Cycling To The World Heritage Orkhon Valley Np
About this tour
A total of 353 km of fully supported cycling trip throughout UNESCO world heritage registered Orkhon valley national park starting from Ugii lake to the Kharkhorum ancient capital city of the Mongolian empire for both beginner and advanced level cyclists. Biking through the northern part of the Khangai mountain range will bit demanding but the rest of the parts are most pleasant for bikers. The slow pace of cycling will allow you to learn more about the nomadic lifestyle, the landscape, and the historical and attractive places around the area.
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's central 4-star hotel. Meet at the hotel lobby, 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. Then attend a show of traditional music, throat singing, and contortion at 6 PM will be followed by a welcome dinner and tour briefing.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ugii Lake, Mongolia
After breakfast, our team will pick you up from the hotel and drive to Ugii lake. En route, we will shortstop for a lunch at Elsen tasarkhai the little gobi which is part of Mongol els and 80km long and 5km wide sand dunes. Our cook will prepare delicious meals while you visit the sand dune and camel riding. Continue driving to Ugii lake, which is a freshwater lake surrounded by hilly steppes. The lake is a summer station for a number of migratory birds as well as a few species of freshwater fish. After arriving we will set up our camp near the lake. You can do optional activities of the hike, horse riding, renting a boat, and fishing.
Day 3: Ugii Lake, Mongolia to North Tamir River
Bike to North Tamir river. Our mountain guide will give an introduction to the cycling trip and do the final adjustment on selected bikes. Start cycle to the Tamir river. Today we will cycle 61 km of smooth and hard-packed soil dirt road through the steppe surrounding small hills following the Tamir river. Our support van will always go with the group and you can refill water from it. The kitchen van will always go ahead of the group to the snack and lunch point to prepare the meals and the camping spot will set up the kitchen, shower, and toilet tents.
Day 4: North Tamir River to South tamir river
Bike to South Tamir river. 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. On our cycling 2nd day we will cycle following the Tamir river again. You will see the modern Mongolian nomad's lifestyle which is not changed much for hundreds of years. From about 35th km, our biking route scenery will be changed from steppe to hills. We slowly pedal between the small hills. It continues a approx 12km cycle up a mountainous area, then a 10km slow downhill open valley to reach the camping spot near the river.
Day 5: South Tamir River to Tsenkher Hot Spring Resort, Altan-Ovoo, Mongolia
Bike to Tsenkher hot spring. After breakfast starts cycling 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 40km 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 6: 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 7: Tsagaan Sum Valley to Orkhon Valley Natural and Historical Reserve, Mongolia
Bike to the Orkhon valley en route to visit the waterfall. After breakfast, our day will start to climb up to the 2 passes. On the top of the second pass, we will see a beautiful view of the 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. Then continue the easy cycle downhill 33km along Orkhon valley, and en route has lunch. After setting up our camp near the river beach, we will short drive or hike to the Ulaan tsutgalan waterfall as known as Orkhon waterfall too. It is the largest waterfall in Mongolia and flows from an imposing height of 20 meters and its width is 10 meters.
Day 8: Orkhon Valley Natural and Historical Reserve, Mongolia to Orkhon River, Mongolia
Bike to the Orkhon river beach. This is our longest cycling day even so we cycle enjoyable downhill 71km along the Orkhon river bank. 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 9: Orkhon River, Mongolia to Kharkhorin, Mongolia
Bike to Kharkhorin town. Even it is only 24km 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 10: 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 11: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Сэргэлэн, Mongolia
Departure day. Our guide and driver will bring to the Chinggis khaan international airport.
What's included
2 overnights at 4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar (twin+breakfast) 6 tented overngihts (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 gudie(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 gears 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