Kimkim Trip Reviews for Mongolia

It was our fourth trip with KimKim. The Mongolian nature was amazing-mountains, sand dunes, traces of dinozaurs. We met amazing people , true Nomads of the XXIst century, but :
-our nice guide was rather an interpreter not a guide. With mediocre english and almost no knowledge of Mongolian history and culture. Each question asked cause an intense discussion with a driver and a short two sentenced answer. No background of every day schedule, no history, no ethnical background. This was the case for 2 guides, one in Ulan Bator (a nice young boy, knowing nothing about places we visited) and a lady who spend 3 weeks with us (guiding was a summer job for her).
-there was no real plan for the days we have been driving, no foto stops, unless asked for, no piknic
Driving through Africa, Asia , we know it is possible to organize almost everything in every country and that was the kind of service we have always been receiving by KimKim. Not this time. Paying 20 k USD for 3 weeks we were expecting a superior treatment in a country where the most expensive hotel is 250 USD/night (in UlanBatar), and where we slept mostly in gerds (far different from 5star tents in Africa). Remember in Mongolia average salary is about 500 USD/month, and food is 20-40 USD/per day /two persons in restaurant.
Final conclusion, we always try to find our best during the vacation , so we really rest, but that was not due to Crystal efforts.

Our Mongolian Odyssey - Crystal at Premium Travel Mongolia crafted a bespoke itinerary for our Mongolian adventure, tailored to our unique requests and allowing us to see so much in a short time. Our guides, Zaya and Habak, were knowledgeable and passionate about their country's culture and rich history. The picturesque landscapes, idyllic rolling hills, and sparkling streams created the perfect getaway. Thank you, team, for putting together such an awe-inspiring trip!

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.

I had an incredible time in Mongolia! Baibolat was my guide to the Malchin Peak and was always attentive and caring about my well-being, especially during adverse weather. Always in time and showing me the plan ahead of time, I would definitely recommend him for any trip.

Crystal, the local specialist, was super helpful in coordinating all the work to book the trip, very responsive, and giving me all the information for the options I was looking for.

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.

Adiyabold and his team were amazing in providing an excellent trip in Mongolia and making our honeymoon very special. They really went the extra mile

Activity Review

Bayanzag and Amaraa's family

South Gobi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fantastic trip and wonderful country to visit . Adiyabold and team were excellent

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dear Kim Kim

I apologise for not writing before but my journey after Mongolia continued to China and I have had yet more adjustments to make and a culture shock as well! I may never have left Mongolia if such an opportunity existed. It is an exciting and beautiful country like no other and my visit there was in no small way life changing. That is to say I will never again look at a map of the world without my gaze first falling on Mongolia and being reminded of beauty and kindness. As far as Kim Kim is concerned my experience with planning the trip with Enguerran was first rate. He guided my expectations beautifully and without any pressure. He is a consummate professional and I will always be grateful to him for arranging this extraordinary holiday. Olongerel and Sambuu were our guide and driver respectively. I can honestly say that in the whole two week journey there was not a single moment when my sister and I were not cared for, looked after, made to feel safe, had our needs considered and catered to. It was hospitality of the highest order, always delivered with thoughtfulness, kindness and although it was - and felt like friendship - behind this was perfect professionalism that I have never experienced before in tourism. Me and my sister - who may well write separately, - we are now at opposite ends of the world - could not have been happier or more ecstatic with our Kim Kim Mongolian holiday and are planning another! Thank you to everyone but especially Enguerran, Olongerel and Sambuu who made everything possible. Victoria and Kitty

The trip was amazing. Can’t describe how good it was. We had the most fantastic guide (Oyu) and driver (Banzar) and really got immersed into the Mongolian culture. Amazing place with so much scenery, lots of driving but you need to be prepared for that going to Mongolia anyway. Everyone was so kind and wanted to do what they could to help us and make our trip special. Passed some others on trips but ours was quite private so didn’t have much communication.
Kimkim was very organised and we knew what to expect and everything ran very smoothly.

My Nephew and I went to Mongolia on a private trip (with our own special pathway through desert) (end of july 2018). This was wonderfully prepared by Horseback Travel and Enguerran. We had a perfect trip with memorable times with our Driver Khurle and guide Tsevelmaa from pick up at airport to the dropoff there again. We really enjoyed the whole trip and had countless stunning views throughout those 16 days. I did not know that the desert has so many faces (and all are wonderful). Food, lodging, day trips, excursions, transfers between places: everything well thought about and clear communication if somethings had to be discussed/planned further.

If i have to pick out few places i have to mention these 2: Shireet lake (stunning view and swim) with the walk from the family up the mountain and down to the lake (and of course back) and Khermen Tsav, the most remote place i have ever been uptil now but so nice and peaceful i would always go back there again.

We had a wonderful trip to Mongolia! I had contacted several different agencies before I discovered Enguerran with Horseback Mongolia and decided to work with him through kimkim. He was able to provide excellent advice and put together a custom itinerary for us that combined different elements during the exact dates we needed. We really wanted to combine an autonomous hike in the Khangai Mountains as well as seeing the Gobi desert. Enguerran designed the perfect trip to include 4 days/nights hiking/camping, several nights staying with yak or camel breeding families and several nights in ger camps. We were a bit apprehensive about staying with the families, but that turned out to be a great experience. The hiking and camping with yaks carrying our belongings was amazing. The Gobi desert was bigger than ever imagined. Our driver and guide were helpful and always made us feel safe and well taken care of. We only regretted not being able to communicate better with our driver and the yak men. Now that we have been home for a while, we have been able to reflect on our experiences. Mongolia truly is a country of wide open spaces, few roads and very friendly people. We felt honored to be able to see the places we did and get a peak into a nomad's life, before these lifestyles vanish. Enguerran was always responsive to my questions and all details had been taken care of to allow for a very smooth trip. He was able to combine our requests with our available dates for the perfect, custom trip. Highly recommend!

What an adventure! Enguerran helped to craft the best possible trip for our group. And his timely answers to our questions along the way was much appreciated.

Couple that with a fantastic guide (Tsegi) and driver (Davaa) and we hit the guided tour jackpot. Their "can-do" attitudes were amazing, even when faced with the unexpected.

I would recommend Horseback Mongolia to anyone who is planning a trip to this diverse and expansive country!

Our once-in-a-lifetime trip was great, thanks to the Horseback Mongolia team. It started with top-notch service from Enguerran as he planned an itinerary that would meet the needs and interests of 4 travelers. Enguerran was responsive, patient, accommodating and full of information for us. Once we arrived, everything went off without a hitch and no detail was left to guesswork. Not only that, we were matched with a terrific driver and guide. Davaa and Tsegi were knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and absolutely delightful companions--we miss them already. Highly recommend Horseback Mongolia!

The trip was great and Enguerran was really easy to deal with. Quick replies to my emails and lots of information provided for my questions.

I couldn't ask for anything more from a travel company — you made our trip so special!