Mongolia Mountain Bike Tour - 14 days
Bike hire (hardtail MTB) - US $250
Single room charge - US $300
Tour price based on minimum of 6 riders.
Surcharge applies for group size 4-5
Overview
Wild, lonely, majestic, ancient and modern: discover Mongolia’s sweeping terrain by mountain bike.Ride across the vast, grassy steppes and also visit the Gobi Desert with its gigantic dunes and blazing sunsets. Explore the bustling city of Ulaanbaatar and in contrast see how Mongolia’s nomadic lifestyles still thrive in rural and remote areas. Experience the cuisine and incredible hospitality of the local people – a highlight for many.
Optional 2 or 3 night extension for Naadam Festival
Highlights
Culture: Mongolia's nomadism is one of the last surviving examples of its culture and traditions in the world
Nature: The dream destination for cyclists to be at one with untamed landscapes
Activity: Visit nomads, the Gobi Desert, the Flaming Red Cliffs and Tsenkher Hot Springs. Sleep under the stars in a Ger
Culinary: Heated stone meals of Boodog & Khorkhog
Souvenir: Mongolian goat cashmere
Tour Gallery
Full Itinerary
Ulaanbaatar - Arrival Day
Welcome to Mongolia's capital of Ulaanbaatar (also spelt 'Ulan Bator'). We'll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your centrally located hotel before embarking on a city sightseeing tour at around 2pm this afternoon. Depending on the amount of time available, highlights will include the Gandan Monastery with its huge gold-plated Buddha, central Sukhbaatar Square and the Natural History Museum with its dinosaur skeletons. This evening we'll meet for a welcome dinner and talk about what we can look forward to in the days ahead.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad to Bulagtai
An early morning flight of approx 1 hour 20 minutes takes us to Dalanzadgad, a base for Gobi Desert travellers. Your support vehicle and bikes will be waiting at the airport and we'll ride from here to our ger camp at Bulagtai. This evening there will be an optional drive (50km each way) to the Flaming Red Cliffs, also known as Bayanzag. This area is known for its strange, spongy-wooded saxaul trees, dinosaur fossils, and most of all its huge sandstone cliffs, which blaze red at midnight and are a major tourist attraction.
Cycling Distance: 50km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp In Bulagtai
Bulagtai to Gegeet Valley
Today's ride begins with a steady ascent to the Gegeet Valley through the Gurvan Saikhan Range. Although we are in the desert we'll actually be riding on an elevated plateau between two parallel ridges from where there are great views over distant mountains and vast plains. Being relatively cooler, this plateau serves as the summer grazing ground for local herders who we will definitely meet along the way. We'll overnight in tents amidst some picturesque rock outcrops.
Cycling Distance: 80km (hilly)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp in Gegeet Valley
Gegeet Valley to Khongoriin Els
After a 3km section of riverbed we ride through undulating terrain along the inner part of the Middle Beauty Mountain Range. The surface is often corrugated or sandy so can be challenging at times. We’ll stop for lunch just before we leave the mountains at a spot where there are great views over Khongoriin Els - Mongolia’s most spectacular sand dunes which stretch for 180 km with the tallest at 200 metres. On a windy day a distant propeller hum can be heard from the dunes, which is why they are locally known as the ‘Singing Dunes”. We load the bikes and drive to tonight's ger camp. Then at 4pm it’s a short drive to one of the nearby sand dunes which we can climb before returning to camp for dinner. Tonight’s ger is one of the best of the tour as its restaurant has a fantastic open-air upstairs terrace - a great place to watch the setting sun.
Cycling Distance: 50km (hilly with some technical sections)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp in Khongoriin Els
Khongoriin Els to Arts Bogd Mountain Range
This morning we'll start with a two hour drive before riding to the Arts Bogd mountain range which marks the boundary between the Gobi and the Central Mongolian mountains. Later in the day we'll set up camp by the 'Tevsh', an extinct volcano that shelters bronze age petroglyphs and a large group of burial mounds of similar age. There is also a large group of Neolithic rock carvings to be discovered.
Cycling Distance: 50km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp In the Arts Bogd Mountain Range
Arts Bogd Mountain Range to Urumt
After breakfast, we'll load the bikes and drive to the Khangai Mountains crossing the vast open steppe. It's going to be a long day in the support vehicle – up to 12 hours, but the views are amazing and we'll take a break at a stunning lunch spot (weather permitting). Tonight we'll set up our own tents.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp in Urumt
Urumt to Shargalzuut Valley
Over the next 4 days we'll cross the Khangai mountains which separate the Gobi Desert from the northern steppes. We'll avoid the main travel routes across the Khangai and follow a more isolated trail as much as possible which sees few western visitors and certainly fewer bikers! We ride through mountain valleys, interrupted by short but challenging passes, followed by exciting descents. From each pass there will be vast panoramic views of distant ridges, high mountains and wide green valleys. Depending on the amount of recent rainfall, we may cross as many as 20 small streams daily - some knee deep. We'll also pass nomadic encampments where yaks, sheep and goats are being tended by hardy horsemen. Nomads are the most hospitable people and quite often they invite travellers into their gers and offer tea and dairy products – a very rewarding and humbling experience. Note about rivers: on days where there are many river crossings, don’t remove your shoes and socks as it can waste hours! Also, its best to walk through the rivers (rather than ride) as a misjudgement could result in a wet camera or phone or an injury!
Cycling Distance: 43km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp In Shargalzuut Valley
Shargalzuut Valley to Tsagaan Khad Pass
This will be one of the most challenging days of the tour where your fitness will be tested, as we'll be biking to Tsagaan Khad Pass which includes two mountains over 2,800m above sea level. We'll also cross a number of mountain rivers and streams. As a reward, there is a fantastic descent to our campsite, one of the best of the tour.
Cycling Distance: 40km (hilly)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp in Tsagaan Khad Pass
Tsagaan Khad Pass to Urd Tamir River
This morning we bike for about 25km on a rocky road with several river crossings to the Tuin River. After lunch it's a three hour vehicle transfer plus a 13km ride to our beautiful camp site on the Urd Tamir river bank.
Cycling Distance: 38km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp on Urd Tamir Riverbank
Urd Tamir River to Tsenkher Hot Spring
Today's destination is a reward – the Tsenkher hot springs! All day we can dream of this evening's soak in a pool filled with hot mineral water. You may also wish to have a relaxing massage for a small additional fee. After several nights in tents, we'll be staying in a Ger camp tonight.
Cycling Distance: 85 - 100km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp in Tsenkher Hot Spring
Tsenkher Hot Spring to Orkhon River
This is one of the best days of the tour with some challenging climbs, amazing descents and good track surfaces. We pass through the Orkhon Valley which contains many ancient graves and historic sites within its boundaries, the story of which can be told by your guide. On reaching the Orkhon River, our campsite is a further 10km downstream. There should be time for a leisurely hike in the area or a dip in the river’s cool waters before dinner.
Cycling Distance: 70km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp at Orkhon River
Orkhon River to Karakorum
We ride eastward along the same side of the Orkhon River until we reach Karakorum – the medieval capital of the Mongolian Empire. Today it's just a small town as the former capital still lies in ruins since it was levelled by Chinese Min dynasty troops in the 1380's. Present day Karakorum is known for its massive walled compound of the Erdene Zuu monastery, built in the 16th century by Mongol Khan as part of his efforts to reunite the nation under banners of ‘yellow’ faith. After tremendous destruction during anti-religion campaigns of the 1930's, only a dozen of the temples have survived. We'll visit Erdene Zuu (once the largest Buddhist establishment in Mongolia) and the new Karakorum museum (home to a unique collection of exhibits). We continue to a local Ger camp for dinner and our overnight stay.
Cycling Distance: 76km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ger Camp in Karakorum
Karakorum to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast it's an all day drive back to Ulaanbaatar where we will check into our hotel around 4pm. Tonight we'll get together for a farewell dinner and talk about our recent adventures.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Departure from Ulaanbaatar
It's time to say farewell to your fellow travellers, and to wild and beautiful Mongolia. Depending on your departure time, you may have time to explore the city some more in the morning, or we can transfer you straight to the airport. We wish you a safe trip home.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Download the Itinerary PDF here
All distances are approximate. Our tours often go off the beaten track and follow routes that are not always predictable. We cannot always guarantee the weather. For these reasons we may occasionally have to update our itineraries. We will only do this to improve your experience or for safety reasons. Our listed accommodation is always accurate at the time of writing but should we need to change you can rest assured that it will be for similar or better. Display price may differ to what is quoted as this tour is invoiced in the currency stated, and can be dynamic with daily exchange rates.
The Details
- Accommodation: 4* hotel (2 nights), ger camps (4 nights), tents (7 nights)
- Meals as listed
- Airport transfers (days 1, 2 and 14)
- English speaking riding guide(s)
- Local guide(s), cook(s) and assistant(s)
- Vehicle(s) for transport and general support
- Bottled drinking water & snacks (riding days)
- Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad flight (day 2)
- Sightseeing fees in Ulaanbaatar (day 1) and during the tour as listed
- National Park fees
- International flights and airport taxes
- Passport and travel visa requirements
- Excess luggage fees on domestic flight
- Bike hire
- Single room surcharge
- Sleeping bag
- Optional activity costs
- Personal expenses and drinks (except water while riding)
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide(s) and support crew
Off-the-beaten-track destinations don’t come easy. This tour involves several steep ascents and challenging terrain. There are some technical sections including river crossings and you will be covering some serious kms.
Riders should be comfortable making sustained climbs, being in the saddle for longer, consecutive cycling days and for tackling one or two especially difficult riding days.
You will need a very good level of fitness and technical expertise.
If you're unsure about anything, please see our FAQs page for extra information.
FAQsBooking information
Participants will be asked to complete a booking form after confirmation of their booking.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
To ensure the trip's viability with our suppliers, a minimum of typically 4 participants is usually required. Upon submitting your booking request, we will provide specifics regarding minimum numbers. Following trip confirmation, you may proceed with flight bookings and other travel arrangements. A ‘Limited’ trip status signifies limited spaces available. For trip status inquiries, kindly email or call our office.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit is required to secure your place on your selected tour departure. On receipt of your deposit, Global Cycling Adventures will email you a confirmation to verify your travel arrangements and advise final payment details. The final payment is normally required 60 days before departure date unless otherwise specified.
CANCELLATIONS & AMENDMENTS
All tour cancellations will require notification in writing to Global Cycling Adventures by the person participating on the tour. Please be advised that booking cancellations or amendments will incur relevant fees. Cancellation charges are tour-specific and timing-dependent. For a comprehensive outline of our terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy, please refer to the travel proposal provided by our team.
We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance on payment of your tour deposit in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your tour.
OVERSEAS JURISDICTION AND TERMS
For all overseas tours, the terms and conditions, laws, and jurisdiction of the destination country will apply. By booking a tour with us, you acknowledge and agree that local regulations, industry practices, and terms specific to the destination country may supersede or modify our standard terms. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable local laws and regulations while participating in the tour.
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