Go to the drop-down menu above - where it says view by country - and you'll find reports about Mongolia.

I went with Mongol Global. They have group departures and can do private trips. I did a combo of some group and some private. Is it worth traveling to? Heck, yeah. I even have an "I miss Mongolia thread" going.

I spent 2 nights in the Gobi in July, about the hottest time you could go. I liked the Gobi, but found other parts of the country equally interesting or even more interesting.

It is easy to base yourself in Ulaan Bataar, the capital, and make trips from there.

July 11, 12, 13 are the days for the Naadam Festival, held each year in UB with a great parade and competition in archery, wrestling, and horseracing. On these same dates in other parts of the country and on dates a little before or after there are smaller Naadams too.

Mongolia has interesting wildlife. The Takhi horses (przewalski's horse) roam Hustai Nuuru, a few hours from UB.

I'd like to visit the Altai region in Oct some time for the golden eagle festival. It's usually cold and snowy then.

Horseback riding is an integral part of the culture and including it in your trip is a good idea.

Here is a link to my report. The first part is on China, but then it moves on to Mongolia.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/great-wall-sleepover-and-mongolia-trip-report.cfm

As Kathie suggests, you can see more reports as well.

Savannah300,

So have you decided? The takhis are wating with baited breath.

I traveled to Mongolia a few months ago. Part of the time we were on our own, and part of the time we traveled with Hovsgol Travel. Had an amazing time. Went to Nadaam, the Gobi, Hovsgol, and Terelj. Beautiful country, beautiful food. Any specific questions let me know!

Did you do a report Travelersusan? Any photos?

I'm sorry, I never seem to have time for a full trip report. In short, we arrived on July 10th. Wandered around UB for a bit, and did some essential shopping (our bags didn't arrive until 2 days later!). Spent the next 2 days at Nadaam. We booked this through Happy Camel. We probably could have done it by ourselves, however, since we had just arrived in the country we decided it was smarter to have it already booked. We then met our guide with Hovsgol Travel and began our Gobi portion... drove to Erdenzuu, then Ongi, Bayanzag, Yol valley, Baga Gazriin Chuluu, then finally back to UB for a night. It is interesting that you were in the Gobi in July and were hot. The weather was certainly bizarre. It ranged from unbearably hot, to cold! There were some mornings that I was freezing... especially around the Yol valley where we still saw the ice. Even experienced a sand storm one night!

After that one night in UB we flew to Moron and drove the rest of the way to Hovsgol lake where we stayed for 4 nights. Loved it here. Hiking, horseback riding, relaxing at the lake. Visiting the reindeers was a little disturbing... they were tied up in the heat, and they were panting it was so hot. Definitely not made for the warm weather. Flew back to UB, and the next night we drove to Terelj park where we stayed for 2 nights.

On the way back to the states, we spent 2 nights in Beijing, where we just ate our way through the city! Love the food here.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions.

Nice trip, Travelersusan! Thanks.

I went to Mongolia in 2008 with Nomadic Expeditions. They have an office in Mongolia as well as New Jersey.

We chose them mainly because the owner of the company is Mongolian, but they had a presence in the states. They had a large variety of trips to choose from as well as doing custom iteneraries and add-on trips before/after the Mongolian tour.

We also choose them because they did tours with small groups, we didn't want to be schelpped around with 30 people.

I can't say enough good things about the company, we felt like we were pampered the whole time. And if you are thinking about the Gobi, they own ger camp/resort there. Check out the Three Camel Lodge. There are petroglyphs on the hill behind the camp. Really amazing.

I was surprised about the diversity of the country, we loved the Gobi, but I highly recommend going to the Lake Hovsgol area as well, it makes for a major contrast to the desert.

SavTrav, would you mind sharing your itinerary? Or did you post a trip report that I'm just not finding?

MyDogKyle,

We do travel in similar circles!

Hi Lynn!

Yes, I've wandered off the Africa board... I will probably want to pick your brain about Mongolia at some point, but I don't want to jinx it -- so at this point I'm just lurking and reading here in Asia.

There wild dogs in India in case you'd like some more of them, MDK!

Oops, this is about Mongolia. I'm getting my destinations mixed up. But there are domesticated wild dogs that run wild in Mongolia.

bookmarking - I too would like to see your itinerary, SavTrav, if you don't mind sharing it.

would SavTrav or travelersusan mid sharing their itineraries with me? We are three goint to Monglia in July. We would like to see a small Naadam, and then go on for about three weeks or so. We plan to come from Beijing by train.
Thanks!!

shj,

I'm not SavTrav or Travelersusan, but thought I'd jump in because what you're doing is similar to what I did a few years back.

Check frequently on the train schedule. That was how I was supposed to arrive in Mongolia, but a few weeks before my departure the schedule changed, so I flew.

If you are starting in Beijing, you might want to consider an overnight on The Great Wall. I did that and it was one of the coolest things I've done.

If you are at all intersted in the takhis (wild horses), consider the approx 3 hour drive from UB to Hustai Nuuru where you can see them and stay overnight.

Let me ask YOU about the small Naadam, which is a great idea, and something I'd like to do next time. Do you know where you'll see it? I know there had been small Nadaams around Moron (north) in the past about a week before the national one starting July 11.

I'll put in a link to my report.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/great-wall-sleepover-and-mongolia-trip-report.cfm

I'm told there is a Naadam at Khatgal near Moron. also Tsesterlag. All around the time of the main one.
Where did you stay overnight on the Great Wall. I'd love to do that.
Thanks

atravellyn,
I just read your report on the night on the Wall. Sounds amazing. How would I find out about booking it?
By the way I am told that in July it is quite likely to run into small Naadams everywhere. I'll let you know!

I stayed at Jinshanling and used Mongol Global to arrange it. A few years ago there was an article in CNN travel on this overnight. A contact number was given.

Information: Sun Hailong speaks Chinese and some English. He can be reached by mobile telephone at (011) 86-139-3244-4368.

Please let me know what small Naadam you end up at. I know with the small ones, they can be sporadic and spontaneous, so it is hard to plan.

Have a wonderful trip.

We went to Mongolia in August, 2010 with Samar Magic Tours. They have an office in Mongolia (on Enkh Taivany Orgon Choloo (on Peace Avenue,the Main Avenue of Ulaanbaatar city!), about 50mts Eastern side-Turn Right! at the State Department Store). This place is magic, for me is like a paradise. Honestly, I have never been in a place like this, so relaxing. I love Mongolia and we never forgot the hospitality of this Chinggis Tourist Camp, specially the guide and the Staff. I will try to come back again, thank you very much for everything. We love you!. Flavia from Chile, flavia.gattini@gmail.com

08/09/10
Thanks to Mr. Gomez and Samar Magic Tours of making this a most memorable vacation. It was everything promised and more. It gave us a splendid opportunity to learn about and live the culture. The staff was a kind and patient host. The family we visited was gracious and lovely. We will be forever grateful for making this trip memorable for us and our children. We hope to come back again some day. Jan + John Clark, Beth, Ariana, Carier, Pennsylvania,U.S.A (08/09/10).
"Jan Clark" jsjba5@yahoo.com

ArMongol is our experience and recommendation.

5 of us traveled with them to Mongolia July 3-9, 2010, via a China pre-trip with Overseas Adventure Travel. We paid $1,995 each which included airline RT flights from Beijing to Ulanbaatar AND UB to Gobi (Dalanzadgad)+ all lodging & meals.

We are willing to give up some of the "luxuries" to keep the price affordable.

Our itinerary included (2 nights) exploring UB, (1 night) at Three Camel Lodge in Gobi (STRONGLY recommended -- make sure you get a massage there and walk up the hill behind the lodge), overland van to Khogno Khaan mountain camp (2 nights) from where we visited Kharkhorin, back to UB for (1 night).

If everything goes EXACTLY right you probably have not travelled in Mongolia. Our transmission fluid leaked and our van ride was longer than planned. But in the spirit of adventure AR Mongol handled it well -- especially because it was right before the busy Naadam. We also got to stop at a small village Naadam horse race driving back to UB. There are many during this time BEFORE the big one in Ulaanbaatar July 11... It was awesome and we hope to travel with AR Mongol ourselves in the future... perhaps to the Golden Eagle Festival in western Mongolia during September...