Hi all, Next July I’m planning on doing the Mongol rally with my mate. The idea is to drive from London to Ulan Bator in Mongolia, in a 1 litre car. Crazy I know! Here’s the website for it http://mongolrally.theadventurists.com/index.php Anyway whilst I know it’s a long shot (understatement!), and to be honest I’m 95% certain I’m just gonna smoke when we hit the dodgier countries, I’m wondering if anybody has any experience of crossing the borders of these countries with snuff. I’m not worried about the western European countries, but from what I’ve read the eastern European and Asian border control love nothing more than to cause hassle for travellers, especially the English, and the last thing I want to do is end up locked up in a Kazakh prison for heroin smuggling. The route we plan on taking is: Set off from England, then France Belgium Germany Czech Republic Poland Ukraine Russia Kazakhstan Russia again then Mongolia I’m aware Mongolia has a pretty strong snuff culture, so thats ok (I’m hoping to pick myself up some Mongolian snuff if we make it that far), but it’s getting it through the other countries that worries me, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Have you watched “Long Way Round?” Its similar to the route you are taking. Might give you some insight. I think all the episodes can be found online. My bet is that the customs officials in those countries will let it pass, if they give you a hassle it usually means they want something. Offer them some snuff, or better still carry cigarettes as bribe currency. Its generally worth its weight in gold in the former Soviet block countries. You can restock on snuff in Poland as well.
Yeah, I’ve watched it online here http://freeonlinedocumentary.com/long-way-round-motorcycle-documentary , its a very good documentary. I believe they’re doing another one this year through south america, should be a good watch. Hmm really, thats good to know. I might take a load of sealed Wilson of Sharrow tins, as these come with that sticky wrapper don’t they. If I were take a load of different ones, with some strong scented ones in there, they’d be able to tell its only snuff surely?
Bloody hell @danw1988 that sounds like one hell of a trip. Unfourtunately I can’t offer you any advice, but good luck and I hope you make it to Ulan Bator. Stefan
Cheers Stefan, I’ll be making a blog closer to it, and updating it on route as and when I find an internet connection, so I’ll send you a link. There’s just too much planning to it!
That looks like a pretty good time!. Would be fun not knowing what lies ahead all those miles and the people you may meet. Will a VW Bug be your car of choice? Or something less reliable 
Either way, please keep us informed as it draws near.