Cycling the Orkhon Valley: Naadam Festival Heritage Tour

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's vibrant capital, you’ll be greeted at the airport by our representative and escorted to a centrally located 4-star hotel. After settling in, meet in the hotel lobby where our tour guide will lead a city walking tour. Discover Sukhbaatar Square, home to a majestic statue of Chinggis Khan in front of the parliament, explore the National History Museum with exhibits from early civilizations to modern-day Mongolia, and visit the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, showcasing exquisite Buddhist art and masks. In the evening, enjoy a traditional performance, followed by a welcome dinner and a tour briefing.

Meet with the guide and driver. Today we will visit to the Naadam Festival stadium. The national holiday Naadam is not only famous among Mongolians but also in the world. Many tourists, guests and journalists come to Mongolia to take part. The Festival starts with a transferring ceremony of the nine white banners from the Government House to the Naadam Stadium followed by a horse parade. Genghis Khaan used to use the nine banners during festive and peaceful times. Next, the magnificent opening ceremony starts. Traditional wrestling, archery and horse race are main highlights of the festival. As well as, you will see anklebone shooting and Naadam trade starting from Naadam main dish Huushuur, souvenirs, traditional clothes and much more. In the evening attend a show presenting traditional performances consisting of music, throat-singing, dancing, and contortion followed by a dinner at local restaurant.  

Our guide and driver will pick you up early in the morning and drive outside west of Ulaanbaatar to the horse-race field. There are 6 races categorized by the horses’ age and race distances are between 15 and 30 kilometers depending on the age group. The jockeys are children usually between the ages of 9 and 12. While waiting for the race, the area is bustling with interesting activities such as folk and horse shows, festive foods, souvenir sales, and mini-games for spectators to partake in. Then continue driving 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.

Our mountain biking guide will kick off the journey with an introduction to the cycling route, ensuring all bikes are properly adjusted for each rider. We’ll begin our 61 km ride toward the Tamir River, following a smooth, hard-packed dirt road through the grasslands. The support vehicle will stay close by, while the kitchen vehicle will head to designated snack and lunch spots to prepare meals, and later, to the campsite to set up the kitchen, shower, and toilet tents, ensuring a comfortable experience throughout the trip.

Mongolia’s nomadic herders adapt to its extreme, four-season climate by choosing the best pastures for their livestock each season. In summer, many nomadic families set up their gers (traditional felt homes) close to rivers. Today’s ride will take us along the scenic Tamir River, offering glimpses of a lifestyle that has remained largely unchanged for centuries, aside from a few modern tools that ease daily tasks. Around the 35-km mark, the landscape begins to shift, becoming hillier for roughly 12 km, then transitioning to a mountainous area, before a gentle downhill leads us to our riverside campsite.

After breakfast, we’ll begin cycling through the expansive rolling steppe alongside the Tamir River, taking in stunning views of traditional felt homes and nomads tending to their herds of grazing animals. As the day progresses, we’ll gradually ascend toward the northern reaches of the Khangai Mountain range, which stretches approximately 700 km in a northwest-southeast direction, featuring beautiful forests and lush meadows in central Mongolia. After covering 40 km, we’ll arrive at the Tsenher hot springs. Once we settle into a tourist ger camp, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind in the warm, mineral-rich spring water. For those seeking extra relaxation, rejuvenating body massages are available for an additional fee.

After enjoying a rejuvenating soak in the hot springs, we’ll cycle toward the Tsagaan Sum (White Temple) Valley, navigating through a scenic mountainous region. In the initial kilometers, we’ll cross two small passes at elevations of 1,872 and 1,848 meters. Continuing our ascent, we’ll gradually make our way to the third pass, reaching an elevation of 2,030 meters around the 40-km mark. Following this, we’ll descend 15 km to arrive at our campsite, nestled among the hills and providing a tranquil setting for the evening.

Today kicks off with a challenging climb up two mountain passes. At the summit of the second pass, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Orkhon River Valley. Known as the cradle of nomadic cultures, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features breathtaking landscapes and intriguing historical sites. We’ll then enjoy a leisurely descent of about 33 km through the Orkhon Valley, pausing for a lunch break along the way. Once we set up camp by the riverbank, you can choose to take a short drive or a walk to the magnificent Orkhon Waterfall. This impressive natural wonder cascades from a height of 20 meters and spans approximately 10 meters in width, making it the largest waterfall in Mongolia.

Although it’s the longest day of cycling, the 71 km descent along the Orkhon River is incredibly enjoyable. The area’s natural beauty supports a high concentration of nomadic families, giving you ample opportunities to meet and interact with them. You’ll have the chance to sample their dairy products and gain insights into their traditional lifestyles.

Today’s journey covers a distance of just 24 km, but the first 10 km involves a climb. Following that, we’ll enjoy a leisurely ride through the Orkhon Valley until we arrive at Kharkhorin, a town named after the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. The original site of the capital is located nearby, though little remains after its destruction. The ruins were later repurposed in the 16th century to build the Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is now the main attraction in the area. This monastery complex faced near-total devastation during the Communist Purges of the 1930s, with only a few temples and the surrounding stupas still standing. Kharkhorin was once a vibrant, multicultural capital and a hub of trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road in the 13th century. Founded by Chinggis Khan in 1220, it was completed during the reign of his second son, Ugudei Khan, in 1235. We’ll spend the night at a tourist ger camp.

Load the bikes onto the support vehicle(s) for the drive back to Ulaanbaatar, with lunch provided along the way. Once we arrive, you’ll be transferred to the hotel where you can relax before our farewell dinner.

Our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.