Staying in the Mongolian countryside on a reasonable budget
I really enjoyed going on a guided tour (myself, a tour guide, and a driver) of the Mongolian countryside, but it attracted a price tag that'd be expected for having two staff members (slightly more than a thousand US dollars for four days).
Can I stay in Mongolia in the countryside on a smaller budget?
What I have in mind is once I get into Mongolia, I take public transport to some sort of tourist ger camp, and stay at that camp for a couple of days with only accommodation and meals as my expenses.
I'm reluctant to go hitch-hiking solo for safety reasons, even though it's probably safer there than in Australia. I know the risk of something going wrong is low, it's just that if something bad happens, it can be really bad. I'm open to renting a car, but I assume renting a good quality car would add significantly to the budget.
I'm happy to pay for meals - I like Mongolian cuisine, and wouldn't want to be cooking for myself for the duration. Having various activities that can be done at or near the camp would be an added bonus. Being able to socialise with others is also good.
Related question, but without enough information: Getting to Terelj National Park from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Is Mongolia cheap for tourists?
Mongolia is generally a very cheap destination. You essentially need to do a tour as there is almost no internal transportation infrastructure. This means independent travel is virtually impossible unless you provide your own vehicle and know where to go without roads. Public transportation is extremely minimal, also.How much is a tour in Mongolia?
The price will depend on the size of the group, but generally, the cheapest tour will set you back around 50 usd per person for a group of 6 people. It includes transportation, lodging, a guide, entrance tickets (if necessary), food and water.Is Mongolia friendly to tourists?
Crime: Mongolia is a relatively safe country for foreigners. However, both street crime and violent crime are on the rise, especially in the larger towns and cities. Crime typically peaks during the Naadam summer festival in July and during the Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) festival in January or February.Is Mongolia a friendly country?
Mongolia is a safe country for female travelers. People are very friendly in Mongolia and willing to help you at any time. Just follow your common sense in public places, avoid dark and deserted areas, walking alone at night and watch out for your belongings and your trip should go smoothly.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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