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Mongolia Mini Guide
Source: World Travel Guide
Overview
Mongolia is far-flung and little visited yet has much to offer in terms of scenery, wildlife, and historic and cultural sites.
Outside the main cities, Mongolians continue to live the traditional life of malchin (herdsmen), and many are nomadic. With one of the world’s lowest population densities, Mongolia’s vast areas of wilderness, desert, lakes and mountains offer plenty of scope for adventurous outdoor enthusiasts. Although independent travel is now becoming more common, travel outside the capital is usually by tours.
Passport/Visa
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Passport Required? |
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British |
Yes |
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Australian |
Yes |
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Canadian |
Yes |
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USA |
Yes |
|
Other EU |
Yes |
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Visa Required? |
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British |
Yes |
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Australian |
Yes |
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Canadian |
Yes |
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USA |
1 |
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Other EU |
Yes |
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Return Ticket Required? |
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British |
No |
|
Australian |
No |
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Canadian |
No |
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USA |
No |
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Other EU |
No |
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of the USA, if entering the country as a tourist, for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
(a) All foreign nationals staying in Mongolia for longer than 30 days are required to register with the police within 10 days of arrival. (b) Nationals entering Mongolia for stays up to 30 days should apply for an Entry and Exit visa; for stays over 90 days nationals should apply for an Entry visa. (c) Nationals transiting via trains can apply for a single-, double- or multiple-entry Transit visa.
Types of Visa and Cost
Entry and Exit visa: £40 (single-entry, 30 days); £55 (double-entry, 30 days per visit). Entry visa: £35 (single-entry, 90 days). Transit visa: £35 (single-entry); £40 (double-entry); £45 (multiple-entry).
Validity
Visas are valid for three months from date of issue.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses. If travelling on an organised tour, visas can be obtained through tourism companies or travel agencies. A group visa in the name of the tour leader is valid for all tourists on the list attached, provided relevant details (nationality, sex, date of birth, passport numbers, and dates of issue and expiry) are given at the time of application.
Working Days Required
Two to five. An express service is available which costs an additional £20.
Money
Currency
Tugrik (MNT; symbol ?). Notes are in denominations of ?20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of ?500, 200, 100, 50 and 20.
Currency Exchange
Official organisations authorised to exchange foreign currency include commercial banks in Ulaanbaatar and bureaux de change at certain hotels. The easiest currency to exchange is the US Dollar and Russian Rouble. Chinese money is not welcomed.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Accepted by main commercial banks, large hotels and a few shops and restaurants in Ulaanbaatar. ATMs are only available in Ulaanbaatar and may be used with credit/debit cards.
Traveller's Cheques
Traveller's cheques are accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars. Traveller's cheques can be difficult to exchange outside the capital.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1400-1800.
Exchange Rate Indicators
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Date |
Jul 08 |
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£1.00= |
?2,298.19 |
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$1.00= |
?1,155.80 |
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€1.00= |
?1,837.04 |
Health
Vaccinations
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Special Precautions |
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Diphtheria |
Yes |
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Hepatitis A |
Yes |
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Malaria |
No |
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Rabies |
Sometimes |
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Tetanus |
Yes |
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Typhoid |
Sometimes |
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Yellow Fever |
No |
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Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes' appears in the table above, precautions may be required, depending on the season and region visited. |
Food and Drink
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Some milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered, long-life or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended.
Health Care
Health care facilities available to foreigners are limited. All Mongolian hospitals are very short of most medical supplies, including basic care items, drugs and spare parts for medical equipment. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health services. Visitors are urged to have health insurance including cover for evacuation to Hong Kong and to take any regular medication with them. Emergency care is available at the Russian Hospital, although a translator is essential.
Getting There
Getting There by Air
The national airline is Mongolian International Air Transport (MIAT) (OM) (website: www.miat.com).
Approximate Flight Times
From London to Ulaanbaatar is 14 hours including stopovers.
Main Airports
Ulaanbaatar (ULN) (Chinggis Khaan) is 15km (9 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Buses run to the city centre (journey time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available (journey time – 15 minutes). Facilities: Bank, duty-free shops, car hire, post office and a restaurant.
Departure Tax
US$12.
Getting There by Rail
Ulaanbaatar is linked to the Russian Federation and China by the Trans-Mongolian Railway. An express train runs between Moscow, Ulaanbaatar and Beijing. Trains on international routes have sleeping and restaurant cars. There are also other trains from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing and Ulaanbaatar to Moscow.
Getting There by Road
There are several international road links; the principal route is via Irkutsk (East Siberia) to Ulaanbaatar. Travellers are not normally allowed to enter Mongolia by road unless they obtain prior permission from the Mongolian authorities.
Climate
A dry climate with short, mild summers and long, severe winters (October to April). Some rain falls during summer and there is snow during winter.
Required Clothing
Mediumweights are worn during summer, with very warm heavyweights advised for winter.
Contacts
Mongolian Tourism Association
Room 318, Trade Union Building, Sukhbaatar Square-11, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Tel: (11) 323 026.
Website: www.travelmongolia.org
Embassy of Mongolia in the UK
7-8 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 0150 ext. 29 (visa section).
Website: www.embassyofmongolia.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1230 (visa section).
Embassy of Mongolia in the USA
2833 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 333 7117.
Website: www.mongolianembassy.us
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