Downhill biking trip in the Altai Mountains
12 days
Overview
The Altai Mountain range in western Mongolia is a paradise for cycling lovers, especially for extreme downhill mountain bikers. These majestic snow-capped mountains are the tallest peaks of Mongolia standing over 3,000 meters above sea level. Our fully supported mountain biking trip allows you to choose freely from which mountains you want to descend down from and make your own downhill trail. This trip is not only a breathtaking downhill cycling from high mountains, furthermore you are able to glimpse into the lifestyle of local Kazakh nomads, meet eagle hunters, learn about their traditions, and visit petroglyphs dating back 8,000 to 13,000 years ago.
Join one of our listed tour dates or request to tailor made your date from the 1st of June to the 31st of August.
Date & Price:
Departing: 15-06-2025
Finishing: 15-09-2025
Status: Open
Price Per Person:
Includes:
- 2 overnights at 4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar (twin+breakfast)
- 8 tented overngihts (twins)
- 1 overnight in a local hostel in Ulgii town (twin)
- 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
- Cook
- Mountain biking gudie
- Domestic flight ticket UB-Ulgii-UB
Exludes:
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance
- Sleeping bags and mattresses
- Meals that are not indicated
- Gratuities
- Personal biking clothes and gears
- International flights
- Visa fee
- Downhill bike and spare parts
Travel information:
- * Downhill mountain biking from 3000+ meters majestic Altai Mountains
- * Choose freely downhill biking mountains
- * To meet a glimpse of local Kazakh nomads
- * To meet eagle hunters, learn their lifestyle
- * Visit petroglyphs (11,000 - 6,000 BC) of the Mongolian Altai mountain range registered as a world heritage site by UNESCO
Day 1 Arrive at the capital of Mongolia
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you a 4-star hotel within the city center. Meet at the hotel lobby in the evening to attend a show of traditional performances followed by a welcome dinner and tour briefing.
- B.L.D
- Hotel
Day 2 Fly to Western Mongolia
Today we catch a flight to Ulgii, central town of Mongolia’s most western province. The nation’s largest minority group, Kazakhs mainly live in this province and practice Sunni Islam. A number of other smaller ethnic groups also inhabit this province. Upon arrival, meet with the support team consisting of driver(s), cook(s), and a tour guide and then head westward towards Tavan Bogd National Park, also known as Altai Mountain NP. At the end of a 3-hour travel across arid mountainous terrain, we camp in the Khukh Khutul valley.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 100 km
Day 3 Drive to Oigor valley
Travel further west and by early afternoon reach the Oigor river valley, gateway to the Altai Mountains. Called “Five Holy Peaks” in Mongolia, the Altai Mountains are the highest peaks of Mongolia standing over 3,000 meters with the highest peak reaching 4,374 meters above sea level. Here we erect our tented camp and choose the mountain to downhill on the next day.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 100 km
Day 4 Downhill mountain biking day
Climb your chosen mountain and make your own downhill trail.
- B.L.D
- Tent
Day 5 Cycling to the white river valley
Today’s gradual ascend takes us to high mountainous terrain. When we reach the president ovoo – a sacred pile of stones, you will see the Potanin and Alexander glaciers as well as Mongolia’s highest peaks: Khuiten (4,374 m), Nairamdal (4,192 m), Burged (4,068 m), Malchin (4,051 m), and Ulgii (4,050 m). Then ride to White River valley along its river downstream on a gentle descent. This is a chance to see the Graneg’s glacier and witness how the glacier melt progresses into torrents of the White River. Today we will erect our camp at White River valley and this evening you can choose the mountains to downhill for the next two days.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 35 km
Day 6-7 Downhill mountain biking day
Climb your chosen mountain and make your own downhill trail.
- B.L.D
- Tent
Day 8 Drive to Khoton Khurgan lake
Drive to Khoton, a spectacular alpine lake at 2,073 meters above sea level. The campsite at the lake is idyllic. It has one of the largest petroglyph galleries in Mongolia dating back to the Neolithic period and the Bronze age depicting hunting scenes and figures of various animals. Also, there are some well-preserved ancient burial sites. This evening, you may go swimming, explore the surroundings or laze at the camp.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 180 km
Day 9 Drive to Baga turgen waterfall
We layover here at this camp and do a loop ride up to Baga Turgen, a waterfall in Turgen valley near the western shore of Khoton and Khurgan lakes. The waterfall drains from a 36 m cliff and is divided into 2 separate falls. The bigger waterfall’s height is 23 m while the smaller one is 13 m. This pristine valley is an ideal place for biking and has some historical relics. The waterfall’s isolated location near the border and rough roads kept this area remain unspoiled.
- B.L.D
- Tent
- 120 km
Day 10 Drive to Ulgii
We load our bikes onto the support vehicle(s) and drive 7-8 hours back to Ulgii. En route, we visit a Kazakh family and see their golden eagles which are kept for hunting purposes. In Ulgii, we check into a hostel – by far the best accommodation in town. Dinner in a local restaurant.
- B.L.D
- Local hostel
- 220 km
Day 11 Fly to UB
Today we catch a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer you to the hotel upon arrival. Free afternoon until farewell dinner.
- B.L.D
- Hotel
Day 12 Departure
Our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
- B
Gallery
