The Mongol Rally 2011 - The Ultimate Road Trip

4 bloggers
2 continents
15 countries
9,000 miles (14,500 km)
Countless flat tires
1,000 wrong turns
Hundreds of dollars in bribes
Thousasnds of dollars in equipment and travel

Yes, I really did this

What is the Mongol Rally?

The Mongol Rally is an unsupported road rally from London, England, to Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. In July 2011, four well-traveled, and some may say crazy, travel bloggers set out on a 10,000-mile journey to Mongolia. This was no fluff press trip…this was us against the open road, in a car that was not meant to be driven to these lengths.

Crossing 10,000 miles over unforgiving deserts, perilous mountain ranges, and non-existent roads, we will face the possibility of bandits, breakdowns, and corruption while navigating our way through 13 countries and 2 continents. Oh yes, and not a one of us had any mechanical knowledge.

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Read the entire Mongol Rally series

When is Travel Too Dangerous?

“Is this a good idea?” This is what I kept asking myself as I went through the online signup for the Mongol Rally. What started…

Sleepless in Jordan

What are the odds…I am in a remote eco lodge in the middle of the desert in Jordan; surrounded by goats and Bedouins, and I…

Traveling With Strangers

When I tell people that I’m going to do the Mongol Rally this summer and I explain the whole premise of driving an ill-suited car…

What I’d like for my Birthday

Yup – that’s right…this is crass…I’m telling all of you it’s my birthday and I want presents…lots and lots of presents. I’m totally serious about…

Paperwork Around the World

While in Jordan, I saw all of the main tourist sites, but I also had an opportunity to get off the beaten path with my…

How to Get Difficult Visas

People often say to me: “It’s just too hard…the airport security strip search, the extortionary bag fees, the long flight, my knees being crushed against…

Read my other Mongolia articles

Naadam Festival: Mongolia’s Unique Celebration of Culture and Manliness

According to the Ger to Ger itinerary, we were stuck in this grey, bleak Gobi Desert village until 11 AM, so I decided to try to make…

Gobi Desert Surprises: Why You Should Include it in your Mongolia Travels

When I was planning my trip to Mongolia, I knew that I wanted to spend my time mainly in the Gobi Desert. I’m drawn to…

Visiting Mongolia with Ger to Ger

The bus bounced along on the road north and for the first time in 5 weeks I just sat back, relaxed and didn’t have to…

Ulaanbaatar Mongolia 2.0

I instinctively made it to the office building; it had been two years since I was there and even though the buildings around it had…

What is a Mongolian Ger and Traditions?

One of my favorite things about traveling in Mongolia was going inside Mongolian gers. I’m not talking about a Mongolian ger camp that’s been modified…