Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Camping Russia, Khazakstan & Mongolia Camping Russia, Khazakstan & Mongolia
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Like Tree4Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Jan 2012
muppet8mycat's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: switzerland
Posts: 73
Camping Russia, Khazakstan & Mongolia

I’d like to hear from anyone who has camped in Russia, Kazakhstan and or Mongolia. I’m a solo female traveler and wanted to know how safe it is to camp? And also if one can camp wild or must one be in a campsite, and if so are there many. I’ll be doing a trans Russia / Kazakhstan / Mongolia trip this summer and would welcome any advice on camping in these countries
THANKS
__________________
---------------------------------------
www.lorrainespence.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Jan 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
I will be keeping an eye on this thread as I also want to do some camping in these areas this northern summer, might even see you on the road.

Are you riding or driving?

Cheers
TravellingStrom
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
Russia
Wild or free camping is permitted in Russsia anywhere except in towns, private gardens, church property and water catchment areas (which are signed).

For security reasons (and safety from drunks!) always camp well away from sight of roads.

In remote central and eastern areas be aware of the possibility of bears and take appropriate precautions.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Jan 2012
Capo Sakke's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Creator of Joroinen Community Finland / All Oceans
Posts: 219
Has been safe to me so far just stay far away from towns etc.
I normally made shopping (water, bread, etc...) late afternoon and start looking camp site couple of hours before sunset. Like to found remote place 0,5-1 km detour form the road or path and far enough from nearest habitation.
Locals are normally friendly but they can be curious just to see foreign peoples. If they come to your camp like Nomands in Mongolia they sit down for while and stay still just watching what you are doing and after 1/2 hour they jump on horse back and ride away whit out a word.
__________________
...You know it's a bit windy when you get passed by your own dust...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Jan 2012
Tenere99's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 177
Camping
Hi. In may 2009 I camped right across Western kazakstan, I just stopped and put the tent up 100 m from the road. There is nowhere to "hide" as it is a flat country with no trees.
I experienced no problems and no-one bothered me at all. Highway banditry is prevelant in some parts of the country however. Would I do it again? Yes. Be lucky.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Jan 2012
strimstrum's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Alcester UK & Idilevo, Bulgaria
Posts: 329
We rough camped a few times in Eastern Siberia on our journey across Russia in 2011 and had no problems. There are many "rest areas" leading off the main highway for which the gas/oil pipes have been diverted around allowing a fire to be lit (often not possible to light a fire at the immediate roadside because pipes are running alongside the road).
Attached Thumbnails
Camping Russia, Khazakstan & Mongolia-pics-99-09-july-001.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Jan 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 1
I was in Mongolia last year and rented a 150cc motorbike and a tent. I had no problems just putting my tent up along the way, however the lady I rented it off said that although 99% of Mongols are lovely people, there's still plenty of young nomads that will steal your bike as you sleep. She recommended I chain my bike to something solid each night or find a nomad family (specifically family with kids) and ask to camp near their gers (tents).

I ended up doing both - Mongols are extraordinarily friendly, and will usually have no problems whatsoever asking to camp near them. On the other hand a freak thunderstorm hit near dusk one night and i just hooned across the fields to a stable-like lean-to (about 1km off the road), pitched my tent, and chained my bike to the post.

All in all, as long as you are out of the cities Mongolia is pretty safe to camp anywhere. Also, as has been said above Mongols are extremely inquisitive and may just rock up and watch you for half an hour before leaving - just forewarning so you don't get freaked out by it.



Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Jan 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
I would like to see them try and steal my 650cc Vstrom, even without the tent and stuff that is a heavy bike, they aint pushing that bike too far LOL
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 30 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
Don't underestimate determined people.
If you can ride it there, others can push it away - very quietly!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 31 Jan 2012
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 39
Camping
I have camped right through the Khasak Stepe mostly in the wild just 100 or so meters off the road and never had any trouble. The mongolina people were very hospitable and allowed us to camp near their gurs although we did come across people in Mongolia who had no sense of personal space - so don't leave the keys in the ignition unattended or you might find that someone has taken your bike for a joy ride.

Happy Travels
Camping Russia, Khazakstan & Mongolia-dscn7454.jpg
Last edited by JJZep; 31 Jan 2012 at 11:44.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 9 Feb 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 20
If you haven't camped there before then the only thing you need to be aware of is Mosquitoes.. Millions of them..... And there is a large temperature difference between Kazakhstan and western Mongolia at night so take something warmish.

Enjoy.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 9 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
Kazakhstan and Mongolia
Quote:
Originally Posted by lspence View Post
I’d like to hear from anyone who has camped in Russia, Kazakhstan and or Mongolia. I’m a solo female traveler and wanted to know how safe it is to camp? And also if one can camp wild or must one be in a campsite, and if so are there many. I’ll be doing a trans Russia / Kazakhstan / Mongolia trip this summer and would welcome any advice on camping in these countries
THANKS
Hi
Wild Camping is great in Kazakhstan, Safe well I don,t know.
When are You planning to be riding through? I am in Kazakhstan at the moment and will be riding across Mongolia this summer, maybe we can join up??
I have a web site Thataway - Gedanke
Let Us know
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 9 Feb 2012
Tiffany's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Lands End, Cornwall, UK
Posts: 675
Thumbs up Camping...
Hi There
I solo camped all the way across the countries you mentioned and onto Vladivostock as well, for a while I had my Mum's friend on the back of my bike and althugh she was a bit wary at first (she had NEVER camped before in her life) she soon relaxed into it.
I have two rules about camping rough as a female - either
1) tuck yourself away somewhere quiet where no-one knows you're there
or as one of the others has said,
2) approach a village (gers or houses), introduce yourself and make sure EVERYONE knows you're there. Generally you get treated as an honoured guest, and yes you'll have to get udes to being stared at.

there are NO campsites, so you'll get used to rough camping.

deserts are beautiful places to camp - enjoy yourself.

And Tony - are the bears in Siberia really a threat to humans?! I just assumed I would be OK as they weren't nasty North American bears (I'm not keen on bears after Alaska)

Have a great time.
__________________
Tiffany
On the road from...I'm not sure any more
http://www.tiffanystravels.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAUhV1r-kUo
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 9 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiffany View Post
And Tony - are the bears in Siberia really a threat to humans?! I just assumed I would be OK as they weren't nasty North American bears (I'm not keen on bears after Alaska)
Hi Tiff.

I have only ever seen one in the wild in almost 8 years here - that was near Magadan while showing Colebatch how to ride on dirt!

I think a bear is a bear is a bear.
A hungry, surprised or threatened bear is a potential risk worthy of drawing peoples' attention to, whichever Continent it lives on or language it understands.
But outside those paramaters I doubt they are a problem.

See Ted's current thread.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10 Feb 2012
muppet8mycat's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: switzerland
Posts: 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by TravellingStrom View Post
I will be keeping an eye on this thread as I also want to do some camping in these areas this northern summer, might even see you on the road.

Are you riding or driving?

Cheers
TravellingStrom
Hiya
I'll be riding and plan so far is to cross Leave Russia / Kaz in July
Will keep you posted
__________________
---------------------------------------
www.lorrainespence.com
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
leave car in mongolia or russia k974 Northern and Central Asia 27 15 Aug 2016 08:08
Scotland Europe Russia Mongolia Siberia Australia June 2012 Landroverholic Travellers Seeking Travellers 22 27 Jun 2012 11:23
Fuel Stoves in Russia Mongolia Landroverholic Northern and Central Asia 3 19 Jan 2012 15:33
Gas bottles in Russia Mongolia Landroverholic Northern and Central Asia 4 27 Dec 2011 11:10
BMW R100 GS after 34'000km trip to Mongolia Zimi BMW Tech 3 4 Nov 2011 17:20

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:21.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top