Mongolia Off Road

For mountain biking enthusiasts, Mongolia offers an experience unlike any other. The views of its beautiful valleys from 2,100 meters above sea level will take your breath away. As you pedal through the Khangai Mountain range, you’ll encounter wild yaks, sheep, horses and goats as well as the friendly nomads that gather them into herds. Later, you’ll ride your bike through ruins from the ancient Mongolian Empire and other points steeped in history. When it’s time to cool off, the beautiful Orkhon river and the famed Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall are also on the agenda. This trip is challenging, but those who enjoy an off-road adventure will love it - less than 20 of around 406 total kilometers take place on paved roads! Participants on the July tour will be able to attend the famous Nadaam Festival. SpiceRoads has arranged for a guide to take you to see the wrestling, archery and horse race events as part of the tour.

Tour Cost	US$2,850	Single Supplement	US$185
Bike Hire	US$140	Total Cycling Distance	450 kilometres
Tour Grade	out of 5	Number of Days	14 days / 13 nights
Number of Cycling Days	7 full days, 1 half day.	Tour Meets	Ulaanbaatar
Tour Ends	Ulaanbaatar	Group Size	Minimum 2. Maximum 16.
Minimum age on scheduled departures	18 years old

Day 1

Welcome to Mongolia! Meet for a trip briefing before a unique show of contortion and throat singing followed by a traditional dinner.

Day 2

We take a guided tour of Ulaanbaatar and see the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan and the National Museum of Mongolian History. Afternoon free to explore on your own.

Day 3

An early morning flight takes us to the town of Bayankhongor, where you'll meet up with your support team which includes a guide, cook and drivers. After a bike fitting we take a short ride to the nearby hot springs to prepare for the great days of cycling ahead.

Day 4

The day's first pass is not too steep and is followed by a fun descent and another climb to the top of the Khebel pass before we our ride at a beautiful camp site by the river.

Day 5

We cycle up a grassy track to the top of Morin Davaa, followed by a descent to the valley floor and a few more climbs before a picnic lunch by a river. Then it's rough and rocky track to our overnight campsite.

Day 6

Cycle along the floor of the valley a rough jeep track before a climb to the top of the Khukhiin Davaa pass and an exhilarating downhill to our lunch spot near a small settlement. We stop on the way at a Ger camp to see true nomadic life.

Day 7

Today we cross the Khangai Range via three passes and some great blasts down to the valley floor and to our camp at an idyllic spot by the river.

Day 8

We ride a hard-packed surface with beautiful landscapes to enjoy as you rise and fall to the settlement of Bulgan and then to the Tsenkher river, famous for its hot spring baths.

Day 9

Five passes are our challenge today on a smooth, hard, and packed surface as we head to the Orkhon river valley, home of the Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall.

Day 10

The time has come for a day of well-deserved rest, relaxation and exploration. We drive the 25 km to the waterfall, visit deer stones and meet some nomads.

Day 11

We cycle east along the Orkhon River to Karakorum - the medieval capital of the Mongolian Empire.

Day 12

Visiting two amazing national parks, each steeped in history, before we overnight in the relative luxury of a ger.

Day 13

We return to Ulaanbaatar and meet for a farewell dinner with your fellow cyclists.

Day 14

Transfer to airport for return flight home.

• That was the greatest bike adventure I ever had ...
  Due to a unique combination of an absolute terrific countryside, the many demanding passes(22) with miles of great downhills, moving from winter conditions to spring in unusual altitudes (2850 - 1600m ASL). Meeting happy (!) people in their livelihood outside the beaten tracks of tourism.
  Furthermore we were blessed with local staff, who were in harmony with us, flexible with our schedule ...just of great help and support, enhancing our daily dose of "good feel" up to the very end.

  Wolfgang Minderjahn - July 2011