The brochure is out and it's now make up my mind time for next year's holiday(s), when and where, decisions, decisions!  Mongolia could be a possibility, that looks like an adventure, but I wonder if you could answer a few questions for me please.

What is the provisional flight time Heathrow to Ulaanbaatar via Beijing, is this the '1 night in flight' referred to, I don't recall ever seeing that mentioned before but notice several of the new holidays refer to it, and, what is the overall flight time? 

What is the provisional flight time for landing at Heathrow coming back?

The bathroom facilities are shared but could you please confirm you get your own room in a ger.

How long is the flight from Ulaanbaatar to the Gobi Dessert?

Not all the destinations are on the map, what would be the longest time on the road between destinations and what is the mode of transport, coach or minibus? 

And lastly, what is the maximum group size and what would the minimum group size be (had a close call with Tibet last year but luckily so far I've never had a cancellation).

Oh, just one more question while I think about it, what would the maximum group size be for Highlights of Persia?

Sorry for so many questions but any answers you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Avocet

Mongolia is a fantastic choice.

Before I answer all your questions, I would need to know what departure date in 2017 you are referring to.

Kind Regards,

Mildred

Thanks for these questions - many of them had occurred to me as I looked at the itinerary for Mongolia as well, particularly as to whether we would have our own bedroom in a ger or how it works.  Mildred, do the shared bathroom facilities have private shower cubicles or are they "open plan"??

Best wishes,

Bob

I, too, have been looking at the Mongolia trip. My concern is regarding bottled water/drinking water. As much of the holiday is out in the stix would the Tour manager be able to access bottled water easily?

This holiday could be a back up plan if the Namibia trip I have booked in February is cancelled. I would be grateful if you could please give me an update on numbers for that Namibia trip departing on 22nd Feb.

Regards 

Di

Good Afternoon Avocet,

Mongolia is a fantastic choice.

Before I answer all your questions, I would need to know what departure date in 2017 you are referring to.

Kind Regards,

Mildred

Good morning 

Sorry Mildred, I just assumed details would be the same for all dates.  If I decided to choose this holiday the date I would be looking at is the June 2017 departure.

Many thanks

Avocet

Good Afternoon Avocet,

Mongolia is a fantastic choice.

Before I answer all your questions, I would need to know what departure date in 2017 you are referring to.

Kind Regards,

Mildred

Good morning 

Sorry Mildred, I just assumed details would be the same for all dates.  If I decided to choose this holiday the date I would be looking at is the June 2017 departure.

Many thanks

Avocet

Hi Avocet,

All arrangements will be made for all groups to access bottled water in Mongolia.

With regards to Namibia there are currently 8 people booked on Feb 22nd departure.

Kind regards,

Elisa

Good Afternoon Avocet,

Mongolia is a fantastic choice.

Before I answer all your questions, I would need to know what departure date in 2017 you are referring to.

Kind Regards,

Mildred

Good morning 

Sorry Mildred, I just assumed details would be the same for all dates.  If I decided to choose this holiday the date I would be looking at is the June 2017 departure.

Many thanks

Avocet

Hi Avocet,

All arrangements will be made for all groups to access bottled water in Mongolia.

With regards to Namibia there are currently 8 people booked on Feb 22nd departure.

Kind regards,

Elisa

Sorry Elisa your post should have been for Dina.  I am still awaiting answers to my questions to Mildred on 19/9/16, I'm assuming she received my reply to her on the 20/9/16 and has had to pass the questions on to those in the know.  I'm hoping a reply to those questions will be forthcoming in the not too distant future.

Kind regards

Avocet

Sorry about the mix-up. I have chased these today and I have been advised we are still waiting on a response from our team working overseas. As soon as I have a response I will get it posted here.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Hi Avocet

Sorry about the mix-up. I have chased these today and I have been advised we are still waiting on a response from our team working overseas. As soon as I have a response I will get it posted here.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Thanks for checking Julia, I guessed that would be the case, the trouble with new holidays is they don't  cover all the questions and answers that immediately pop into out heads, I will patiently await a reply.

I see you mention a 72 hour visa for the China add-on in your answer to Di, I've already visited Beijing and the Great Wall with JY but that was in 2007, out of curiosity how much would a 72 hour visa be?

Many thanks

Avocet

I noticed that my reply had been posted to you. It may have happened because I had asked the same questions twice and then done a gentle reminder. I was quite happy to wait for a reply but was just a little concerned that my questions had been accidentally by-passed because of last weeks issues about sharing information which probably meant all the JY team were even busier than usual. One of my queries which I posted last Monday included an update on numbers, too.

I shall look forward to reading your replies to questions on Mongolia as the tour really appeals to me.  I had been thinking that my Namibia trip would be cancelled because of lack of numbers and Mongolia would be my back up plan, but Namibia numbers are gradually creeping up. So Mongolia might have to be 2018, assuming the tour won't be laid to rest just after one year.Like myself there will be JY fans who have booked early for 2017 and even if they wanted to go may not have the opportunity until 2018.

Kind regards

Di

We've heard back from our team, hopefully the following will answer your questions (have included with my response below):

Q: What is the provisional flight time Heathrow to Ulaanbaatar via Beijing, is this the '1 night in flight' referred to, I don't recall ever seeing that mentioned before but notice several of the new holidays refer to it, and, what is the overall flight time?

A: Please note these are provisional flight times are subject to change. The flight departs from LHR at 20:25 and arrives in Beijing around 13:00 the next day (10 hour flight). Beijing to Ulaanbaatar leaves at 15:10 and arrives at 18:30 local time (around a 2.5 hour flight) Yes, this is the ‘1 night in flight’ that the itinerary refers to.

We have started to introduce the‘1 night in flight’ wording to make the itineraries more transparent at a glance. Previously (for example) we would have told you that the holiday was 14 days with 12 nights’ accommodation, so it would have been unclear where that additional night is spent.

Q: What is the provisional flight time for landing at Heathrow coming back?

A: The provisional arrival time at Heathrow is 20:40hrs (subject to change and would be confirmed in your final documents)

Q: The bathroom facilities are shared but could you please confirm you get your own room in a ger.

A: Travellers will each get their own ger and all shared bathrooms have private shower and toilets but communal washing facilities.

Q: How long is the flight from Ulaanbaatar to the Gobi Dessert?

A: The flight time from Ulannbaatar to the Gobi Desert is approximately 1.5hrs.

Q: Not all the destinations are on the map, what would be the longest time on the road between destinations and what is the mode of transport, coach or minibus?

A: Looking at the itinerary, the longest time on the road is 6 hours when you travel 300km to Karakorum – but, there would be stops on the way to break the journey up a bit.

The mode of transport is a coach on days 2,3 and 14 and we’ll be using 4x4 jeeps on other days.

Q: And lastly, what is the maximum group size and what would the minimum group size be (had a close call with Tibet last year but luckily so far I've never had a cancellation).

A: This is currently in the system to operate with up to 20 travellers (8 on the main tour only and 12 with the add-on). The minimum number hasn’t been allocated yet – the team will review this after it has been available to book for a couple of months

Q: Oh, just one more question while I think about it, what would the maximum group size be for Highlights of Persia?

A: The maximum group size for this tour is currently listed as 25 travellers.

Kindest regards,

Julia

*edited to include more up-to-date details on mode of transport.

Thanks for this info and for including the answer to the question I asked.  Mongolia may well be on my list for 2018!

All the best,

Bob

Many thanks for the answers to all my questions.  

I still like the look of this holiday, I will now sit down and work out what the true cost will be, what with the visa/s, National Express, overnight hotel stay on return etc., nothing more than usual but it all adds up.  One good thing, this is a full board, all excursions included holiday so that would cut down on the amount of spending money needed.   

Sorry if I appear to be a bit asinine, but with regard to group size I'm not quite sure if I am understanding correctly what you have said re numbers.  Are you saying that only 8 people can do Mongolia on it's own and the rest would have to do Mongolia with the Beijing and Great Wall add-on?  Somewhere in the dim and distant past I seem to remember someone told me she could only get a place on the holiday we were on because she agreed to do the add-on, I thought it a bit strange at the time.  As I normally do any add-ons I've never come across this situation myself.

I don't know if my question in another post regarding the cost of a 72 hour visa for China has been overlooked or if it has been passed on awaiting a reply.  Also, with the Mongolian visa, the price is quoted "from £85", does that mean there is a chance it could go up?  I know it's not the fault of JY, but I can't believe that a visa for China now costs from £195 when, in 2015, I paid £105 for a visa for Land of the Dragon/Tibet, quite a hike in cost!!!  

Kind regards

Avocet

I apologise for the misunderstanding. I am saying that Mongolia is increasingly becoming a very popular tour and we would have to discuss with the capacity team to figure out whether we can increase capacity of travellers for this tour.

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards,

Mildred.

When I was querying visas I had been wondering, if I did the Mongolia trip with the add-on to China, would I be able to get one visa that would cover the add-on and  my China visit on the Roof of the World tour in September Uhm! can't remember exactly what I asked.

It was good to read all the replies to your questions.

I have been googling Mongolia and TGC s (tourist ger camps apparently) There are so many gers in a camp and there are separate shower and toilet blocks which you share. Electricity is usually only available about 7 til 11pm or 8 til 12pm. Torches obviously needed. So presumably if you need the toilet in the night you have to find your way by yourself from your own ger to the shower/toilet block. Think camping not hotels!

Sides of gers can be rolled up during the day, so if they are still rolled up when you have a light on the mozzies flock in. One person on Trip adviser suggested taking your own mozzie net.

Yep, I am still interested despite Mongolia now being well out of my comfort zone. It would be SO interesting.

All the best Di

Let's hope Mongolia is still available in 2018.

Am commenting now about posts regarding airports and busy tours. I regard travelling to the airport as part and parcel of my holiday, if I want to do a tour I will find a way to get to the appropriate airport. As with the Balkan Tour, I prefer seeing more rather than less because chances are I am not going to go back to the same place. (Usually I don't but there have been exceptions to the rule).

All the best and happy travelling Di

Good Morning Avocet,

I apologise for the misunderstanding. I am saying that Mongolia is increasingly becoming a very popular tour and we would have to discuss with the capacity team to figure out whether we can increase capacity of travellers for this tour.

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards,

Mildred.

Many thanks Mildred, I had a slight brain malfunction there sending me off on the wrong track,  it's now back to full working order, think I need a holiday!!

Out of interest has anyone booked this holiday yet?

Kind regards

Avocet

I have booked on this tour for June and am really looking forward to it. However the malaria map on fitfortravel website shows Mongolia as low risk and does not advise that any precautions are needed so I am a bit surprised at the comment you found on trip Advisor.

Good Morning Avocet,

I apologise for the misunderstanding. I am saying that Mongolia is increasingly becoming a very popular tour and we would have to discuss with the capacity team to figure out whether we can increase capacity of travellers for this tour.

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards,

Mildred.

Many thanks Mildred, I had a slight brain malfunction there sending me off on the wrong track,  it's now back to full working order, think I need a holiday!!

Out of interest has anyone booked this holiday yet?

Kind regards

Avocet

Good Morning Avocet,

I agree you definitely need a holiday to get you back on track.

There are 2 travellers currently booked on this holiday.

Kind Regards,

Mildred.

Hi Avocet

When I was querying visas I had been wondering, if I did the Mongolia trip with the add-on to China, would I be able to get one visa that would cover the add-on and  my China visit on the Roof of the World tour in September Uhm! can't remember exactly what I asked.

It was good to read all the replies to your questions.

I have been googling Mongolia and TGC s (tourist ger camps apparently) There are so many gers in a camp and there are separate shower and toilet blocks which you share. Electricity is usually only available about 7 til 11pm or 8 til 12pm. Torches obviously needed. So presumably if you need the toilet in the night you have to find your way by yourself from your own ger to the shower/toilet block. Think camping not hotels!

Sides of gers can be rolled up during the day, so if they are still rolled up when you have a light on the mozzies flock in. One person on Trip adviser suggested taking your own mozzie net.

Yep, I am still interested despite Mongolia now being well out of my comfort zone. It would be SO interesting.

All the best Di

Hi Dina

I have just obtained a Chinese visa for a trip with TS later this month: it appears to be a two-year multi-entry visa, and this interpretation seems to be confirmed by a statement on the Chinese Embassy website:

"Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK to Issue Two-year Multi-entry Visas to British Nationals

2016/01/09

As of Monday, 11 January 2016, in line with the reciprocal visa arrangement between China and the UK, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK will issue two-year multi-entry visas to eligible British nationals who intend to go to China for commercial/trade activities, as a tourist and to visit family members/relatives. Five-year and ten-year visas will be issued to eligible British nationals. "

http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/visa/notice/t1330627.htm )

I am also thinking about going on the "Roof of the World" tour in September 2017, and I am assuming that my new visa (issued August 2016) will cover this trip as well -

*** Julia, could JY please confirm this?***

As far as the Beijing area add-on to the Mongolia trip is concerned, this appears to be for 48 hours, so I wonder whether this is covered by the "no visas for 72-hour stopover" provision - assuming that the visited part of the Great Wall is in the "Beijing administrative region" (not sure about Mutianyu, although Badaling is very close so could be)?

http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/visa/notice/t1003320.htm )

Jim

PS - re Mongolian mozzies, there is an amusing thread about this on the Lonely Planet forum, eg:

"In most cases mosquitoes will not find you, if they do it will be for one day, they tend to come and go, and as a tourist you will be moving on to the next location in any case.

It really depends on where you go (marsh land) and on local weather conditions.

If you can't stand mosquitoes bombing and zooming, you may want to bring your mossie coils with you.

The problem with mossie coils is that when Mongolian mosquitoes attack they come in clouds and no chemical repellent will help, not even a good mossie coil.

No use smashing them with a pillow, because all you get are more mosquitoes coming to their friends funeral.

I prefer a mosquito net. You can use a small net that covers your head, to prevent them zooming around your ears at night.

Enjoy quiet nights in Mongolia."

There are useful short guides to Mongolia on the Lonely Planet and Audley Travel websites. Although mosquitoes may be an issue (and presumably only in low-lying areas), I didn't notice anything that implied malaria or dengue fever were  problems anywhere.