Classic Mongolia with Thermal Comforts
5-9 Travelers:
$5,200 Per Person
10-14 Travelers:
$4,400 Per Person
Single Supplement:
$950 Per Person
Overview
This journey is a supported cultural cycling adventure, designed to balance fun and daily accomplishment with personal comfort.
The main theme is discovering Mongolia's landscapes at your own preferred pace with the full support of our crew.
Daily activities include stops to interact with locals and visit nomadic families. We also offer quiet time for reflection, reading, or short hikes in a remote wilderness free from noise and light pollution.
The tour features eight days of cycling, which is punctuated by a dedicated rest day at a location featuring natural hot springs. These springs provide mineral-rich waters and outdoor bathing facilities, ensuring a unique and restorative way to recover fully from the cycling days.
The main theme is discovering Mongolia's landscapes at your own preferred pace with the full support of our crew.
Daily activities include stops to interact with locals and visit nomadic families. We also offer quiet time for reflection, reading, or short hikes in a remote wilderness free from noise and light pollution.
The tour features eight days of cycling, which is punctuated by a dedicated rest day at a location featuring natural hot springs. These springs provide mineral-rich waters and outdoor bathing facilities, ensuring a unique and restorative way to recover fully from the cycling days.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB)
Upon arrival in Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, you'll be greeted at the airport by your guide and driver. UB offers a striking blend of tradition and modernity, where contemporary architecture rises beside centuries-old monasteries and traditional dwellings. Your hotel, ideally situated downtown, places you within easy walking distance of Sukhbaatar Square, museums, and local shops.
Settle in, then enjoy a brief city orientation tour to get acquainted with UB’s unique charm before dinner.
Overnight at the hotel.
Settle in, then enjoy a brief city orientation tour to get acquainted with UB’s unique charm before dinner.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
UB Sightseeing and Overnight Train to Northern Mongolia
The day involves structured visits to key landmarks in and around the capital. Highlights include the Zaisan Monument on hilltop, which provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar's size and topography, and Gandan Monastery, Mongolia's primary Buddhist center, notable for being the only religious establishment permitted to operate during the communist era, primarily for international perception.
Following the city excursion, the journey continues on an overnight sleeper train to Erdenet. This mode of transport, featuring sleeping berths, initiates our two-wheel expedition using the many wheels of the rail network. The train is an older model, and this fancier car has compartments for two people. This journey offers a long-distance view of the land and towns along the route.
Day 3
Meet the team, bikes and start the cycling
The train arrives at Erdenet in the morning. After breakfast, we will meet the support crew and our bikes. The ride begins with a pleasant stroll through the Eastern block style suburbs before heading directly to the wilderness. This commences the proper mountain biking expedition through a picturesque landscape of forests and open valleys. Camp out near Bugat village.
Day 4
Through the hills, forests, and steppe, along with nomads
We start the cycling adventure through forest hills by dirt road. The route features a steady, gradual climb over the morning, offering long-distance views across the Mongolian landscape. We will meet the support team for a lunch stop, and after lunch, we’ll roll into the open steppe. At the campsite, each evening during our siesta time, we’re always happy to discuss the daily progress and feedback, and discuss the next day highlights and details.
Day 5
Cycle the Orkhon River Valley
Today we will cycle along the Orkhon River. Due to Mongolia's extreme four-season climate, nomads strategically choose pastures for their livestock based on prevailing conditions. During the summer, many Mongolian nomads set up their felt homes (gers) near rivers, and this route will offer a glimpse of this modern nomadic lifestyle, which has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years.
Day 6
Ride to Ikh Ulaan Shivert Hot Springs
The day consists of steppe cycling, which includes meeting and visiting nomads along the route.
We will pass the small village of Battsengel. As always, we will have a scheduled lunch break provided by our crew.
The ride concludes upon arrival at our first hot springs, Ikh Ulaan Shivert.
Here, we will indulge in the well-earned treatment of the mineral-rich natural hot springs for two nights in a ger camp.
Day 7
Recharge and Cultural Exploration in Tsetserleg
The focus of the day is a cultural visit to Tsetserleg, the capital of Arhangai province. This exploration includes visiting the local museum and time spent strolling through the streets and markets. Transport to Tsetserleg offers flexibility: we have the option to cycle the route or utilize the support vehicle for the transfer. We will return to the hot springs camp for the night.
Day 8
Ride to Tsenker hot springs.
Our hot springs quest continues today with a ride through a vast open valley. The route includes plenty of scenic photo opportunities and visits with nomadic families along the way. We will experience the famous nomadic hospitality firsthand by stopping to visit families en route. We will arrive at Tsenkher, a lush valley famous for its mineral hot springs.
Overnight in ger camp.
Day 9
Bike to Tsagaan sum valley
Refreshed from the hot springs, we continue cycling toward the Tsagaan Sum (White Temple) valley through a mountainous area. The ride involves sustained climbing early on, where we cross multiple passes to reach the day's highest point. Following the climb, we begin a long, pleasant downhill segment that leads us directly to our grassland camp spot nestled between the hills.
Overnight in tents.
Day 10
Bike to Orkhon valley
Today's ride is a transition day, moving us out of the hills and into the wide-open expanse of the Orkhon River Valley. We will cycle across undulating steppe that gradually flattens as we approach the historical region surrounding Karakorum. The route will feature long vistas and a feeling of being immersed in the heart of Mongolia's historical land. We will establish our camp near the Orkhon River, positioning us perfectly for the short final ride to the ancient capital site tomorrow.
Day 11
Final Ride: Genghis Khan’s Capital Site & visit Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery
This is our final cycling day, taking us to Karakorum (Kharkhorin), the site of the Mongol Empire's 13th-century capital founded by Chinggis Khan. We cycle downstream along the Orkhon River, losing altitude for most of the day, though we do include a climb over a hill in the beginning.
The town features a main cultural visit: we will explore the monastery-museum of Erdene Zuu, Mongolia's first Buddhist monastery, established in the 16th century using the ruins of the ancient capital.
Overnight in tent.
Day 12
Transfer back to Ulaanbaatar
Following breakfast, we begin the transfer back to Ulaanbaatar. The drive from Karakorum (Kharkhorin) to the capital will take approximately half a day, with a scheduled stop for lunch en route. Upon transfer to the hotel, we will enjoy the joyful return to civilization with a nice dinner.
Day 13
Ulaanbaatar Sightseeing and Folk Performance
The day is dedicated to further exploration of Mongolia's capital. Activities include structured sightseeing visits in Ulaanbaatar, offering deeper insight into the country's history and culture. In the evening, we will attend a traditional Mongolian folk performance, followed by a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of the expedition.
Day 14
Departure day or UB day?
Following breakfast at the hotel, take a moment to savor the final memories of nomadic hospitality with thermal treatments.
Our arranged transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN) for your international departure.
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