Adventures in Mongolia

WHILE visitors are flocking to Tasmania in ever-growing numbers, a Hobart-based company is preparing to take tourists from across Australia to the world.

Point Tours is preparing to take 13 people on the adventure bike trip of a lifetime across Mongolia.

Although company director Mark Direen regularly runs tours through Tasmania’s wilderness, his latest venture with business partner Scott Britnell will take in surroundings that are even more remote. “This is a bit of a pilot trip. We haven’t done this trip before and it’s all a bit uncharted,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to it. Because I do these trips and go to crazy places regularly, I’m certainly not nervous but I’m keen to get over there and have a great trip.”

Mr Direen said running tours outside of the country had its advantages.

“Mongolia has different laws to Australia, you can ride anywhere basically,” he said.

The tour will incorporate elements of Mr Direen’s military background — such as risk-mitigation skills as he works to keep the tour group safe — and his love of travel.

The tour group will spend most nights sleeping out, and Mr Direen, who leaves Tasmania tomorrow, said there would be plenty of terrain covered.

“Once we get into Ulaanbaatar ... we’re going to head south down to the Gobi Desert and cross through there, swing around to the west and then keep going,” he said.