Orkhon river Kayaking and Cycling tour

Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to a centrally located 4-star hotel. In the evening, you will attend a captivating performance of traditional Mongolian arts, including music, Mongolian throat singing, and contortion, starting at 6:00 PM. This will be followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you will meet your guide and receive a detailed tour briefing.

Begin your day with breakfast before heading out to explore Ulaanbaatar. Start at Sukhbaatar Square, the symbolic heart of the city, where grand government buildings frame the impressive monument of Genghis Khan. Continue to the serene Choijin Lama Temple Museum, an architectural gem showcasing intricate Buddhist art, followed by a visit to the National Museum of Mongolia, where the country’s rich heritage unfolds—from ancient steppe civilisations to its modern transformation. In the evening, transfer to the railway station and board your overnight train to Erdenet. Relax as the journey carries you through Mongolia’s endless grasslands toward the north.

In the early morning, your train arrives in Erdenet, one of Mongolia’s largest towns. Upon arrival, our local team will warmly welcome you at the station and transfer you by vehicle to Khangal village, located about 50 km away. The drive offers your first glimpse of northern Mongolia’s forested landscapes and rolling hills.  At Khangal, you will meet your cycling crew and prepare for the journey ahead. Your mountain biking guide will provide a detailed briefing about the route, safety guidelines, and daily riding routine. Bikes will be carefully fitted and adjusted to ensure comfort and performance for each rider. The cycling days are designed to be enjoyable and well-paced, with three main stops throughout the day: a relaxed tea break, a picnic lunch in nature, and arrival at the campsite in the late afternoon. A fully equipped support vehicle will accompany the group at all times, carrying spare parts, tools, luggage, and drinking water. If at any point you feel tired, you can simply load your bike onto the vehicle and continue the journey comfortably.  Today’s ride covers approximately 40 km, following a scenic route toward Buren Valley. The terrain features gentle ups and downs along hard-packed dirt roads, winding through peaceful wooded hills and open степpe landscapes. It is an ideal introduction to cycling in Mongolia—moderate, refreshing, and rich in natural beauty.  Arrive at your campsite in Buren Valley by late afternoon, where you can relax, enjoy the quiet surroundings, and settle into your first night in Mongolia’s wilderness with tented overnight.

After breakfast at the campsite in Buren Valley, begin today’s ride toward the magnificent Amarbayasgalant Monastery—one of the most beautiful and well-preserved monasteries in Mongolia. The route covers approximately 47 km, following a mix of rolling terrain with gentle climbs and descents along quiet dirt tracks. As you cycle through wide valleys and forested hills, you’ll experience the peaceful rhythm of rural Mongolia, occasionally passing nomadic herder families and their livestock grazing freely across the landscape.  As with each day, the ride is supported by a vehicle carrying water, snacks, and spare equipment. You will pause for a scenic tea break and enjoy a picnic lunch along the way, surrounded by nature. By afternoon, the monastery gradually comes into view, set at the foot of a lush, green valley. Upon arrival at the 18th-century Amarbayasgalant monastery, which was built for Zanabazar, who was the leader of Mongolian Buddhism, an artist and teacher. It is one of the three largest Buddhist monastic centres in Mongolia. Our kitchen team will set up camp while you visit the monastery.  Settle in for the evening near the monastery, enjoying dinner and a relaxing night in this serene and historic setting. This evening you will stay in a ger, which is the round-shaped Mongolian traditional felt dwelling.

After breakfast near the peaceful grounds of Amarbayasgalant Monastery, we continue our journey southward into Mongolia’s heartland.  Today’s ride leads toward the legendary Orkhon River, one of the most important waterways in Mongolian history and a lifeline of the central steppe. The cycling route covers varied terrain, gradually transitioning from forested hills into wide open valleys and rolling grasslands.  The distance is moderate, with a mix of gentle climbs and flowing downhill sections along dirt tracks and open степpe paths. Along the way, you will pass nomadic herder camps, herds of horses, sheep, and yaks, and enjoy the vast silence of the Mongolian countryside.  As usual, the day includes scheduled stops for tea break and a picnic lunch in nature. The support vehicle remains close throughout the ride, carrying water, supplies, and spare equipment, with the flexibility to assist riders whenever needed.  By late afternoon, we reach the Orkhon River valley, where the landscape opens into lush green meadows beside flowing water. This area is known for its natural beauty and calm atmosphere—an ideal place to rest, unwind, and enjoy the evening surrounded by wilderness.

Spend two unforgettable days exploring the pristine waters of the Orkhon River, one of Mongolia’s most scenic and historically significant river valleys.  After breakfast at the riverside camp, your guides will provide a full safety briefing and paddling instructions. All kayaking equipment, including life jackets and dry bags, will be prepared before setting off.  The river section offers a perfect combination of gentle currents, small rapids, and calm stretches, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers. As you kayak downstream, you will be surrounded by wide green valleys and distant mountain ranges that define central Mongolia’s landscape.  Each day follows a relaxed expedition rhythm:

Morning departure after breakfast

Midday break on a riverside beach for lunch and rest

Afternoon paddling toward the next campsite

The support crew travels along the river route and meets you at designated points, ensuring safety and carrying camping equipment, meals, and supplies. If needed, participants can rest in the support vehicle at any stage of the journey.  Evenings are spent at comfortable riverside camps, where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals, relax by the fire, and experience the peaceful sounds of nature under the open Mongolian sky. These two days offer a perfect blend of adventure and serenity, combining active paddling with immersive wilderness camping in one of Mongolia’s most beautiful river valleys.

After breakfast at camp, we begin our overland journey back toward Ulaanbaatar, marking the transition from wilderness adventure to city life. En route, we travel through the northern corridor of Mongolia and make a stop in Darkhan, one of the country’s major urban centers. Here, you will have a short break to stretch your legs, enjoy lunch, and observe a different side of modern Mongolian life.  The drive continues south across open steppe landscapes, passing rolling grasslands, scattered nomadic settlements, and wide horizons that define the Mongolian countryside. Your guide will share stories and insights along the way, reflecting on the journey you’ve completed through forests, valleys, rivers, and historic sites.  By late afternoon or early evening, arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the comfort of the city after several days in nature. The rest of the evening is free for rest, shopping, or optional dinner in town.

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