Frolicking with Reindeer!!!

Or so I'd hoped I would be when I get into Mongolia. Unfortunately, because we only have a total of 6 days including flights in and out, we were advised by a guide against doing the whole reindeer idea. I'm sorely disappointed. Was really looking forward to riding one of those beasts! I forget just how huge the country is and even 3 weeks wouldn't get you even close to finishing the Northern region (if you were to do a proper exploration). It would take us 24 hours in a jeep along dirt roads to get to the Khovsgol National Park (bordering Russia) and another 9 hours 'crazy driving' to get to the Dhuka (reindeer herders). We had the option of flying directly into Moron (just South of the National Park) but the available flights just didn't suit our schedule. Chartering a helicopter was out of the question due to rental prices (US$1,670 per hour and it's a 9-hour flight up!!) Furthermore, we wanted to camp and get around on horse-back and that would require so many more days. So we had to scrap that itinerary.

Itinerary #2 seems more do-able. Due to the fact that public transportation is almost non-existent and hitching appears to be the norm, we're considering hiring a 4WD and a driver... to help us maximise our time there. Hitching depends alot on luck and I'd much rather be hiking up an extinct volcano than sitting on my backpack by the side of the road waiting for a vehicle going by. So from Ulaanbaatar we'll head out to Khustain National Park (100km) to check out wildlife (takhi- wild horses of Mongolia and the last surviving ancestor of the modern horse. Extinct in the wild, the takhi are slowly being re-introduced thanks to the park's Takhi Re-Introduction Project) wolves, red deer, Mongolian gazelles, marmots, birds, etc...) and do a spot of hiking and horse-back riding. We'll stay a night or 2 (we're gonna be camping btw!!The not so fab thing is that temperatures are forecasted to fall to about -6 deg C. BRRRR....!! Plus, the last time I came even remotely close to building a fire was when I went camping with the boyscouts in 1994... since then it's been charcoal-barbecue fires and I really don't think that's gonna help :p).

Next day, we'll head out to Tsetserleg, the capital of the Arkhangai aimag (province)400km from UB. Apparently a great place to stay the night. We can also stock up on food and water. (Heard that mongolian instant noodles aren't too bad at all.)

From Tsetserleg, we'll push on to Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park - home to The Great White Lake and Khorgo volcano. Great for fishing, trekking, and 'dramatic' sunsets. Will probably do more horse riding (though JJ's not jumping for joy at the idea) and try to get in at least one yak ride!! Stay a night. This time maybe in a traditional 'ger', the nomadic mongolian tent. Stay a night or 2 then head back to UB.

Stop by Karakorum - ancient capital of the Mongol Empire founded by Chinggis Khan. Stay a night.

Head back to UB.

So that's the rough plan but as in all holidays, you'll never know what's gonna happen particularly when you're in a country where the only paved roads you'll see are in the towns. But excited none the less!!!