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
Total 12 days, 8 cycling days. Overall cycling distance is 430km, total ascent 4790 meters, highest camp altitude is 2550m. Professional guiding, permanent vehicle support, cycling adapted food and comfortable camping with drip shower and sit down toilets is included.
TOUR DATES FOR 2015:
- 13 June - 24 June
- 27 June - 8 July
- 8 Aug - 19 Aug
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival to Ulaanbaatar, guided city tour
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital of Mongolia and transfer to a centrally located 4 star hotel. Afternoon guided city tour will introduce you to the highlights of the city: the Gandan Temple - city's main Buddhist center, the central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan and the Zaisan Memorial, an elevated hill on the city's edge providing a panoramic view of UB. Then choose to visit one or two museums from the following: Museum of National History introducing Mongolia's history from early humans to modern era, Natural History Museum with a unique collection of dinosaur fossils, Choijin Lama or State Oracle Residence-museum displaying best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. The Winter palace of Bogd Khan showcasing rare statues of Buddhist deities and items of personal use of this last theocratic ruler of Mongolia is also worth considering. A show of traditional music, throat singing and contortion at 6PM will be followed by a welcome dinner. (hotel/D)
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital of Mongolia and transfer to a centrally located 4 star hotel. Afternoon guided city tour will introduce you to the highlights of the city: the Gandan Temple - city's main Buddhist center, the central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan and the Zaisan Memorial, an elevated hill on the city's edge providing a panoramic view of UB. Then choose to visit one or two museums from the following: Museum of National History introducing Mongolia's history from early humans to modern era, Natural History Museum with a unique collection of dinosaur fossils, Choijin Lama or State Oracle Residence-museum displaying best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. The Winter palace of Bogd Khan showcasing rare statues of Buddhist deities and items of personal use of this last theocratic ruler of Mongolia is also worth considering. A show of traditional music, throat singing and contortion at 6PM will be followed by a welcome dinner. (hotel/D)
Day 2: Flight to south Khangai
This morning you will be transferred for an hour and a half flight to south side of the Khangai range. On arrival meet with the support team of guide(s), cooks and drivers. After picnic lunch take a 2 hour transfer to the starting point of cycling. Here we set our tented camp in one of the southern valleys of the Khangai mountains. Dinner and overnight. (tent/B,L,D)
This morning you will be transferred for an hour and a half flight to south side of the Khangai range. On arrival meet with the support team of guide(s), cooks and drivers. After picnic lunch take a 2 hour transfer to the starting point of cycling. Here we set our tented camp in one of the southern valleys of the Khangai mountains. Dinner and overnight. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 3: Acclimatization day
Our campsite lies at an altitude of 2100m above sea level in the valley of Shargaljuut river. The area has over 300 hot and cold mineral springs. After assembling bikes we take a short ride to the springs and back to acclimatize and get the bikes thoroughly checked and adjusted. (tent/B,L,D)
Our campsite lies at an altitude of 2100m above sea level in the valley of Shargaljuut river. The area has over 300 hot and cold mineral springs. After assembling bikes we take a short ride to the springs and back to acclimatize and get the bikes thoroughly checked and adjusted. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 4-8: Cycle to cross the Khangai Mountain range(222km)
During these 5 days we aim to cross the Khangai mountains. They separate the Gobi Desert from the northern steppes. Avoiding the main travel routes across the Khangai as much as possible we will follow a route which has seen very few western visitors and certainly fewer bikers. We will be cycling along easy mountain valleys interrupted by short but challenging passes to climb followed long fast downhills. Each pass will open a grand view of distant ridges, high mountains and wide green valleys. On some days we will cross small streams, sometimes knee-deep. Everyday we will be passing by nomadic encampments and hundreds of yaks, sheep and goats grazing alongside watched by tough horsemen. Nomads are the most hospitable people, quite often they invite travelers into their gers and offer tea and dairy products. In the evening of the 8th day we arrive at a ger camp and take a bath or shower in the hot spring water. You may as well take a relaxing body massage at a small additional fee. Tonight you will have an overnight in a traditional Mongolian felt tent known as ger". (tent/ger/B,L,D)
During these 5 days we aim to cross the Khangai mountains. They separate the Gobi Desert from the northern steppes. Avoiding the main travel routes across the Khangai as much as possible we will follow a route which has seen very few western visitors and certainly fewer bikers. We will be cycling along easy mountain valleys interrupted by short but challenging passes to climb followed long fast downhills. Each pass will open a grand view of distant ridges, high mountains and wide green valleys. On some days we will cross small streams, sometimes knee-deep. Everyday we will be passing by nomadic encampments and hundreds of yaks, sheep and goats grazing alongside watched by tough horsemen. Nomads are the most hospitable people, quite often they invite travelers into their gers and offer tea and dairy products. In the evening of the 8th day we arrive at a ger camp and take a bath or shower in the hot spring water. You may as well take a relaxing body massage at a small additional fee. Tonight you will have an overnight in a traditional Mongolian felt tent known as ger". (tent/ger/B,L,D)
Day 9: Cycle to Orkhon river valley
90km of smooth hard pack surface brings us there. Our tented camp will be erected about 10km higher up the stream upon reaching and crossing the Orkhon river. Once the camp is set you may leisurely hike the camp area or take a dip in its cool waters before dinner is ready. (tent/B,L,D)
90km of smooth hard pack surface brings us there. Our tented camp will be erected about 10km higher up the stream upon reaching and crossing the Orkhon river. Once the camp is set you may leisurely hike the camp area or take a dip in its cool waters before dinner is ready. (tent/B,L,D)
Day 10: Bike to Karakorum - medieval capital of Genghis Khan
The last day and 75km on smooth packed surface along the Orkhon river before we arrive to Karakorum - the site of the Mongol Empire capital in 1200s. Largely an experiment of city building in a pre-dominantly nomadic culture, Karakorum as it was known then 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 campaign 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. The new Karakorum museum with a unique collection of exhibits is also worth a visit. We continue to a local ger camp for dinner and our overnight stay. (ger camp/B,L,D)
The last day and 75km on smooth packed surface along the Orkhon river before we arrive to Karakorum - the site of the Mongol Empire capital in 1200s. Largely an experiment of city building in a pre-dominantly nomadic culture, Karakorum as it was known then 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 campaign 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. The new Karakorum museum with a unique collection of exhibits is also worth a visit. We continue to a local ger camp for dinner and our overnight stay. (ger camp/B,L,D)
Day 11: Return to Ulaanbataar, farewell dinner
After breakfast take a 6 hour drive to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon for shopping and else. Farewell dinner. (hotel/B,L,D)
After breakfast take a 6 hour drive to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon for shopping and else. Farewell dinner. (hotel/B,L,D)
Day 12: Departure transfer
Transfer for your return travel home.(B)
Transfer for your return travel home.(B)
