In the name of charity, hundreds of travelers are embarking on an 8,000-mile trek from London to Mongolia.

Two great proponents of exploration, innovation and adventure, .travel, the top-level Internet domain created exclusively for the travel and tourism industry, and the Institute for Adventure Research, have teamed up to bring travelers the Mongol Rally, an 8,000-mile charity trek from London to Mongolia.

On July 22, hundreds of compact one-liter engine or less, and entirely unsuitable cars converged at London's Hyde Park for the start of the third annual Mongol Rally.

This year the Mongol Rally is raising money for the African charity "Send a cow" and four Mongolian Charities that include helping street children living in the capital city, rural herding families, micro-economic programs and wildlife conservation.

The event looks to raise nearly US$500,000 this year, with each entrant required to raise a minimum of about US$1,800. At the end of the route, any car that survives the difficult and long journey will be sold in Mongolia to raise further funds for the charities.

Taking on some of the world's toughest terrains, 200 teams will set out on the tremendous three- to five-week journey through two continents, more than 20 countries, seven mountain ranges and three deserts in an attempt to cross the finish line.

"We are proud to be the first-ever title sponsor for this amazing event and worthwhile cause," expressed Ron Andruff, president of Tralliance, the .travel Registry. "As part of an initiative that promotes a new age of travel and whose goal is to bring together the global travel community, we believe .travel provides the perfect ally for the Mongol Rally."