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Mongolian Secret History

The Mongolian Secret History Travel Company has been operating since 2005. We operate 2 award winning hotel/ camps and a well established tour company that has been helping people to experience the real Mongolia for many years.

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Recent Trip Reviews for Mongolian Secret History

On the trail of Genghis Khan
Mongolia | Sep 3 - Sep 8, 2023

A
Andy P.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2023
Having had a previous trip to Mongolia end disastrously when the van we were using with a driver who spoke no English broke down for 36 hours in the wilderness (no phone signal, people, roads etc), I was apprehensive about coming back, so I chose Kim Kim and their partner company, Mongolian Secret History, to organise a 4 day tour of the things that I had missed on the last time I visited. I previously set up a tour themed around Genghis Khan, to see where he was born in Dadal, where he... Read more

Having had a previous trip to Mongolia end disastrously when the van we were using with a driver who spoke no English broke down for 36 hours in the wilderness (no phone signal, people, roads etc), I was apprehensive about coming back, so I chose Kim Kim and their partner company, Mongolian Secret History, to organise a 4 day tour of the things that I had missed on the last time I visited. I previously set up a tour themed around Genghis Khan, to see where he was born in Dadal, where he found the golden horn, the heart shaped lake where he proclaimed himself Mongol leader and the Mongol era intriguing walled necropolis of Oglogchiin Khorem, the Berenveen monastery and a Mongol war camp. The car breakdown of the last trip, which was caused by going through rivers several feet deep meant we hadn't seen the monastery and Oglogchiin Khorem, so a 4 day trip ensured that we did that.
The trip was initially postponed, as after booking in 2020, Covid struck, so I ended up going back this month (Sep 2023) mainly to see Oglogchiin Khorem, but also the monastery and deer stones nearby.
The communication from first Chris and later Oyunerdene was incredibly good - I loved being able to dial them up on the computer and ask questions; both were helpful and friendly throughout. The trip went pretty smoothly - itinerary as it said on the packet and pick ups/timings as planned.
Oglogchiin Khorem is really fascinating - I have visited 90 countries and have a keen interest in history, but walking round the 3 km of walls which stretch to high on the mountainside, made me really wonder what this Mongol era place contains - on the sides going up the mountain, the walls are 18 feet high and the effort to build this must have taken a huge effort - I spotted to ancient graves on the east side - wonder who is buried there. When the archaeologists do dig, I hope that grave robbers haven't beaten them to it - could Genghis Khan be buried somewhere in the complex - well the location is right in the heart of his homeland - midway between the heart shaped lake, where he found the golden horn and his birthplace in Dadal, so it is possible, but who knows, though the experts seem pretty sceptical. In any case, the walls are extensive and the views from the top spectacular, so for me it was well worth a visit.
Bereeven monastery was also interesting - the monastery dating to the 1700's does have some original outbuildings and was once home to 6,000 monks, but now has just one monk left - aged 76, you would feel he might be lonely, but while we were there, 2 other sets of visitors turned up, so maybe he actually has more company each day than most old people do. A beautiful location for the monastery too, with hills, lakes and rivers nearby.
So all in all a good trip and I can recommend Mongolian Secret History and Kim Kim - mainly because of the good back up support, but also because the driver and vehicle were good and they were happy for me to tell them what I wanted to do and then sort out the logistics for me.
If you are interested in Genghis Khan, this is a part of Mongolia that attracts few visitors, so the nomads are hospitable and my guide said that the nomads were very different to those in the tourist areas, who ask the tourists for money and treat them as cash cows - my hosts were welcoming and friendly. A bonus was seeing a horse branding occasion, something not at all set up for tourists, some westerners would baulk at this, but it is important to remember that for nomads, it is vital for them to be able to show that they own a particular animal, and they do without question take very good care of their animals.
Anyone wanting to see the sites of Genghis Khan should aim for the statue where he found the golden horn, the Mongol war camp nearby, the heart shaped lake, Oglogchiin Khorem and Dadal. That would probably mean a 5 day tour from Ulan Batar I'd have thought.
One additional bit of advice - if on a tight budget, if you like spicy food, try the Korean restaurants in Ulan Batar - you order one plate of food for around $5 and get about six other plates of sides free - my favourite place was on a road next to the State Department Store, going north from Peace Avenue on the east side of the store - the humble place called Korean Cafe had fabulous food and was dirt cheap.
I also stayed at Gana's Guest House on the western side of Ulan Batar - for $15.50 a night I got a comfortable en-suite room with hot water 24/7, in a ridiculously quiet area allowing a perfect night's sleep, with a comfortable bed and very nice owner, Gana, who allowed me to use his computer for free and store luggage. Previously I stayed more centrally and although it is probably around 15 minutes to walk to the dead centre of town, this location is better than staying centrally as central Ulan Batar is full of traffic and noise, so what you gain from being at the centre of things, you will lose in terms of too much noise and loss of sleep.
Overall a great trip and so I wanted to share to help other future travellers, as finding a good and reliable company can be a nightmare, as my previous trip showed.

Local specialist: Christopher Smith

Oyu was responsive to questions/requests. Ho...
Mongolia | Jun 4 - Jun 17, 2023

I
Isaac T.
Erlanger, KY | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2023
Oyu was responsive to questions/requests.
However there was an add on charge at the last minute
The airport pick up & drop off was well arranged.
Guide Norbull in the western Mongolia section out if Ulgii was excellent. Very creative with problem solving.
As a guide he left a few opportunities too many for things to go wrong. Perhaps needed more manpower. His catering crew & meals were superb.
Nomin our Ulan Bator based guide was “very green”. Multiple examples of being dis interested or...
Read more

Oyu was responsive to questions/requests.
However there was an add on charge at the last minute
The airport pick up & drop off was well arranged.
Guide Norbull in the western Mongolia section out if Ulgii was excellent. Very creative with problem solving.
As a guide he left a few opportunities too many for things to go wrong. Perhaps needed more manpower. His catering crew & meals were superb.
Nomin our Ulan Bator based guide was “very green”. Multiple examples of being dis interested or her lack of application. Extremely poor knowledge of basic information of Mongolia.
Presume that its a tough place to have everything go according to plan with a grp trip. Hence the appreciation of all that we got in western Mongolia.

Local specialist: Oyunerdene Battulga

Trans siberian
Mongolia | Jul 4 - Jul 14, 2019

J
Judith H.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2019

Te trip was amazing. The organisation was superb and we were able to do all that was promised. Our guide and driver looked after us and we did not have to worry about anything other than having a good time.

Local specialist: Oyunerdene Battulga
Oyunerdene
Oyunerdene Battulga
Local specialist in Mongolia | Replied on Jul 23, 2019

Thank you Judith!

Mongolia Eagle Hunting trip
Mongolia | Jul 6 - Jul 9, 2019

T
Trina N.
Spring Creek, NV | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2019

Oyunerdene has been a saint for helping us see the best of Mongolia. I am very happy and satisfied with the service we have received.

Local specialist: Oyunerdene Battulga
Oyunerdene
Oyunerdene Battulga
Local specialist in Mongolia | Replied on Jul 16, 2019

Thank you Trina for traveling with us and the wonderful review :)

Mongolia tour
Mongolia | Jun 15 - Jun 21, 2019

M
Manzurur K.
Secaucus, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2019
I contacted Oyunerdene back in March. She was quick to respond and provided me a tentative plan. Later, I changed my returned date and stayed for 3 more days in Mongolia. She was quick to accommodate for those days as well.
When I arrived in Ulaanbaatar, my guide Jagaa and driver Ganbaa were waiting for me, with a placard with my name on it. They stayed with me for 10 days.
We spend the next 4 days driving through the Gobi desert. In these 4 days, we stayed with three nomadic families and one...
Read more

I contacted Oyunerdene back in March. She was quick to respond and provided me a tentative plan. Later, I changed my returned date and stayed for 3 more days in Mongolia. She was quick to accommodate for those days as well.
When I arrived in Ulaanbaatar, my guide Jagaa and driver Ganbaa were waiting for me, with a placard with my name on it. They stayed with me for 10 days.
We spend the next 4 days driving through the Gobi desert. In these 4 days, we stayed with three nomadic families and one tourist resort. The roads in the Gobi are unmarked, unpaved and bumpy. We didn't have any issue with the car, driving on those roads, and the driver was knowledgeable. We always made everywhere in time. On my first day, roads out of Ulaanbaatar were closed due to flooding. But the driver was able to find a detour, which made it possible for us to stay on track.
I went to Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Naartuul Market, Ongi monastery, Bayanzag, Yol Valley, Aryabal temple, and Hustai national park. My guide went with me everywhere. She was fairly knowledgeable and was happy to answer any question or observation I had.
Meals were arranged in advance as well. We had lunch and dinner with the families we are staying with or at the resort.
The best part of my trip was the stay in the Gobi desert, in almost complete seclusion. It's an almost surreal and unique experience.

Local specialist: Oyunerdene Battulga
Oyunerdene
Oyunerdene Battulga
Local specialist in Mongolia | Replied on Jul 01, 2019

Thank you Manzurur for traveling with us and the nice review! These photos are amazing. We hope to hear from you in the future :)

Trip to Mongolia
Mongolia | Jun 5 - Jun 13, 2019

W
Weila C.
Singapore | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2019
Oyu planned a wonderful 10days roadtrip for us. There were 6 of us (grandparents, 2 kids and us). Activities planned were suitable for all (except grandparents couldn't climb the sand dunes) and nobody felt left out. We covered the Terelji National Park, sunset at Ugii Lake, explored the ancient city Kharkhorin and Endene Zuu Monastery, Ongi Monastery, sliding @ Singing Sand Dunes, horse riding at Yol Valley to see the ice lake and not to mention building our own gers! Our guide and driver,... Read more

Oyu planned a wonderful 10days roadtrip for us. There were 6 of us (grandparents, 2 kids and us). Activities planned were suitable for all (except grandparents couldn't climb the sand dunes) and nobody felt left out. We covered the Terelji National Park, sunset at Ugii Lake, explored the ancient city Kharkhorin and Endene Zuu Monastery, Ongi Monastery, sliding @ Singing Sand Dunes, horse riding at Yol Valley to see the ice lake and not to mention building our own gers! Our guide and driver, Jagaa and Bazaraa toke really good care of us. We met friendly and beautiful people along the way and left Mongolia with thoughts of our next trip.

Local specialist: Oyunerdene Battulga
Oyunerdene
Oyunerdene Battulga
Local specialist in Mongolia | Replied on Jun 17, 2019

Thank you Weila! Looking forward to hear from you soon :)

Highlights of Mongolia
Mongolia | May 23 - May 26, 2019

F
Felipe C.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on May 31, 2019

I was very pleased with the way that Oyunerdene organized my tour based on the information I provided to her. I was able to experience Mongolia’s nature, wildlife and people. The nomadic family I stayed with was great and their gers were in a beautiful setting next to a river and surrounded by gorgeous green hills packed with horses, sheep and goats. My tour guide, Jagaa, and driver, Gambaa, were friendly and genuinely nice, they showed me the warm welcoming attitude of Mongolian people.
I couldn’t have been happier. Thanks to them.

Local specialist: Oyunerdene Battulga
Oyunerdene
Oyunerdene Battulga
Local specialist in Mongolia | Replied on Jun 03, 2019

Thank you Felipe for traveling with us and the kind review! We hope to hear from you in the future.