Cycling in Mongolia

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Start Ulaan Baatar

   Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to the group hotel. Those not on the group flights will meet the group at the hotel.
   
   
   

   • Bayangol Hotel or similar, Comfortable Hotel

   • 

     Bayangol Hotel

     Start and finish your Mongolian adventure in this relaxing property with modern amenities

   • 

     Bayangol Hotel

     Start and finish your Mongolian adventure in this relaxing property with modern amenities

2. Day 2Morning sightseeing followed by a traditional Mongolian show; overnight train to Erdenet.

   This morning you will start the day after breakfast with the trip briefing and then strike out on an introductory tour of Ulaanbaatar, including Sukhbaatar Square and Gandan Monastery.

   In the afternoon/evening, you will enjoy a performance of traditional Mongolian song and dance by the world-famous Tumen Ekh Troupe before boarding the overnight train to Erdenet in the early evening. Erdenet being Mongolia's third-largest city and home to one of the largest copper mines in the world. Overnight in comfortable sleeping compartments on the train.
   
   
   
   
   

   • Sleeper Train
   • Breakfast and Dinner
3. Day 3Ride to Tal Tolgoi Well via the small township of Bugat; camp.

   The train arrives early in the morning. Upon arrival, you will be joined by the crew and support vehicles. After breakfast, you'll be set up on the bikes and head out towards the wilderness. The small township of Bugat makes a convenient lunch stop.

   After lunch, your route takes you over Chuluutiin Davaa, a long pass on which care must be taken as the surface is loose in parts. With a steep descent, you will arrive at a long plain leading to tonight's camp near Tal Tolgoi Well.
   
   Starting point elevation:1372m
   

   • 31.1 miles
   • 298.6 ft
     2,788.7 ft
     2,490.2 ft
   • Wild Camping
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Cross Tuluugiin Pass; camp.

   After your first night near local herding families, you will cycle through undulating 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 your longest cycling day on the trip.
   
   Starting point elevation:1452m
   

   • 42.9 miles
   • 262.5 ft
     3,313.6 ft
     3,051.2 ft
   • Wild Camping
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Arhangai steppe ride through undulating country to open green valley below Mt. Khairkhan (1862m); camp.

   Today you will pass through rolling hills, past small lakes and herds of horses. Steppe eagles can be seen in this area. You will stop for lunch with views across the steppe.

   After lunch, you will continue on tracks around the southern side of Mt Khairkhan (1862m) and make camp in an open green valley beneath Kholbooriin pass (1649m).
   
   Starting point elevation:1322m
   

   • 39.8 miles
   • -426.5 ft
     2,870.7 ft
     3,297.2 ft
   • Wild Camping
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
6. Day 6Short climb to cross Kholboogin Pass (1649m/5410ft) before descending to Khairkhan Lake camp

   The day begins with a bit of exertion as you make the short climb in the morning up to the pass, giving you far-reaching views across the countryside. Down the other side, you will wind along gentle river valleys before emerging at the township of Khairkhan. After lunch on the outskirts of town, you will pass a series of small lakes before choosing a camp for the night.
   

   Starting point elevation: 1339m
   

   • 31.1 miles
   • 55.8 ft
     1,420.6 ft
     1,364.8 ft
   • Wild Camping
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
7. Day 7Cycle up Khunjiin River Valley to camp beneath Mt. Chingeltei

   Today you will 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 crane. Overnight in the upper reaches of the river valley, beneath Mt Chingeltei.
   

   Starting point elevation: 1703m
   

   • 37.3 miles
   • 1,194.2 ft
     2,070.2 ft
     876 ft
   • Wild Camping
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
8. Day 8Short 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 Khunjiin River at Uran Khutul pass, it is downhill to the Tamir River where you will have lunch on the banks. Near the river you will pass burial grounds dating back to 8th Century AD. You will 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.
   
   Starting point elevation: 1538m
   

   • 34.2 miles
   • -541.3 ft
     1,033.5 ft
     1,574.8 ft
   • Wild Camping
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
9. Day 9Half-day ride to Tsetserleg; capital of Arhangai, afternoon free

   Today is a half-day and you will make a good start to make the most of the afternoon for a chance to rest. 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, nestled in a cul-de-sac of mountains. You will pitch camp by the Tsetserleg River.

   The afternoon is free to relax, enjoy a hot shower and experience staying in a traditional Mongolian ger.
   
   Starting point elevation: 1574m
   
   

   • 24.9 miles
   • 118.1 ft
     1,804.5 ft
     1,686.4 ft
   • Ger Camp
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
10. Day 10Morning ride in foothills of the Khangai Mountains

    You are now close to the Khangai Mountains and a short ride takes you 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.
    
    
    

    • 31.1 miles
    • Wild Camping
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
11. Day 11Cycle across undulating steppe to Mt. Ondor Khairkhan (2312m/7585ft)

    Your route now takes you into the heart of the Khangai Mountains, following well-marked 4WD trails. Herders still inhabit the valleys, yet yaks have replaced cows as the milk-producing animals. You will follow picturesque valleys and camp beneath Mt Ondor Khairkhan (2312m/7585ft). A relatively long day that can be challenging if conditions are windy.
    

    Starting point elevation: 1831m
    

    • 35.4 miles
    • 774.3 ft
      3,087.3 ft
      2,313 ft
    • Wild Camping
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
12. Day 12Ride the Khangai Mountain Range on good jeep tracks; descend to Orkhon River Valley

    Today you will cross the Khangai Mountain range on good jeep tracks and drop down to the Orkhon River on the longest, smoothest descent of the journey. This Orkhon River flows to the ancient capital, Karakorum, then on to Lake Baikal in Russia and further northwards to the Arctic Ocean. After lunch, you will continue downstream to the overnight camp on the river banks. Overnight camp by the Orkhon River.
    
    Starting point elevation: 1441m
    

    • 34.2 miles
    • -1,279.5 ft
      1,860.2 ft
      3,139.8 ft
    • Wild Camping
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
13. Day 13Ride to Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery; overnight in traditional ger camp

    You will ride out from camp following undulating terrain, crossing and recrossing the Orkhon River as you make a beeline for the fertile plain chosen by Genghis Khan as the location for the capital city of his empire. 'Karakorum' is derived from a Turkic language and means black rock, and shares this name with mountains in Pakistan. Arriving in the ancient capital in the early afternoon, we check into the Karakorum ger camp for hot showers and a well-earned rest.

    This afternoon you will head out to 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 a number of temples still remain. You will spend the night in traditional Mongolian Gers.
    
    
    

    • 12.4 miles
    • -167.3 ft
      442.9 ft
      610.2 ft
    • Ger Camp
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
14. Day 14Drive to Ulaan Baatar, visit sand dunes at Mongol Els; free afternoon

    You will make a good start this morning for the 400km (248mi) drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Traveling at an easy pace, you will stop at the Mongol Els to view the sand dunes. Picnic lunch along the way. Check into your hotel on arrival in Ulaanbaatar - hot showers and cold beers!
    
    
    

    • Bayangol Hotel or Similar, Comfortable Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    • 

      Bayangol Hotel

      Start and finish your Mongolian adventure in this relaxing property with modern amenities

    • 

      Bayangol Hotel

      Start and finish your Mongolian adventure in this relaxing property with modern amenities

15. Day 15End Ulaan Baatar

    Those on the group flights will be taken to the airport early for their flight back. For other travelers, the trip ends after breakfast.
    
    

    • Breakfast