Highlights
Ride dirt tracks across open steppe, forested hills and the passes of the Khangai Mountains
Complete the ride at Karakorum, Genghis Khan’s ancient capital, and visit Erdene Zuu Monastery
Wild camp for nine nights beneath Mongolia’s wide-open skies and stay in traditional gers
Itinerary
Pedal into the wild heart of Central Asia with the "Cycling in Mongolia" tour, a challenging 15-day mountain biking adventure for experienced travelers hungry for untamed landscapes. Starting and ending in Ulaanbaatar, this journey takes you through Tsetserleg, Khairkhan, the Tamir River, and beyond—across open steppe, forested valleys, and rolling mountains where nomadic traditions remain strong.
You’ll follow well-chosen trails that showcase the region’s natural diversity, from larch and pine forests to vast grasslands dotted with white gers. Nights are spent camping beneath Mongolia’s endless sky, adding a true sense of adventure and camaraderie to the trip. Expect to encounter few other tourists, as this route traverses regions still largely untouched by mainstream travel.
The unique selling point of this tour package is the rare opportunity to experience Mongolia’s landscapes and culture from the vantage point of a mountain bike—combining physical challenge with immersive local encounters. For those seeking an intrepid cycling tour off the beaten path, this trip promises memories to last a lifetime.
day 1Adventure starts in Ulaanbaatar
Our cycling adventure starts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city. There are no activities planned for today to allow for different arrival times. If you have time to explore some of the sites we recommend visiting Sukhbaatar Square, the National Museum and the landmark State Department Store.
Around 6pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Want more time in Ulaanbaatar? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
day 2Morning sightseeing followed by a free afternoon; overnight train to Erdenet
day 3Ride to Tal Tolgoi Well via the small township of Bugat
day 4Cross Tuluugiin Pass
day 5Arhangai steppe ride through undulating country to a valley below Khairkhan Mountain
day 6Short climb to cross the Kholboogin Pass before descending to Khairkhan Lake camp
day 7Cycle up Khunjiin River Valley to camp beneath Chingeltei Mountain
day 8Short climb past the headwaters of the Khunjiin; descend into Tamir River valley; camp near Great Rock of Ikh Tamir
day 9Half-day ride to Tsetserleg; afternoon free
day 10Morning ride in foothills of the Khangai Mountains
day 11Cycle across undulating steppe to Ondor Khairkhan Mountain
day 12Ride the Khangai mountain range on good jeep tracks; descend to Orkhon River Valley
day 13Ride to Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery; overnight in traditional ger camp
day 14Drive to Ulaanbaatar, visit Mongol Els dunes; enjoy a traditional Mongolian show
day 15Adventure ends in Ulaanbaatar
What's Included
What's Excluded
Customer Reviews
Unforgettable ride through a fascinating country
From the night train from Ulaanbaator onwards, this was a trip packed full of memorable moments. Cycling across the steppes, up and down the "killer passes", navigating the river crossings, camping in the wilds and the savouring the culinary delights rustled up to satiate our appetites will all live long in the memory.
Mongolian Horizons
An amazing trip across the steppes of Mongolia. Each day revealed new horizons and a greater appreciation of the vastness of this remote country.
Once in a lifetime experience
Awesome trip, a unique experience. Every aspect felt special from start to finish. Bata and his support team did everything possible to give us the best Mongolian experience. A great blend of cycling, culture and freshly cooked traditional food along the way.
An incredible, stunning, strange and wonderful experience
The organisation and support from the entirely local team running the trip was absolutely exceptional. NK, the group leader, was faultless - calm, fun, supportive, organised, knowledgeable, entertaining. He led an exceptional team of drivers, cooks, mountain bikers/mechanics/guides, who all made the trip utterly fantastic. Breathtaking scenery, well maintained bikes, a good variety of routes - grassy Steppes, mountains, lakes and rivers. Gorgeous camp locations. Fascinating visits to a nomadic family, the capital and the ancient capital. It was a wonderful trip.
The land that time forgot
This was simply a magnificent holiday in a wonderful country. Cycling eleven days in a row is a bit tough and the terrain can be challenging, but it is worth the effort. The landscape is vast and photographs cannot do it justice. I never tired of seeing herds of horses, running free in this never ending scenery. On the practical side, the tents were of top quality, the bikes were of equally good quality, the crew of 8 were brilliant and the group of cyclists were great company. The meals were well balanced and a credit to our cook. NK our leader was probably the best group leader I have experienced in my many Exodus adventures. We even had a shower tent with warm water when possible. September brought us varied weather conditions, with cold mornings, some rain, snow on the mountains, hail, high winds and plenty of sunshine. I would recommend this holiday especially if you want to get away from busy cities and experience real peace and quiet.
Good to Know
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