GOBI DESERT CYCLING TOUR

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to 4* hotel in city center. Welcome dinner and trip orientation in the evening. (Dinner, hotel)

This morning catch a short flight to the Gobi desert. Upon arrival meet with the support team and drive to Eagle canyon where snow and ice remains frozen until late July. At the entrance there is a museum displaying stuffed images of local wildlife as well as some petrified wood and dinosaur eggs. Then take one and a half hour hike to the canyon heart and with a bit of luck spot Wild mountain goats scaling steep cliffs and Bearded vultures soaring above. After a picnic lunch we drive out of the mountains and start biking. 20km gentle descent to the vast Gobi plain is followed by a 30km steady rise to our overnight place making it a good warm up before more serious biking days ahead. We settle in a local ger camp, take hot showers and relax before dinner. Overnight will be traditional felt covered tents known as gers. (Distance 50 km / total climb 310 meters) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)

After breakfast we bike to Flaming Red Cliffs, a world renowned dinosaur fossil site where in 1920-ies, in a series of expeditions Americans unearthed the first nests of dinosaur eggs, new species of dinosaurs, and the fossils of early mammals that co-existed with dinosaurs. The riding surface is comprised of hard but smooth desert soil with just a few short loose sections. Although the route has practically no ascents, a possible head wind can be a challenge as opposed to a tail wind that would fly you fast. Upon reaching the cliffs that contrastingly stand out of the infinite arid plain, we explore them on foot. The eroded sandstone can still yield dinosaur fossils especially after a torrential rain so one can still hope for a discovery. We then take a short ride to see a tiny by yet interesting display of fossils unearthed at Flaming Red Cliffs. After a picnic lunch we load bikes and return to the ger camp. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)

Riding today is a bit more challenging as we cycle across the middle body of the Gurvan Saikhan mountain range. Although amidst desert the route runs on an elevated and therefore well ventilated plateau between two parallel ridges. Short and at times steep ascents are followed by exciting descents. Riding surface is predominantly smooth although some brief sandy portions are still to be negotiated. Due to better ventilation and therefore cooler temperatures the plateau is used as summer grazing by local herders. Occasionally you will see their large flocks of goats, sheep and even horses as well as circular tents; a life style that seemingly has not changed for many hundreds of years. Tonight we set up a tent camp by some spectacular rock formations and enjoy true tranquility of virgin nature and myriads of stars that eliminate the vault of heaven. (Distance 69 km / total climb 979 meters) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tent)

Last cycling day starts with a 3km trudge along a dry river bed which is then replaced by a series of humps with a smooth packed surface that continues throughout the morning. Around midday we exit the Gurvan Saikhan mountain range and reach an open plain. This is when Khongoriin Els Sand dunes come in to our view. They stretch for almost 100km with the tallest dune reaching 200m from its foothill. Locals sometimes refer to them as the singing dunes due to a weird humming sound often heard on windy days. Fine sand gradually builds up on dune crests and eventually collapses producing the strange sound. We have a picnic lunch at the edge of the plain with the majesic dunes as the back drop, load bikes and drive to a cozy ger camp. We settle down and later when the heat subsides take an excursion to the dunes. You can climb the dunes or optional take a short camel ride along the lower slopes. (Distance 89 km / total climb 410 meters) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)

Our cycling adventure is over. After a relaxed morning we drive back to the Gobi airport and settle in a ger camp not far from it. The afternoon is at leisure. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)

Transfer to airport and catch a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening we gather for a good-bye dinner. (Breakfast, dinner, hotel)

Transfer for your return travel home. (Breakfast)