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The Great Mongolian Ride – Ride Beyond the Horizon

A Fully Escorted Cycling Adventure Through Mongolia’s Ancient Heartland
13 Days | UNESCO Landscapes • Nomadic Culture • Wild Open Spaces
15 June – 27 June 2028

A chance to roam through the cradle of nomadic empires just as riders did centuries ago. This unforgettable cycling journey takes you deep into the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape — home to the ancient empires of the Gokturks and Mongols, dramatic volcanic scenery, sweeping grasslands, nomadic families, sacred monasteries and remote river valleys.

Travelling by bike through Mongolia’s vast open landscapes allows you to experience the country at a slower, more immersive pace. Ride alongside rivers, through mountain valleys and across rolling steppe while connecting with authentic nomadic culture and one of the world’s last truly untamed destinations.

Designed for both beginner and experienced cyclists, this small-group adventure combines moderate cycling with cultural exploration, support vehicles, comfortable accommodation and unforgettable wilderness experiences.

Cycling Difficulty:  Easy to Moderate

Tour Highlights

  • Cycle through the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley
  • Explore Mongolia’s ancient capital of Kharkhorin
  • Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery
  • Relax in the famous Tsenkher Natural Hot Springs
  • Ride through the spectacular Khangai Mountain region
  • Visit authentic Mongolian nomadic families
  • Experience traditional throat singing and cultural performances
  • Explore Orkhon Waterfall, Mongolia’s largest waterfall
  • Stay in traditional Mongolian Ger camps
  • Fully supported cycling with vehicle assistance throughout

 

Why You’ll Love This Journey

This is more than a cycling tour — it’s an immersive adventure through one of the world’s last truly wild landscapes. Mongolia offers an extraordinary sense of freedom, endless skies, warm hospitality and a deep connection to ancient culture and nature.

Travelling by bike allows you to slow down, absorb the landscapes and genuinely connect with local people and places in a way few travellers ever experience.

If at any stage you’d prefer a break from cycling, your bike can simply be loaded onto the support vehicle and you’re welcome to relax onboard while following the group through Mongolia’s spectacular landscapes.

SMALL GROUP – BIG LANDSCAPES – REAL ADVENTURE
  • June 13, 2028 - June 27, 2028
  • USD $5,100
  • 12 maximum
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Itinerary

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day Itinerary Accommodation Meals Bike KM Vehicle KM
1 Arrival into Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel.  Free time to relax or explore Mongolia’s vibrant capital city. Hotel – – –
2 Leisure day in Ulaanbaatar with optional shopping, cafés and local exploration. Hotel B – –
3 Full day Ulaanbaatar sightseeing including Sukhbaatar Square, National Museum of Mongolia, Choijin Lama Temple Museum and traditional cultural performance. Hotel B,D – –
4 Drive west through Mongolia’s vast grasslands to beautiful Ugii Lake, known for birdlife and stunning steppe scenery. Tent Camp B,L,D – 320
5 Begin cycling adventure riding to the North Tamir River through rolling open countryside and river valleys. Tent Camp B,L,D 61 61
6 Continue cycling south along the Tamir River region with spectacular mountain and grassland scenery. Tent Camp B,L,D 57 57
7 Ride toward the famous Tsenkher Natural Hot Springs and enjoy a relaxing soak beneath the stars. Ger Camp B,L,D 40 40
8 Cycle through remote valleys and steppe landscapes toward Tsagaan Sum Valley. Tent Camp B,L,D 55 55
9 Ride into the spectacular Orkhon Valley and visit the dramatic Orkhon Waterfall, Mongolia’s largest waterfall. Tent Camp B,L,D 45 45
10 Continue cycling alongside the Orkhon River through some of Mongolia’s most beautiful wilderness scenery. Tent Camp B,L,D 71 71
11 Final cycling day into historic Kharkhorin, once the capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery. Ger Camp B,L,D 24 24
12 Drive back to Ulaanbaatar across the Mongolian steppe. Farewell dinner celebrating the adventure. Hotel B,L,D – 360
13 Departure day. Transfer to airport for onward flights. – B – –

Refer Other Information section for detailed day by day itinerary and elevation graphs.

4-star hotels in Ulaanbaatar
Tourist Accommodation Ger Camp:

Ger camps, featuring the traditional roundhouses of nomadic life, are the main accommodation in the countryside during the tours. The ger camps are located close to the main attractions or in scenic areas in the appropriate day’s driving distance from one another. Mongolian camp has approximately 15-40 gers, a large ger restaurant or a house restaurant serves European and Mongolian meals. Some ger camps have game rooms and open playgrounds. Flush toilets and showers are located in separate blocks from the ger accommodations.

Tented camp:

The Northface VE25 4 people tent for twin use.

Toilet tent and toilet:

Eco toilet during camping and lunch breaks are used.

Shower tent and shower:

Foot pump shower and shower tent

Snack point:

For the snack, your cycling guides use Coca-Cola, Juice, Water, hot drinks, biscuits, nuts, and dried fruit. Every morning clients can refill their water bottles and during the cycling, they can refill them from our support van. The support van will always follow you.

Meals:

The chef which accompanies the cycling group prepares both European and traditional Mongolian meals fresh on-site. They are able to fully accommodate dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or special meal requests.

Some famous Mongolian dishes your guests may experience include:

• Buuz – traditional steamed dumplings
• Khuushuur – crispy fried meat pastry
• Khorkhog – traditional stone-cooked Mongolian barbecue
• Tsuivan – handmade stir-fried noodles
• Guriltai Shul – traditional noodle soup
• Airag – fermented mare’s milk
• Aaruul – dried curd snack
• Boortsog – traditional fried pastry served with milk tea

Price Includes

  • Share twin basis throughout, two nights likely to be triple share
  • 4 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels in Ulaanbaatar – Bayangol Hotel
  • 6 tented overnight stays (twin share)
  • 2 overnight stays in traditional tourist Ger camps (twin/triple share)
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Drinking water throughout the tour
  • Extra drinks and snacks during cycling days
  • All sightseeing, entry fees and National Park fees as listed
  • Russian 4WD support van(s) equipped with bike racks throughout the cycling journey
  • English-speaking cycling guide(s)
  • Sleeping bags and mattresses – they are custom-designed sleeping mats developed based on the cycling operators extensive touring experience. They are thick, comfortable, and well-insulated, providing good support and warmth for camping conditions in Mongolia
  • Fully escorted support from Joe & Pam Howells of New Zealand’s Green Jersey Explorer Tours from arrival in Mongolia until your departure
  • Fully supported cycling experience with vehicle backup and luggage transport throughout the journey
  • Mountain Bikes – Polygon Full-suspension mountain bike or GIANT XTC 800 series hardtail mountain bike

 

Price Excludes

  • International flights to and from Mongolia
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Visa fees (if applicable)
  • Alcoholic beverages and personal drinks not listed
  • Personal snacks outside those supplied during cycling days
  • Laundry and personal expenses
  • Tips and gratuities for local guides, drivers and support crew
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Personal cycling equipment and riding gear
  • Airport transfers outside scheduled group arrival/departure times
  • Any additional accommodation required due to flight delays or changes

Payment Terms

  • A non-refundable deposit of US$1,500 per person is required to secure your place on the tour
  • Final balance is due 90 days prior to tour commencement
  • Due to the remote nature of this expedition and supplier commitments within Mongolia, all payments are non-refundable unless your place can be resold – name change is permitted up until 90 days prior to departure
  • Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and insurance certificate must be provided prior to departure. Your policy should include full cover for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, cancellation, personal belongings and travel delays
  • Spaces are strictly limited to maintain the small-group experience.
June 13, 2028 - June 27, 2028

Day 1 – Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar the capital of Mongolia. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the city’s central 4-star hotel.  Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2 – Rest day in Ulaanbaatar Hotel

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3 – City sightseeing tour

Meet at the hotel lobby, the tour guide will lead you throughout a walking city sightseeing tour including the central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan, the Museum of National History introducing Mongolia’s history from early humans to the modern era, Choijin Lama or State Oracle Residence-museum displaying best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. Then attend a show of traditional music, throat singing, and contortion at 6 PM will be followed by a welcome dinner and tour briefing.   Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4 – Ulaanbaatar – Ugii lake 

After breakfast, our team will pick you up from the hotel and drive to Ugii lake. Which is a freshwater lake surrounded by hilly steppes. The lake is a summer station for a number of migratory birds as well as a few species of freshwater fish. After arriving we will set up our camp near the lake. You can do optional activities of the hike, horse riding, renting a boat, and fishing.

Accommodation: Tented Camp

Day 5 – Ugii – Ikh Tamir river 

Bike to North Tamir river. Our mountain guide will give an introduction to the cycling trip and do the final adjustment on selected bikes. Start cycle to the Tamir river. Today we will cycle 61 km of smooth and hard-packed soil dirt road through the steppe surrounding small hills following the Tamir river. Our support van will always go with the group and you can refill water from it. The kitchen van will always go ahead of the group to the snack and lunch point to prepare the meals and the camping spot will set up the kitchen, shower, and toilet tents.

Accommodation: Tented Camp

Cycling day: 1 Ugii – North Tamir River. Elevation Min: 1331 m, Max: 1389 m, Ascent: 381 m, Descent: 332 m

Day 6 – North Tamir – South Tamir river 

Bike to South Tamir river. Since it has 4 seasons, depending on the season Mongolian nomads choose the best condition and pasture for living and herding their livestock. In summer time most Mongolian nomads set up their felt gers near the river bank. On our cycling 2nd day we will cycle following the Tamir river again. You will see the modern Mongolian nomad’s lifestyle which is not changed much for hundreds of years. From about 35th km, our biking route scenery will be changed from steppe to hills. We slowly pedal between the small hills. It continues a  approx 12km cycle up a mountainous area, then a 10km slow downhill open valley to reach the camping spot near the river.

Accommodation: Tented Camp

Cycling day: 2 North Tamir – South Tamir River. Elevation Min: 1388 m, Max: 1667 m, Ascent: 446 m, Descent: 310 m

Day 7 – South Tamir – Tsenkher Hot springs 

Bike to Tsenkher hot spring. After breakfast starts cycling through the open grassland hilly steppe following the Tamir river bank with the magnificent view of felt walled gers of herding Mongols and large flocks of grazing animals. At the end of the day, we slowly cycle up to the northern part of Khangain nuruu (Khangai Mountains, range) which extends northwest-southeast for about 700 km with wooded mountains and lush meadows in central Mongolia. Total 40km of cycling, we will reach Tsenher hot spring. Upon arrival at the springs, we settle in a tourist ger camp where you can relax in a pool filled with spring water. You may as well take a relaxing body massage at a small additional fee.

Accommodation: Ger camp

Cycling day: 3 South Tamir – Tsenkher Hot Springs. Elevation – Min: 1521 m, Max: 1820 m, Ascent: 839 m, Descent: 574 m

Day 8 – Tsenkher Hot springs – Tsagaan sum valley

Bike to Tsagaan sum valley. After relaxing and refreshing in the hot spring, we continue cycling up and down to Tsagaan sum (white temple) valley through the mountainous area. Within the first 15km, we cycle up and pass 2 small passes ASL 1872 metres and 1848 metres. Then continue pedalling gradually up to the third pass of 2030 metres above sea level at around 40km. We will reach our camp spot grassland between hills after a pleasant slow downhill 15 km riding.

Accommodation: Tented Camp

Cycling day: 4 Tsenkher Hot Springs – Tsagaan Sum Valley. Elevation – Min: 1689 m, Max: 2029 m, Ascent: 871 m, Descent: 900 m

Day 9 – Tsagaan sum valley – Orkhon water fall 

Bike to the Orkhon valley en route to visit the waterfall. After breakfast, our day will start to climb up to the 2 passes. On the top of the second pass, we will see a beautiful view of the Orkhon river valley. Referred to as the cradle of nomadic culture Orkhon valley is a UNESCO world heritage registered fascinating landscape with interesting historical sites. Then continue the easy cycle downhill 33km along Orkhon valley, and en route has lunch. After setting up our camp near the river beach, we will short drive or hike to the Ulaan tsutgalan waterfall as known as Orkhon waterfall too. It is the largest waterfall in Mongolia and flows from an imposing height of 20 meters and its width is 10 meters.

Accommodation: Tented Camp

Cycling day: 5 Tsagaan Sum Valley – Orkhon Waterfall. Elevation Min: 1689 m, Max: 2027 m, Ascent: 722 m, Descent: 634 m

Day 10 – Orkhon water fall – Orkhon river beach 

Bike to the Orkhon river beach. This is our longest cycling day even so we cycle enjoyable downhill 71km along the Orkhon river bank. The high population of nomadic herders in this area allows you, to meet and visit local families, taste local dairy foods, and learn about their lifestyle.

Accommodation: Tented Camp

Cycling day: 6-Tsenkher hot springs – Tsagaan sum valley. Elevation: min 1530 m, max 1848m, Ascent 598 m, Descent 916 m

Day 11 – Orkhon river beach – Kharkhorin  

Bike to Kharkhorin town. Even it is only 24km we cycle and climb up to a hill in the early 10 km. Then continue easy pedal through Orkhon valley to Kharlhorin town. The Kharkhorin – the ancient capital city of the Mongolian empire including the center of trade along the Silk Road, and the biggest exchange bridge of eastern and western culture in the 13th century. In 1220 Great Chinggis Khaan founded Karakorum which was completed by his second son and successor Ugudei in 1235. Nowadays, the main attraction here is the monastery museum of Erdene Zuu established in the 16th century for the introduction of Buddhism as the main religion by Avtai Sain Khaan. Stones from the ruins of Karakorum were used in construction. The monastery was damaged several times due to war between Mongolian tribes then suffered almost complete destruction during the anti-religion campaign of the 1930-ies, only a few temples and surrounding walls with stupas survived. Visit the museum and take a glance at a few surviving artifacts of the old capital. Stay overnight at tourist ger camp.

Accommodation: Ger camp

Cycling day 7: Orkhon river beach – Kharkhorin.  Elevation: min 1480m, max 1709m, Ascent 415m, Descent 428m

Day 12-  Karakorum – Ulaanbaatar 

It’s time to return to Ulaanbaatar! After a quick breakfast you’ll drive 6 hours to Mongolia’s capital and visit premium quality of Mongolian brand cashmere factory show room. Free time on your disposal in the late afternoon and gather for dinner at 18:00 in the lobby of hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 13- Departure 

Our colleague will pick you up from the hotel 2 hours 30 minutes in advance transfer to the Airport. 

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For questions or bookings: mail lesley@travelwithlesleywhyte.com