as many of you know, there are currently only 5 land border crossings open to foreigners entering or leaving Mongolia - they are:

Tsagaannuur - Tashanta in the west
Altanbulag - Kyakhya in the north
Dzamin Uud - Erlianhot in the south
Ereentsav - Solovyovsk in the east

and the rail only crossing between Sukhbaatar and Naushki.

I hear thru the grapevine that the Monti - Khalkh border adjacent to Khovsgul Lake will open to foreigners either 2011 or 2012, due to high tourist demand. But dont believe it until there is confirmation.

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The unfortunate thing is that I think the Mongolians would be happy to open more land crossings to foreigners as they are trying hard to attract more tourists/traders. But Russia and China don't feel much incentive to open up crossings so they just say no.

For what its worth, I went thru the Solovyovsk (Solovevsk) - Ereentsav (Chuluunkhoroot) crossing a week ago. There is almost no info out there on this crossing so I will add it here.

Its tiny ... very rarely used ... and the border town on the Russian side is really run down. Quite unusual. It's in the middle of nowhere.

I spoke to the border guys there, who had all been there since the crossing became an international one about 5 years ago. They said they get 5-10 "internationals" a year using that border ... most driving their own 4WDs. A handful of cyclists. Almost exclusively Europeans ... they mentioned Dutch, Italians, and a Finn from this year.

I asked about motorcyclists and they said I was the first "international" motorcyclist they could recall. The only other biker they could recall crossing there in the last dozen years was a Russian from Vladivostok. But its good to know the border works for bikers, both in theory and in practice.

Border hours are 10-19 daily, Zabaikalsky Krai (formerly Chita Oblast) time. (Irkutsk time +1 hour). Not sure if it is open on weekends or not.

There is very little on the Russian side village of Solovyovsk. No shops, no petrol, no accommodation. The nearest is at Borzya, about 90km away. The Mongolian side is a bit more lively with the twin villages of Ereentsav and Chuluunkhoroot. There are shops, there is 92 octane fuel. From Ereentsav to the first town of any substance, Choibalsan, is about 220 km down a narrow grassy track. There is almost nothing but a few tiny villages along the way.



From Choibalsan there is a good dirt / earthen series of tracks to Ondorkhaan, and from Ondorkhaan to UB is good asphalt.

There is currently a foot and mouth outbreak in the region and there are discussions at Mongolian prime minister level about closing the crossing temporarily. Movement is restricted at present, with many roadblocks and disinfection checkpoints.

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Great information, thanks for contributing it!

I've been to the Mongolian side of that border crossing but you're the first international traveler I have heard from who actually did the crossing.

Colebatch- could you pls check spelling of the towns you mention above? only 1 comes up in google earth
:confused1:=me! loadsa head scratching going on!

GE doesn't always have the spelling correctly...as spelling is not as relevant for the locals...

My guess is that this crossing is in the East...orver by Khaborovsk...
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Irkutsk, Province of Irkutsk, Russian Federation - Google Maps

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edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com

For completeness ... its worth adding that in 2011 a 5th international road border was opened up from Bulgan in the west, between Khovd Province and the Chinese Altai. Usual deal, its 5 days a week, year round, 9am to 6pm.

But with China on the other side of the border, you will not be able to take your vehicle in unless you have a tour agency meeting you with Chinese plates.

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For newcomers to Mongolia, this is a basic map, showing the 5 third party road border crossings (red dots).

Also shown are the most common routes people ride there:

Northern Route: Yellow
Southern Route: Orange
Middle Route: Green
Eastern Route: Blue (admittedly this one is not very common at all - very few bikers head out east)
Highway to Russia: Pink

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Thanks Colebaatch for your valued update.

I like the map showing the land crossing borders.

vette

On that map I entered Mongolia from the lower point at Bulgan

The road from the border to the coal mine is 350km of superb smooth pavement, after that the road turns north and joins the southern route eventually.

The road from Altai to UB is "supposed" to be all paved by the middle of this year. Don't hold your breath but they are certainly working hard and soon it will be paved

There is still 4,000,000 other tracks to choose if you want dirt, so don't despair

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It's a pity that they didn't open the border at Hovsgol lake. Maybe they open it this summer?

Regarding that map Walter posted I can make a comment. I was in Mongolia in 2010 and from Ulaangom we went via Hyargas Lake - Songino - Tosontsengel - Moron - Tsetserleg. Highly recommended. Here is the gps track: Mongolia 2010 - Motorcycling trip | EveryTrail

Bob (Cristian)

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WildWalk - Around the World
From Irkutsk to Altai via Tuva and back via Mongolia 2013 RR / advrider

Good to see you also took the cool Khotgor Track between Olgiy and Ulaangom past Achit Nuur. Infact great work for choosing a route almost completely away from all the normally travelled routes (Northern and Southern). I like that kind of creative adventuring.

Do not hold your breath for the Hovsgol border to open any time soon. They have been talking about it for some years now. No movement.

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Did that route too. See post #46 at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-place-66414-4

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TBS.com

Nice stuff ... Its a nice little shortcut and I hope it becomes more popular. Great pics Chris

Looks like you met a bunch of my Polish mates, including Robert "Movistar" Mamzer at Karakol and Michal Rej in Kazakhstan.

PS ... you are lucky you didnt have another run in with the Russian border guards when you camped just before the Mongolian border. Technically after Kosh Agach its a border zone and you are only allowed to be on the highway beyond that point !

You dont really look like a spy tho ...

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