... like to confirm the booking on 17 Oct 2015 to 19 Oct 2015 (2 nights) 1 Lodge double room. We would like to arrange for airport pick-up and return to Ulan Batar for...
We weren't in Mongolia for long but knew we didn't want to spend the whole time in the capital, so we decided to splurge on a few days at a ger resort in Terelj national park. The Ayanchin resort is pricier than most (though certainly not at the top-end) but with that you get a good on-site restaurant that serves both Mongolian and western dishes, and a big breakfast is part of the price. There's also a well-equipped games room and a karaoke den, though the latter costs extra to use.
The standard ger we stayed in had a double bed and a kettle, and if it's cold someone will come in and make the fire for you. The location of the camp is great - easy access from the park entrance and tremendous views of the valley. You can walk in just about any direction if you're in the mood for a hike, and horse trekking can be arranged through reception.
Downsides: a lot of families stay here, which is fine except many of the children were up until very late making noise on the days we were there. There's only one toilet and shower per gender for all the ger customers, though admittedly we never had to wait to use it. Food is also pricey here, and there's no store nearby. So either bring a lot of cash or your own supplies.
Also worth noting is that only the manager speaks English. Unless you're pointing at food on a menu don't expect to be able to interact with any of the other staff, as we discovered when trying to arrange a taxi back to the city.
Overall we had a great, relaxing time at Ayanchin. There may be cheaper options in the park, but if you feel like treating yourself you won't regret doing so here.
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Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Great location Accommodation is awesome Well maintained Western toilets Great staff Great atmosphere Games room is awesome Well worth the money The experience is priceless
Within driving distance the surrounding desert will blow your mind, mountains are breathtaking, nomad way of life is beautiful it really is an amazing country and resort
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Date of stay: April 2016Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Responded Sep 9, 2017
Hira- Wow, thanks! We especially appreciate your comments about maintenance, and our staff. We like to think that we work hard at crew training, and keeping the burned-out light bulbs replaced! You should have been here when the power was out, in the surrounding area.....and seen how our standby system works!
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Ayanchin never disappoints! Great food, best service, attentive staff! The kids and adults loved indoor games & nursery room and outdoor playground. Free wifi is a bonus. We can't wait to come back again!
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Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Responded Aug 31, 2017
Dear TUB320- Thanks for the Five Stars. We appreciate it, every time someone is happy with what we are doing out here....you can imagine....sometimes it's a little challenging.
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I stayed here for a workshop in January 2015. There is no comparison to UB, the air is crisp, clear and clean, and the view are simply breathtaking. Being there in the middle of winter did limit outdoor activities, however we still managed to go horse riding for a couple of hours and hikes around the surrounding hills were a nice workout. The facilities were great and the food was filling and delicious. The basement games room with karaoke kept us entertained in the evening. This was my first time staying in a ger and the only issue I had was that it was too hot at times! Had already been on the road for 2 weeks and this was one of my best nights sleep of the whole trip. All in all, a fantastic place and would happily stay there again and/or recommend it to others.
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Date of stay: January 2015Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:I stayed in ger closest to the main building and it was fine.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I've been going to Mongolia several times since 2000 but this is my first time visiting Terelj National Park... just 40 minutes from UlaanBaatar. We were there for the enire month of June stayed at 2 different properties in Terelj on two separate 4 and 5 day trips. Ayanchin is by far the best facility and value for money in Terelj for Westerners (or anyone who values comfort).
The rooms are spacious (50 sm) with a really nice bathroom with glass shower and 'tile' walls. There is even a heated toilet seat with other 'wash' functions. We had a family room in the 'Gertek' which is a round home imported from the USA and even though electricity will often 'cease' from minutes to 22 hours straight in Mongolia, Ayanchin's generator kicked in so electricity, hot water and FAST fibre optic wifi were non-stop.
HUGE breakfast with eggs, sausage (REAL sausages), pancakes, etc. and free-flow of brewed coffee (Nespresso is extra after the first cup). Meals take about an hour so one of us would get there early and order and the rest show up 40 minutes later. Sipping coffee in the cafe or on the deck watching the hawks circle the mountain made the time go quickly.
Unlike most 'ger camps' or lodges in the park, Ayanchin is free from litter, debris and animal waste as it's fenced in to keep horses, sheep, goats, yaks and cows OUT. We stayed at another place and you really have to watch where you step. This place is clean (no broken vodka bottles, plastic bags or trash) and you really get the feeling of 'wild Mongolia'.
The other place we stayed later in the trip was half the price but half as nice and breakfast was not included. My Mongolian relatives were happy enough with the cheaper place. But anyone who values comfort like queen sized Sealy Posturepedic mattresses, quiet rooms and grounds, clean surroundings, a healthy / clean kitchen (the owner told us they have a sanitising dishwasher instead of relying on questionable practices of hand washing)... this is THE place to stay.
Please don't misunderstand. This is NOT a 5-Star Luxury property. There is no coffee in the room, no wardrobe to hang your clothes (other rooms may have wardrobes or a chest of drawers) or room service. It IS the best available in Terelj.
We also looked into Terelj's famous 'luxury' hotel, built and run by the North Koreans. It is much more expensive and the hotel grounds and building are massive. But having looked at it, we thought we'd not feel like we were in a national park let alone in another country. They also claimed the restaurant was booked solid for the next month. (I found out later it was 'under renovations' and it was their way of looking more popular than they were. In a half hour there, we only saw 2 staff and 3 people we assumed were guests.)
Activities: -We rode horses that are kept at a neighbour's place and at 10,000 MT per horse per hour ($5 USD), it's a bargain. If you are a confident rider, insist they take you in the pine forest around the side of a mountain or across the stream nearby. It's amazing, so green and you get a real wilderness feeling. -Ayanchin owns several Polaris 4WD vehicles and we rode up trails and across streams to get to the Tuul River for a fire, roasting marshmallows and fishing. I got to drive TO the river and my buddy from South Africa, Chris Kelway got to drive on the way back. AWESOME experience. -Ayanchin also has rafts to explore the river but the water level was low and it was quite cool (even in June) so we decided not to try rafting. -If you are healthy enough, hike up the two mountain in the back... one of the highest peaks in the park and the other one is easier and still affords great views. Even our children ages 11 and 13 enjoyed getting to the top. -Karaoke was fun with family in their soundproof karaoke lounge with English, Mongolian, Chinese and Korean options. We got a kick out of singing ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' to video of Mongolian traditional dance. -Long conversations in the evening over a beer or soft drink on the deck as the sun stays out to 10 PM or later. -Son age 11 really enjoyed the playground with state-of-the-art swings and other fun stuff
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Date of stay: June 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Try for a view up the mountain.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Responded Sep 17, 2015
Mike- Thanks! Honestly, we don't get all that many foreign visitors to our place, so it's nice to see how we measure up outside of our "little world". We hope we are creating a "find" and that you'll come back and see us, time-and-again.
-Catmanl7
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Dear Steph- I assume that Urnuh has you all taken care of. If not, let me know. Looking forward to seeing you at the Lodge!
-John Karlsen
Ayanchin Lodge
