The Mongol Rally

[Chris3003]

Hi,
As per the title ymself and brother are attempting the Mongol rally this summer. (simple enough, just drive a little car from England to Mongolia, 10,000 miles away.)

We have a rough route almost sorted, (UK, France, Germany, Cech rep, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia)

Obviously there are many sites to see and roads to drive, but what are the MUST do things and places?

The giant Gengus Khan statue in Mongolia.
The trans thingy highway (topgear did it) in Romainia. Both are on my must do list so far!
http://www.teamcaptainslow.co.uk/
(ps. The team name is because we both like James May (by far the best motoring presenter ever!)

[Nobby Diesel]

May be worth looking at the DVD or the book of "The Long Way Round"
They researched it and pulled in quite a few sights on the way.
Good luck!

[Chris3003]

Thanks, I remeber seeing it when it was on a few years back. (Will try to find a copy)

[Rach*]

Kazkahstan is a feckin nightmare, the roads are non-existent at best, they have claimed many rally cars! Avoid if at all possible!

When you're in Russia, if you go to Saratov - go swimming in the river. You'll see people down there and think yay. I have bumped into a few veterans who also went swimming here...

If you do go to Kaz, the Caspian Sea is pretty cool to drive to, really soft dusty sand for scooting through.

Avoid Kurgan in Russia, it's a proper dump!


Enjoy!

[Rach*]

Oh and last year the border between Georgia and Russia was closed, they've been firing rockets and st at each other.

An alternative is a ferry from Trabzon, Turkey to Sochi, Russia. $500. Takes 12 hours

[Plotloss]

Oh, they have offroad races for them now? That's nice.

It's good the lengths that are gone to to make them feel included.

[Rach*]

I'm a bit slow on the uptake tonight, but eventually

[Chris3003]

I think the borders between Georgia and Russia are opening now, so that shouldn't be to much of a problem.

@ Rach, I would love to do it in a bug, but they have changed the rules, so a Fiat Seceinto is our steed.

I also would like to try and do it as cheaply as possible (being a student), so we will try not to depend upon a ferry as they all seem to be expensive (I have heard of people paying allot and then more to get off!).

[Rach*]

I did the Mongol in an SJ! Oz Rally was the Bug.

The Trabzon ferry is ticketed and a proper passenger ferry, no bribes. and the food's good.

Just be sure of the border before you leave. Check out www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb for current/good info.

[Chris3003]

Looks a good website, will have a read.

I am thinking that Turkey will be fun, lots of ok roads right next to the sea (from what I can see on Google earth anyway!)

[Rach*]

We took the coast road, its pretty nice. Was expensive though £7 for 2kebabs and cokes!

Loads of campsites on the beach