Please watch this rather fun video before you read on…
The Mongol Rally is an adventure of epic proportions. Hosted by a London based travel group called The Adventurists, it is now in its’ eighth year. Teams from all corners of the world set off from London, Barcelona, and Milan in 1.2L-engine-or-less cars with only the aid of a compass and paper maps to somehow chart their way across three deserts, five mountain ranges, and a third of the earth’s surface. The finish line is the capital of Mongolia, Ulan Bator, only 10,000 miles, four to six weeks, and countless wrong turns away. The route is entirely unplanned, some teams will go north through Scandinavia and Russia, others will go south through Iran and Afghanistan. Our route should take us through the middle of both of these regions, following the silk road across Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Transoxania, and into Central Eurasia before climbing the steppes of the Mongolian Plateau. This will be an adventure in the truest sense of the word.
Our team, the TEAM NOBODY, will be navigating through 2 continents and 18 countries; including the following cities: London, Brussels, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest, Istanbul, Tbilisi, Baku, Ashgabat, Samarkand, Dushanbe, Almaty and eventually Ulan Bator.
There is obviously a great deal of uncertainty involved with this event. However, we can provide one guarantee:
On July 23rd 2011, my teammate and I will be lined up beside hundreds of fellow adventurers at West Sussex’s Goodwood Estate for the Festival of Slow, ready to head east (and hopefully earn a heap of money for charity). We invite you to join us, if you’re in Europe come see us off in London or anywhere along our route. Or follow our progress on this blog, my Twitter profile or Facebook page.
The team is offering advertisement placement on their website, vehicle, and merchandise in exchange for contributions of any type that will help us reach our goal. For more information please contact Ian Shevack. Cash donations can be made in the form of sponsorship or through tax-deductible, charitable contributions on the team’s behalf to the Classwish organization. TO DONATE, please visit my donation page. The event is internationally publicized and has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Telegraph.co.uk, NPR, MTV, BBC, CNET, and Sky News; as well as being the subject of several notable documentaries.
Sponsorship Info
Please contact Ian Shevack for sponsorship opportunities.
Charity Info
ClassWish is a nonprofit organization that empowers parents, educators, and local communities to make a positive change in their children’s lives by providing them with the supplies they need to learn, grow and excel. ClassWish also helps strengthen the connections between teachers, parents and the broader school community. TO DONATE, visit the donation page.
Our Route
1) England: London: July 23rd
2) Luxembourg: Luxembourg city July 24th
3) Czech republic: Prague July 25th
4) Slovakia: Bratislava: July 26th
5) Hungary: Budapest: July 27th
6) Romania: Baia Mare: July 28th
7) Moldova: Chisinau: July 29th
8) Ukraine: Cherson July 30th
9) Russia: Taganrog July 31st
10) Russia: Volgodonsk August 1st
11) Russia: Astrakan August 2nd
12) Kazakhstan: Kulsary August 3rd
13) Kazakhstan: Zhanazeon August 4th
14) Turkmenistan: Balkanabat August 5th
15) Uzbekistan: Nukus August 6th
16) Uzbekistan: Camakra August 7th
17) Uzbekistan: Tashkent August 8th
18) Uzbekistan: Andijon August 9th
19) Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek August 10th
20) Kazakhstan: Alma Ata August 11th
21) Kazakhstan: Sarkand August 12th
22) Kazakhstan: Sergiopol August 13th
23) Kazakhstan: Zaysan August 14th
24) Kazakhstan & Mongolia (The middle of absolutely fucking nowhere!) August 15th & 16th
25) Mongolia: Altai August 17th
26) Mongolia: Bayankhongor August 18th
27) Mongolia: Ulanbator August 19th
alright leon we’re planning on doing the mongolian rally this year and we’re nearly doin the same route as you! What would be your top tips you could give us?? any advise and tips are welcome!!