Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 53
Driving from Vladivostok to Mongolia to Kazakhstan tips

My daughter and I are driving around the world this May from USA to Vladivostok, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz and so on.
We are driving small SUZUKI SX4 car.
Questions:
1. Are the roads OK for my little suzuki?
2. How far are the petrol stations in Russia and Mongolia. My little car holds 11 Gallons about 41 ltrs.
3. Is there a road to cross in Kazakhstan from Mongolia or we have to go back to russia and then to Kazakhstan?
4. Anybody has any electronic routes for this roads: Vladivostok,Russia and mongolia please?
5.How are these small rivers to be crossed in Mongolia? My car has 6 inches /11CM ground clearance. is this OK?

Thanks for all the help.
If some one around during this time , would like to meet up.
we are planning to depart from Vladivostok on May 20th.

Best
arun
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
Drive

Hi Arun,

The roads from Vlad to Mongolia are very driveable, you basically drive about 800 km north from Vladivostok to Khabarovsk, and then head west following the transsiberian railway line.

The road is paved until past Khabarovsk and then it turns to gravel until just before Chita. They are working on the road so it gets better every year. There is a pretty long stretch before Chita where they widening and improving the road so parts are still the old narrow road and you have to drive through active construction. There are tons of 2WD imported cars being driven by russians from Vlad west to Moscow etc. so they will be taking this road as well, your car will be fine but there will be spots where you will have to go slow. There are petrol stations fairly regularly spaced on the road, so fuel won't be a problem. The road is paved from Chita to Ulan Ude and paved south straight to Ulan Bataar.

As for driving in Mongolia, there are quite a few people on this site who have driven it (as opposed to riding a bike) so they can provide better commentary but I'm sure that you know that outside of the road south to UB and surrounding area, there are no paved roads. Also the "roads" as shown on the maps are more tracks on the steppe, with one track splitting into a large number of different ones. As the track gets wet and rutted, they simply drive off to the side creating a new one. GPS is needed, and even then you still get lost. I would have concerns about the ground clearance of your little Suzuki. A lot of these tracks look like trails after a while and also change drastically from driveable to not so driveable if it rains. Not sure how quick you plan on driving but the later in June you get there, there further you will be getting away from the spring and the wetness associated with it.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 May 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1
We're going too!

Hi Arun,

sounds like a great trip with your daughter! My girlfriend Annie and I are looking at doing the same trip starting in July and trying to figure out the logistics of shipping our vehicle to Vladivostok.

How much does it cost to ship from the US to Vlad? Any recommendations or advice on this bit of the journey?

Are you shipping your car back to the US when you're done?

If not, what are you doing with your car in the end?

We're comparing the cost of shipping our US vehicle vs just buying one in the UK and driving a big loop through central asia and back so we can sell it off in the UK.

Any other advice from folks on the best way for Americans to get a vehicle for driving around in central asia for a few months?

Thanks everyone!

Adam
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 May 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 277

Answers....
1. Are the roads OK for my little suzuki?

I met a lot of people doing the Mongol rally - most of them were in two wheel drive old bomb and some of them made it through ( the ones who didn't were going way to fast for the conditions. - I think you will be fine, just keep talking to people about the roads in front of you and be prepared to make detours due to swamps / river etc and of course getting lost! (my track record for that was at least three times a day!)

2. How far are the petrol stations in Russia and Mongolia. My little car holds 11 Gallons about 41 litres.

I was on a bike with only 14l tank and I never had a problem - they are every 200kms. Get a good road map from any petrol station in Russia.

3. Is there a road to cross in Kazakhstan from Mongolia or we have to go back to Russia and then to Kazakhstan?

You have to go back into Russia for a 2-4 day trip through the mountains. I didn't do this but I have heard from people on the road that it was amazing!

4. Anybody has any electronic routes for this roads: Vladivostok,Russia and Mongolia please?

I don't - sorry...
there is an awesome map of Mongolia at the post office you can buy for about $20 us that shows you all the petrol stations and most roads no matter how small they are -its in English as well as Mongol. I brought the English version and translated the main towns into Mongol encase I needed a local to read the map. But I found most can sound out English oddly enough

5.How are these small rivers to be crossed in Mongolia? My car has 6 inches /11CM ground clearance. is this OK?

I ended up travelling with a old french police van and a camper van both only two wheel drive. I watch many times when they cross rivers / sand bowls. it was defiantly a good laugh. Just be prepared for a bit of digging - but that's all part of it isn't it?

Good luck with you planning.... Mongolia is one of my favourite countries ive travelled to date.
__________________
For more information on my adventures, please visit either of the following:
w.http://www.motomonkeyadventures.com/
fb. facebook.com/motomonkeyadventures
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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
Carnet needed for Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia? Birgersson Trip Paperwork 11 21 Mar 2008 16:28
Advice on driving through Russia and Kazakhstan GuyGoesGlobal Route Planning 5 25 Oct 2007 19:59
kazakhstan to mongolia Phil Flanagan Trip Paperwork 14 11 Jun 2007 09:46
Kazakhstan visa in Mongolia Pumbaa Trip Paperwork 3 5 Jun 2007 01:01
kazakhstan mongolia, tomorrow... Rossa Travellers Seeking Travellers 8 11 Jul 2006 11:22

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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!

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 19:08.