Mongolia remains a mysterious presence in the heart of Central Asia, a traditional country where visitors are still an unusual sight. Nomads wander the grasslands, setting up their white gers (tents) where the pasture is lush for their horses. On our bikes, we follow good trails across open steppe, into expansive mountain scenery and through larch and pine forests. Camping wild under the wide skies adds an adventurous edge to what is one of our most intrepid cycle tours. Adding to the experience, this special departure spends two days taking in traditional wrestling, archery, horse-riding, bone flicking and Mongolians dressed in their best clothes at the Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar.
Activity Areas
Cycling
Off-Road Cycling
Region & Country & City
Asia: Mongolia
Included in the Price
— All breakfasts, 13 lunches and 15 dinners included
— All accommodation
— All transport and listed activities
— Tour leader throughout
— Arrival transfer for any flight, group departure transfer available
— Local bike hire
Not Included In The Price
— Travel insurance
— Single accommodation (available on request)
— Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation Information
— Accommodation: 4 Classic nights (hotels), 12 Simple nights (9 participatory camping, 2 traditional nomadic ger camp, 1 sleeper train)
— 11 days of cycling (including two half days) with 100 percent vehicle support
— Group normally 4 to 14, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 Start Ulaanbaatar
This cycling adventure begins in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. There are free transfers available from the airport to all group members today – please see the Joining Instructions for more information.
Accommodation: Bayangol Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 Morning sightseeing followed by a free afternoon; overnight train to Erdenet
We start the day after breakfast with the trip briefing and then strike out on an introductory tour of Ulaanbaatar, which takes in Sukhbaatar Square (the main square in the city), National Museum and Gandan Monastery. In the afternoon, you have free time before boarding the overnight train to Erdenet in the early evening. Erdenet is the third-largest city in Mongolia and home to one of the largest copper mines in the world. We stay in sleeping compartments on the train.
Accommodation: Sleeper train
Day 3 Ride to Tal Tolgoi Well via the small township of Bugat
Our train arrives early in the morning. Upon arrival, we are joined by our crew and support vehicles. After breakfast, we set up the bikes and head out towards the wilderness. The small township of Bugat makes a convenient lunch stop. After lunch, our route takes us over Chuluutiin Davaa, a long pass on which care must be taken as the surface is loose in parts. With a steep descent, we arrive at a long plain leading to tonight’s camp near Tal Tolgoi Well.
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 4 Cross Tuluugiin Pass
After our first night near local herding families, we cycle through rolling country before descending to a bridge over the Altaan (Golden) River. Rock formations in the area hint towards a volcanic past. The riverbanks make an idyllic spot for a picnic lunch. It is a long, steady climb to Tuluugiin Pass, where the scenery changes dramatically as the forests give way to open steppe, at least for a while. Today is our longest cycling day on the trip.
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 5 Arhangai steppe ride to a valley below Khairkhan Mountain
Today we pass through rolling hills, past small lakes and herds of horses. Steppe eagles can be seen in this area. We stop for lunch with views across the steppe. After lunch, we continue on tracks around the southern side of Khairkhan Mountain (6,108ft/1,862m) and make camp in an open, green valley beneath the Kholbooriin Pass (5,410ft/1,649m).
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 6 Short climb to cross the Kholboogin Pass before descending to Khairkhan Lake camp
We begin with a bit of exertion as we make the short climb in the morning up to the pass, giving us far-reaching views across the countryside. Down the other side, we wind along gentle river valleys before emerging at the township of Khairkhan. After lunch on the outskirts of town, we pass a series of small lakes before choosing a camp for the night.
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 7 Cycle up Khunjiin River Valley to camp beneath Chingeltei Mountain
Today we follow the Khunjiin River as it rises gently towards its headwaters. River valleys like this provide fertile pasture for grazing livestock and are popular campsites with local herders. Wetlands near the river attract birdlife, including demoiselle cranes. We stay overnight in the upper reaches of the river valley, beneath Chingeltei Mountain.
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 8 Short climb past the headwaters of the Khunjiin; descend into Tamir River valley; camp near Great Rock of Ikh Tamir
After a short climb to the headwaters of the Khunjiin River at the Uran Khutul pass, it is downhill to the Tamir River where we have lunch on the banks. Near the river, we pass burial grounds dating to the eighth century. We camp tonight on the banks of the Tamir, not far from Ikh Tamir or Great Rock. Locals say that if you can throw a rock over the rock, it will bring you good luck for the rest of the journey.
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 9 Half-day ride to Tsetserleg; afternoon free
Today is a half day of cycling and we make a good start to make the most of the afternoon for a chance to rest. The Gurviin Dava Pass is a long but steady ascent through forest for the most part, with a short, steep climb at the end. Arriving at the provincial capital of Tsetserleg makes the effort well worthwhile. Tsetserleg means garden and this township has one of the most attractive settings of any in Mongolia. We pitch camp by the Tsetserleg River. The afternoon is free to relax, enjoy a hot shower and experience staying in a traditional Mongolian ger.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Day 10 Morning ride in foothills of the Khangai Mountains
We are now close to the Khangai Mountains and a short ride takes us to the foothills. The rolling country of Arhangai has been replaced by forested hills of larch and pine with dramatic alpine peaks in the distance. There are three short passes today, with lunch on the third before descending to tonight’s camp.
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 11 Cycle across rolling steppe to Ondor Khairkhan Mountain
Our route now takes us into the heart of the Khangai Mountains, following well-marked 4×4 trails. Herders still inhabit the valleys, yet yaks have replaced cows as the milk-producing animals. We follow picturesque valleys and camp beneath Ondor Khairkhan Mountain (7,585ft/2,312m). This a relatively long day that can be challenging if conditions are windy.
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 12 Ride the Khangai mountain range on good jeep tracks; descend to Orkhon River Valley
Today we cross the Khangai mountain range on good jeep tracks and drop down to the Orkhon River on the longest, smoothest descent of the journey. The Orkhon River flows to the ancient capital, Karakorum, then to Lake Baikal in Russia and further northwards to the Arctic Ocean. After lunch, we continue downstream to our overnight camp on the banks of the Orkhon River.
Accommodation: Wild camping
Day 13 Ride to Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery; overnight in traditional ger camp
We ride from camp following rolling terrain, crossing and recrossing the Orkhon River as we head for the fertile plain chosen by Genghis Khan as the location for the capital city of his empire. Arriving in the early afternoon, we check into the ger camp for hot showers and a well-earned rest. This afternoon, we explore Erdene Zuu Monastery, the largest and most famous monastery in Mongolia. Built in 1586 under the direction of Abtai Khan on the ruins of the ancient capital, much of the monastery was destroyed during Stalinist purges of the 1930s, but an impressive wall with 108 stupas and several temples remains.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Day 14 Drive to Ulaanbaatar, visit Mongol Els dunes; enjoy a traditional Mongolian show
We make a good start this morning for the 250mi (400km) drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Travelling at an easy pace, we stop at Mongol Els to view the dunes with a picnic lunch en route. We check into our hotel on arrival in Ulaanbaatar – hot showers and cold beers! This afternoon, we enjoy a performance of traditional Mongolian song and dance by the renowned Tumen Ekh troupe.
Accommodation: Bayangol Hotel (or similar)
Day 15 - 16 Naadam Festival
The Naadam Festival celebrates the ‘three games of men’ (or Erin Gurvan Naadam): wrestling, horse racing and archery. More recently, a fourth game, knuckle-bone flicking, was added to the competitions. The festival is celebrated throughout the country but the biggest is in Ulaanbaatar.
Over the next two days, we attend the Naadam Festival horse racing, Deeltei Mongol Naadam (Mongolia National Costume Festival) and the Grand Opening Ceremony before we watch Mongolians compete in all four sports. We also get to mingle with hordes of Mongolian spectators as the grounds around the stadium (where wrestling, archery and bone-flicking takes place) and the horse races are filled with stands selling food, games, flags and various other things.
The atmosphere is a big part of the experience and many Mongolians dress in their best traditional clothes for the occasion. In 2010, the festival was entered into the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list and is a great celebration of the Central Asian nation’s culture.
Accommodation: Bayangol Hotel (or similar)
Day 17 End Ulaanbaatar
The tour ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home, full of tales and magnificent photos to share.
