Central Mongolia

Central Mongolia

To get to Central Mongolia, from Mörön, it was about 300 km. I hired a taxi to get there. There is no road, dirt and dirt. Sometimes the grass is good and allows you to drive fast up to 50km/ h. But it was 9 h long stopping for a quick  lunch ( 25 mn) the driver was a good one, the car, a Mitsubichi, even old, was in excellent conditions, and well preserved. The scenery was beautifull all along the way. We saw, in the wild, several "balbal", stone grave markers, animals as eagles, vultures, marmots. Of course yaks.

It was a tiring trip but the driver drove back, same way as soon as arrived...he said he is used to do that. We left at 8 am instead of 7 as said. It is a Mongolian trick to give an appointment. Never on time. A little bit like in Bolivia, 30 years ago. Still not getting used to....

I guess it is part of why I will try to make up a tour on my own from UB. It is hard to plan something, it can be impossible sometimes also. About prices, i suppose it goes the same, as being alone, I have to hire a car at last moment because there is not public transport. Have to say also i feel lonely not talking to any one. 

Arriving to UB, i will look for that.

The place I arrived at Terkiin Nat. Park is excellent comfort, menus can be vegetarian, so I have a good treat. I hiked an extinct volcano, with wonderful weather . I do appreciate all.

After 2 nights there at Maitkan Tolgoi, i left to Tariat, Tsetserleg, where I had good treat too and Old Karakorum. I will stay 2 days here to prepare myself for UB..

And I deed it. I met a lady she helped me to hire a car to go to Orkhon Valley and the Tövkhön Monastery. And I shared the car with June, from Taiwan. We had good experience and the landscapes were so beautiful! But the way to go was all on tracks again and my back is getting sore...also about the food: i had kind of pure natural organic butter on mongolian pankakes with jam..... I was supposed to stop at "mini Gobi" to have look at how it will be in the "major Gobi" but I felt so tired, I canceled the reservation and went back to UB in bad state: my back was sore and all digestive stuff out of order...

I guess the trip was too hard for me meaning tracks are hard, drivers fast, local food too meatty and fatty, altitude is between 1300 to 2000 making hiking bit harder for me.

So i have to rest first to recover good shape and as I am not in any speed, i will try to see how to travel to Gobi and East...