Clients’ comments

“A very big thank you for the unforgettable adventure. To call it simply a holiday does not convey the awe, drama and remoteness of the amazing places we travelled through and visited. And with the worry taken out, because of the detailed arrangements you made and the brilliant guides and drivers who supported us every inch of the way.”
Mick and Trish Penny, South Korea, China, Tibet, Nepal

“All in all China was very interesting with beautiful sites and lovely people. I always felt extremely safe. Angkor Wat is of course amazing, I’m so glad I went.”
Mr and Mrs Gene Howard, China and Cambodia

“We had an amazing and fascinating time, life-changing really! I have nearly 1,000 photos to edit!”
Roger and Fiona Hennah, China and Vietnam,

“Everything was extremely well-organised both pre-departure – with helpful visa advice – and at the China end. All our guides were excellent at their jobs, very friendly and welcoming and made the whole experience very enjoyable and really interesting. The wide area of China we visited gave us a good insight into the country.
Ashok and Carole Jethwa, China

“We had a very enjoyable and interesting time thanks, good guide, good services, very interesting things to see. The ethnic side (food, music etc.) was great and the sights were wonderful. The only very minor downside was that the beds at our otherwise fine hotel were harder than any I have ever experienced anywhere else, I think, but we more or less cured that by asking for extra duvets and sleeping on top of some and under others. Also, the agents in Kashgar/Urumqi/Beijing were very helpful in getting us back to Beijing in the face of bad weather, flight delays and cancellations”.
Mr and Mrs George Goulding, Long weekend in Kashgar, China

“A tremendous success, ‘South Zeal’s’ detailed planning and choice of local agent paying off, as ever. Though I’ve travelled extensively in remote areas I still found Mongolia one of the most challenging lands to have visited, physically and, sometimes, culturally – but also one of the most rewarding and special. One needs stamina and, specifically on the cross-country driving, anyone with back problems or whose body might not withstand hours of being wrenched and shaken up should look elsewhere.

However the rewards are enormous in the beauty of the scenery; the flora and (now and again) the fauna and the insights into nomadic life and ancient cultures. My guides and drivers were excellent. You gave ample advice about the uncertain standards of accommodation and food and with few exceptions I was very content with both. I was really glad that I had included some non or only local travel days at each of the camps to balance the long drives and take in the surroundings. The secret is to be selective, and not try to do too much.”
David Carter, Mongolia

“Inspiring landscape that can be harsh and completely unforgiving but so, so beautiful. Nomadic peoples living hard simple lives and happy with their freedom. Freedom and a nature which they know and love.”
Mrs Gretta Robertson, Mongolia

“ It was great. Fiona was really helpful, making modifications to suit my budget and inclinations, and listened to what I wanted. The camp was terrific, the food wonderful…My guide thought it was very funny that I thought there was too much food put it in front of me, and I tend to eat it. When I told her I didn’t want to get fat, she looked amazed….not getting fat is something which hasn’t really caught on in Mongolia yet! Mostly I was the only tourist at the camp, and I was an object of some curiosity, as single females travelling are rare. The camp staff adopted me a bit, and were just lovely. I was treated like family.”
Sue Murray-Jones, Mongolia

Fiona’s travel tips

WHAT TO EXPECT: It is not uncommon for drivers to stop at ‘gers’ — they are not lost but like to get local and seasonal information on travelling through regions with no roads.

DON’T MISS: An absolute highlight is the annual Naadam Festival in mid-July, which celebrates the traditional sports of riding, wrestling and archery.

TAKE WITH YOU: Everything from T-shirts to thermals. The weather changes constantly, especially in the mountains and you can expect everything from hail to sunshine. For riders a sheepskin ‘seat-saver’ will do just that!

INTERESTING FACT: Mongolia is the world’s second-largest landlocked country after Kazakhstan. Around 30 per cent of its population are nomadic or semi-nomadic and the predominant religion is Tibetan Buddhism.

BEST TIME TO GO: We suggest travelling any time between May and October to get the best of the weather.

JOURNEY TIME: 10 hours (indirect)