We were met by our tour company at the train on a chilly platform. The only clients for the morning run we had the minibus to ourselves for the hour long transfer to the ‘Chinggis Tourist Camp’. Interesting drive out – overtaking in the thick cloud and potholed roads. We passed the enormous Chinggis (Gengis) monument as we headed offroad (smoother than on-road at times).

On arrival at the camp – our first thoughts: Oops ! Obviously the land in the area has been sectioned off to various tour agencies. Basically a field with permanent Ger huts fenced off and flanked by more of the same – some worse with large ugly concrete buildings. The camp is perched on top of a steep cliff dropping to a picturesque river and to the other side flat plains covered in short grass roll on for some distance interrupted by more camps.

A rich omlette breakfast greeted us in the dining area to the tune of cheezy local music and a large contingent of Korean tourists. We were introduced to our Ger (basically a rondawel with two rock hard beds and a fireplace). Ablutions and running water are 100m away. 3 days of this – what have we gotten ourselves into ?

At the invitation of our host V assisted in making traditional dumplings for lunch – a good introduction to the boredom of traditional Mongolian cuisine which consists of mutton and not much else. Totally exhausted from the previous days on the train we dozed the afternoon away.

– Posted from my iPhone