Genghis Bond & the Yak Who Loved Me

Assignment

“Progress has a down side. Life on Earth has become dull.”

“Bollocks to that.”

The task is to traverse a distance of over 16,000km through 15 countries and unforgivable landscapes and reach Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The only restriction? Our car can be no fancy thing, being restricted to a 1L engined machine that may or may not have four wheels. This adventure has no direct path, no quick shortcut, and no amenities. Welcome to the Mongol Rally.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x52XV7mHnY4]

Route

On July 22nd, 2014, the Mongol Rally will launch in Europe at the “Czech Out Party” in Prague, Czech Republic, where we will be formally inducted with the ralliers. We will then weave our way through Eastern Europe. Potential stops include Slovenia, Croatia, and Romania. After the relative comforts of Europe, we will forge onwards through Central Asia and the “-stans.”

We hope to travel along the legendary M41 – also known as the Pamir Highway – which is part of the ancient Silk Road through the Pamir Mountains, and one of the highest highways in the world. We must arrive in Ulaanbaatar no later than August 30th, 2014. It is our hope to reach the finish line at least a week earlier, but the best we can do is cross our fingers! We have no idea what’s in store…

Live Tracking

You can now track us live through The Adventurists! Follow us!

The Team

Mitra

Driver

She claims to hold an MBA and work as an IT Consultant, but in reality her greatest achievement is her car dancing skills. Incredibly accident-prone, but her pain tolerance is even more unbelievable.

Sheila

Navigator

Map reading has become an underrated skill in the age of Google Maps; her greatest travel achievement to date is navigating the 'einbahns' of Vienna late at night while being run down by trams. She loves to drive, but car repair may be an issue...

The (Trusty?) Steed

We have chosen a 1995 Volkswagen Polo Wagon, kitted out with such luxuries as a sunroof and a CD player! The engine is supposedly functioning, but we'll be praying until we reach Mongolia. On the bright side, if the engine does break down, we'll be able to listen to great tunes until help arrives...

Charity

The Mongol Rally may sound like a no-holds-barred romp through Central Asia, but who said some good deeds couldn’t be done along the way? Not only will we be experiencing some of the planet’s most ancient attractions, we’ll help to save the planet too.
Our goal is to raise at least £1,000 (approx. $1,800) for our charities of choice.

Cool Earth is an environmental charity that works in partnership with indigenous communities to halt rainforest destruction, without creating reserves. Through working with locals, Cool Earth makes sure conservation goes hand in hand with better livelihoods.

What They Do

Put local people in control of at-risk rainforest to form non-logging agreements
Build better incomes, better schools, better clinics
Build a shield for the rainforest
Focus efforts on rainforests most at-risk

The Ronald McDonald House keeps families together through one of the most difficult times any family can endure – the illness or injury of a child – making sure they have a place to stay and a warm and supportive environment so they can focus on their child’s recovery.

What They Do