Coronavirus outbreak in China – Trans-Mongolian tours - customer update

GENERAL

Due to coronavirus outbreak in China there might be some changes in your travel arrangements if you are travelling on / plan to book our Trans-Mongolian tours.

Our Trans-Mongolian tours that do not include China are operating as normal. These notes relate to tours that include China.

The Chinese government is currently imposing restrictions on movement within China. The Mongolian authorities have also closed the border with China. Many airlines have announced a suspension of flights to and from mainland China.

Currently there are no restrictions on train travel between Russia and Mongolia.
 

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS

There is a lot of uncertainty on how long the disease outbreak continues and how severe the consequences may be. So given the fast-changing situation we need to review each reservation individually. Below you will find some general advice on your options.

You should always take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
 

I HAVE BOOKED A TRANS-MONGOLIAN TOUR

If your tour starts in March it is very unlikely you will be able to enter China by plane or cross the Chinese-Mongolian border by train. If you are travelling in April or later, we suggest to wait and see how the situation develops. However, you can also review the options below.
 

Travelling eastbound (starting from Russia)

We suggest you:

• finish your tour in Mongolia and fly back home or
• rebook on our TS-28 tour and travel further to Vladivostok from Mongolia. If you wish to continue to Vladivostok from Mongolia you will need a double – entry Russian visa. Note: if you have already been issued a Russian visa, you will need to apply for a new visa.

Financial consequences. We will be able to cancel the Chinese part of the journey without any extra fees. A refund of $645 per person will be due. You will also be able to get a refund for your China flight provided it has been cancelled by the airline. No refund will be due if the flight is still operating. The balance can be used to purchase your return flight from Ulan-Bator or arrange an additional programme in Vladivostok.
 
Further steps. As advised we need to review each reservation separately and reconfirm additional costs / refund due. Please contact your travel consultant and confirm which option you would like to take (finish in Ulan – Bator or travel to Vladivostok) and we will reconfirm additional costs / refund due.
 

Travelling westbound (starting from China)

We suggest you:

• start your tour in Mongolia avoiding China.

Financial consequences. We will be able to cancel the Chinese part of the journey without any extra fees. A refund of $645 per person will be due. You will also be able to get a refund for your China flight provided it has been cancelled by the airline. No refund will be due if the flight is still operating. The balance can be used to purchase your onward flight to Ulan-Bator.
 
Further steps. As advised we need to review each reservation separately and reconfirm additional costs / refund due. Please contact your travel consultant and confirm how you wish to proceed and we will reconfirm additional costs / refund due.
 

I AM PLANNING TO BOOK A TRANS-MONGOLIAN TOUR

We hope there will be more positive news in the coming weeks. If you prefer to have more certainty in planning your holidays, we suggest you

• book our Trans-Mongolian tours finishing in Mongolia (Moscow to Ulan Bator TS-29, Moscow to Vladivostok via Mongolia TS-28) or
• book our Trans-Siberian packages that pass only via Russia.

March 08, 2020