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**saralou** · #**2611** 25 Sep 2017

In Darkan we made for the first hotel “Jasper” and it was cheap, clean and had nuclear hot water for the showers. There was another biker here Mark who lives in China and just bought a Russian bike and is headed???. They also produced a decent chicken “stew-Fry” for dinner. Breakfast was hot and included for 9$usd per person per night not bad.

Darkan Contour-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Darkan Contour-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Darkan Contour-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

What a difference a day makes. It is clear skies and sunny. It is still 10 degrees however. The ride south will be so much more pleasant than the rainy cold day when we went north. The plan was to ride 225 km south to the airport, pick up our parcel, meet the guys at Oasis for lunch and then ride on to the Ghenghis monument complex. From there we would head to the next town Erdene for the night after 315 km.

Screen Shot 2017-08-28 at 18.17.26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2612** 25 Sep 2017

Dan and Sara set out ahead at 11 am as they needed to go to UPS and the Customs clearance at the airport and we left the guys to tighten their chains. We did see them once when we stopped for coffee about 90 km from the city and then not until the Oasis. We luckily had asked for some instructions from the Oasis staff on where to go at the airport as there is no signage. Go to the red building near the DHL in a south east direction….In fact even with this we had to ask locals to make make 2 calls for further details. The second was made by a DHL guy who saw us driving back and forth. He made a few calls and then walked Dan behind the “MIS training centre” to find the customs office to get his paper work. Then they both went back to the DHL office where they actually had the UPS packages. This is 2 stators courtesy of Electrosport! Thanks so much. Dan was in the secure employees only area with the UPS guy and he had his colleague pull the parcel. Then they discussed the duty it looked like it was going to be over 150$! After some discussion the package guy walked away and UPS guys said to Dan “I have to go make a call” wink wink… in other words take your package are go!

UPS in the red tower

UB2 Contour-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Across the road from UPS is the Customs office, but around the back

UB2 Contour by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

It is now 230 and we are 21 km from the Oasis….Traffic is horrendous in UB as usual and once we hit the city and were 7 km away this took over 45 minutes. It is just grid lock and nothing moves for long periods of time. This is poor urban planning with a single thru road in the city. That said the guys had had even worse traffic the way they came and actually arrived just before us even with our hour at the airport.

Screen Shot 2017-08-28 at 18.20.15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Trevor is not feeling well and so we booked a hotel near by with a private bath on Booking.com. This is 1.3 km away and the route is on a very bad dirt road full of massive holes and ends at the hotel (not where it says it is on booking.com and it is not even a functioning hotel!!) Back to the Oasis where at least the dorm room 1 is empty and close to the bathroom. They have a ger as well for us and the beds here are soooo comfy. They have good food, but the kitchen closes at 6 and so we pre-ordered and put it away in the fridge for later. We were all set up with the big screen for the season finale of Game of Thrones. Trevor was much better by morning.

**saralou** · #**2613** 25 Sep 2017

Today we will set out east from UB towards Chinggis in 329 km, but first we plan to visit the Ghengis Khan Statue Complex 48 km east of the city.

Screen Shot 2017-08-30 at 15.26.03 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Screen Shot 2017-08-30 at 15.27.33 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

This is a 40 m tall statue of Ghengis on horseback said to have cost 4.1 million USD. It is made of stainless steel.

Ghengis Complex Contour by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Ghengis Complex Contour-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

The Great Khan by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2614** 25 Sep 2017

We visited the neck of the horse for a great selfie spot. The biggest issue we had here was the hordes of tourists we had to keep chasing off the bikes. They would go over a sit on the for photos if we walked away. In the end we moved then up behind the building of the monument base.

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Mongolia Chiggis Khan Monument-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We did not leave here until after 1 and brewed up a coffee on the side of the road. The road is paved and there is little traffic once you leave the city.

UB To Chiggis-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Ghengis Complex Contour-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2615** 25 Sep 2017

We decided when we were about 100 km from Chinggis that we would wild camp and so we stopped at a small store and stocked up on water and supplies. We found a track from the road and went about 2-3 km to find a sheltered valley to set up.

Ghengis Complex Contour-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Ghengis Complex Contour-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Ghengis Complex Contour-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Ghengis Complex Contour-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Ghengis Complex Contour-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2616** 25 Sep 2017

We made some noodle soup for dinner. We finally hiked up the hill and just about missed the sun set.

UB To Chiggis-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

After dark is was a bit cooler about 10 degrees and the guys started a cow pie fire. Not 20 minutes later a truck pulled up and the Mongolian guy came over for a drink of vodka we offered him and to give us some advise on the fire protocol with cow poop. We had some amazing stars again tonight and a cozy nights sleep in our tents.

UB To Chiggis-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**Rondelli** · #**2617** 25 Sep 2017

Outstanding pics and story, it all looks amazing! I particularly like the cow poop protocol, something you will have to share with me sometime

Keep on keepin on..........

**saralou** · #**2618** 26 Sep 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rondelli

Outstanding pics and story, it all looks amazing! I particularly like the cow poop protocol, something you will have to share with me sometime

Keep on keepin on..........

Thanks Gino! YOU two MUST come to Mongolia!!!! Or maybe join for the Karakorum?

The key is dry of course and break it into cookie size bits for optimal burn!

Hello from 3 days from Lhassa!!!!

SP

**saralou** · #**2619** 26 Sep 2017

We were enjoying our coffee when a goat herder rode up on a motorcycle. He was interested in the bikes and we offered him some food and coffee. We also lubed his chain for him “all bikers are brothers”.

UB To Chiggis-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2620** 26 Sep 2017

There is only 70 km to go to Chinngis and we set out about 11. First it is back to the main road. It is a bit rough in sections and there are quite a few large holes, but smooth in some parts too.

Chinggis Contour-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Chinggis Contour-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-21 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2621** 27 Sep 2017

This is a bigger town than we thought and there are several hotel, but only one is really any good. The rooms are nice, but the beds are just a board with a thin mat on it and so we had to sleep on our Exped mats. The food here in the restaurant is pretty good as well. Sara will check in here for the next 3 days while the guys take off to explore more of the remote eastern reaches of Mongolia. Time for her and the 650 to have a break from the sand and have some ALONE time! That means sleeping in, reading, blogging, and catching up on some Netflix!

Chinggis Contour-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Chinggis Contour-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

UB To Chiggis-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2622** 27 Sep 2017

The guys are headed to Dadal the birthplace of the great Ghengis Khan and then back here to Chinggis. It is 255 km loop.

Screen Shot 2017-09-06 at 17.04.07 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Chinggis Contour-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2623** 27 Sep 2017

Into the land of Temujin, the boy who would be the Great Khan.

As with most places we visit I (Daniel) know almost nothing. Mongolia is no exception. Who knew that a country with few “actual” roads and even fewer that are paved that the Toyota Prius would be the locals vehicle of choice. So what about my preconceived notions of the man who would one day rule the largest continuous empire the world has ever known. To find out we head into the north east of Mongolia a place that the Lonely Planet says “only super adventures dare to tread” in search of the town of Dadal (AKA Bayan-Ovoo)the birth place of the boy Temujin and perhaps the undiscovered resting place of the man named Chinggis Khan.

Its not often that butterflies flutter about my guts but day one heading north from Chinggis city things were churning. Why do so few moto adventures or tourists venture out this way? Seriously “what’s the issue” I’m asking my myself as we leave the last pavement we will see in days.

Screen Shot 2017-09-25 at 19.20.19 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

So it begins, track left it is……

Eastern Mogolia Loop by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2624** 27 Sep 2017

First thing confirmed as in many places here in Mongolia there are magnificent horses and lots of them!

Eastern Mongolia Loop by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We are on the right track as cairns mark our way.

Eastern Mogolia Loop-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Eastern Mogolia Loop-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

A quick stop for lunch and a view. Many comments amongst ourselves about the increased lushness of the valleys.

Eastern Mogolia Loop-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Making great time on firm tracks! Again everything is soooo lush!!

Eastern Mogolia Loop-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

The green comes from water and where there is water it will cross our path. The first of many fun crossings.

Eastern Mogolia Loop-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Eastern Mogolia Loop-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

**saralou** · #**2625** 27 Sep 2017

Among the wild we roll through small towns with BIG plans (note the fancy street lamps).

Eastern Mogolia Loop-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Just as we are feel ultra-adventurous a Prius comes out of nowhere and handles the tracks as easily as our bikes do.

Eastern Mogolia Loop-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

More stunning valleys as we continue to blast north.

Eastern Mogolia Loop-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Eastern Mogolia Loop-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr