the visa validity is written upon it. The bearer of the visa must enter Mongolia before the written term. Once in Mongolia he/she can stay for the indicated duration.
Passport withdraw
The regular delay for the visa issue is 4 working days. Passport withdraw takes place to the counter of the Consular Department of the embassy. The passport holder or his/her representative are only entitled to withdraw the passport upon showing the receipt delivered when filing the request.
