For as long as I can remember, I have been wanting to travel across Europe and see the many different sights it has to offer. There are many different ways to travel through Europe. One could take a plane, train or even an automobile. Any which way would be a blast but then I heard a challenge of sorts. Something a bit more adventurous than just your standard backpacking across Europe. The first time I read about the Mongol Rally, my brain just went "Yes!"
The Mongol Rally started in 2004 with just 6 participants and has grow tremendously ever since. It is not so much a race as a trek starting in Sussex, England and ending in Ulan Bator, a journey 8 to 10 thousand miles. And while there is an entry fee to join, a good portion of the costs are all donated to charity as are any monies raised from the car auction at the end of the rally.
Now I specify that this is not a race because it is not. There is no prize for finishing first. There are no checkpoints or routes that need to be taken. There are no support vehicles or accomodations made for the teams. There is no time that you need to finish under. It is an adventure in its purest form, something that one does just to do it. Not for recognition of any sort.
The one other catch is about the vehicles. This isn't about hoping in an RV and road tripping it. None of the vehicles can have an engine displacement of over 1200cc. Motorcycles are also permitted with 125 cc or less. Think about driving back and fourth across the United States. Now think about doing that four times, in a Fiat.
I'm sure some are thinking, "Why on EARTH, would you want to do that?" Well why not really? You get to explore half the globe. You get to go places most people would never go. And you get one of those adventures of a lifetime. I'm aiming for 2015. Who wants to go?
To find out more about the Mongol Rally, click here.
