A guide to the Mongol Rally

Since the inaugural event in 2004, the Mongol Rally has become one of the world’s most highly-regarded and aspirational travel adventures. Beginning in Europe and ending in Ulan Ude, Russia, it’s a marathon car rally that sees participants cross 10,000 miles of mountains, desert and steppe, with three fundamental rules: teams must raise money for charity, have no on the road back up or support, and drive a relatively clapped out car (the engine limit is 1200cc). You choose the route and there’s no prize for the winning team, so it’s all about the experience.

Adventurous travellers keen to step up to the challenge should read on for route options and highlights (according to global travellers) along the way.*

The Northern Route via Kiev

One of the quickest routes of the Rally is the Northern Route, through Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan, taking teams between three and four weeks. It’s a route with relatively mild weather conditions, so tends to be viewed as the easiest. The downside is that the roads are rather repetitive until you hit Mongolia – mainly straight highways along flat landscapes. But that also means you’ll have more time in Mongolia towards and after the end of the race, where the scenery of plateaus, desert plains and mountains on a monumental scale counts as some of the world’s most magnificent. A common pitstop is the capital of Ukraine, Kiev, which is most highly endorsed for its architecture. There are Baroque palaces like the faded lemon yellow and powder blue Mariyinsky, gold-tipped and onion-domed churches like the green St Andrew’s, enormous opera houses, intimidating Soviet concrete monuments, and buildings with Stalinist facades. Scrub up in the swanky Live.Here.Hotel, situated in the city centre just a few hundred metres from St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. Or, check into the highly rated, central hostel, Bulgakоff.

Southern Route via Istanbul

The Southern Route brings hotter temperatures, more challenging terrain, more varied panoramas, and traverses many more different countries. This route usually takes six weeks or more, driving through Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and sometimes even Afghanistan. One of the highlights is passing through the ancient city of Istanbul, a confluence of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman and influences, unsurprisingly most highly rated for its history. On the banks of the Bosphorus River, this hypnotic city boasts eerie underground cisterns, thousand-year-old mosques and labyrinthine spice markets. In between sightseeing, indulge in the city’s cuisine of grilled meats, flaky and buttery pastries, stuffed vine leaves and creamy dips. Just minutes from two of the city’s main sights – the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia – Sultanahmet Inn Hotel has a sun-drenched terrace and sea views, making it a good place to rest up before the next stretch of your journey.

Arctic Circle Route via Stockholm

Taking quite a detour, the Arctic Circle route is the least practical but arguably the most adventurous. And driving the length of Sweden and back through Finland provides more than the fair share of outstanding views, passing cobalt-coloured fjords, conifer-covered mountains and watching the northern lights flickering above you while you sleep on the roof of your car. Stop in Stockholm to see its historic old town – or ‘Gamla stan’ – of gabled, brightly-painted houses, narrow, cobbled streets, medieval squares and 18th-century palaces. Then explore the city’s neighbourhoods like Södermalm, where you’ll find boutiques, galleries and cafés that champion the minimalist and effortlessly-cool Scandi aesthetic. Check into the seafront Lydmar Hotel or the homely Castanea Old Town Hostel – both within walking distance of the city’s main attractions.

Central Route via Baku

The Central Route combines the best of both worlds, heading south through Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, before travelling through Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and catching a ferry across the Caspian Sea to go north again. This route usually takes approximately five weeks and allows you to see more of Central Asia as well as experiencing the multitude of different cultures around the Black Sea. The ferry across the Caspian departs from Baku – Azerbaijan’s culturally rich, cosmopolitan capital – which lies at the juncture of Europe and Asia, and is most recommended by global travellers for its city walks. Stroll the Baku Boulevard, a seaside promenade that’s over a hundred years old and is particularly beautiful during golden hour, when the paved walkway glows in the warmth of the setting sun and the sea turns a lilac hue. Spend the night at the Sahil Hostel & Hotel, a light and modern accommodation in the centre of the city.

**Destinations featured were chosen as a selection of all the major destinations along the Mongol Rally route. Then the most popular feature of each city was calculated using internal endorsement data.