From where to sit in a ger to how to eat a buuz – travel tips for Mongolia backpackers

What’s it really like to travel in Mongolia? Some travel tips for first-time backpackers. I’ve just returned from a three week trip to Mongolia. It didn’t exactly go as planned but I had a fantastic time nonetheless. In fact, my seven day tour of the Gobi desert is going into my top ten travel experiences!…… Continue reading From where to sit in a ger to how to eat a buuz – travel tips for Mongolia backpackers

Life on the Trans-Mongolia Express Train across Russia – travel tips, behaviour etiquette and instant noodles

What is it really like to take the train across Russia, from St Petersburg into Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar? The Trans Mongolia Express in Winter I’ve just arrived in Mongolia after experiencing a two week trip across Russia by train. The Trans Mongolian or Trans Siberian train is on many people’s bucket list and for good…… Continue reading Life on the Trans-Mongolia Express Train across Russia – travel tips, behaviour etiquette and instant noodles

Tasting traditional Tartar snacks and admiring a beautiful blue and white Kremlin in Kazan – stop three on the Trans-Mongolia train

The hardest thing about travelling across Russia on the Trans-Mongolia train is deciding where to break the journey Top sights in Kazan, Russia I’ve always wanted to take the train across Russia to Mongolia. In fact the guidebook I’m using on this trip is from 2007 when I first started thinking about this epic journey.…… Continue reading Tasting traditional Tartar snacks and admiring a beautiful blue and white Kremlin in Kazan – stop three on the Trans-Mongolia train

Organising a Trans-Mongolia train journey independently – it’s easier than you might think

From getting a Russian visa to booking train journeys through Russia – how to plan a Trans-Mongolia train journey independently When I first started planning my Russia to Mongolia train journey I was quite sure it’d be easy enough to do independently. I’ve never used travel agencies or been on a package holiday and I’m…… Continue reading Organising a Trans-Mongolia train journey independently – it’s easier than you might think

Planning a Trans-Siberian or Trans-Mongolian train trip? Eight decisions you need to make first

Taking a train across Russia is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s at the top of many bucket lists and quite rightly so, the official route being over 9,000 km long and passing through eight different time zones. I have romantic notions of being ferried across the continent in a glamorous sleeping compartment, just…… Continue reading Planning a Trans-Siberian or Trans-Mongolian train trip? Eight decisions you need to make first