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12,700 km by 4x4: Chuka’s Roadtrip from Mongolia to France

In this interview, Chuka—Planet Ride’s local 4x4 specialist in Mongolia—looks back on an overland drive few people even dare to picture: a road trip Mongolia to France, from Ulaanbaatar to Paris, in his own car. Not a hardcore off-road crossing, he insists, but a long, demanding ribbon of asphalt, borders, and fatigue management. Over nearly 12,700 km, the journey became a moving lesson in logistics, mental stamina, and the unexpected details that can stop you at a frontier.

Interview: Chuka, from Ulaanbaatar to Paris

Who are you?

My name is Chuka. I’m Mongolian, and I’ve been passionate about travel for many years. I’m also a Planet Ride partner specialist for everything related to 4x4 travel in Mongolia.

What made you leave?

Back in 2007, I had the chance to work with a Swiss TV crew following a rally held in memory of the very first car race in 1907 (Beijing–Paris). Since then, I’d dreamed of doing a similar drive—this time from Ulaanbaatar to Paris, reversing the direction most European drivers imagine.

When did you depart?

I left Mongolia in late October 2015. I started with a friend to reach Moscow. Once in Moscow, my friend returned to Mongolia—and my wife joined me to finish the trip to Paris.

Did you do any special preparation?

Not really, because it wasn’t an off-road expedition and it wasn’t technically complicated. We were always on tarmac, so it didn’t require heavy vehicle preparation. The important part was personal preparation: motivation, courage, knowledge, skills, and logistics.

Micro-reality check: “Always on tarmac” doesn’t mean “easy.” Long highway days bring their own risks: monotony, night driving pressure, and the temptation to stretch too far when the next border or big city feels “close enough.”

How many kilometers did you drive?

In total, we drove almost 12,700 km. If you drive straight, it’s about 10,000 km between Paris and Ulaanbaatar. But we wanted to pass through several European countries, so we made detours that increased the distance.

Which vehicle did you use—and why?

This time I chose a Subaru Forester to limit fuel expenses. I’ve always preferred Japanese vehicles, and I love 4x4s, so it was a good fit. The Forester is a strong representative of compact 4x4s (symmetrical AWD) with a reliable, not-too-large boxer engine.

Before that, I had already done this kind of journey twice in Russia and Central Asia, driving a Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ80.

Does it work to cross all of Europe?

It worked without major issues—except for one big problem: our Mongolian license plate contained Cyrillic characters. At the EU border, regulations required registering non-European vehicles with a plate using Latin characters. Their system couldn’t input Cyrillic, so we were required to make a second plate translating the characters to access Europe.

Why this matters on a Mongolia 4x4 trip: border friction rarely comes from the “big” mechanical stuff. It often comes from paperwork details—plates, names, document formats—that don’t match the database on the other side.

Your craziest / funniest moments?

The craziest moment was exactly that license-plate story. Throughout the trip, people asked the same questions: “How can you do this journey?”, “How many kilometers?”, “How long did it take?” We even got: “Mongolians are crazy!”

Even when it’s possible, many people can’t imagine this kind of trip. On the road, we also received lots of warm greetings from drivers giving us a thumbs up. We were proud to be among the first Mongolians to “conquer” almost all of Europe with a simple Subaru Forester.

The memory you’ll keep forever?

Finishing in front of the Eiffel Tower and saying “We did it!” with my wife next to me. Unforgettable.

Your favorite places along the way?

There wasn’t just one. For cities, we loved Prague and Paris. For a country, Switzerland. For roads, Dutch road quality is top-level. For food, Italian cuisine. That’s what’s great about Europe: you love each country for a different reason.

Best encounter?

We had good encounters everywhere. Russians can seem a bit cold (no pun intended!) and Europeans are more friendly but more reserved. Meeting fellow Mongolians living in European countries was the best—it felt like being reunited with people we knew.

Hardest moments?

Russia, without hesitation. The fatigue of driving thousands of kilometers and the monotony of the landscapes were tough.

Your advice for travelers who want to do the same?

Prepare calmly and plan the route and the trip you want. First, buy a very good vehicle— not necessarily modern. I prefer Japanese cars: they’re everywhere, known for reliability and mechanical simplicity. Don’t waste time everywhere; be physically and mentally ready. Be ready to solve any problem. Create friendly exchanges with people you meet. Bring what you need without overloading. Have a good GPS, and some language skills (English mainly, and Russian if possible).

Your small “motorized travel” tips?

Take a compact 4WD that can go almost anywhere. Ideally under 2 liters to keep consumption reasonable. It’s better to be two people per car and choose a vehicle in good condition where you can both sleep inside. Basic mechanical skills help avoid bad garages and expensive repairs. We had reliable contacts in each country we crossed, which helped a lot.

Mini-guide: what this kind of roadtrip really demands (without the myth)

Driving rhythm: on long asphalt stretches, plan for real driving time (traffic, border waiting, refueling) and keep a safety margin before nightfall.
Road profile: “all tarmac” can still mean endless straight lines, strong crosswinds, freezing mornings, and black ice risk in late autumn.
Fuel & breaks: don’t “push the tank” late in the day. Refill earlier than you think—especially when you leave dense areas and services become sparse.
Offline navigation: keep maps available offline and carry a backup power solution for phone/GPS (charging is easy to forget until it’s not).
Border/admin: plates, registration formats, and vehicle documents can become the critical path. Carry multiple copies and keep originals quickly accessible.

Planet Ride pro tip (fatigue management): on multi-country overland drives, cadence matters more than speed. It’s smarter to stop earlier and arrive “fresh” than to chase one more border and start the next day already depleted.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This interview reflects a journey made in 2015. The core lessons—paperwork details, driving fatigue, and the need for a solid vehicle—still hold true. What should be checked before departure in 2026: border requirements, vehicle import rules, plate format constraints, and insurance validity across each country on your itinerary.