windhorse tours and hostel

I came to Mongolia too early in the year: the tourist season hadn't really started, the camps were mostly still closed, the snows in Gobi had just about melted and I had only vague half-contacts and promises of day trips I could make from Ulaanbaataar. Three of us ran into Uka almost by accident, having never met before. Uka performed several minor miracles and arranged the most amazing week in Gobi I could have imagined. She found the nomad families that were ready to host us, let us experience the desert in its fullness and introduced her country in the best way possible: through its people. We started out as three strangers, plus Uka as the guide and her brother Bagi as the driver. A day later we were friends, a day after that family. I rarely endorse anyone, but Uka deserves the highest kudos. She is fluent in English and, by the time you are reading this, probably also French, and will go to any lengths to make sure her guests are well taken care of. She is opening a ger camp close to Ulaanbaatar, and I imagine it will be a great place to stay. Mongolia is not for the "room service and champagne" crowd - if you need silk bedsheets, pick another destination. But if you want to meet the most hospitable people in the world and see their astonishing country, call Uka.

My 8-day trip in Mongolia was fabulous. Uka organized our trip for us, a group of Thai women, making sure it wasn't too strenuous for us to explore the Gobi. We enjoyed every moment, starting from Ulaanbaatar to the heart of Mongolia, then predominantly towards the southern Gobi. On our very first day, our car encountered a problem, so we had to change it. Actually, we changed cars almost every day, but for me and my sister, it never bothered us. Through this situation, we witnessed Uka's competence; she remained composed, swiftly resolving issues, and always wore a smile. Throughout the journey, we never felt like typical tourists; instead, it felt like we were traveling with family, with Uka seamlessly becoming a part of our group. We learned extensively about Mongolian culture and the nomadic way of life. I highly recommend traveling to Mongolia with kind-hearted people like Uka and her team. Love you, Gayle.

Very reasonable prices. Great service; go to great lengths to arrange everything for you for tours and sightseeing. also arrange transport, including drivers, to any location in the country. A must, especially if you are new to Mongolia