Khangai Mountain Biking Tour

Tour Description

Traverse the Khangai range, its lush valleys and wooded mountain sides, climb its many passes and meet local herders who live off large flocks of yaks and sheep. Each day climb 2-5 distinct passes, cross a number of knee deep streams. At all times biking is done on distinct car tracks with smooth packed surface interrupted by a couple of short rocky sections.

Total 13 days, 8 cycling days. Overall cycling distance is 430 km, total ascent 4790 meters, highest camp altitude is 2550 m. Professional guiding, permanent vehicle support, cycling adapted food and comfortable camping with drip shower and sit down toilets is included. DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Demanding

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Bike on earth road through up and down hills, streams, valleys with large number of herds of nomadic people alongside of traverse Khangai mountain range in central Mongolia.
Reasonable daily cycling distance to fascinating natures, unique nomadic cultureand interesting historic sites including UNESCO world heritage Orkhon valley and Kharkhorin.

Price includes

2 hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar (Twin)
1 night at local hotel in Arvaikheer (Twin)
3 nights in gers,
6 Tented overnights,
All transfers including arrival & departure,
Indicated meals (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner),
Visits & national park fees,
Camping equipment
English speaking guide(s)
Cook(s)
A hard trail mountain bike,
Tools & parts
Drinking water and snack

Price excludes

Travel insurance,
Excess luggage fee,
Meals not indicated,
Sleeping bag,
Personal cycling accessories and clothes,
Drinks,
Gratuities

Tour dates:

June 1 - Sep 30, 2024 OPEN

Day 1 - Arrive in Ulaanbaatar

Welcome to Mongolia! We meet at 1 pm to take a guided tour of Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia’s capital is home to many unique sites, including the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, the country’s last king, and the National Museum of Mongolian History. A special treat is in store for you this evening as well, a unique show of contortion and throat singing. /Hotel. D/

Day 2 – Ulaanbaatar – Arvaikheer

We load in 4WD expedition vans which have special racks for carrying bikes and drive west of UB on rough tarmac across vast open steppes with rolling hills in the background. Around mid afternoon we arrive to a place known as the “little Gobi”. This is a spectacular combination of hilly steppes, granite formations and extensive sand dunes. Here we can go for an optional dune walk or a short camel ride while lunch is prepared. We drive onto the provincial capital of Arvaikheer where we spend the night. /Local Hotel. B L D/

Day 3 - Arvaikheer – SE Khangai Foothills Hills

A two hour transfer brings us close to the SE foothills of the Khangai range that covers nearly a fifth of the country’s territory. We start cycling towards the range through a region dominated by dome shaped mountains, mixed woods, clear streams and lush grassy valleys that receive abundant rainfall compared to all other parts of Mongolia. We overnight at our first tented camp. Tented Camp. Ride 40 km. Ascent 267 m / Descent 281 m. B L D

Day 4 - SE Khangai Foothills – Shargaljuut River

We start biking with an ascent along a mountain river before a challenging zigzag up to a 2911m pass and a breathtaking view of the Gobi desert that lies towards south of the range. A 500m descent most of which is gentle brings us to Shargaljuut river valley inhabited by local herders who graze large flocks of yaks and horses. Dinner and overnight in tents. Tented Camp. Ride 45 km. Ascent 910 m/Descent 675 m. B L D

Day 5 - Shargaljuut River - Elbekh pass – Khukh river valley

The day begins with a quick breakfast and a gentle ride past herds of yaks and local nomads. The first pass is not too steep but still offers a bit of a challenge. This is followed by a 200 meter descent and a steep climb to a lunch spot on the top of the Elbekh pass. A swift descent is followed by a climb up a grassy track to the top of Mukhar Mod Pass. Another swift downhill brings us to a beautiful camp site by the Erkhet river. Tented Camp. Ride 33 km. Ascent 798 m/Descent 651 m. B L D

Day 6 - Khukh river valley - Suugiin davaa - Tsagaan khadnii pass

The day starts with a gentle climb towards Suugiin Pass. By the time you get there, you will have to prepare your legs for a long climb followed by a fast descent to a river by which a lunch will be served. 15 more km across grassy plains with easy ups and downs and on some rough and rocky surfaces brings us to Tsagaan Khad Pass, a short but vertical climb to 2800meters. The following descent is at first challenging but soon smoothes out into a large valley. Then it’s an exhilarating downhill to our camp site. Tented Camp. Ride 38 km. Ascent 708 m/Descent 774 m. B L D

Day 7 - Tsagaan khadnii pass - Khol Sayiin Pass – S.Tamir River

This morning we ride for 25km along the main river of Khangai that flows south in to the Gobi desert and forms a large saline lake. Then to avoid a rocky and jarring track we’ll transfer 70 km (3 hours) across the main water divide of the Khangai range and unload bikes 13km before our overnight campsite. It’s a downhill descent, no pedaling required, to our camp at an idyllic spot by the river.

Tented Camp. Ride 38 km. Ascent 132 m/Descent 331 m. B L D

Day 8 – S.Tamir River – Teeliin pass - S.Tamir River

Riding surface improves dramatically from today on. It is hard-packed and fast. Leaving the valley, you’ll encounter a series of short but steep passes with excellent descents to more smooth ground. Your last descent of the day will take you to the settlement of Bulgan and then to the South Tamir river. We take a break from our tents and overnight in a cozy ger camp. Ger Camp. Ride 64 km. Ascent 686 m/Descent 994 m. B L D

Day 9 – N.Tamir River – Tsenkher Hot Springs

Only 22km and half a day riding to Tsenkher river, famous for its hot spring baths. 3 short climbs and we aim to reach them before lunch. 2 pools filled with hot mineral water await you. A relaxing massage is offered at a small additional charge. After lunch we ride horse 2 hours. Overnight in a ger camp. Ger Camp. Ride 22 km. Ascent 452 m/Descent 400 m. B L D

Day 10 - Tsenkher Hot Springs - Orkhon Valley

This isn’t an easy day as there are five passes that vary in length from 2.5 km to 11.5 km and we gain the most elevation of the entire trip, 1250m. Good news is that the track today is a pleasure as we cover 78 kilometers of smooth, hard, and packed surfaces on your way to the Orkhon river valley. This area contains many ancient graves and historical sites and is often referred to as the cradle of Mongolian civilization. We set up camp our last tented camp on the banks of the Orkhon river. Tented Camp. Ride 79 km. Ascent 1,211 m/Descent 1,239 m. B L D

Day 11 – Orkhon Valley – Karakorum

We saved the best for last! Your final day of cycling promises to be an exciting one with an eastward journey along the Orkhon river to Karakorum where the 2nd son of Chinggis Khan built the capital of the Mongol Empire in early 13th century. There are no major ascents today, just lots of small undulations, and we are losing altitude the entire ride, making it a fast day. Immediately after arrival to our ger camp we visit Karakorum. Largely an experiment of city building in a per-dominantly nomadic society, it never became a fully functional capital before it was demolished by invading Chinese Min Dynasty troops in late 14th century. Today the main attraction here is the monastery museum of Erdene Zuu established in 16th century by a Mongol khan as part of introduction of Buddhism as the main religion. The monastery then suffered almost a complete destruction during the anti-religion campaigns of 1930-ies with just a dozen of temples surviving till present. Spend some time in the peaceful premises of the monastery and take a glance at a few surviving artifacts of the old capital. And finally visit the new Karakorum museum - a fantastic collection of artifacts and of historical data that has continually been replenished by new findings and discoveries. We return to the ger camp for showers, dinner and overnight. Ger Camp. Ride 72 km. Ascent 747 m/Descent 1,161 m. B L D

Day 12 - Ulaanbaatar

It’s time to return to Ulaanbaatar! After a quick breakfast you’ll drive 6 hours to Mongolia’s capital and the rest of the day will be free to explore the city or to just rest before dinner. Hotel. B L D

Day 13 - Ulaanbaatar

As you eat your last breakfast in Mongolia and prepare for your return trip home, take the time to reflect on all that you witnessed and experienced in this amazing country. B

Kimmaria Hills

This was my 50th Birthday Present to myself (February) and timed my trip to co-inside with my husbands 52nd Birthday and the team gave a surprise cake to my husband, this really touched both of us. This trip really blew my socks off (despite wearing the same pair for the trip). The countryside was wide-sweeping along with the endless skies.

The people hospitable especially the herders we met, we felt welcomed. Mongolia is unique with it's history and culture which is worn as a warm knowing smile that they will gently share with you. I really don't think this trip could have been bettered and the echo of which will live with me for many many years and I am extremely grateful to Samba and his team for giving me such a gift.

SHEILA McDowall

Hi Batsuren,

I just want to thank your company so much for a fantastic trip. The attention to detail from start to finish was amazing. We both had an incredible time mountain biking in the Mongolia back country and seeing the nomadic life style. The crew you sent with us were first class.

I have attached a photo that Jia, the driver, requested that I send. Can you please make sure he gets it.

Kind regards

Sheila

NADINE OBERHUBER

Dear Team of Mongolia Expeditions,

I was member of the German group which did the Orkhon & Gobi Mountinabike Tour in late August (20 August till 6. September).

And I would like to send you a big “THANK YOU” for all:

For the great organization.

For the incredible good staff team (including all our drivers, the cook and our tour guides) - it was great fun with them.

And for the great experiences we had in Mongolia.

And I would like to mention one guy especially: Our guide and mechanic Turro did a really great job!! He is an excellent rider and guide. With a little bit more english he will be perfect and outstanding!

Greetings from Germany

Nadine

Karen

Exceeded all expectations!

My mountain bike trip to Khangai Mountains with Mongolian Expeditions in July 2017 was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Batsuren responded quickly to all my questions by email leading up to the trip, helped with my visa and extra accommodation needs.

Once in Ulaanbataar, N.K., our guide, showed us around town and then led our cycling trip. He is a highly motivated and professional guide, very knowledgeable about his land and cultural, and also has an excellent sense of humour.

The rest of the team were equally fantastic. Mende, our driver, got the van through some pretty rough passes and always found excellent camping locations along the way.

Lkhagva, our chef, managed to create a feast out of nowhere every time we stopped to eat and despite the heavy outlay of calories on this trip, we ate plenty!!

Chuka, our mechanic, encouraged me over some rough and steep climbs, kept our bikes clean oiled and in tip top shape, and is a man of few words. He was an excellent person to cycle along beside, and is always able to pick a path through the roughest terrain.

At each nightly camp spot, they worked like a well oiled machine, setting up camp and getting food in our stomachs with practiced efficiency. In the morning, they equally efficiently got everything back in the van.

The trip itself was beautiful beyond words. We spent several days see little human habitation except local nomads, every valley was different and there was a constant abundance of animals - horses, yaks, goats, sheep, ground squirrels being the most prominent.

I found the first few days very challenging- I'm not used to cycling at that sort of altitude, the trails were very rough and we had a day of freezing, driving rain. As I rode into the week and acclimatised, every day was amazing, the cycling a pleasure and by the last days, I didn't want it to end.

I cannot recommend this trip highly enough for anyone with some solid mountain bike skills and a sense of adventure.

HINT - pack a range of layering clothes for on and off the bike and a REALLY warm sleeping bag. Overnights in the mountains were very cold and on rainy days, it was also colder than I expected. But, on sunny days it was beautiful and warm.

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