Roads in Mongolia
 

Hello, The Travel Bug just won't die. Even though we've been to Mongolia six years ago, we are thinking about going there again this summer. As we did not get any younger, this time we would like to stay on paved roads as much as possible. On this map it looks like a lot has been done since we've been there, but I would appreciate any recent info. Does anybody know which west - east route has now better roads? Northern from Khandagayty, or southern from Tashanta? Maybe paved all the way? How about Russian roads from Novosibirsk to Khandagayty? We know that Chuysky Trakt to Tashanta is perfect. This time we only wish to cross Mongolia from Altai to Kyahta as smooth as possible, to avoid riding the entire lenght of Transsiberian Highway for the fifth time.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4903458023&z=6

The road from Khandagayty to Kyargas Lake and Tsetserleg is called the Middle Route, and it's the better one. But the thing is, this particular border post is open only for Mongolians and Russians. The road from Olgii - Ulaangom is pretty bad, with water crossings.

If you want an easy west-east crossing you should take the Tashanta border post and the Southern route, Olgii-Khovd-Altai-Bayankhongor. It's almost entirely paved, but pretty degraded so not as smooth as it used to be when new.

Laurent

Thank you Laurent! Is the map I have attached accurate?

More or less, yeah. There's more pavement on the South Route, but some of it in bad shape.
In general, beware of Google Maps for your Mongolian trips, it's very wrong in many places.

i agree.

I have done Mongolia again 2023 ( the 5th time) and been on the southern route. fully paved except some10km in the west.

Middle route to Uliastay mostly paved except some mountain passes. then 200m unpaved to Altai.

Open borders for international travellers to Russia:
Altanbulag North
Tashanta West,
and also one in the far east

Thank you Klaus! I could not find our correspondance from years ago, but I hoped that you will notice my post :-)

Sure I remember

Hi Klaus,

so from Tosontsengel to Uliastai it's almost all paved and from Uliastai to Altai it's all paved? I did this route in 2019 and Altai - Uliastai was not paved.

Thanks! bier

Tosontsengel to Uliastay should be pretty much paved.

2018 there was a 50km stretch unpaved.
But good to ride.

Prepared for pavement, hard gravel with potholes.
But ok to drive f you are not to fast.

Uliastay to Altai is not paved, but in my opinion ok to drive.

Yes Altai - Uliastai is doable except if it rains, because mud forms in a good part of the route.

https://i.postimg.cc/ncB8M7Rq/121212.jpg

Uliastai - Tosontsengel must be paved almost 100x100. If no one has done it before, I will update the information about this whole part in August, and in general from Tashanta border to Ulaanbaatar.
Thanks!

I am in Mongolia in July.

But I ride back over Russia.
I stored my bike in UB 2023 to drive it back with a friend this year.

Klaus, Mongolia 2013
 

Looking for info about the STANS and I came across this post. Klaus Mongolia. Must be the one and only Klaus I know.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-no?authuser=0

Yes, its me :D

Hopefully we meet again one day.

If you are around in Europe, text me...

And by the way:

Actually I am on my way back from Ulaanbaatar in Russia

I was in Normandy and Spain for 3 weeks last month. Working on the Stans for August or September. I had a memorable experience in Volgograd after meeting you. A car was passing a truck on the highway and cut it close to me. And another car was right behind him. I went between that car and the truck at 60 mph. Right hand cars can't see to pass unless they get all the way over into the wrong lane.