feedback on itinerary from Samarkand to Ulan Bator 2023

[peterrham]

Hi, I'm planning this trip for summer 2023.

I'd like it to be a 6 week trip, but may need to cut it short. Hopefully, COVID will be cleared up at that point.

Here's my idea:

1. Samarkand (this is must go for me)
2. Tashkent
3. Almaty
4. Go through Russia (I think that it's best to avoid China)
5. Kharkhorin, Mongolia
6. Ulan Bator, Mongolia (this is must go for me)

I would like to drive myself or be driven by a driver / tour operator. I'm not sure which will be cheaper / easier.

My thoughts:
1. I want to avoid China. Seems like not a good time to visit Xinjiang.
2. I want to follow the route of Genghis Khan's initial invasion as much as possible, but in reverse for some reason.
3. I want to follow some of the Silk Road, but not the China parts.
4. I want to see lot of Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

Send me your feedback on this trip. Paying for a driver might get too expensive. Buy / renting a Toyota Landcruiser or something is pretty expensive, too, I assume.


Here's my experimental map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit? ... sp=sharing

[bwv812]

Probably buying a vehicle is the best/cheapest option. Because things gets complicated with buying in one country and selling in another (import taxes can be huge in Mongolia), I'd probably add in small sections at the start and end so you can buy in Russia and then sell in Russia.

Also, you cannot cross from Kazakhstan to Russia anywhere near Mongolia.

https://caravanistan.com/border-crossin ... -crossings

[peterrham]

Thanks so much!

What is the shortest path from Kazakstan to Mongolia via Russia?
What is the shortest path from Kazakstan to Mongolia via China?

>> so, you cannot cross from Kazakhstan to Russia anywhere near Mongolia.

Per your link, can this work? https://caravanistan.com/border-crossin ... -crossings

>> Shemonaika: International road border crossing between Ust-Kamenogorsk and Rubtsovsk that works 24/7. Roads are fine, and you avoid the busier Semey (Semipalatinsk) border crossing.

Is it hard to buy and sell a car in Russia? If i do try to buy and sell, then I guess it makes a sense to buy and sell it there.

What do you think of two one way Landcruiser rentals:

#1 - Uzbetistan through Kazakstan to Russian Border
#2 - Cross border using public transport or something
#3 - Second one way rental from Western Mongolia to Ulan Bator

Thanks!

[bwv812]

The most straightforward way from Kazakhstan to Mongolia is to go through Barnaul, but there are options:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5602


You are unable to drive in China without organizing an escort/guide, which is extremely expensive.

I'm not aware of any companies that offer the one-way rentals you're looking for. In the event you could arrange one, it would also be extremely expensive.

You should be able to find lots of relevant information on the forums here with a bit of searching, but if you do buy a car you will have to have the title transferred to your name so you can cross borders with the vehicle, and you'll need to look into getting a multiple-entry Russian visa (likely a business visa).

[peterrham]

Thanks so much! The crossings are a bit confusing. I will keep looking.


Is this the route that you are suggesting?

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