Three Part Mongolia Trip Report

[eurasiaoverland]

For those interested in Mongolia, or perhaps looking to plan a route through this huge country which is packed with beautiful places, welcoming people and err.. some pretty awful roads (and food!), this might be of interest...

This is the first stage (split into three parts) of two stages in Mongolia, and cover 2.5 months and the West, South-west, Centre, Capital, South and South-east of the country.

Part 1/3 starts on the Kazakhstan-Russia border. I drive across the gently beautiful Altai Territory, then up the M52, the Chuya Highway which leads to Mongolia. I stop in Kosh Agach to collect a border zone permit, and then drive almost all the way to the Ukok Plateau (though I actually chicken out of the last bit of road, fearing damage to the truck just before my long Mongolian trip). Then it's into Mongolia and some exploring in the gorgeous Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

Read it here:

Stage 22 – Russia & Mongolia: Altai To The Gobi Desert [1/3] | EurasiaOverland

Here is a view onto the Ukok Plateau:



And the glorious Khurgan Lake, on the Mongolia-China border:




Part 2/3 starts in Olgii, briefly following the Southern Route to stunning Tolbo Lake, then heading due south along a very remote and rough corridor immediately adjacent to the Chinese border, experiencing the hospitality of the native Kazakhs, who maintain a very traditional existence. Then the worst piste in Mongolia down to Bulgan, and from there east to have a very lucky encounter with true wild (not feral) horses in Great Gobi 'B' Strictly Protected Area. From here north through Altai and Uliastai, then to the striking Khar Lake, where desert sands meet the green steppe. On through the centre, picking up the tourist trail at Tariat and heading straight to Ulaanbaatar, though with a thought-provoking stop at Kharkhorin.

Read it here:

Stage 22 – Russia & Mongolia: Altai To The Gobi Desert [2/3] | EurasiaOverland

Przewalski's Horse in Great Gobi 'B' Strictly Protected Area:



Striking Khar Lake:




Part 3/3 Starts in the unlovable capital, Ulaanbaatar. I head south-east and then west, skirting the Gobi Desert, visiting the rock formations at Ikh Gazriin Chuluu and the beautiful Gimpil Darjaalan Monastery in Erdenedalai, before rejoining the Southern Route at Arvaikheer. After a short stretch on horrible washboard, I leave the Southern Route and plunge south into the true desert landscapes of Bayankhongor and Omnogovi Provinces, stopping at the fantastic petroglyphs of Bayangiin Nuruu, the extinct volcano of Khatan Suudal, then driving off-piste to the gorgeous sand dunes of Khongoryn Els. Then it's ever-east past a petrified forest, a vast coal mine, natural stone arch and finally onto the moonscape of the Dariganga Volcanic Field in the far south-west of Mongolia. After a few days in police 'detention' a fast run to the far north and into Russia.

Read it here:

Stage 22 – Russia & Mongolia: Altai To The Gobi Desert [3/3] | EurasiaOverland


Gorgeous sand-scape of Khongoryn Els:



The Dariganga Volcanic Field



I would be very happy to help anyone with Mongolia plans

Thanks for looking

EO