Frequently asked questions
About Mandal Tours
What is Mandal Tours?
Mandal Tours is a Mongolian-Canadian travel company providing exclusive escorted tours of Mongolia, developed by local and international experts and organized in collaboration with Mongolian communities and non-profit organizations. Net revenues from Mandal Tours are dedicated to cultural heritage restoration projects in Mongolia.
What is a "study tour"?
The "study tour" is a form of educational travel that is gaining in popularity around the world. Typically organized by universities, non-profit organizations or specialized tour operators, study tours differ from standard escorted trips in that they focus on a specific theme and are guided by an expert in the area being interpreted. Instead of merely sightseeing, the tour participant gains an in-depth appreciation of the history, architecture, art and culture or other specific aspect of the destination country or region. Often the tour includes visits to places that are off-limits to the average tourist: the collection rooms of a museum, the interior of a private villa, an archaeological dig, or the household of a family living by traditional means.
Mandal Tours offers trips to Mongolia that involve encounters with local scholars, artists and other professionals. You can expect to experience a side of Mongolia that few travellers ever do, by participating in visits to little-known historic sites, meeting with monks at Buddhist monasteries, visiting an artist's studio, taking "behind-the-scenes" tours of important cultural and industrial complexes, and spending time with a family of nomads. Our tours always aim to provide expert interpretation of Mongolia's society and culture, making your holiday a uniquely stimulating and enriching experience.
Do you offer tours only of Mongolia?
Yes. Mandal Tours takes pride in offering dedicated travel services based on an intimate understanding of Mongolia's society and culture. We believe that our high degree of specialization allows us to provide the most enriching travel experience, and to ensure a consistently high level of quality for our tours. We are directly involved in developing our travel itineraries and in running our own tours in cooperation with a diverse range of partners. We are committed not only to educating through tourism, but also to building close relationships with local people and communities.
Is it possible to have special meals?
While the traditional Mongolian diet is based heavily on meat, flour and dairy products, we do our best to provide balanced meals that can meet the needs of our tour participants. Please let us know of any allergies or special dietary needs at the time of booking, and we will make all necessary arrangements on your behalf.
What kind of accommodation arrangements do you provide?
Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar is in four-star hotels with private washroom and shower in each room. In the countryside, you will generally stay in "ger camps", tourist yurt complexes equipped with communal toilet and shower facilities. Some tours may involve an overnight stay with a nomadic family, where you will be accommodated in a private yurt, but where running water may not be available. Additionally, many tours include an overnight train journey; on such journeys you will be provided with a soft berth in a four-person sleeper compartment.
Will I be met at the airport in Ulaanbaatar?
Yes. The Mandal Tours team will meet you at Chinggis Khaan International Airport on the day of your arrival, and assist your transfer to a four-star hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar.
How large are the tour groups?
Our tour groups are generally small, allowing for more intimate interaction with the people you will meet.
FAQ - Reserving a Tour
How much is the booking deposit?
The booking deposit is US$500 per person, due at the time you reserve the tour.
When is the payment for the tour due?
You will be sent an invoice for the balance of the tour fee 45-60 days prior to the start date of the tour. If you have paid by credit card, this amount will be automatically billed to your account 30 days prior to the tour departure date. If you have paid by cheque or money order, the balance must be received by Mandal Tours Inc. no later than 30 days prior to the tour departure.
Do I have to pay tax on the tour price?
Our tours are not subject to sales tax in any jurisdiction. The tour prices quoted to you are always net.
Is there a group discount?
We provide a discount of 10% on the total tour cost, excluding the reservation fee, of any single booking involving four or more people. The discount will be applied to the final tour payment.
Is it possible to make a custom booking arrangement?
Mandal Tours can provide custom study tours for groups of six or more people, outside the dates of our regularly-scheduled tours. Please contact us for more information, providing details of the theme or itinerary that interests you.
Do you sell your tours through travel agents?
As a dedicated, small-scale tour operator and travel service provider, we prefer to market our tours directly to our consumers, ensuring that a maximum of revenues actually stay in Mongolia.
What happens after I reserve my tour?
After you reserve your tour, you will be sent a visa support letter (if required) and an information package helping you to prepare for your trip, along with a list of suggested readings. Our Mongolia-based staff will be in touch with you to confirm your international flight arrangements and visa details, as well as to discuss any special dietary or other arrangements you may require. We invite you to contact us at any time for further information and assistance.
In accordance with Canadian law, all payments you make towards your tour, less the booking fee, will be held in a registered trust fund until the date of your departure.
When should I book my arrival in Ulaanbaatar?
We recommend booking a flight that will ensure your arrival in Ulaanbaatar on the scheduled "arrival date" of the tour. If you plan to arrive early or depart late, we will make an additional hotel booking for the extra duration of your stay. Please note that food and accommodation for extra days spent in Ulaanbaatar will be billed as a supplement to the regular cost of the tour. We can also arrange to provide a private vehicle and driver for additional sightseeing after the official conclusion of the tour; please contact us and our Mongolia team will be glad to assist you in making the necessary arrangements. Please note that due to the high demand for hotel rooms in the summer, we cannot guarantee the availability of rooms in the hotel regularly used by Mandal Tours beyond the dates of your tour.
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend obtaining a travel insurance policy that covers emergency medical evacuation, as your tour will take you to remote areas of Mongolia where hospital and ambulance services are poor or nonexistent. We ask you to provide us with a copy of your insurance policy details prior to the tour departure.
How can I get to Mongolia?
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is directly serviced by three international airlines: MIAT (Mongolian Airlines), Air China and Aeroflot. If travelling from Europe, MIAT offers direct flights from Berlin and Moscow, while Aeroflot and its partner airlines offer flights via Moscow from most major European cities. Travellers from North America will generally fly via Seoul or Beijing. The most economical option is generally to fly with Air China directly from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver with a connection in Beijing, although you may prefer to travel with one of the several North American airlines that offer service to Asia. We invite you to contact us prior to or at the time of making a tour reservation for assistance in booking flights to Mongolia.
Travelling in Mongolia
Do I need a visa to visit Mongolia?
To enter Mongolia, you need a valid passport. No visa is required for United States citizens visiting for fewer than 90 days; citizens of most other countries require a tourist visa, which can be obtained from the Mongolian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. A letter of invitation, as required for the visa application, will be supplied by Mandal Tours following your tour reservation.
Where can I apply for a visa?
US Travellers
Citizens of the United States do not require a visa to visit Mongolia.
Canadian Travellers
You can apply for the Mongolian visa in person or by mail to the Embassy of Mongolia in Ottawa or the Honorary Consulate in Vancouver. Visas are processed within 10 working days. The visa fee is $ 80.00 in Canadian funds. Payments are accepted only by certified cheque or money order payable to the Embassy of Mongolia. NO CASH IS ACCEPTED.
Send your application to:
Consular Section Embassy of Mongolia 151 Slater Street, Suite 503 Ottawa, Ontario,K1P 5H3 Tel: (613) 569-3830 Fax: (613) 569-3916 E-mail: consul at mongolembassy dot org Web: http://www.mongolembassy.org.
Travellers from the UK
Applications can be made at the Embassy of Mongolia in London. A single entry-exit visa costs £40.00, plus a 5 pound postal charge. Cheques and postal orders payable to the Mongolian Embassy and cash in pound sterling are accepted.
You can send your visa application to:
Visa Section of the Embassy of Mongolia 7-8 Kensington Court London W8 5DL UK web: http://www.embassyofmongolia.co.uk
Visitors of Other Nationalities:
Please consult the website of the Mongolian Embassy in your country of residence.
What materials do I need to apply for a tourist visa to Mongolia?
To apply for the visa you must bring along or send the following:
- Your valid passport (valid for at least 6 months past the date of entry to Mongolia)
- Completed Application form
- A recent passport size photo
- An invitation letter provided by Mandal Tours
- If applying by mail in Canada, include a self-addressed, prepaid envelope for return by courier. If applying in the UK, provide your full mailing address with postal code, and a 5 pound postal fee.
What is domestic transportation in Mongolia like?
Although Mongolia's transportation infrastructure is generally quite limited, we will do our best to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Travel from Ulaanbaatar to Erdenet and to Xarxorin, as indicated in the tour itinerary, will mainly be on paved roads; in addition, you may travel to Sainshand by train and to Xövsgöl by plane. On most tours you can expect to spend at least two days of off-road travel in 4x4 vehicles in the countryside.
Is it possible to use credit cards in Mongolia?
Although most banks in Ulaanbaatar can now provide cash advances on Visa or Mastercard credit card accounts, ATMs remain uncommon in Mongolia, and will only accept credit (as opposed to debit) card transactions. Do not expect to be able to use your credit card in all restaurants or in any but the largest shops. If necessary we can assist you in obtaining cash from a credit card account, but we recommend bringing an adequate supply of cash in US dollars, which we can exchange for you at the current market rate. Please note that old, worn or torn foreign currency bills are not accepted in Mongolia. In addition, pre-1996 US dollar bills are not exchanged in most locations. An inferior exchange rate will be applied to denominations smaller than $50.
Travellers' cheques are only accepted at the major banks in Ulaanbaatar. Although we recommend bringing cash, we can exchange travellers' cheques for a commission of 3%.
How safe is it to visit Mongolia?
Mongolia is a relatively safe country to visit. Nevertheless, standard precautions apply: it is unadvisable to walk unescorted after dark, and pickpockets are to be expected in most crowded areas. Mandal Tours will ensure your security at all times throughout your visit.
How much cash should I bring?
All meals, accommodations, taxes and entry fees are included in the price of your tour. Gratuities are generally not expected in Mongolian taxis, hotels and restaurants. The tour price does not include the following items:
- Most alcoholic beverages
- Private gratuities
- Additional sightseeing and accommodation before or after the tour dates
- Souvenirs
- Items of a personal nature (tobacco, telephone calls, postcards, etc.)
If you are planning on spending extra days in Mongolia either before or after your tour, we will contact you with further details of available services and costs.
As a rough guideline, here are the current costs of some items you may wish to purchase in Mongolia:
| Item | Cost in MNT | Cost in USD |
| Beer (500 ml) in restaurant | 1500-2500 | 1.25-2.08 |
| Postcard and stamps | 1200 | 1.00 |
| Telephone call to Europe or North America | 200/minute | 0.16 |
| Cigarettes | 1000-1800 | 0.83-1.50 |
What type of clothing should I wear?
Mongolia can be quite hot during the summer - reaching highs of up to 38 degrees Celsius in the Gobi - but often with cool nights and evenings. Average temperatures are cooler in June and September, ranging from 10-20 degrees Celsius. We advise you to bring loose-fitting summer clothing (T-shirts, slacks), with a hat to protect against the sun. Mongolians often dress more formally than North Americans, although casual clothing is becoming increasingly common.
More about Mandal Tours
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 | In commemoration of the legacy and teachings of His Holiness Dulduit Danzanravzhaa Fifth Wrathful Noble Xutagt of the Great Gobi (1803-1856) I did not overbearingly sophize Nor preach with pride and arrogance But having found a sense in this world Spoke the truth of my dear heart. |   |