Your itinerary
Day 1
Adventure 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.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Morning sightseeing followed by a free afternoon; overnight train to Erdenet
We start the day after breakfast with the trip briefing and then strike out on an introductory tour of Ulaanbaatar, which takes in Sukhbaatar Square (the main square in the city), National Museum and Gandan Monastery. In the afternoon, you have free time before boarding the overnight train to Erdenet in the early evening. Erdenet is the third-largest city in Mongolia and home to one of the largest copper mines in the world. We stay in sleeping compartments on the train.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 3
Ride to Tal Tolgoi Well via the small township of Bugat
Our train arrives early in the morning. Upon arrival, we are joined by our crew and support vehicles. After breakfast, we set up the bikes and head out towards the wilderness. The small township of Bugat makes a convenient lunch stop. After lunch, our route takes us over Chuluutiin Davaa, a long pass on which care must be taken as the surface is loose in parts. With a steep descent, we arrive at a long plain leading to tonight’s camp near Tal Tolgoi Well.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 4
Cross Tuluugiin Pass
After our first night near local herding families, we cycle through rolling country before descending to a bridge over the Altaan (Golden) River. Rock formations in the area hint towards a volcanic past. The riverbanks make an idyllic spot for a picnic lunch. It is a long, steady climb to Tuluugiin Pass, where the scenery changes dramatically as the forests give way to open steppe, at least for a while. Today is our longest cycling day on the trip.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 5
Arhangai steppe ride to a valley below Khairkhan Mountain
Today we pass through rolling hills, past small lakes and herds of horses. Steppe eagles can be seen in this area. We stop for lunch with views across the steppe. After lunch, we continue on tracks around the southern side of Khairkhan Mountain (6,108ft/1,862m) and make camp in an open, green valley beneath the Kholbooriin Pass (5,410ft/1,649m).
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 6
Short climb to cross the Kholboogin Pass before descending to Khairkhan Lake camp
We begin with a bit of exertion as we make the short climb in the morning up to the pass, giving us far-reaching views across the countryside. Down the other side, we wind along gentle river valleys before emerging at the township of Khairkhan. After lunch on the outskirts of town, we pass a series of small lakes before choosing a camp for the night.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 7
Cycle up Khunjiin River Valley to camp beneath Chingeltei Mountain
Today we follow the Khunjiin River as it rises gently towards its headwaters. River valleys like this provide fertile pasture for grazing livestock and are popular campsites with local herders. Wetlands near the river attract birdlife, including demoiselle cranes. We stay overnight in the upper reaches of the river valley, beneath Chingeltei Mountain.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 8
Short climb past the headwaters of the Khunjiin; descend into Tamir River valley; camp near Great Rock of Ikh Tamir
After a short climb to the headwaters of the Khunjiin River at the Uran Khutul pass, it is downhill to the Tamir River where we have lunch on the banks. Near the river, we pass burial grounds dating to the eighth century. We camp tonight on the banks of the Tamir, not far from Ikh Tamir or Great Rock. Locals say that if you can throw a rock over the rock, it will bring you good luck for the rest of the journey.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 9
Half-day ride to Tsetserleg; afternoon free
Today is a half day of cycling and we make a good start to make the most of the afternoon for a chance to rest. The Gurviin Dava Pass is a long but steady ascent through forest for the most part, with a short, steep climb at the end. Arriving at the provincial capital of Tsetserleg makes the effort well worthwhile. Tsetserleg means garden and this township has one of the most attractive settings of any in Mongolia. We pitch camp by the Tsetserleg River. The afternoon is free to relax, enjoy a hot shower and experience staying in a traditional Mongolian ger.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 10
Morning ride in foothills of the Khangai Mountains
We are now close to the Khangai Mountains and a short ride takes us to the foothills. The rolling country of Arhangai has been replaced by forested hills of larch and pine with dramatic alpine peaks in the distance. There are three short passes today, with lunch on the third before descending to tonight’s camp.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 11
Cycle across rolling steppe to Ondor Khairkhan Mountain
Our route now takes us into the heart of the Khangai Mountains, following well-marked 4×4 trails. Herders still inhabit the valleys, yet yaks have replaced cows as the milk-producing animals. We follow picturesque valleys and camp beneath Ondor Khairkhan Mountain (7,585ft/2,312m). This a relatively long day that can be challenging if conditions are windy.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 12
Ride the Khangai mountain range on good jeep tracks; descend to Orkhon River Valley
Today we cross the Khangai mountain range on good jeep tracks and drop down to the Orkhon River on the longest, smoothest descent of the journey. The Orkhon River flows to the ancient capital, Karakorum, then to Lake Baikal in Russia and further northwards to the Arctic Ocean. After lunch, we continue downstream to our overnight camp on the banks of the Orkhon River.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 13
Ride to Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery; overnight in traditional ger camp
We ride from camp following rolling terrain, crossing and recrossing the Orkhon River as we head for the fertile plain chosen by Genghis Khan as the location for the capital city of his empire. Arriving in the early afternoon, we check into the ger camp for hot showers and a well-earned rest. This afternoon, we explore Erdene Zuu Monastery, the largest and most famous monastery in Mongolia. Built in 1586 under the direction of Abtai Khan on the ruins of the ancient capital, much of the monastery was destroyed during Stalinist purges of the 1930s, but an impressive wall with 108 stupas and several temples remains.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 14
Drive to Ulaanbaatar, visit Mongol Els dunes; enjoy a traditional Mongolian show
We make a good start this morning for the 250mi (400km) drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Travelling at an easy pace, we stop at Mongol Els to view the dunes with a picnic lunch en route. We check into our hotel on arrival in Ulaanbaatar – hot showers and cold beers! This afternoon, we enjoy a performance of traditional Mongolian song and dance by the renowned Tumen Ekh troupe.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 15
Naadam Festival
The Naadam Festival celebrates the ‘three games of men’ (or Erin Gurvan Naadam): wrestling, horse racing and archery. More recently, a fourth game, knuckle-bone flicking, was added to the competitions. The festival is celebrated throughout the country but the biggest is in Ulaanbaatar.Over the next two days, we attend the Naadam Festival horse racing, Deeltei Mongol Naadam (Mongolia National Costume Festival) and the Grand Opening Ceremony before we watch Mongolians compete in all four sports. We also get to mingle with hordes of Mongolian spectators as the grounds around the stadium (where wrestling, archery and bone-flicking takes place) and the horse races are filled with stands selling food, games, flags and various other things.The atmosphere is a big part of the experience and many Mongolians dress in their best traditional clothes for the occasion. In 2010, the festival was entered into the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list and is a great celebration of the Central Asian nation’s culture.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 16
Naadam Festival
The Naadam Festival celebrates the ‘three games of men’ (or Erin Gurvan Naadam): wrestling, horse racing and archery. More recently, a fourth game, knuckle-bone flicking, was added to the competitions. The festival is celebrated throughout the country but the biggest is in Ulaanbaatar.Over the next two days, we attend the Naadam Festival horse racing, Deeltei Mongol Naadam (Mongolia National Costume Festival) and the Grand Opening Ceremony before we watch Mongolians compete in all four sports. We also get to mingle with hordes of Mongolian spectators as the grounds around the stadium (where wrestling, archery and bone-flicking takes place) and the horse races are filled with stands selling food, games, flags and various other things.The atmosphere is a big part of the experience and many Mongolians dress in their best traditional clothes for the occasion. In 2010, the festival was entered into the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list and is a great celebration of the Central Asian nation’s culture.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 17
Adventure ends in Ulaanbaatar
The tour ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home, full of tales and magnificent photos to share. If you aren’t ready for the adventure to end, speak to your sales representative about our range of extension options.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Food
All meals are included.
In the countryside, our support vehicles carry the kitchen, food supplies and kitchen staff including a professional chef. Meals are Western style with a strong Asian influence. Breakfasts are typically cereals, toast and a hot dish. Lunches on the road are sandwiches, cheese, meats and salad. Dinners are a variety of vegetables, meat, rice, potatoes and pasta dishes. Filtered or purified drinking water is supplied on all cycling days, as are tea, coffee and fruit drinks. Dining in Ulaanbaatar is excellent and includes Mongolian, Indian, French, Chinese and Mexican restaurants. If you follow a vegan diet, the variety of food may be limited on this trip. As this kind of diet is relatively uncommon in this region, we cannot guarantee the hotels and restaurants will provide meals that have the necessary variety to be considered satisfying.
Naadam Festival: Opening Ceremony & Stadium Events
Experience Mongolia’s great celebration at the National Stadium as costumed athletes, musicians, and riders fill the arena for the Naadam Opening Ceremony. Witness the traditional sports known as the “three games”—wrestling, archery, and the mesmerizing precision of ankle-bone flicking (shagai).
Feel the pageantry of national pride, from throat singing to flag processions. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, Naadam reveals living traditions carried forward by families and champions from across the country.
Karakorum (Kharkhorin) Ancient Capital & Erdene Zuu Monastery
Visit the site of Genghis Khan’s ancient capital and step inside Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s most famed religious complex. Walk the encircling wall crowned by 108 stupas and survey intricate temple halls where Tibetan Buddhist art and chanting monks animate a storied past.
Set within the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, Karakorum reveals how imperial power and sacred practice intertwined on the steppe. Expect evocative ruins, sweeping river plains, and a powerful sense of continuity from empire to monastery.
Naadam Festival: Horse Races on the Steppe
Join locals on the grasslands outside the city to watch Naadam horse races, where young jockeys thunder across long-distance courses without saddles. Follow the surge of color as riders crest the horizon and crowds pause for photos and reflection under Mongolia’s wide skies.
The races honor centuries-old horsemanship central to nomadic life. From dust plumes to the finish-line roar, the spectacle conveys resilience, skill, and the enduring bond between Mongolians and their hardy steppe horses.
Deeltei Mongol National Costume Festival
Celebrate Mongolia’s sartorial heritage at the Deeltei Mongol Naadam, where families parade in brilliantly patterned deels, fur-trimmed hats, and ornate boots. See regional designs that reflect climate, clan, and craft, and pause for photos and reflection as the square becomes a living runway.
This festival underscores how identity and artistry flourish alongside Naadam’s sports. Expect embroidered silks, braided trims, and heirloom belts—garments that speak to centuries of nomadic ingenuity and pride.
Traditional Mongolian Performing Arts by Tumen Ekh Ensemble
Immerse yourself in an evening of national arts with the renowned Tumen Ekh Ensemble. Hear the haunting timbre of throat singing and the lilting strings of the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), interwoven with long-song and dazzling contortion displays.
This curated performance captures the spirit of the steppe in music and movement, distilling pastoral rhythms, epic poetry, and ceremonial court traditions into a vivid cultural showcase.
Khangai Mountains Traverse & Orkhon Valley Descent (Guided Off-Road Cycling)
Ride well-maintained jeep tracks across the forested Khangai Mountains before sweeping down into the Orkhon River Valley on the journey’s longest, smoothest descent. With vehicle support and expert guidance, you’ll join a guided panoramic tour on two wheels through pristine steppe and woodland.
The route threads yak-dotted pastures and glacial valleys into a landscape inscribed as the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, where imperial history and pastoral life animate every turn of the pedals.
Arhangai Steppe & Mountain Passes (Guided Off-Road Cycling)
Cycle rolling grasslands and cross high saddles such as Tuluugiin Pass and the scenic Kholboogin Pass, where larch forests open to sweeping steppe. Expect firm dirt, occasional loose surfaces, and misty mountain passes revealing new vistas with each climb and descent.
This segment showcases classic Mongolian variety—granite rock forms hinting at a volcanic past, wide skies unbroken by fences, and the chance to spot steppe eagles riding thermals above the ridgelines.
Khunjiin River Valley Ride & Great Rock of Ikh Tamir
Follow the gentle Khunjiin River Valley toward its headwaters, riding through wetland meadows frequented by demoiselle cranes. Descend to the Tamir River and continue to the Great Rock of Ikh Tamir, a striking outcrop steeped in local folklore and cycling lore.
Herders’ gers dot the grasslands, horses graze freely, and riverside camps frame golden-hour light. Legends say a stone thrown over the rock brings luck—an apt epilogue to a rewarding day’s ride.
Mongol Els Dunes Picnic & Desert Vistas
Pause at the Mongol Els dunes for a relaxed picnic amid rippling sands and steppe grasses. Walk the leeward slopes, feel the texture underfoot, and frame sunlit ridgelines for photographs that contrast with Mongolia’s mountain and meadow scenes.
These pocket dunes—shaped by wind and time—offer a vivid sense of the country’s geographic diversity. With open horizons and quiet air, it’s a contemplative interlude between cultural highlights and cycling achievements.
Ulaanbaatar City Highlights: Sükhbaatar Square, Gandan Monastery & National Museum
Explore Mongolia’s capital on a curated introduction that takes in Sukhbaatar Square, the spiritual calm of Gandan Monastery, and the story-rich galleries of the National Museum of Mongolia. Join a guided panoramic tour to understand how nomadic tradition meets modern life amid broad boulevards and Soviet-era architecture.
At Gandan, admire the soaring dome sheltering the Migjid Janraisig statue, while the National Museum traces history from the Mongol Empire to the socialist period. This city immersion sets cultural context before you venture into the steppe.
