Five of us just finished this wonderful trip through the Orkhon Valley National Park. Accompanying us were five staff from Mongolian Biking - one guide and one bike mechanic rode with us, one cook, and two drivers for the iron clad vans which carried us and carried supplies. There were six days of cycling, with the remaining days spent either at ULBT attending the Nadaam Festival or driving to and from the National Park.
Before the trip, it was Dashka who communicated with us. Dashka was very helpful, provided accurate information and very responsive to inquiries. Our guide Chuka picked us up at the airport, and doubled as guide in the city and cycling lead in the vast Mongolian Steppes. Chuka was sincere, hard working and helpful. Throughout the trip, we were pampered with excellent food and safe driving. Our cook was top notched and truly impressive. There was a night we stayed in a hot spring type resort in a Ger, with a fancier looking restaurant but the restaurant food was really inferior to our camp food!
Perhaps one thing Chuka can improve on is to be more aware of the ability and stamina of the team as a cycling leader, and send the second cycling escort to take care of members of the team who have some troubles catching up with the fast group. However, Chuka seemed eager to learn and we liked him a lot. I am sure with more experience, his language skills and leading skills will get better very quickly.
Cycling to the World Heritage Orkhon Valley
11 days
Overview
A chance to roam through the cradle of nomadic empires just as riders did many centuries ago! Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape is home to historical sites of ancient nomadic empires such as the Gokturks and the Mongols. Travel to Kharkhorum, which was once a site of the capital of the Mongol Empire. On this cycling trip, you’ll experience true freedom out in the wild grasslands of Mongolia - passing through lush valleys, mountains and pristine rivers. Suited for both beginner and advanced cyclists, biking through the northern part of the Khangai mountains will be a bit challenging but the rest of the journey is less demanding. The slow pace of cycling allows you to learn more about the nomadic lifestyle, enjoy beautiful landscapes, and visit historical and attractive sights along the way.
This trip is best organized between mid-June to mid-September, offering you the flexibility to choose the most suitable dates for your adventure. Whether you're looking for pleasant weather, fewer crowds, or specific seasonal activities, this time frame provides the ideal conditions for an unforgettable experience.
Tour grade: Moderate to Demanding
Date & Price:
Departing: 08-08-2024
Finishing: 18-08-2024
Status: Open
Departing: 04-09-2024
Finishing: 14-09-2024
Status: Open
Departing: 05-06-2025
Finishing: 15-06-2025
Status: Open
Departing: 14-07-2025
Finishing: 24-07-2025
Status: Open
Departing: 08-08-2025
Finishing: 18-08-2025
Status: Open
Departing: 04-09-2025
Finishing: 14-09-2025
Status: Open
Departing: 01-06-2025
Finishing: 15-09-2025
Status: Open
Price Per Person:
Includes:
- 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)
- Advanced quality mountain bikes
Exludes:
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance
- Sleeping bags and mattresses
- Meals that are not indicated
- Gratuities
- Personal biking clothes and gears
- International flights
- Visa fee
Travel information:
- * Visit Mongol els sand dunes (elsen tasarkhai - the little gobi)
- * Camel riding at sand dunes
- * Visit Ugii lake which is freshwater lake among the mountain steppes and grassy lands of central Mongolia.
- * Cycling in the world heritage Orkhon valley NP
- * Relax at Tsenkher hot springs
- * Visit Mongolian biggest waterfall
- * Visit Mongolian ancient capital city Karakorum
- * Cycling through hundreds of livestock and visiting Mongolian nomad's home, learn about their lifestyle
Day 1 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia
Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to a 4-star hotel in the city centre. Meet at the hotel lobby after settling in and the tour guide will lead you on a sightseeing city tour. First, visit the main square with a grand statue of Chinggis Khan in front of the parliament building. Then learn briefly about the history of Mongolia from early humans to the modern era at the National History Museum. Afterwards, learn a bit about Mongolia’s Tibetan Buddhist tradition at the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. Finally, attend an evening show of traditional music, throat-singing, and contortion followed by a welcome dinner and tour briefing.
- D
- Hotel
Day 2 Transfer to Ugii Lake, starting point of cycling
After breakfast, our team will pick you up from the hotel and drive to Ugii Lake, which is a freshwater lake surrounded by rolling steppe. The lake is a summer spot for a number of migratory birds as well as a home for a few species of fish. Upon arriving, we will set up camp near the lake. You can do optional activities such as hiking, horse riding, renting a boat, and fishing.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 320 km
Day 3 Bike to northern Tamir River
Our mountain biking guide will give an introduction about the cycling trip and do thorough adjustments on the selected bikes. Start cycling to the Tamir River. Today we will cycle for 61 km on a smooth and hard-packed dirt road through the grassland following the Tamir River. Our support vehicle will always be nearby. The kitchen vehicle will always go ahead of the group to snack and lunch spots to prepare, and to the camping spots to set up the kitchen, shower, and toilet tents.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 61 km
Day 4 Bike to southern Tamir River
Since Mongolia has an extreme climate with four seasons, nomads choose the best pastures to live on and raise their livestock depending on their given circumstances. During the summer, many nomadic families set up their felt homes called ger near rivers. Today we will continue cycling along the Tamir River. You will see that the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle has not changed much for hundreds of years except for a few modern technological tools that come in handy with their daily chores. From about 35th km, the scenery will become hillier. The hilly section continues for approximately 12 km then shifts into a mountainous area followed by a gentle downhill until reaching the camping spot near the river.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 57 km
Day 5 Bike to Tsenkher hot spring
After breakfast, start cycling through the vast rolling steppe following the Tamir river with picturesque views of traditional felt homes and nomads herding large flocks of grazing animals. At end of the day, we slowly cycle up to the northern part of the Khangai Mountain range which extends northwest-southeast for about 700 km with forests and lush meadows in central Mongolia. After cycling for 40 km today, we will reach Tsenher hot spring. Upon arrival, settle into a tourist ger camp where you can relax in a pool filled with spring water. You may as well receive a rejuvenating body massage for a small additional fee.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 40 km
Day 6 Bike to Tsagaan sum valley
After relaxing and refreshing in the hot spring, we cycle to Tsagaan Sum (White Temple) valley through a mountainous area. Within the first few km, we pass 2 small passes at 1,872 and 1,848 meters above sea level. Then continue pedalling gradually up to the third pass of 2,030 m above sea level at around the 40 km mark. We will reach our camp spot surrounded by hills after a pleasant 15 km downhill.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 55 km
Day 7 Bike to Orkhon Valley and visit a waterfall
Today begins with a climb up two passes. On top of the second pass, there is a beautiful view of the Orkhon river valley. Referred to as the cradle of nomadic cultures, Orkhon Valley is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site with fascinating landscapes and interesting historical sites. Continue on an easy downhill for about 33 km along the Orkhon valley with a lunch break on the way. After setting up camp near a river bank, we can either go on a short drive or walk to the Orkhon waterfall. It is the largest waterfall in Mongolia and drains from an imposing height of 20 meters with a width of about 10 meters.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 45 km
Day 8 Bike along the Orkhon River
Albeit being the longest cycling day, it’s quite an enjoyable 71 km descent along the Orkhon river. Due to its natural accommodation, there is a high concentration of nomadic families living in this area. This allows you greater opportunities to meet and visit local nomadic families, taste their dairy foods, and learn more about their lifestyles.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 71 km
Day 9 Bike to the site of the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire
Even though today’s distance is only 24 km, the first 10 km is a climb. Then we continue on with easy pedalling through Orkhon valley and reach Kharkhorin, which is a newer town named after the old capital of the Mongol Empire. The site of the original capital is nearby, although not much remained after its destruction and the ruins were used in the 16th century for the construction of Erdene Zuu monastery, which is the main attraction here nowadays. The monastery complex suffered almost complete destruction during the Communist Purges of the 1930s, only a few temples and surrounding walls with stupas survived. Kharkhorum was a multicultural capital, the centre of trade and the exchange of ideas along the Silk Road connecting eastern and western cultures during the 13th century. In 1220, Chinggis Khan founded Kharkhorum and it was completed during the reign of his second son and successor Ugudei Khan in 1235. Stay overnight at tourist ger camp.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 24 km
Day 10 Drive to Ulaanbaatar, farewell dinner
Load bikes onto the support vehicle(s) and drive to Ulaanbaatar. Lunch is on the way. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and rest until farewell dinner.
- B.L.D
- Hotel
- 360 km
Day 11 Departure day
Our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
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Gallery
Reviews
Drew
True Cultural experience with Mongolia through Biking
Jul 2024 • Friends
Had an absolutely wonderful time in Mongolia with this trip. The iternary was catered to out group and travel time. We were taken care of from the time we arrived at the airport to our flight out. We had a mix of cultural events and sight seeing locations mixed with the mountain biking rides. We were well supported with 2 vehicles and 5 crew members with our group of 5. The food was absolutely amazing. Chef was top notch with a mix of traditional Mongolian cusines to western catered tastes. The operation seems to be a smaller outfit and doesn't have much of the larger corporate restrictions on flexibility. This meant they were able to adjust as needed to the plan and cater to the events, weather, road conditions and other possible issues. The communication was good, but just functional enough to make sure the plan/itinerary was executed. In other words, don't be expecting a Rick Steve's to guide you on your rides. However I cannot speak highly enough of how the crew took care of us. One of our riders had their wallet stolen in the city and the guide went out of his way to support him with the police and reports. This is a top notch team if you want an intimate experience with Mongolia.
