Kazakhstan to Mongolia mid September to mid October, feasible?
 

Hi,

As the header suggests, I like to drive from Kazakhstan to Mongolia somewhere around mid September to mid October. I just have a few questions, firstly, how feasible is this in terms of weather in Mongolia? I'd love to drive the entire stretch but if there's too much snow or something, would it be possible to load the motorbike on a lorry or bus?

Secondly, can anyone give me an estimation of the time this might take?

I'm thinking about sticking to the northernmost route in Mongolia but I'm open for suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Cheers,
JJ

Well as you've probably seen there is no border between KZ and MN, you have to go up into Russia, across and then down again. So allow for that in visas etc. My own experience living in Almaty is that by late September temperatures are starting to fall rapidly and are uncomfortably cool for motorcycling. Given that Ulaanbaatar is officially the world's second coldest capital city don't underestimate how cold it can be even before winter hits. Snow is certainly a possibility.

Depending on your route the one way distance is 3-4,000 kms, so in travelling time maybe 15-20 days each way. You could probably do it quicker but what's the point just sitting looking at a road for 2 weeks.

I highly recommend avoiding Mongolia when the first snows arrive, which can easily happen in early October.

Most Mongolian roads are just tracks in the steppe and when the snow comes, they are gone. The main southern route will be easy to follow, but it's pretty boring. I drove the Northern Route as the first snows came in 2010 and it was very easy to lose the tracks.

I would strongly recommend you to bring your trip forward if possible and visit Mongolia in August or September.