TASTE OF MONGOLIA CYCLING TOUR

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

1.5 hour car transfer east of Ulaanbaatar brings you to Genghis Khan’s 40 meter mounted statue signifying the gateway to his homeland. While bikes are being readied take a panoramic view of the surrounding steppe and mountains from an observation deck on the horses head. We then start riding along the Tuul river, a major river that empties in to lake Baikal in Russia. We cycle across rolling hills and lush meadows with some wooded mountains as a backdrop. Invariably we ride on smooth car tracks, at times slightly sandy and at times muddy depending on how much rain had fallen. As you bike you will catch a glimpse of a life that has seemingly not changed for a few hundred years. Large flocks of yaks, sheep and goats roam the area and circular tents of local herders can be seen from time to time. This morning as a warm up we have a few insignificant uphills and after lunch climb up to a wooded pass at 1887m. The effort is rewarded by spectacular views over wide valleys and forested mountains and a long descent to the Tuul river bank. Here we erect our tents and take a shower before dinner. (Distance 47 km / total climb 737 meters) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tent)

The whole of the morning we ride upstream along the Tuul river on smooth but at times muddy tracks. A few small stream crossings lie on your way. Around lunch time we reach the highest point of the day. After lunch we enjoy a long downhill followed by 20km easy roll across a wide valley that will bring us to our 2nd campsite. Today we will satisfy your curiosity by stopping at a nomadic family tent and introduce you to “whats, hows and whys” of Mongolian nomads. (Distance 49 km / total climb 632 meters) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tent)

We continue riding across more open grassland to the “Mongolia in XIII century” theme park. It consists of several stations each showcasing an aspect of medieval life of Mongolia. “Horse relay station” is where you can get your photo taken in traditional clothes and armor, “Craftsmen camp” introduces you to traditional smith, wood and leather work, at the “Educational camp” visitor are introduced to traditional calligraphy and games. The last station is the “Khan’s Palace” – a huge ornate ger decorated with medieval costumes and warrior implements. Here you may try royal costumes on and test your archery skills etc. Each station is about 500m from each other so we take short rides to visit them. After completing the visits we climb to the top of a local highest mountain to a campsite that offers 360 degree panoramic view. The climb is a 9km gradual ascent on grassy tracks. Dinner and overnight. (Distance 63 km / total climb 610 meters) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tent)

Last cycling day. Again we take easy ups and downs across grassland. We will serve a snack stop nearby some granite boulders as a backdrop before taking the highest climb of the tour at 1830meters above sea level. Weather permitting we have lunch at the top of the pass and enjoy great panoramic views of Mongolian steppe land. A 3km steep descent is ridden by rain water ditches so use your breaks!!! When at the bottom of the descent we roll for another 20km across grassland with no significant ascents. Here we load bikes and take a 2 hour return transfer back to Ulaanbaatar and to your hotel. In the evening we all gather for a farewell dinner. (Distance 35 km / total climb 470 meters) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, hotel)

Transfer for your return travel home. (Breakfast)