Cycling Throughout The Homeland Of Nomads
About this tour
"A mountain biking tour is the best way to travel to new places, learn about their culture, and feel the pristine nature. A total of 13 days, cycling 9 days, 493 km of fully supported cycling trips throughout the homeland of nomads in Central Mongolia. According to this trip, you are able to see and visit UNESCO world heritage registered Orkhon valley national park, relax at Tsenkher hot Springs, and visit Kharkhorum the ancient capital city of the Mongolian empire with your iron horse. Moreover, meet real nomads, learn their lifestyle, taste the local dairy products, and visit the most famous place for making the Mongolian traditional drink ""Airag"" the chance to try to taste it, overnight under millions of stars with tented camping near river banks in beautiful nature. "
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Сэргэлэн, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar the capital of Mongolia. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the city-centered 4-star hotel. Meet at the hotel lobby in the evening and attend a show of traditional music, throat singing, and contortion at 6 PM then it will be followed by a welcome dinner and tour briefing.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Erdenet, Mongolia
After breakfast, pack your luggage for our vehicles and go for a city sightseeing. The tour guide will lead you throughout a walking city sightseeing tour including the central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan, the Museum of National History introducing Mongolia's history from early humans to the modern era, Choijin Lama or State Oracle Residence-museum displaying best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. In the evening, take a train to Erdenet town.
Day 3: Erdenet, Mongolia to Bugat river
Early in the morning arrive at Erdenet town. Our staff will pick up the group and drive to the breakfast point and start the bike tour to Bulgan valley via Bugat village. The mountain biking guide will give a brief introduction about the trip and do the last adjustments on selected bikes. The daily biking route consists of 3 stops (tea break, lunch, and camping). A sweep vehicle with spare parts and drinking water always stays behind the group. Today we will cycle a total of 45 km on the packet soil dirt road. The first 25km is pleasant freewheeling and after passing a small village we will have lunch. Then continue pedaling between wooded hills and slowly cycle up to the pass at ASL 1641m. Gently downhill will bring us to our first tented camp near a small river beach.
Day 4: Bugat river to Tuluu pass
Bike to Tuluu pass. After first overnight sleeping in the wild nature, our cycling day will start with breakfast and warm-up exercise. Kitchen staff will load the camp and head to the snack point, lunch spot, and camping site before the group. Biking up and down throughout the wooded hills till lunch near the river beach. Then we will cycle up to Tuluu pass at ASL 1668 meters. On top of the pass, our surrounding scenery will dramatically be changed from the forest to the grassland steppe. Overnight at a tented camp
Day 5: Tuluu mountain pass, Mongolia to Orkhon river
Bike to Orkhon river via Saikhan village. Cycling up and down throughout the grassland steppe to hills will bring us our camping near Orkhon river. Today we cycle into Saikhan soum (small village), Bulgan province. This area is a famous place for Mongolian airag – a fermented beverage made from mare’s milk. You can visit the local herder's family to learn about how to make airag and taste it.
Day 6: Orkhon river to Ulziit village campsite beach of Orkhon river
Bike to Ulziit village campsite beach of Orkhon river. Today we will cycle along the Orkhon river bank. Since it has 4 seasons, depending on the season Mongolian nomads choose the best condition and pasture for living and herding their livestock. In summer time most Mongolian nomads set up their felt gers near the river bank. You will see the modern Mongolian nomad's lifestyle which is not changed much for hundreds of years.
Day 7: Ulziit Village Campsite Beach Of Orkhon River to South Tamir river
Bike to Battsengel village. Campsite beach of South Tamir river. Our longest cycling day will start with a slow climb up to pass and in the afternoon we will reach the top of the small hill ASL 1634 meters. Here you will see a fantastic view of an afield of open grassland steppe with hundreds of livestock and Mongolian nomads' dome-shaped white gers. After gently downhill approx 30km we will erect our camp near Tamir river.
Day 8: South Tamir River to Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia
Bike to Tsenkher hot spring. After breakfast starts cycling up to the one pass then bike through the open grassland hilly steppe following the Tamir river bank with the magnificent view of felt walled gers of herding Mongols and large flocks of grazing animals. At the end of the day, we slowly cycle up to the northern part of Khangain nuruu (Khangai Mountains, range) which extends northwest-southeast for about 700 km with wooded mountains and lush meadows in central Mongolia. Total 63km of cycling, we will reach Tsenher hot spring. Upon arrival at the springs, we settle in a tourist ger camp where you can relax in a pool filled with spring water. You may as well take a relaxing body massage at a small additional fee.
Day 9: Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia to tsagaan sum valley
Bike to Tsagaan sum valley. After relaxing and refreshing in the hot spring, we continue cycling up and down to Tsagaan sum (white temple) valley through the mountainous area. Within the first 15km, we cycle up and pass 2 small passes ASL 1872 metres and 1848 metres. Then continue pedalling gradually up to the third pass of 2030 metres above sea level at around 40km. We will reach our camp spot grassland between hills after a pleasant slow downhill 15 km riding.
Day 10: Tsagaan sum valley to Orkhon river
Bike to Orkhon valley. Campsite beach of Orkhon river. Our day will start to climb up to one pass beginning of the cycling, and gradually downhill will be our reward. Today we will cycle among Orkhon river valley. Referred to as the cradle of nomadic culture Orkhon valley is a UNESCO world heritage registered fascinating landscape with interesting historical sites. The high population of nomadic herders in this area allows you, to meet and visit local families, taste local dairy foods, and learn about their lifestyle.
Day 11: Orkhon river to Kharkhorin, Mongolia
Bike to Kharkhorin town. Even it is only approx 31km we cycle and climb up to a hill in the early 10 km. Then continue easy pedal through Orkhon valley to Kharlhorin town. The Kharkhorin - the ancient capital city of the Mongolian empire including the center of trade along the Silk Road, and the biggest exchange bridge of eastern and western culture in the 13th century. In 1220 Great Chinggis Khaan founded Karakorum which was completed by his second son and successor Ugudei in 1235. Nowadays, the main attraction here is the monastery museum of Erdene Zuu established in the 16th century for the introduction of Buddhism as the main religion by Avtai Sain Khaan. Stones from the ruins of Karakorum were used in construction. The monastery was damaged several times due to war between Mongolian tribes then suffered almost complete destruction during the anti-religion campaign of the 1930-ies, only a few temples and surrounding walls with stupas survived. Visit the museum and take a glance at a few surviving artifacts of the old capital. Stay overnight at tourist ger camp.
Day 12: Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Drive to UB. Load bikes to supporting vehicles and drive to Ulaanbaatar. Lunch on day way and upon arrival transfer to hotel and rest till farewell dinner.
Day 13: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Сэргэлэн, Mongolia
Departure day. Our guide and driver will bring you to the Chinggis Khaan international airport.
What's included
2 overnights at a 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar (twin+breakfast) 7 tented overnights (twins) 2 overnight in a tourist ger camp (twin/triple) All indicated meals + drinking water Extra drinks and snacks during cycling All visits and National park fees Russian 4WD van(s) equipped with bike racks as support vehicles during cycling English-speaking cycling guide(s) Cook(s) Mountain biking guide(s) Giant ATX 600 series hardtail shimano 3x7 bike
Optional Activities Travel Insurance Sleeping bags and mattresses Meals that are not indicated Gratuities Personal biking clothes and gear International flights Visa fee
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Сэргэлэн, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia