Cycle Traversing the Khangai Mountains with Naadam Festival

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the bustling capital of Mongolia. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to a 4-star hotel within the city center. Meet in the hotel lobby and our tour guide will lead you on a walking city tour including the main square with a grand statue of Chinggis khan in front of the parliament building, the National History Museum introducing Mongolia’s history from early humans to the modern era, and the Choijin Lama Temple Museum displaying some of the best samples of Buddhist artworks and religious masks. Then attend a show of traditional performances followed by welcome dinner and tour briefing.

Head towards the Central Stadium to watch the vibrant opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival. After the opening ceremony, first round of wrestling begins shortly in the stadium. Archery competitions take place in a field nearby the stadium and a side-game of sheep ankle-bone flicking takes place in another spot nearby. While all these games are happening simultaneously, many people are walking around the stadium buying festival souvenirs, eating traditional food especially khuushuur (fried meat-pockets), and drinking airag (fermented mare’s milk).

Our team will pick you up from the hotel in the morning and drive to the horse racing field located west of the city. There are six horse racing categories according to the age of the horses and you will catch one of the races. The race is linear, meaning from start to finish across a long distance. After the race, drive further west to Uwurkhangai province. On the way, we will pass Elsen Tasarkhai, also called the “Little Gobi,” which is a narrow stretch of sand dunes continuing on for 80 km. At the end of the day, we will arrive at Arvaikheer, provincial center of Uvurkhangai.

After breakfast, we drive for about 2 hours to the start. Our mountain biking guide will give an introduction about the cycling trip and do adjustments to the selected bikes. Start cycling into the Khangai mountain range which extends northwest-southeast for about 700 km with wooded mountains and lush meadows in central Mongolia. Today will be an easy warm-up cycling on the hard-packed dirt road for approximately 30 km. Set up an overnight camp near the Shargaljuut river.

Cycling days will have the following routine: group departs after breakfast while the support crew loads up the camp supplies and catch up to serve refreshing drinks and snacks before midday then will go ahead to prepare lunch. After lunch cycle for 3-4 hours until overnight camp. One vehicle which has bike racks, spare parts, and drinking water will always stay behind the group. You can refill your water bottles anytime and if somebody is unable to continue cycling, they can have their bike racked and hop into the vehicle. Today we will cycle in the southeast foothill of the Khangai mountain range and slowly cycle up during the first 35 km then gradually going downhill leading to the campsite near Huremt river.

This morning we start to cycle through the hills and Tuin river valley inhabited by local herders tending to their large flocks of yaks and horses. The path is a dirt road with some gravel and there are a few river crossings. For the first 10 km, we will ascend up to 2,542 m above sea level and will be able to see the surrounding mountainous area. Then a downhill of about 20 km. Overnight camping near a river.

We will drive 40 km to our biking starting point to avoid a dry, rocky riverbed. Then start cycling to the southern Tamir river. Our first 17 km is a gentle pedal down along the river bank. A challenging climb up the Ikh Teel pass will be rewarded by a pleasant downhill. Overnight camp near Tamir river.

Bike to the hot spring via Tsetserleg, the capital of Arkhangai province. Cycle ups and downs through the southern Tamir river valley eventually reaching a dramatic view of Tsetserleg nestled in front of the Bulgan mountain. Here we can connect to the internet and grab snacks for the remainder of the cycling trip. Continue cycling climbing up three hills and then descending to the Tsenkher hot spring. Upon settling at a tourist ger camp, you can relax in a pool filled with spring water. You may as well receive a relaxing body massage at a small additional fee.

After relaxing in the hot spring, we continue cycling towards Tsagaan Sum (White Temple) valley through a mountainous area. Within the first few km, we pass two 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^th km. We will reach our camp spot located in grassland between hills after a pleasant 15 km downhill.

We will start this morning with a climb up two passes. On 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 Cultural Landscape is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive landscapes and interesting historical sites. Continue cycling on a 33 km gradual descent along the Orkhon valley with a lunch-stop on the way. After setting up our camp near the river, we will either drive or walk to the Orkhon waterfall. It is the largest waterfall in Mongolia and drains from an imposing height of 20 meters and has a width of about 10 meters.

Albeit today being the longest cycling day, the road is mostly an enjoyable 71 km downhill along the Orkhon river. Due to its natural convenience, there are numerous nomadic families living here. This allows you more opportunities to meet and visit local families, taste their dairy foods, and learn more about their nomadic lifestyle.

Today’s cycling is 37 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 16^th 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 multi-cultural capital, center of trade and exchange of ideas along the Silk Road connecting eastern and western cultures during the 13^th 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. 

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.

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