@Colebatch The link I provided specifically says it is now fully manned international, but open during working hours only.

I guess the more scenic route is the better route then, but we are limited in time. We enter Mongolia on the 6th Oct, then enter China again on 20th to pick up tour guide.

So that leaves us 14 days to ride to UB and wait 5 days to get new visas and then ride 700km south to Erenhot

I need to find the fastest safest route that can let us do that.

I have a China City Nav map so that part is fine.

I guess we can backtrack using Alex's tracks and see what roads we can find to match up
Thanks for your inputs fellas

Cheers
TS

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We ran into a guy on 1200gsa. Who by his own admission wasnt that quick and hated sand he did this way easy. I think by the time you muck about getting over the river on the south crossing if wont make much difference. This was our intended route until our truck ride from Mankhan.

It is still under consideration, because 8 other people have to agree, sort of, but it looks like head north to Khova on whatevr road we can find and then head east.

Cheers Craig

TS

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Hi TravellingStrom

The border crossing is named Takashiken (China) Bulgan (Mongolia).

Download the KML from this map http://goo.gl/maps/hgPBY , it has the detailed tracks from the border crossing to Khoved.
Once you hit the main southern route connecting Khuvd to UB, it is easy to follow as this is the main route.

Road condition - it is paved from the border crossing up to Bulgan. From there it is desert dirt road.

Petrol - In Bulgan, and than several stations along the main route between Khuvd and UB.

Water - In Bulgan and a few wells on the way up to the main route. On the main route, there are several shops all along the way.

More details on the Takashiken Bulgan border crossing.

Dan ToMongolia

Hi Dan, thanks for that info that is great

That route was the one I had pretty much decided on, for me anyway. When you say desert road, you ar enot talking sand are you?

My bike and sand are a happy couple, they spend a lot of time lying together, but if it is just hard road, then that will not be an issue

I downloaded that KML file but when I import to Basecamp I see nothing, any ideas?

Thanks once again
Cheers
TS

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OK, I converted the file to gpx and it shows up good. I notice your track is nowhere near any of the marked trails on Garmoin Global map in BC

Did you just follow a goat trail on that track, because it looks less than ideal for a big heavy pig of a bike?

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You asked: if it is just hard road, then that will not be an issue

It is mainly desert hard road used by trucks, like in this photo taken on this route.

I would appreciate if you can send me your other alternate tracks to compare, and from what source are they.
tomongolia@gmail.com

Dan

I was in the area in mid 2010.

I did not cross the Chinese border, but I did visit the town of Bulgan. I came down from Olgi, left the 'main' road at Tolbo (beautiful lake), then cut straight down via Deluun and Bulgan (in Bayan Olgi) to Bulgan in Khovd (the town close to the border). The road was pretty stunning, but perhaps the toughest I've ever driven on - a rough 3000m pass (which must make it about the highest 'road' in Mongolia), and some really tricky, steep rock-crawling sections which would I imagine (I am not a biker) be damn dangerous if not impossible on a heavily loaded bike. There was also a section where we had to drive along (not just across) a river for 100m or so, and then tractor up a very steep, muddy riverbank. Reaching Bulgan's ASPHALT was heaven.

From Bulgan, there is a good asphalt road running east. Like many of the new roads in Mongolia, it does not necessarily follow the 'main' roads on the map, and in 2010 it was not completed. It went through Uyench, Altay (Khovd Province), then Barlag which is not marked on all maps. From here I left the road and went off-piste to the wild horses at Takhyn Tal, but the locals seemed to be saying the road turned northish from here and joined the 'main' road somewhere between Khovd and Altay (Gov Altay Province), perhaps in Dzereg, though communication with people was not easy here.

So the bottom line is, leaving Bulgan you will most likely alternate between asphalt, road-bed and diversions. I wouldn't worry too much about road conditions - in the desert the tracks are usually pretty good as the traffic is light and there are very few rivers. The region is beautiful, especially crossing the Altyn Nur mountains, though it's duller to the north. on the 'main' road. That 'main' road was rather corrugated, but doable.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1136194...61058807780130

I would always recommend going off-piste however in Mongolia - seeing wild horses in the NP was amazing. Just don't try the road straight north!

Good luck, I envy you riding through northern Xinjiang - would love to drive back there.

Daniel

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Pictures Here|https://picasaweb.google.com/113619413612674951960

Good info

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We came through Takesheken border into China in the reverse direction recently. Here is our route:

28-July Ulan Baataar
29-July Tsetserleg
30-July Tsahir
31-Jul Telmen
1-Aug Tayshir
2-Aug Darvi
3-Aug Manhan
4-Aug Altay
5-Aug Takesheken Border

We stayed in Ger camp in Tsetserleg, guest house in Tsahir, and then free camping for the rest of the time nearby those towns.

We were using the OSM map for Garmin. OSM map shows no track between Manhan and Takesheken border. so we were navigating through GPS positions of towns extracted from our paper map, and got through without any problem. Chinese company is building a major highway linking it to the Russian border.

There is a petrol station on the Southern route about 5 kms north of Manhan. You need to go through a creek crossing to get into Manhan. If you are heading south to the Chinese border, don't go into Manhan as there are lots of creek crossings as you leave town. A better way to head south is to ride about 2 more kms on the Southern route, and then head south next to the new highway that is being built at present. You are not allow to be on it yet.

Riding is generally not too difficult. There is one deep creek crossing near the beginning. We got through with wet gloves! A car that came after us was not so lucky and got stuck.

This is a very scenic route, got high mountain pass of 2900 metre, and temperature went down to 6 degree C. grassland, valleys, etc. you can see all the best of Mongolia there. In some part, you can ride on the new smooth still unpaved highway. Road from Altay to Bulgan is paved about halfway. Bulgan to the border is fully sealed. We managed to get 92 octane petrol all the way except in Altay where they only has 80 Octane.

We are riding BMW F800GS and KTM 990 adventure on Heidenau K60 tyres.

Thanks a million Channy, great stuff

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