First thought, why not spend 8 - 10 weeks in Mongolia with a trip to either the Baikal region or the Altai / Tuva region in Siberia? Mongolia is a large, fascinating and diverse country, in 8 weeks you can either explore part of the country in detail, or make a quick tour of most parts. Going into adjacent parts of Siberia will give a nice comparison. Altai and Tuva are stunningly scenic, and Tuva makes a nice comparison with Mongolia. Alternatively, Lake Baikal and some of the adjacent valleys are a nice glimpse of eastern Siberia.

Option 1) still sounds a bit rushed. In my opinion it's not worth spending, for example two weeks rapidly crossing Mongolia on one of the roads which cross the country. I would aim to cover less distance and see more in my time (if it were my first visit).

Option 2) could work. Dagestan, the part of Russia adjacent to Azerbaijan on the shore of the Caspian is a fascinating region, one of the highlights of the country in my opinion. North of here, the northern area of the Caspian between Astrakhan and Atyrau is very bleak and uninteresting, but on the east coast, in Kazakhstan, is the beautiful region of Mangystau with great off-road desert driving opportunities, interesting shrines and stunning landscapes.

Across the border in Turkmenistan is much of the same, the climate is very arid but the landscapes of Yangykala are unforgettable. Also, there is the ruined Persian city of Dekhistan in the Misrian Oasis which you can find out in the desert, totally abandoned. Note that it's illegal to explore the country off main roads on a transit visa, and you might have trouble getting a visa in the first place.

Then Iran, where the Caspian coast becomes green and highly cultivated, an anomaly in this high, dry country with rice paddies, tea plantations and lush forest, something between temperate and sub-tropical. There are loads of roads heading up into the Alborz mountain with beautiful views and thick, primary forest.

Azerbaijan would complete the circle, there are a few things to see there but in my opinion not on the same scale of interest as the other countries around the Caspian. I wasn't a big fan of Baku, but the Absheron peninsula has some interesting, if rather bleak sights. The Caucasus north of here are nice, with a few traditional stone villages, but there are far more to see in Dagestan.

Option 3) also sounds good, with 8 - 10 weeks you could make a decent tour of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and some parts of Uzbekistan.

Having done all three trips, I would still recommend you focus your time on Mongolia. The country has a nomadic culture which has been wiped out in neighbouring countries and is a joy to discover. Sadly, the nomadic way of life is rapidly declining due to urbanisation and climate change (snowier winters which kill herders' livestock). Go now while you can still see it.

My website (link below) has pictures and description of all areas described, if you are interested to see more.

Whatever you chose, I hope covid will not kill your trip.

EO

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.