Nomadic relay cycling tour
9 days
Overview
Embark on a 9-day cycling adventure in Central Mongolia, covering 200 km over a period of 5 days. Pedal through the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO site with an abundance of ancient nomadic history and breathtaking beauty. Explore Kharkhorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire, amidst a variety of landscapes including wild grasslands, lush valleys, and majestic mountains. Take your time to enjoy the slow pace of cycling, soaking up the essence of nature's beauty and learning about traditional nomadic life while visiting historical landmarks. Enjoy an authentic Mongolian experience by staying in cozy gers or yurts, which offer a glimpse into nomadic heritage. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of nomadic existence on this unforgettable tour.
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.
Date & Price:
Departing: 21-08-2024
Finishing: 29-08-2024
Status: Open
Departing: 10-06-2025
Finishing: 15-09-2025
Status: Open
Price Per Person:
Includes:
- * 2 overnights at 4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar (twin+breakfast)
- * 6 overnight in a tourist ger camp (3-4 people in a ger)
- * 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
- * Bike mechanic (3+ people)
- * Advanced quality mountain bikes
Exludes:
- * Optional activities
- * Travel insurance
- * Meals that are not indicated
- * Gratuities
- * Personal biking clothes and gears
Travel information:
- * Visit Mongol els sand dunes (elsen tasarkhai - the little gobi)
- * Camel riding at sand dunes
- * 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
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
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- Hotel
Day 2 Drive to Tsetserleg town
After breakfast, our team will pick you up from the hotel and drive to Tsetserleg town. On the way, we will stop for lunch at Elsen Tasarkhai, also known as the Little Gobi, a 5 km wide stretch of sand dunes that extends for 80 km. You'll have the opportunity to visit the sand dunes and ride camels. Afterwards, we will continue our drive to Tsetserleg, the capital town of Arkhangai province. Here, we will stay overnight at a tourist ger camp and have dinner at the camp’s restaurant.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- Drive: 480 km
Day 3 Cycle to Tsenkher hot springs
Our mountain biking guide will give an introduction about the cycling trip and do thorough adjustments on the selected bikes. Start cycling to the Tsenkher hot springs. Today we will cycle for 25 km on a smooth and hard-packed dirt road 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.
- B.L.D
- Ger camp
- 25 km
Day 4 Cycle 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
- Ger camp
- 57 km
Day 5 Cycle to Orkhon water fall
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 finishing our cycling, we can either go on a short cycle 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.
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- Ger camp
- 45 km
Day 6 Cycle to Orkhon river
It’s quite an enjoyable 42 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.
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- Ger camp
- 42 km
Day 7 Cycle to Kharkhorin
Even though today’s distance is only 33 km, the first 10 km is a climb. Then we continue on with easy pedalling through Orkhon valley and reach the lunch spot. After lunch drive to 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
- 33 km
Day 8 Drive to Ulaanbaatar
Drive to UB. Load bikes to supporting vehicles and drive to Ulaanbaatar. Lunch on the way and upon arrival transfer to hotel and rest till farewell dinner.
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- Hotel
- Drive: 360 km
Day 9 Departure
Our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
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Gallery
Reviews
瑋志 戴
The experience was truly amazing. Our cycling guide was passionate, patient, and skillful, adapting seamlessly to our pace and never rushing us. When we faced challenges, such as crossing rivers, he skillfully managed the situation—even carrying our bikes across at times. His extensive knowledge of the local wildlife enriched our journey, satisfying our curiosity about Mongolia's wilderness. Additionally, his photography skills were a fantastic bonus; he captured many beautiful moments throughout our trip.
To our delightful surprise, Mongolia Biking Experts even decorated our ger camp for our honeymoon. While we had mentioned that it was our honeymoon, the extent of their efforts exceeded all our expectations. We were thoroughly impressed by their attention to detail and thoughtfulness.
We wholeheartedly recommend Mongolia Biking Experts and look forward to visiting Mongolia again in the future.