In this section...
Trip rating details
Demanding: Significant expedition style camping or family stays. May include full-day hikes (up to 6 hours) or rides over challenging terrain, long driving distances over rough unpaved roads, or challenging weather conditions, including extremes of temperature.
Packing List
This is a suggested packing list, which you should feel free to adjust to suit your needs. Please refer to our travel guide for more detailed information.
- backpack or soft bag
- sleeping bag (-5C)
- day pack
- head lamp/flashlight
- spare batteries/bulb
- personal medications
- towel
- helmet - well ventilated and comfortable
- cycling shorts- You need a fresh pair each day and they take 2 days to dry completely
- cycling jersey- You need a fresh one each day and they take a day to dry
- head sweat bands- get them from tennis stores
- cycling Shoes - with adjusted clipless pedal attachments
- cycling Socks- they take 2 days to dry after washing
- gloves - padded cycling gloves
- gloves - full finger, bricklayer's gloves work well
- cycling tights
- cycling jacket
- windproof jacket with hood
- windproof overpants
- fleece jacket or wool jumper
- cotton t-shirts
- long sleeve shirts
- comfortable trousers
- warm hat
- long underwear
- socks
- underwear
- sun hat
- gloves
- sun glasses
- sun cream
- spare glasses
- walking shoes
- resealing (ziploc) plastic bags
- binoculars/camera
- wet tissues
- watch/ alarm clock
- money belt/ pouch
- insurance confirmation copy
- emergency contact number
trip information- biking the orkhon valley
Day 1. Arrival (D)
Arrival to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. Depending on time of arrival, we may have a short city sight-seeing tour. Evening welcome dinner.
Overnight in a 4* hotel.
Day 2. Ulaanbaatar/ Kharkhorin (B,L,D)
Built by Chinggis Khan about 800 years ago, Kharkhorin, better known as Karakorum, was famed throughout Asia as the capital of the Mongol Empire. Within the walls of this spectacular city kings were chosen, laws made and the fate of the next city to be conquered were determined. We will visit the ruins of the old city, the Erden Zuu monastery and other historical monuments in the area.
Overnight in a ger camp by the Orhon River.
Day 3. Kharkhorin/ The Orkhon Valley (B,L,D)
After breakfast, and a short driving out of Kharkhorin, we will unpack the bikes, and start riding. From the Khangai Mountain Range the Orkhon River runs all the way to Lake Baikal in Siberia. Today we head south, riding our bikes along the river’s banks throughout the vast Mongolian steppes, Here there is a great variety of birds of prey, including eagles and falcons, constantly on the watch for a meal.
Overnight in tents.
Day 4. The Orkhon Valley/ Tuvkhon Monastery/ The Red Waterfall (B,L,D)
Today’s first stop will be at Tuvhon Monastery, established during the 1650’s by Zanabazar, one of Mongolia’s most respected religious leaders. The monastery’s wooden buildings are integrated with a natural system of caves perched hear a hilltop, from which you have beautiful views of the Orhon Valley and the surrounding pine forests. With its unique natural features, it was a perfect location for the great religious leader to meditate. Continuing south; we reach the Red Waterfall, where we make camp for the night. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 5. The Red Waterfall/ The Eight Lakes NP/ Shiret Lake (B,L,D)
Today we ride into the Khangai Nuruu, Mongolia’s second largest mountain range, to the Eight Lakes national park, which lies 2800 meters above sea level. As its name suggests, the national park contains many lakes scattered over two big valleys. Very few families inhabit the area, and it is a perfect secluded spot single trek riding.
Overnight in tents.
Day 6. Shiret Lake/ Duruu Lake/ The White Stallion Valley/ Uliastay River (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we will depart from the picturesque Shiret Lake, crossing the Eight Lakes NP from south to north. We will stop for a lunch on the shores of Duruu lake, before leaving the NP, and heading downwards to the White Stallion Valley, characterized by stunning rock formations on both sides of the narrow valley. We then continue to cross a small ridge, all the way to the stunning Uliatsy River, where we will camp for the night.
Overnight in tents.
Day 7. Uliastay River/ Shirlag River (B,L,D)
Keep on biking northward, we leave the slopes of the Khangai Mountains, and heading to an area know by the Mongolians as the ‘Paradise of the Horse Herders’ for its prosperous grazes and its natural beauty. We will ride along the Orkhon River, and then up one of its tribute, the Shirlag River, where we will camp for the night.
Overnight in Tents.
Day 8. Shirlag River/ The Hot Springs of Tsenher (B,L,D)
We will embark on a ride towards a well disserved treat, the Hot Springs of Tsenher, where water flows out of the ground at 82° C, and where we can enjoy a relaxing soak.
Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 9. The Hot Springs of Tsenher (B,L,D)
Today we will enjoy a day of leisure. Those who wish, can soak in the hot water pools for the entire day, while the others are welcome to explore the area by foot or by horse, and to visit nomadic families living in the area.
Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 10. The Hot Springs of Tsenher/ Tsetserleg/ Elsiin Tasarhai (B,L,D)
After breakfast we will have our last leg of biking, towards Tsetserleg, the Provincial Capital. From Tsetserleg, we will continue by car to Elsiin Tasarhai sand dune, where we will take a short hike through the dune, and enjoy the magnificent sunset over the dune.
Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 11. Elsiin Tasarhai/ Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
After packing our bikes, we will take the 6 hours drive back to Ulaanbaatar. At the afternoon we will visit the National History Museum, which holds a permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have inhabited the territory of Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present, including a significant display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. After our farewell dinner, we will climb the Zaisan Hill, to view the city at night.
Overnight in a 4* Hotel.
Day 12. Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your international departing flight.
Map
