Take photos or videos along the Transmongolian Railway: we will visit running sheds and repairshops, spend days along the best spots along the line, and will enjoy the raw power of the former Soviet diesel engines (ok, a sole US-Dash7 works there as well).
The Mongolian railway "Mongolyn Tömör Dsam (MTZ)" offers a pure diesel-operated network with dominantly Soviet-style locomotives. Nearly all trains are at least doubleheaded. Heavy freight trains and up to 27 coaches on passenger trains represent a still "classic" railway operation. Lots of mountain passes and steep gradients!
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| No. of participants | Max. 12 |
| Duration | 9 days |
| Meals | Halfboard |
| Price | from 1.780 € |
| Confirmed, tickets left |  |
| Diese Reise jetzt buchen | |
Your itinerary:
NEW: Pre-Tour:
One of our M62-crazy travellers asked us to arrange a visit to the M62-only operation on the branch line between Darkhan and Shiriin Gol in the North of the country. We did that and now this originally private pre-tour is available for all participants of the tour!
The pre-tour looks like this:
19. February 2018, Monday:
Meet & greet of all pre-tour participants at Ulaan Bataar airport at 09:30 and immediate drive to Darkhan. Depending on the road conditions this may take about 4 hours. We photograph the regular trains South of Darkhan and have some night photo shoot at the station!
Overnight at a basic motel in Darkhan.
Meals: dinner.
20.February 2018, Tuesday - 21. February 2018, Wednesday:
We shall focus on the 2 mixed trains 705 and 706 on these two days. Mixed trains are a rare species in Mongolia now, on this line they are hauled by classic M62 diesel locomotives. The line has some severe gradients and the maximum load of the coal freight trains is limited to 12 loaded wagons. The mixed normally runs with the overnight sleeper coach from Ulaan Bataar to Shariin Gol.
We will chase both moxed trains, will photograph the regular coal trains, observe the shunting activities at Shariin Gol, and do some night photography as well..
The alte afternoon of 21. February sees us motoring back to Ulaan Bataar, where we sleep that night.
Accommodation in a basic motel at Darkhan (Tuesday) and a good 3-star tourist class hotel in Ulaan Bataar (Wednesday).
Meals: breakfast, lunch (packed), dinner.
22. February 2018, Thursday:
After breakfast we visit the main diesel locomotive dpeot at the capital before we head to the airport to pick up the Main-Tour guys.
Main Tour:
22. February 2018, Thursday:
All participants meet at the Ulaan Bataar international airport at 12:00.After arrival we will motor straight to Ermeelt pass and take the first pictures of the MDZ-locomotives in snow!
Overnight at a good 3-star tourist class hotel in Ulaanbataar.
Meals: dinner.
23. February 2018, Friday - 28. February 2018, Wednesday:
The mostly single tracked Trans-Mongolian Railway follows an ancient tea-caravan route from China to Russia and connects Ulan-Ude, on the Trans-Baikal (Trans-Siberian) railway in Russia, with the Chinese city of Jining, by way of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. The gauge is 1.520 mm (4 ft 11). It carries heavy intermodular traffic between China and Russia, as well as local goods trains and some international and domestic passenger trains.
Most trains have 2 heavy diesel locomotives in front, either classes 2M62 and their modifications, built in Ukraina and Russia, plus 2TE116 in various shapes, also of course the 2ZAGAL diesels and the latest import from Russia, the 2TE25KM. A sole US-imported DASH-7 has survived and is frequently used. A railcar from Russia, type RA-2, runs north of the capital.
We will use former Russian UAZ 4x4 SUV- really strong cars in old Soviet tradition that master every hill - and ii necessary also the dirt and mud roads easily. Each morning we will receive the updated timetable information from the central controll office at Ulaan Bataar, we will be in touch with the local stations along the way and will be at the right time at the right place for the next train to come. This is one of the big advantages we have: we are very well connected to the railway operation guys and do not have to wait outside in the cold for the next train to arrive. We also know the directions of trains and position ourselve in the best spot for that train.
Some of our photo locations: the famous Omega-loop, the Khoolt- and Bayan mountain passes, near Shatan und along the Thunk-mountains. We also strive for some night photo outings along the line!
The beautiful spots along the Shatan mountains can only be reached after a long drive through the wild countryside. There are no roads on some places and even with our strong UAZ it takes time to get there. Thus we will not return to Ulaan Bataar that day but sleep at the railway´s hotel nearby. These are basic rooms and no single room can be provided for that specific night!
Although we are well prepared, we still have to observe the conditions of winter here: it is not a soft thing like in Western Europe, Mongolia sees a continentanl climate with partly very cold temperatures amd also lots of snow sometimes. Be prepared.
Overnight at a good 3-star tourist class hotel in Ulaanbataar, 1 night at a basic railway hotel (this night no single room accommodation can be offered!).
Meals: breakfast, dinner.
1. March 2018, Thursday:
The tour ends with the airport transfer after breakfast.
Tour price:
(land-only per person, minimum 6 participants,per person):
1.235 Euro single room (Pre-Tour)
1.780 Euro sharing a double room (Main Tour)
220 Euro single room surcharge (Main Tour)
If less than 6 participants travel:
5 participants: 1.985 Euro main tour, 1.040 Euro pre-tour
4 participants: 2.080 Euro main tour, 1.105 Euro pre-tour
3 participants: 2.190 Euro main tour, 1.140 Euro pre-tour
2 participants: 2.270 Euro main tour, 1.185 Euro pre-tour
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If you book both Mongolian winter tours, you will save a lot of money:
if the minimum number of participants is being reached, the combination of "Transmongol in snow" and "Eagle, Camels, Nomads" costs:
3.430 Euro sharing a double room
340 Euro single room surcharge
What you get:
- 8 days linesiding along the Transmongolian Railways;
- Visits of MTZ repairshop and shed;
- Excursion to the Gorkhi Terelj national park;
- Fully licensed SUV;
- Night photo shoots wherever possible;
- All necessary transfers, entry fees and permits;
- Hotels of 3* tourist class level (rooms with enclosed bathroom);
- All meals as outlined in the itinerary;
- Tanago tour brochure;
- Experienced and knowledgeable Tanago tour guide (German + English speaking) plus local guides.
The tour price does not inlcude: tips, all expenses of private nature, international flights, visa.
This tour will be charged to us in foreign currencies. As currency fluctuations are common and we do not want to built in too many financial buffers, we reserve the right to adapt the tour price accordingly if upturns in the exchange rate valid on 1. September 2017 are becoming too extreme.
If you book a shared double room we will do our best to find a matching travel buddy. If this is not possible, we will put the single room surcharge on your invoice.
This tour will be operated by Tanago. The maximum (!) number of participants for this tour is 10. Please book early to avoid disappointments, latest by 31. March.
Mongolia is more than just the home of the Mongols and the great Genghis Khan. On this trip we will not only explore the Transmongolian Railways but also get off the beaten track and explore a fascinating land. Inaccessibility and political isolation contributed to it´s status as a mythical far off land, but in recent years the transition to democracy has opened the country to the outside world, and discovery of untapped natural mineral resources has seen the country&apo;s economy prosper. Mongolia today is a dichotomy of ancient and modern -and time will tell if the country can retain and nurture the positive qualities of both these attributes.
But still Mongolia is a poor country and lots of buildings and even some political and economical structures remind us of Soviet times. During our time in the country we will also see the traditional nomadic life on the countryside: white yurts with lots of yaks, goats, and sheep, nestled in the rolling hills under a blue sky. The perfect setting for trains of the Transmongolian Railways!
Climate & Technical stuff:
Mongolia sees a continental climate with hot summers and very cold winters. It can be windy for days and weather conditions can change completely from one day to the next. We expect temperatures ranging from 0°C and -25°C (32°F to -13°F). Don´t be afraid: the cold is very dry and much easier bearable than the wet cold we mostly get at home. The sky is mostly clear and sunny.
Mongols use a Western European style 2-pin power plug, you may need an adapter. Mobile phone coverage is good at the capital but virtually non-existent in the remote areas outside Ulaanbataar. Please take care about your health, Mongolia is free of Malaria.
Immigration:
For most nationalities a visa is required to enter the country. Some nationalities (like Germans) are exempted from obtaining a visa and can enter the country for a 30-days-tourist stay with just a at least 6 months valid passport. Please check the immigration rules for your nationality.
Credit:
We thank our friend Temuulen for his beautiful pictures of the Transmongolian Railways.