mongolia travel bike

Explore the Best Cycling Routes in Mongolia – Unforgettable Journey

• By Daniel Shakibaie
• Best Cycling Routes

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the best cycling routes in Mongolia ? With its vast landscapes and low population density, Mongolia offers adventure seekers the perfect opportunity to cycle through beautiful places and immerse themselves in the unique cultural experiences that the country has to offer.

One of the most sought-after cycling destinations in Mongolia is the Khangai Mountains , located in the Arkhangai province. The rugged mountains and clear streams provide a challenging yet rewarding experience for cyclists. Along the way, cyclists can camp in picturesque spots, surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery.

What sets cycling in Mongolia apart is the warm hospitality of the locals and the chance to experience traditional Mongolian culture . Stay with a nomadic family, interact with the friendly locals , and visit monasteries to gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating culture.

The best times to visit Mongolia for a cycling trip are during the summer and autumn seasons. It is advisable to bring a GPS and a phrasebook to navigate through the remote areas and communicate with the locals . While basic supplies can be found in settlements , it’s recommended to carry extra fuel for stoves due to the scarcity of resources in some areas.

For a convenient base and rental bikes , the Fairfield Guesthouse in Tsersteleg is highly recommended. However, it’s important to be aware of the visa requirements and the lack of road signs and communication facilities in certain areas of the country.

In conclusion, cycling in Mongolia promises an unforgettable journey filled with stunning landscapes and unique cultural experiences . Get ready to pedal through the best cycling routes in Mongolia and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Key Takeaways:

• Mongolia offers some of the best cycling routes for adventure seekers.
• The Khangai Mountains in the Arkhangai province provide excellent touring potential with rugged mountains and clear streams.
• Experience traditional Mongolian culture by staying with a nomadic family and visiting monasteries.
• Summer and autumn are the best times to visit Mongolia for a cycling trip .
• Carry a GPS and a phrasebook for navigation and communication in remote areas.

Cycling Routes in the Khangai Mountains

The Khangai Mountains in Mongolia offer some of the most challenging and rewarding cycling routes, with stunning landscapes and the opportunity to camp under the starry sky. This region, located in the Arkhangai province, is known for its rugged mountains and clear streams, providing an ideal setting for cyclists seeking an adrenaline-fueled adventure .

With a low population density and only ten percent of its roads paved, Mongolia offers cyclists the freedom to ride and camp anywhere they like. The Khangai Mountains, with their challenging terrains and picturesque scenery, are perfect for those looking to test their skills and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

During your cycling journey in the Khangai Mountains, you can expect warm hospitality from the locals, who will welcome you into their communities and share their traditional Mongolian culture . This immersive experience allows you to stay with nomadic families, interact with locals, and even visit monasteries along the way, providing a deeper understanding of the rich heritage of Mongolia.

Summer and autumn are the best times to visit the Khangai Mountains for cycling, as the weather is pleasant and the scenery is at its most vibrant. It’s important to be aware of the visa requirements for Mongolia and to be prepared for the lack of road signs and communication challenges in remote areas.

While basic supplies can be found in most settlements , it is recommended to bring extra fuel for stoves due to the scarcity of resources in some areas. The Fairfield Guesthouse in Tsersteleg is a fantastic base for your cycling trip , offering comfortable accommodation and rental bikes for your convenience.

Cycling in the Khangai Mountains promises an unforgettable journey , surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and unique cultural experiences . So pack your gear, strap on your helmet, and get ready to embark on an adventure like no other in Mongolia!

Experiencing Traditional Mongolian Culture

Cycling in Mongolia not only offers breathtaking landscapes but also the chance to experience the rich traditions and hospitality of the nomadic families and locals. As you embark on your cycling journey, you will have the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional Mongolian culture and witness the way of life that has been preserved for centuries.

One of the highlights of cycling in Mongolia is the chance to stay with a nomadic family. These families are known for their warm hospitality and welcoming nature. You can learn about their customs, traditions, and daily routines, gaining a deeper appreciation for their way of life. From helping with daily chores to sharing meals, this cultural exchange will create lasting memories and connections.

In addition to staying with nomadic families, interacting with the locals is another enriching experience. Mongolians are known for their friendliness and curiosity towards visitors. As you cycle through remote villages and towns, you can engage in friendly conversations, learn about their customs and traditions, and even take part in local festivities if the timing is right. These interactions provide a unique insight into the local way of life and allow you to forge genuine connections.

For those seeking a deeper spiritual experience, visiting monasteries in Mongolia is a must. These sacred places offer a glimpse into the country’s rich Buddhist heritage. You can witness monks going about their daily rituals, explore intricate artwork and architecture, and take part in meditation sessions. The serene atmosphere and sense of spiritual devotion will leave a lasting impression on your journey through Mongolia.

By embracing the traditional Mongolian culture, you will enhance your cycling adventure with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the country and its people.

Best Times to Visit and Travel Tips

Planning your cycling trip to Mongolia? Discover the best times to visit and some essential travel tips for navigating the unique challenges of the country.

Mongolia’s summer and autumn seasons, from June to October, are considered the best times to embark on a cycling adventure. The weather is generally pleasant, with warm temperatures and clear skies, allowing cyclists to fully enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders of the country. It’s important to note that summers in Mongolia can be quite hot, so be prepared with proper sun protection and hydration.

When exploring Mongolia by bicycle, it is highly recommended to bring a GPS device for navigation. The country has a lack of road signs , and the vast and remote landscapes can be challenging to navigate without proper guidance. A GPS will ensure that you stay on track and reach your desired destinations safely.

In addition to a GPS, it’s also advisable to carry a phrasebook or language translation app. While many locals in popular tourist areas may speak some English, remote regions may have limited English-speaking individuals. Having a phrasebook will allow you to communicate with locals, seek assistance if needed, and immerse yourself more fully in the traditional Mongolian culture.

With its stunning landscapes , warm hospitality, and unique cultural experiences, cycling in Mongolia promises an unforgettable journey. By visiting during the best times and following these travel tips, you can make the most of your cycling adventure in this captivating country.

Cycling Infrastructure and Accommodation

While cycling in Mongolia, you’ll find basic supplies in settlements and can make use of accommodations like the Fairfield Guesthouse in Tsersteleg, which offers rental bikes for your journey. This guesthouse is a popular choice among cyclists due to its convenient location and excellent facilities. You can rest and recharge here before embarking on your cycling adventure.

When it comes to cycling infrastructure, it’s important to note that Mongolia’s roads are mostly unpaved. You’ll encounter rough roads , river crossings , and steep hills along your cycling route. It’s essential to be prepared for these challenges and ensure you have the appropriate gear and equipment. A sturdy bike with wide tires is recommended to tackle the varied terrain.

Cycling Infrastructure

As you venture through Mongolia, it’s important to be aware that communication facilities can be limited, so having a GPS device is highly recommended for navigation purposes. Lack of road signs can make it difficult to find your way, especially in remote areas. Having a GPS will help you stay on track and ensure you don’t get lost.

Additionally, it’s advisable to carry a phrasebook or learn some basic Mongolian phrases to communicate with locals, especially in more rural areas. The nomadic culture is deeply ingrained in Mongolian society, and interacting with locals can be a rewarding experience. They are known for their warm hospitality and can provide valuable insights into their traditional way of life.

Overall, while cycling in Mongolia, you’ll have access to basic supplies in settlements along your route. The Fairfield Guesthouse in Tsersteleg provides a convenient base for your journey and offers rental bikes to make your cycling adventure hassle-free. Remember to bring a GPS, phrasebook, and extra fuel for stoves, as well as respecting the local customs and being prepared for the lack of road signs and communication challenges. Enjoy the stunning landscapes and immerse yourself in the unique cultural experiences that Mongolia has to offer!

Biking Essentials and Navigation

Before setting off on your cycling adventure in Mongolia, make sure you have the essential biking gear and navigation tools to ensure a smooth journey. With the vast and diverse landscapes of Mongolia, being prepared is crucial for a successful and enjoyable trip.

First and foremost, it is highly recommended to bring a GPS device to navigate through the remote areas of Mongolia. The lack of road signs can make it challenging to find your way, but with a GPS, you can confidently explore the best cycling routes in the country.

In addition to the essential gear and navigation tools, it’s important to bring extra fuel for your stoves. Some areas in Mongolia have scarce supplies, so having extra fuel ensures you can cook your meals and stay warm on colder days.

Stay Connected with a Phrasebook

While English may not be widely spoken in remote areas of Mongolia, the locals are known for their warm hospitality. Interacting with them can be a rewarding experience, and having a phrasebook will help you communicate and connect with the local people.

Having the right biking gear and navigation tools is essential for a successful cycling adventure in Mongolia. With a GPS, detailed map, and phrasebook, you’ll be well-prepared to explore the stunning landscapes and unique cultural experiences that await you in this unforgettable journey.

Safety and Cultural Etiquette

Safety and cultural etiquette are crucial when exploring the cycling routes in Mongolia, as they ensure a harmonious interaction with the locals and protect your well-being. Mongolia is known for its traditional Mongolian customs , and by respecting these customs, you can fully immerse yourself in the rich local culture. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

• Always dress modestly and appropriately. Mongolian culture values modesty, so it’s best to avoid revealing clothing and dress respectfully.
• When interacting with nomadic families or locals, it’s important to be polite and show respect . Ask for permission before entering their camps and be mindful of their space and belongings.
• Be cautious and considerate while taking photographs. Some locals may not appreciate having their picture taken, so always ask for permission first. It’s also important to be aware of any cultural or religious sites where photography may be prohibited.

While cycling in remote areas, it’s advisable to carry extra food and water, as supplies may be scarce. Additionally, it’s important to be mindful of the environment and practice responsible camping. Leave no trace behind and dispose of your waste properly.

Lastly, while exploring Mongolia, it’s essential to have travel insurance that covers any potential accidents or emergencies. Familiarize yourself with emergency contact numbers and have a basic understanding of first aid.

Unforgettable Landscapes and Natural Wonders

Get ready to be enthralled by the awe-inspiring landscapes and natural wonders that await as you cycle through Mongolia’s diverse terrain. From the vast expanse of the Gobi desert to the picturesque Orkhon river and rejuvenating hot springs , there is no shortage of stunning sights to behold.

As you pedal through the rugged beauty of Mongolia, you’ll witness breathtaking vistas that seem straight out of a postcard. Imagine navigating through the rolling sand dunes of the Gobi desert , with the golden sun casting long shadows and creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. Or picture yourself cycling alongside the Orkhon river , surrounded by lush green valleys and cascading waterfalls, immersing yourself in nature’s splendor.

But it’s not just the landscapes that will leave you in awe. Mongolia is a treasure trove of natural wonders, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Take a break from cycling and indulge in the healing waters of the hot springs , where you can relax and rejuvenate your weary muscles. These natural hot springs are scattered throughout the country, providing the perfect opportunity to unwind and soak in the breathtaking surroundings.

So, if you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime, hop on your bicycle and embark on a journey through Mongolia’s stunning landscapes and natural wonders. From the majestic Gobi desert to the serene Orkhon river and the soothing hot springs, this is a cycling experience that you won’t soon forget.

Challenges and Rewards of Cycling in Mongolia

Cycling in Mongolia is not for the faint of heart, but the challenges you’ll face along the way will be well worth the breathtaking rewards awaiting you. With rough roads , steep hills , and river crossings , this adventure will put your physical endurance to the test. But don’t let that deter you, as the sense of accomplishment and the stunning landscapes you’ll encounter make every pedal stroke worthwhile.

One of the challenges you’ll encounter while cycling in Mongolia is the rough roads . With only ten percent of the country’s roads paved, you can expect a bumpy ride . But fear not, as the rugged terrain is part of the allure. The constant change in elevation will push you to your limits, but it also offers incredible panoramic views of the untouched landscapes.

Another challenge you’ll face is the steep hills . Mongolia’s terrain is characterized by rolling hills and mountainous regions, making for some challenging ascents. But with every uphill battle, there’s a rewarding downhill ride waiting for you. The feeling of conquering those steep inclines and the exhilaration of coasting down the other side will leave you with a sense of achievement and pure joy.

River crossings are yet another obstacle you’ll encounter on your cycling journey through Mongolia. With numerous rivers crisscrossing the country, you’ll need to navigate your way across them. Some crossings may require you to carry your bike or wade through shallow waters, adding an exciting element to your adventure. These river crossings will test your determination and perseverance, but the sense of accomplishment when you reach the other side will be immeasurable.

Despite the challenges, the rewards of cycling in Mongolia are immense. The stunning landscapes, with its vast open steppes, majestic mountains, and serene lakes, will leave you mesmerized. You’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the unique Mongolian culture, experience warm hospitality from the locals, and witness traditional customs firsthand. The memories you create and the connections you make along the journey will stay with you forever. So, gear up, embrace the challenges, and embark on an unforgettable cycling adventure in Mongolia.

Embarking on a cycling trip through Mongolia guarantees an adventure of a lifetime, with stunning landscapes, unique cultural experiences, and memories that will stay with you forever. Mongolia offers some of the best cycling routes for adventure seekers, with its vast and diverse scenery. With only ten percent of its roads paved and a low population density, cyclists have the freedom to ride and camp anywhere they like, truly immersing themselves in the breathtaking surroundings.

The Khangai Mountains in the Arkhangai province are a cyclist’s dream, with rugged mountains and clear streams that provide excellent touring potential. As you ride through this remarkable landscape, you’ll be met with warm hospitality from the locals, who will enrich your journey with their traditional Mongolian culture. You’ll have the opportunity to stay with a nomadic family, interact with locals, and even visit monasteries to fully experience the unique customs and traditions of Mongolia.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that summer and autumn are the best times to visit, as you’ll have pleasant weather and clear skies. It’s advisable to bring a GPS and a phrasebook for communication, as you venture into remote areas where communication can be challenging. While basic supplies can be found in most settlements, it’s recommended to bring extra fuel for stoves due to the scarcity of supplies in some areas. If you’re looking for a great base and rental bikes, the Fairfield Guesthouse in Tsersteleg comes highly recommended.

As you explore Mongolia on two wheels, it’s essential to be aware of visa requirements and the lack of road signs. But don’t let these challenges deter you, as the rewards of cycling in Mongolia are truly unparalleled. Traveling through stunning landscapes, such as the awe-inspiring Gobi desert and the picturesque Orkhon river, you’ll be constantly surrounded by the beauty of nature. And when you need a break, why not relax in one of the rejuvenating hot springs that dot the country?

In the end, cycling in Mongolia promises an unforgettable journey, where you’ll not only conquer rough roads, steep hills, and river crossings, but also discover the true beauty and spirit of this captivating country. So, pack your bags, hop on your bike, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime in Mongolia!

Q: What makes Mongolia a great destination for cycling?

A: Mongolia offers some of the best cycling routes for adventure seekers, with its rugged terrain and low population density. Cyclists can enjoy the freedom of riding and camping anywhere they like.

Q: Where are the best cycling routes in Mongolia?

A: The Khangai Mountains in the Arkhangai province provide excellent touring potential, with their rugged mountains and clear streams. These routes offer a challenging and scenic experience for cyclists.

Q: Can I experience traditional Mongolian culture while cycling in Mongolia?

A: Absolutely! Cycling in Mongolia provides an opportunity to experience the traditional Mongolian culture. Cyclists can stay with a nomadic family, interact with locals, and visit monasteries to immerse themselves in the rich Mongolian heritage.

Q: When is the best time to visit Mongolia for cycling?

A: The best times to visit Mongolia for cycling are during the summer and autumn seasons. The weather is pleasant, and the landscapes are at their most stunning during this time.

Q: What travel tips should I keep in mind when cycling in Mongolia?

A: It is advisable to bring a GPS for navigation purposes, as there are often no road signs in remote areas. It is also important to be aware of the visa requirements for entering Mongolia and to be prepared for the lack of communication facilities.

Q: What are the accommodation options for cyclists in Mongolia?

A: Basic supplies can be found in most settlements along the cycling routes. The Fairfield Guesthouse in Tsersteleg offers a great base for the trip and provides rental bikes. However, it’s important to be prepared for the lack of communication facilities in some areas.

Q: What essentials should I bring for a cycling trip in Mongolia?

A: It is essential to bring a GPS for navigation and a phrasebook for communication. It is also recommended to carry extra fuel for stoves, as supplies can be scarce in certain areas.

Q: What should I know about safety and cultural etiquette while cycling in Mongolia?

A: It is important to respect traditional Mongolian customs and to stay safe while cycling in remote areas. Being aware of your surroundings and following safety guidelines will ensure a pleasant and secure cycling experience.

Q: What stunning landscapes and natural wonders can I expect while cycling in Mongolia?

A: Cycling in Mongolia will expose you to breathtaking landscapes, including the vast Gobi desert, picturesque Orkhon river, and rejuvenating hot springs. The country’s natural beauty will leave you in awe.

Q: What challenges and rewards can I expect while cycling in Mongolia?

A: Cycling in Mongolia comes with challenges like rough roads, steep hills, and river crossings. However, the physical effort required is rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and the opportunity to witness stunning landscapes and experience a unique adventure.

Source Links

• https://bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-mongolia-khangai-mountains/
• https://www.discoveraltai.com/tours/mongolia-biking-tour/
• https://pa-cycling.cc/trip/mongolia/

About The Author

Daniel Shakibaie

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Latin america, exploring mongolia by bicycle.

Where do you cycle when there are no roads? Vast and wild, the Mongolian steppe is the perfect setting for a rugged, off-road adventure. Outside the few cities in this sparse and untouched country, life continues as it has for millennia: nomadically. Experience pristine wilderness, plenty of outdoor adventure, and a way of life that’s withstood the test of time and the elements.

Nomadic Adventure

Cycling Mongolia is nothing short of an expedition. Grind gravel across miles of open single track. Spend the night in a yurt camp under the stars. And when the situation calls for it, swap your wheels for hooves. Test your strength, determination, and off-road skills with a truly unforgettable ride through one of the world’s last untouched destinations.

Khan's Legacy

The legendary Mongol warrior king would be satisfied to find that his descendants are still tough. Riding across the steppe for days on end. Navigating one of the harshest environments on earth. The locals make excellent adventure guides. While Mongolians are tenacious, they are equally friendly and generous. Come with bravery and you’ll be rewarded with a Khan’s welcome.

This was the greatest bike adventure I ever had! Highlights were meeting happy people in their livelihood outside the beaten tracks of tourism.

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We can tailor make your adventure exactly how you want it. Whether it's tweaking an existing itinerary, booking a standard tour on a different date, or creating your own unique one!

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Bikepacking Mongolia’s Khangai Mountains

A stormy two-wheeled adventure through remote central mongolia.

Brian McCurdy Photography

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“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” 

We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator. Behind us, dark gray streaks stretch vertically from ground to sky. Ahead, a rainbow frames our view. It’s a breathtaking scene of chaotic clouds and streaks of sunlight over the verdant steppes of central Mongolia. 

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Gobi, Khangai multi-activity tour biking, trekking adventure - 13 days

Group size:, difficulty rating:.

This multi-activity tour offers a combined exploration of the Gobi desert and the Khangai mountain range in central Mongolia. Travel the vast expanses of Asia’s largest desert by car and by bike and enjoy the stark beauty of arid plains, rugged mountains, dramatic cliffs, and towering dunes. Then ascend foothills of the Khangai massif and trek to discover a hidden gem amid imposing mountains – the famous Eight Lakes of Khuis. Experience classic nomadic life in Orkhon valley and marvel at wild horses freely roaming at Khustai national park along with other rare wildlife. Meet nomads and get an insight into their traditional culture. Cycling, trekking, hiking, and horseback riding activities await you on this multi-activity tour.

• Tour Highlights
• Elevation Profile
• Enjoy the stark beauty of Gobi landscapes
• Visit Flaming Cliffs, the world-renowned dinosaur fossil site
• Climb Mongolia’s highest dunes
• Enjoy the pristine wilderness of the Eight lakes valley
• Marvel at authentic herding culture at the Orkhon valley
• Appreciate wildlife conservation activities at Khustai National park
• 2-3 persons 1440 $
• 4-5 persons 1130 $
• 6-7 persons 1010 $
• 8-9 persons 945 $
• 10-12 persons 820 $

Dates & Prices

• Effective price: 1440 $
• Single supplement: 160 USD

Price Includes & Excludes

• All accommodation: 2 nights hotel, 5 nights yurt, 5 nights tent
• Camping equipment
• Sleeping mats
• Indicated meals, snacks, drinking water
• Itinerary related sightseeing and national park fees
• Support vehicles
• Service personnel: guides, drivers, cooks
• Pack animals
• Advanced quality bikes
• Mechanical assistance and parts
• Travel insurance
• Personal cycling accessories and clothes
• Sleeping bags
• Meals not indicated
• Drinks and alcohol

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, city sightseeing tour

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to a 4-star hotel in the city center. Time permitting, you can opt for a guided tour to some of the city’s highlights, including the central square and the giant golden statue of Lord Buddha at Mongolia’s main religious center. Also, worth seeing is the museum of traditional puzzles and a folklore show where you can admire contortion and throat singing. At a welcome dinner this evening you will be given an informal trip orientation.

Travel to Tsagaan Suvraga clay formation

Most of the way is on a sealed road running across rugged mountains and dry plains which gradually give way to typical semi-desert with scarce vegetation and loose soil. Despite the seeming emptiness, an occasional nomadic station and large flocks of sheep and goats will come into view, more seldom horses and camels. Our destination is Tsagaan Suvraga, a series of massive formations of sedimentary rock, a former seabed. Its vividly visible layers of geological eras are spectacular. Equally spectacular is the view that opens from its top: boundless desert expanses, dancing mirages, and time that is standing still. We again relax in a comfortable yurt camp and hike to watch the Tsagaan Suvraga at blazing dusk. The yurt camp is a seasonal accommodation for travelers where traditional felt-covered tents function as hotel rooms. Sanitary facilities are located separately. A few times on this journey you will stay in the kind of "yurt camps".

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Drive to Flaming Red Cliffs

We travel further into the depth of the Gobi desert to Flaming Red Cliffs. Here, an unprecedented treasure trove of paleontological findings was unearthed in the 1920ies during a series of expeditions conducted by American adventurers. The yield included the first nests of dinosaur eggs, skeletons of several new species of prehistoric reptiles as well as mammals. It was news that made Mongolia known to the west after its centuries-long isolation in the heart of East Asia. We explore the cliffs and continue to a cozy yurt camp amid the infinite arid plain.

Mountain biking day in the Gobi desert

We assemble bikes and ride to Gurvan Saikhan national park comprised of majestic rugged mountains that stretch along half of Mongolia’s length. The cycling journey route runs across an elevated and therefore well-ventilated plateau between two parallel ridges. Short and at times steep ascents are followed by breathtaking descents. The riding surface is predominantly smooth although short sandy stretches are to be negotiated. The plateau serves summer pastureland for thousands of goats and sheep owned by local herders. Occasionally you will pedal past large flocks of goats, sheep, and even horses. Nomads living in the Gobi are particularly hospitable and often they will come out of their lone yurts to wave a greeting. Tonight, we set up a tent camp by some spectacular rock formations and enjoy the true tranquility of virgin nature and myriads of stars that eliminate the vault of heaven.

• 69km, +980m

Cycling to famed Khongoriin Els dunes

We start the day by struggling along a 3km dry riverbed filled with loose gravel. Once clear through the challenge we cycle across several undulating hills on smooth packed surfaces enjoying dramatic landscapes of rift valleys, rugged ridges, and colorful geological formations. This is when Khongoriin Els dunes come into our view. They stretch for almost 100km and measure anything from 3 to 15km in width. From the foothill to the crest of the highest dunes is a good 200 meters. Local people refer to them as the “Singing Dunes” due to aeolian sounds heard on windy days. Here we load bikes and drive to a yurt resort by the dunes and later when the heat subsides, we take an excursion to the dunes. Climbing the highest dune is a “ritual” that will allow you to feel the immensity of the desert and see bird-eye views of the dunes and rugged ridges. Desert landscapes are especially beautiful in the evening light. We stay the night in comfortable yurts with a magnificent view of the dunes as the backdrop.

• 89km, +410m

Ride to arid steppes of central Mongolia

Take a 2-hour car transfer across sandy soils before riding to the Arts Bogd mountain range that separates the Gobi desert from the arid grasslands of central Mongolia, a change easily noticeable immediately after crossing the day’s high point at just above 2000m. Today we establish our second tent camp by an extinct volcano of which rugged slopes are strewn with prehistoric petroglyphs and burial mounds.

• 50km, +660m

Travel to Khangai mountain range, visit nomadic families

We load the bikes and cross vast arid plains to reach the foothills of the Khangai mountain range. This part of Mongolia receives plentiful rainfall and therefore enjoys an abundance of rivers large and small and as well as forests that are full of wildlife such as wolves, deer, boar, and a multitude of fur animals. Significantly, waters running off its southern side form several desert lakes whereas its northern slopes give birth to a multitude of rivers that all eventually empty into Baikal lake in Russia. From time to time while moving towards the Khangai, we stop to absorb the immensity of landscapes. We stop by some nomadic farms to have a chat with local herders. Towards the end of the day, we come across undulating scenery of green hills, rocky outcrops, and crystal-clear streams. Here is the “threshold” of the famed Valley of the Eight Lakes. We erect a tent camp and prepare for further adventures.

Trek to Eight Lakes valley

We start the day by climbing the "threshold" of the "Eight Lakes valley". Our food and camping gear will be transported by pack horses managed by local herdsmen who happily share about their life and traditions. From the top of the pass, you will see a breathtaking view of magnificent dome-shaped mountains covered in mixed forests. Looking down there opens a view of a spectacular lake with dense woods on its shore. After a picnic lunch, we descend on a steep slope to the lakeshore and pitch our tents. Known as the Shireet, the lake is the largest of and most picturesque of all eight lakes. We behold the magnificent view of pine forests reflecting on the lake surface and enjoy the idyllic campsite.

Trek to Orkhon valley

Today we traverse the length of the Eight Lakes valley by walking amid lush meadows and past clear lakes. Having left the spectacular mountain bowl behind we cross a high ridge on a winding trail and descend to the valley of the Orkhon river. Having originated in the Khangai, the massive river flows all across the north of the country and empties into lake Baikal in Russia. The whole length of the river valley is designated as the UNESCO heritage site owing to hundreds of historic sites that lie within its boundaries. As previously, we will be supported by pack horses. On reaching the Orkhon valley we reunite with support vehicles and camp.

Visit the Orkhon waterfall, drive to medieval capital of Chinggis Khaan

This morning we visit the famed waterfall of Ulaan Tsutgalan and drive to the Karakorum, where Chinggis Khaan established the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. However, its glory was short-lived as it soon fell into obscurity and was eventually destroyed by invading Chinese armies in the late 14th century. Today the main attraction here is the monastery museum of Erdene Zuu established in the 16th century by a Mongol khan as part of the introduction of Buddhism as the main religion. The monastery then suffered almost complete destruction during the anti-religion campaign of the 1930ies with just a dozen temples surviving till the present. We visit the monastery and the local museum to take a glance at a few surviving artifacts of the old capital before heading to a yurt camp which you will certainly enjoy after days of camping.

Travel to the Khustai national park, wild animals and wild horses

We drive on sealed roads across vast steppes with rugged mountains and rolling hills in the background. Our destination is the Khustai national park wherein in 1993 a small number of the last remaining wild horses was brought here from several European zoos and re-introduced to their historic homeland. Also known as “Przewalski horses" they were extinct in Mongolia by the 1950ies. Today over 350 wild horses, all native to Mongolia, roam grassy mountains having to withstand predators and harsh climate. A sizable population of red deer, Mongolian gazelles, and wild mountain sheep has also found a refuge in the park and can be spotted with a little bit of luck. We take a wildlife-watching excursion before dinner and overnight in cozy yurts.

Return to Ulaanbaatar

We take a 2-hour return transfer back to Ulaanbaatar. The remainder of the day is at your disposal for further explorations of Ulaanbaatar, possible shopping, and visits. This evening we celebrate our Mongolian multi-activity adventure tour at a farewell dinner.

• Breakfast, dinner

Departure from Mongolia

You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight back home.

• Welcome. Any questions?
• email [email protected]
• WhatsApp: +976 90099908

Mongolia Cycling Tour

Gobi desert cycling, cycling in the gobi desert and central mongolia 7 days.

• Duration: 6 nights/7 days
• Tour grade: Soft
• Group size: 1 to 15 PAX
• Available: 10 May to 1 October

Suitable for active and adventurous cultural and natural explorers. On Cycling in the Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia Tour, you will discover scenic places of the Gobi Desert and central Mongolia, combining a vehicle and bicycle. To take this tour, it doesn't matter if you are an experienced adventure cyclist or an amateur. But cycling on rough roads requires some ability. Cycling as long as 45 km to 50 km is available for experienced and adventure cyclists, while amateurs can cycle at their own pace and liking. Besides cycling, you will experience the nomad life while staying with them for 2 days, travel in the Orkhon River World Cultural Heritage Valley, ride horses and camels, explore ancient monasteries, and enjoy the beauty of the mountain steppes and the Gobi Desert landscapes.

Day 1: Start the adventure to Elsentasarkhai

Meet with your guide and driver and start the tour heading to Elsentasarkhai, a scenic area representing the Gobi desert, mountain steppes, and steppes. First, you will drive out of the city. Next, bicycle about 20-30 km or longer on rough roads. It is the first day you feel the wideness and emptiness of Mongolia. Load the bikes on the vehicles when having enough biking. Arrive at Elsetasarkhai and visit a nomad family. Learn first-hand about nomadic life.

Accommodation: An extra ger of a nomad family Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Cycling to Hugnu Khan Mountain, horse and camel riding

Continue to discover the nomadic life, and ride horses and camels. You also bike 15 km to Hugnu Khan Mountain. Alternatively, you may cycle an additional 15 km instead of driving back to the nomadic family. Have an authentic Mongolian barbecue for dinner.

Accommodation: An extra ger of a nomad family Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Cycling to Kharkhorin, visit Erdenezuu Monastery

Today, you will cycle for 35 km. You can choose to cycle on rough roads or paved roads. Arrive at Kharkhorin by lunchtime. Kharkhorin, formerly known as Kharakhorum, was the capital of Genghis Khaan's Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Karakorum was abandoned and then destroyed by Min soldiers in 1388 after the Mongolian capital moved to Beijing and the fall of the Empire. Today, in the vast valley of the Orkhon River, the awe-inspiring ancient monastery Erdenezuu coexists with Kharkhorin town. See some valuable religious artifacts in the monastery museum, view its stunning architecture, and visit the Kharakhorum Museum display remnants of the ancient city.

Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Biking, driving on the open steppes to Ongi Monastery ruins

First, you will drive for some kilometers out of the town. Next, you cycle approximately 40 km on the rough roads. Our today's adventure takes place in the transition zone from mountain steppes to the Gobi Desert. Arrive at a ger camp near Ongi monastery ruins in the evening. Ongi Monastery was one of the seven biggest monasteries in Mongolia. There were two separate monasteries on the shores of the Ongi River, surrounded by the Gobi Desert mountains. Socialists destroyed the temples in the 1930s. Now the ruins of the monasteries involve an expanse area. You will visit a new active temple, a ger museum, and explore the monastery ruins.

Day 5: Driving and biking to Baga Gazariin Chuluu

Baga Gazariin Chuluu is a complex of granite rock mountains towering on the Gobi desert steppes. Today, you will cycle another 40 km. Have a picnic lunch and some hiking through the granite stone mountains.

Day 6: Cycling and driving to Ulaanbaatar

Today, you will return to Ulaanbaatar with 30 km of rough roads cycling on the way. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the evening.

Accommodation: 3* hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Transfer to the airport/railway station.

We will transfer you to the airport/railway station.

Meals: Breakfast

• 2 PAX 1644$
• 3 PAX 1288$
• 4 PAX 1143$
• For children of a family trip
• One free space for every 16 pax
• Group traveler discount
• Please contact us for more trip details.
• 1 night in a 3* hotel (Double/twin share)
• 3 nights in ger camps (Double/twin share)
• 2 days nomad family stay
• English speaking biking guide
• Support vehicle and transfer services
• Daily bottled water
• Entry fees to the museums and the national parks
• Horse & camel riding
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Items of personal nature
• Alcoholic drinks, beverages and bar bills
• Bar Bills, Laundry, Telephone Calls
• Travel and Medical Insurance
• International transportation
• Optional activities and additional services
• Single supplements
• Gratiuty for the guides and drivers

This active discovery tour includes vehicle supported 30-40 km daily rough road cycling. If you wish, you can shorten or lengthen the daily cycling distance. After the cycling, we will load the cycles into the vehicle and drive to reach the day's attraction. The tour is suitable for both experienced cyclists and amateurs. We do not require a particular cycling experience for private tour groups. Although, you will enjoy the adventure better if you have a rough road cycling experience. 190 km of a total 1235 distance is planned for the cycling. A combination of vehicles and bikes helps you see a substantial part of Mongolia. The tour takes place in flatter areas without steep mountain passes and river crossings. The cycling takes place at an average altitude of 1450 to 1550 m above sea level.

With nomads, you will try traditional Mongolian meals . There will be more meat in traditional Mongolian meals. Ger camps serve European and Mongolian meals. Meat is the main ingredient for meals and is served for lunch and dinner, along with vegetables, salads, and soups. A typical ger camp meals ; breakfast is tea or coffee, bread, jam, butter, eggs, and sausage. There are some cookies, cheese, cereals, pancakes, and more at some ger camps for breakfast. Ger camps serve salads, a main course, a dessert, and tea for dinner. Lunchtime happens during your long-distance biking. Thus, you will have mostly picnic lunch and sometimes eat in the local areas along the way. If you are a vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance, and we will make arrangements accordingly.

The tour includes 1 night in a traveler type 3* hotel in Ulaanbaatar, 2 nights stay with nomads , and 3 nights at the ger camps in the countryside. The ger camp stays will allow you to shower every day, charge batteries, use WC, and eat at ger camp restaurants after long adventure days. A 2-day nomad family stay is included at the beginning of the trip to make the adventure culturally experiential. We will provide a mobile travel shower when you stay with the nomads.

An English-speaking biking guide will serve you. Our guides are all friendly, flexible, and helpful. During horse and camel riding, local equestrians will help you.

Depending on the group size, a Korean vehicle Hyundai Starex, a Japanese vehicle Toyota Hiace, a Russian van UAZ 452, or a trailer jeep will serve for the tour. The bikes are good quality and condition Trek bikes, equipped with water bottle holders and rear racks. We will put all necessary spare parts and maintenance tools in the support vehicle. Both the guide and drivers are good mechanics and do the required services.

10 May and 30 September is the most suitable time to travel to the Gobi Desert. During this period, the weather will be warm and enjoyable. The beginning of October is another no-crowd good time, but the weather is crisp in the morning and evening. The Gobi Desert is the warmest region in Mongolia. The annual temperature is usually 5°C to 10°C higher than in the other parts of Mongolia. The temperature drops by 10°C to 20°C in the evening and at night. A chill wind is occasional in May, September, and October. Average monthly temperatures are +20°C, highest +30°C daytime at the end of May, June, late August, and September. The night temperature may drop to +8°C. July is the hottest, as well as a humid month. The average day temperature of July is +28°C, the hottest is +38°C, and the night temperature could drop to +12°C. Although, some nights could be sultriness. The temperature dramatically falls if it rains. For your pre-departure preparation, you may check the biking tour packing list .

Challenging Mongolia Mountain Biking

Dear experienced riders! Come and rise to the challenge of exploring beautiful Mongolia on a bike. We picked the trail carefully, and the itinerary was developed to visit the best sights of central Mongolia and parts of northern Mongolia while biking.

Gobi & Mountain Steppes Horse Trek

Ride horses in the Desert steppes without time and space limits, explore beautiful places, experience nomadic life, and learn to cook and try traditional meals, including authentic Mongolian barbecue.

Steppe Rider Horseback Tour

On this horse riding tour, you will head to Naiman Nuur/Eight Lakes lie 2400 m above sea level in the Khangai mountain range. This scenic place is accessible only on horseback or by walking from the northern side.

Mountain Bike Tour to Gobi Desert (12 days)

Guranteed Departure

Detailed description

We will leave early for Karakorum after an early wake-up, as we have a long day of events ahead of us (also called Kharkhorin). We’ll drive about 260 kilometers on a reasonably good paved road and eat lunch at a local restaurant by noon. After lunch, we’ll drive 40 kilometers to the start of the cycling route in Kharkhorin. We’ll take a few minutes to test the bikes, make any necessary changes, and then we’ll be good to go.

Our ability to visit Karakorum will be determined by our arrival time.

Kharkhorin was the capital of Genghis Khan’s Mongolian Empire in the thirteenth century. In 1220, Genghis Khan ordered the construction of Kharkhorin on the ruins of Turug and Uigur cities in the Orkhon valley at the eastern end of the Khangai Mountains. It was completed 15 years later, during the reign of Ugedei Khaan. The town was very multicultural and culturally accepting.

The silver tree, which was once part of Möngke Khan’s palace, has become Karakorum’s emblem. Erdene Zuu Monastery is now all that is left of what was once a massive monastery with 100 temples and a lama population of around 1.000. We’ll walk around the grounds of Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is encircled by huge 400 m X 400 m walls. The Dalai Lama, Zuu of Buddha, and Lavrin Temple will be our guides for the remaining three temples. The Turtle Rock and the Phallic Rock will both be visible. The Karakorum Archaeological Museum will be another stop on our itinerary. It’s a tiny museum, but it’s housed in a new, well-run structure with good lighting and simple English labels on display cases. The displays contain hundreds of artefacts from the 13th and 14th centuries that were discovered in the immediate region, as well as those from other provinces’ archaeological sites, including prehistoric stone tools. Pottery, bronzes, coins, religious sculptures, and stone inscriptions are among the items on display. A half-excavated kiln is also sunk into the museum floor. The scale model of ancient Kharkhorin, which attempts to reflect the city as it would have appeared in the 1250s and is based on descriptions written by the French missionary William of Rubruck, is perhaps the most intriguing. A Turkic noble tomb with wall paintings and artefacts, including gold objects and jewellery, is on display in another chamber. A short video of the actual burial site is available.

(Ger camp B, L, D)

Tsenher Hot Spring

We’ll travel westward, towards the Khangai Mountains. The Khangai Mountain divides the arid Gobi Desert area of southern Mongolia from the lush rolling hills of northern Mongolia. The northern side of the mountain, with its numerous small rivers fed by melting snow, provides a lush, fertile environment for many nomads.

The Khangai Mountains are 2500-3000 meters above sea level and are largely made up of Palaeozoic period granite, intrusive chert, and sandstone. The Khangai Mountains stretch for about 800 kilometers from Zavkhan province to Tuv province. They act as the world’s water system’s continental divide.

We will quit the asphalt road after about an hour of driving and begin cycling through the green mountainsides. For herds of horses, yaks, and cows, the network of smaller and larger rivers provides excellent pastureland.

In the evening we will reach Tsenkher hot spring resort. This resort has a large open-air pool at its customer’s disposal. The hot water of the pool flows continuously in from the hot water spring. At the spring, the temperature of the water is over 80 ° C. A complex pipelines system regulates the water temperature. Some will spend hours sitting in the pool talking to their friends while staring at the stars or scanning the nightly nature around them. 

Tovkhon Monastery

After breakfast in our Ger camp, we’ll cross a river in our jeeps, which are usually flooded in the summer, and begin our cycling day. We’ll cycle through a mix of forested hills, granite formations, and deep fertile valleys peppered with Gers. Our journey will take us deep into the Khangai Mountains, which are lush and green with wild flowers and plants. The region is home to a large number of Mongolian yaks. Cycling today would require more physical exertion as we ride through mountains and down rugged terrain. Those who are exhausted will be able to retreat to the comfort of the jeeps. We arrive at our campsite early in the evening, which will already have been set up by our team. Spend the evening around the campfire, taking in the full wilderness and silence and in hopes that you find peace in your heart and healing in your soul.

(Tented camp B, L, D)

Orkhon Valley and Waterfall

We will depart from our campsite in our jeeps and travel to Tovkhon Monastery, which was established in the 1650s by Zanabazar, one of Mongolia’s most revered religious leaders. The wooden structures of the monastery are combined with a natural system of caves perched near a hilltop with a stunning view of the Orkhon Valley and surrounding pine forests. A hill is formed on the top of the cliff by a pile of stones used to worship a mountain god. It’s known as Ovoo. We will cycle to the direction of Orkhon waterfall in Orkhon valley after lunch. UNESCO has designated the valley as a world cultural heritage site because of ancient artefacts dating back to the early 6 th century and even earlier. Moreover, the great Mongol empire expanded its capital Karakorum here from the 12 th to 13 th centuries. Furthermore, the pasture nomadic lifestyle has persisted, preserving both the historic and nomadic perspectives on life.

During the Quaternary period, a volcano erupted near the mouth of the Tsagaan Azarga, also known as the White Stallion River, and the lava flowed down the Orkhon valley, creating a 10-meter-thick layer of basaltic rocks. The Orkhon River cut through the basaltic layer twice, resulting in the formation of the canyon.

The 20-meter-high, 10-meter-wide waterfall marks the beginning of this canyon. The most daring of you will descend the canyon and swim in the lake at the base of the waterfall.

Ongi Monastery

Today will be our longest driving day without cycling and you will travel to Ongi Monastery. The ruins of two monasteries that face each other across the Ongi river in south-central Mongolia are known as Ongi.

The peace and beauty of the Delger Khangai Mountains will enchant you. On one side of the river, you’ll visit the ruins of Khoshuu Monastery. This vast series of rocky hills cut by the river can be explored on foot. The monastery’s southern complex contains numerous administrative buildings as well as 11 temples. The northern complex, which was built in the 18th century, included 17 temples, including one of Mongolia’s largest temples. There were four Buddhist universities situated on the grounds.

The monasteries were constructed in the 17th century and were demolished in 1937. They were among Mongolia’s largest temples, housing over 1000 monks.

Today, a small monastery has been built between the ruins, and the remains of old monasteries are displayed in the Ger museum.

Bayanzag or Flaming Cliffs

After breakfast we will drive to the direction of the Gobi Desert. We will see the landscape changing dramatically from semi grassland to the inhospitably rocky land. The number of families and cattle we will see along the road will gradually reduce. Camels will slowly replace cows. The climate is hot and dry and hardly rains.  After about 3 hours of driving we will start cycling. Gobi Desert is a rocky desert most of it is covered by gravel eroded by winds as a result making the track rather difficult. However, challenging it might be, it is liberating to cycle through the immense open wide space. After arriving in our Ger camp in the evening we will visit Bayanzag, also known as the “ Flaming Cliffs,” the world-famous site where palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews discovered dinosaur bones and eggs. The local scenery is a lovely blend of rocks, red sand, and scrubs. Spend some time exploring the cliffs while you’re here. We’ll spend some time walking around the cliffs here.

Khongoryn Els

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll travel 150 kilometers west to the Khongoryn Els. Mongolia’s biggest sand dunes can be found here. The dunes, which can reach a height of 275 meters in some areas, extend for more than 100 kilometers from East to West. The sands have appealing curves that end in a sharp point, resulting in wave patterns on the sand. The impressive black rocky mass of Sevrey Mountain can be seen behind the sand dunes. The Gobi Desert is the world’s coldest desert, with cold winds blowing almost the whole autumn, winter, and spring without any shelter uncovered in the plains, necessitating extreme survival methods of living. Gobi nomads are well-known in Mongolia for their dedication to hard work.

In the early afternoon we will reach our Ger camp. Spend the evening chatting with co travellers, sitting on the terrace, drinking fresh drinks and enjoying the sunset.

After breakfast we will cycle about 20 km to the dunes. Those who are courageous will climb to the highest dune. Here, we’ll meet two humped camel breeding families and learn about their sweet, modest, hard-working, but incredible way of life.

On the way to Dungenee Canyon

This will be our last day of cycling. From Khongoryn Els dune we will drive to the little Gobi village Bayandalai. After lunch in a local restaurant we will start cycling under the curious eyes of locals. First 10 km is quite easy cycling on open plains before reaching the massive mountains with gorges. Here terrain will become once again quite challenging: hard soil with gravels and bigger rocks.

Our road brings us to the narrow gorge called Dungenee Canyon. Part of the gorge is 3 to 4-meter-wide and only one car can pass at the time.

The Gobi Desert extends through Mongolia and China, measuring 1,610 kilometers from southwest to northeast and 800 kilometers from north to south. It covers an area of 1,295,000 km2, making it the world’s fifth largest desert and Asia’s largest. although most of the Gobi is coated in bare rock rather than sand.

During the winter months, the Gobi is a cold desert with frost snow on its dunes. In addition to being far north, it is situated on a plateau between 910 and 1,520 meters above sea level, which leads to the cold temperatures. The Gobi receives around 194 millimetres of rain per year on average. In the winter, snow blown from the Siberian Steppes enters parts of the Gobi, providing additional moisture. The Gobi experiences temperature extremes ranging from –40°C in the winter to +50°C in the summer due to these winds.

We’ll take a trip through the majestic Altai Mountain Range’s breath-taking gorges. The Yolyn Am in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, will be visited. Those green valleys were carved by ancient rivers.

Wild Argali sheep, Ibex, desert gazelles, and Golden Eagles are also possible sightings. We’ll also pay a visit to the park’s small museum, which houses a collection of dinosaur bones as well as local flora and fauna.

Baga Gazriin Chuluu

Our destination will be 250 kilometers south in the lovely region of Baga Gazriin Chuluu. It’s a big granite formation smack dab in the center of Mongolia’s sandy plain.

The remains of a small monastery known as Delgeriin Choir Monastery can be found on an open plain. You will be entering in a Ger by with a massive 12-walled structure. Monks use the ger, which is richly decorated and carved, to chant during the colder seasons when the stone monastery becomes too cold to be inside.

You can drive and hike around the area in the late afternoon. You’ll walk between massive endlessly piled granite rocky hills that appear to be placed, and see the picturesque ruins of a small monastery hidden in a peaceful little protected valley. In the rocks of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, there is a small spring known for its eye-healing properties. Try dripping some magic water into your eyes to cure your eyes like the locals do.

Drive to Ulaanbaatar

We will drive back to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city. Our team will take you directly to your hotel. You may enjoy the free afternoon to catch up all the places you haven’t visited yet. You might as well check the beautiful cultural show enjoy the colourful and rhythmic Mongolian dance, throat singing & admire the contortionists. 

FIXED DEPARTURES

• 15 June - 23 June
• Land transportation
• 9 nights Ger camp stay
• 2 nights tented camp stay
• Meals 11B, 12L, 11D
• Tour guides
• Camping and kitchen equipment
• National park entrance fees/Museum and Monasteries entrance tickets
• Mountain Bike

NOT INCLUDED

• Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
• City touring
• Medical, trip insurance and evacuation costs
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Airport transfer
• Personal Biking Clothes
• Mongolian dot Travel, the opposite of Ulaanbaatar Railway Station, Teeverchid Street, Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• (+976) 9953 82 95
• [email protected]

OTHER ACTIVITIES

camel riding

horseback riding

canoeing & kayaking

fly fishing

selfdriving

sightseeing tours

luxury travel

winter tours

mongolian festivals

cinematography

bird watching

volunteering mongolia

spititual tours

transsiberian train

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Guaranteed Tours

Cycle tours

Cycling and mountain biking is an exciting way to experience Mongolia. When on a bike you travel at a same pace as the nomadic herders whose lifestyle has not changed much for many hundreds of years. Cycling also helps you sense and appreciate the pristine natural environment and true wilderness . Today, we offer over a dozen great cycling holiday routes that can be adapted to riders of different physical abilities and experience. They can be extended, shortened or combined; listed here are three signature tours that take place in four different parts of Mongolia. No tour is complete without a professional support routine which we have perfected over the years. You will be accompanied by expert guides, bike mechanics, drivers and cooks ; all equipped with modern outdoor equipment made for the wilderness conditions of Mongolia. We provide modern 27.5 or 29 inch hard tail mountain bikes equipped with hydraulic brakes and Shimano components .

Home | Cycle tours

CLASSIC MONGOLIA CYCLING TOUR

The classic of Mongolian mountain biking that traverses the Khangai mountain range which covers nearly fifth of the country’s territory. Dominated by dome shaped mountains, mixed woods, clear streams and lush grassy valleys this region receives abundant rainfall compared to all other parts of Mongolia. The Khangai mountain range is an immense cycling playground with fantastic packed soils, diverse terrain and spectacular landscapes. The nomadic culture here is authentic. Almost every day you see flocks of grazing yaks, sheep, goats and horses, meet hospitable herd...

AVAILABLE DATES:

2024 , 2025, bulgan mountain bike tour.

This is a steady-paced bike tour that takes you across lush pastures, wooded mountains, and vast grasslands of Mongolia. Varied terrain, easy surfaces, and a gradual increase in physical challenge allow quick acclimatization and make it suitable for beginners and more experienced riders. Behold the timeless scenery out of Genghis Khan's times while pedaling past nomadic camps and massive herds of horses, sheep, and goats. Moderately paced, the bike tour allows an experience of the famous hospitality of Mongolian nomads, a way of life that hasn’t changed for centur...

ALTAI MOUNTAIN BIKING TOUR

A first-rate mountain biking journey yet technically affordable to any traveler of average cycling ability. The epic journey takes you across the Altai mountain range in the far west of the country, the land of snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and glaciers. Nomadic people inhabiting this remote corner of Mongolia lead the traditional nomadic herding way of life where the economy is fully reliant on the five principal animals: horses, camels, bovines, sheep, and goats. Meeting the nomads will let you learn about different dimensions of outlook and values. The ancie...

EDGE OF THE WILD CYCLING TOUR

The cycling tour is a leisurely exploration of Khan Khenty strictly protected area that marks the southernmost edge of Siberia’s boreal forest ecosystem. Owing to its virtual inaccessibility to humans, the immense wilderness is home to bears, wolves, elks, and lynx still roaming the depths of this virgin land. The tour takes you to the inmost corners of raw wilderness and allows a close insight into the life of nomadic herders. Significantly, in this very part of Mongolia, Genghis Khan was born, grew up, and ascended his throne 800 years ago. A near-real reenactme...

GOBI DESERT CYCLING TOUR

A cycling exploration of the Gobi desert via a unique route that allows you avoid extreme heat, dust storms and loose soils – the usual conditions that prevail here. Gobi’s awe-inspiring immensity is felt even more vividly when you are on a bike and its rugged beauty is starker. Visit a world-renowned dinosaur fossil site and the country’s largest sand dunes. Enjoy relaxing nights in luxurious ger hotels.

The best times to visit Mongolia

Aug 27, 2023 • 5 min read

Whether you're visiting for eagle festivals or to explore the Gobi Desert, we can help you choose when to go to Mongolia © isarescheewin / Shutterstock

Famed for endless steppe vistas, fascinating nomadic culture, its thriving modern capital and stunningly diverse landscapes, Mongolia is a lot to take in. Before you decide on where to go, you’ll need to decide when to go – as the time of the year you visit will largely shape your trip. 

When you weigh up those all-important variables of weather, big calendar events and peak season crowds versus low season savings, picking the optimum time to come is by no means an easy task – that’s why we’re here to help!

Ultimately, the best time to visit Mongolia is an answer that lies with you, the traveler, and what your interests are. Are you here to tick off bucket-list cultural events such as the world-renowned Naadam festival or the country’s fascinating golden eagle hunting festivals? Maybe you’re an outdoor enthusiast, here to trek on horseback or bike Mongolia’s wide-open lands in sublime weather? Or perhaps you’re more into snow sports and Mongolia’s unique winter festivals ?

Given the temperature extremes in Mongolia – peaking at 45°C (113°F) and plummeting to -40°C (-40°F) – the weather is obviously a big factor in deciding the best months for a visit. But truth be told, anytime is a good time to visit Mongolia, with each season bringing unique, memorable experiences. But if you’re looking for ideas, here are some of our favorite times to visit.

June to August brings glorious weather and the Naadam Festival

The summer is the peak season, and rightly so. This is when the weather really turns it on, making it adundantly clear why they call Mongolia “the Land of Blue Skies.” June, July and August are Mongolia’s warmest months, so this is the optimal time to hit the countryside. Under clear skies, you can experience nomadic hospitality as you traverse the grassy steppe by horse, foot, bike or 4WD before spending nights in ger (yurt) camps.

June is a particularly good time to visit, right before the main tourist season ramps up, meaning you’ll get to enjoy the landscapes with smaller crowds, and get a taster for Naadam with several smaller mini festivals. But the main event happens in mid-July, when travelers flock here en masse from around the world for the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage–listed  Nadaam Festival – a colorful three-day spectacle of traditional Mongolian games. 

These include distinctively local versions of horseracing, wrestling and archery – all traditions that date back centuries in Mongolia – set against a backdrop of much merrymaking. But this is also the time when things get really busy, so be sure to book accommodations and transport months in advance. 

Also held in July is the Altai Nomad Festival in  Altai Tavan Bogd National Park , featuring traditional Kazakh horse games such as kokbar , involving a tug of war with the carcass of a goat. August sees more wonderful weather, but things quieten down as the tail end of the high season approaches. At this time you can attend the low-key Danshig Naadam festival, which combines all the expected traditional sports with religious ceremonies and cultural events.

Come from April to May or September to October for eagle hunting, budget travel and fewer crowds

We’re big fans of traveling in the shoulder season, not just for the chance to experience Mongolia through a less touristy lens, but also for a more relaxed pace and lower prices. Sure, the weather can be a mixed bag (come prepared for four seasons in one hour) but in a land famed for 250 sunny days a year, you’ll still get plenty of clear weather.

Around April and May, Mongolia begins to thaw out from its winter deep freeze, as spring wildflowers bloom to color landscapes that turn progressively greener as time progresses. Many ger camps open up for the season, allowing you to enjoy Mongolia’s far-flung, empty wildernesses before tourists sweep in for Nadaam. 

Late May is a good time to visit the  Gobi Desert , when the storms and vicious airborne sand have subsided. You’ll also avoid the desert’s notorious freezing nighttime temperatures and scorching daytime heat. September sneaks in some warmer weather, but by October, winter is very much on the march.

But this is the time to visit if you’re here for one of Mongolia’s spectacular eagle festivals. Held in the first weekend of October, the Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii is the big-ticket attraction, and you’ll be treated to dazzling displays of falconry by master Kazak eagle hunters, putting their prized birds of prey to the test in a number of competitions, from fashion parades to catching wild prey.

In late September there’s the more low-key Altai Kazakh Eagle Festival, an equally exciting event held over two days, combining eagle hunting demonstrations with horse and camel racing.

November to March brings winter festivals, snow sports and extreme cold

November is when things start to get really cold! But don’t let that stop you; instead our advice is to wrap up warm and dive in. There are plenty of highlights to take in, including cultural festivals and snow sports, and winter can bring price reductions for flights and accommodation, but not massive savings.

February is particularly good for traditional winter events, with both the Khatgal Ice Festival and Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival showcasing unique sports such as ice ankle-bone shooting (a fascinating game of skill played with animal bones), ice archery, and horse sledding competitions, alongside more familiar winter activities such as ice skating, ice fishing and dog sledding.

Tsagaan Sar, the Lunar New Year, is also in February, when you may be lucky enough to celebrate the festivities with local families. There’s also the Bulgan Camel Festival, the Gobi’s biggest event, when crowds flock to Ömnögovi for camel polo, camel races, camel shearing and other activities involving these prized beasts of burden. 

November to March is also the time to get involved in snow sports, including downhill skiing at Ulaanbaatar’s  Sky Resort . Dog sledding  tours can easily be arranged, along with  long-distance skating on Khövsgöl Nuur lake.

One word of warning, however. December and January can bring not only bitterly cold temperatures to  Ulaanbaatar , but also horrendous pollution. If there are any months to avoid, we would single out January, unless you’re particularly hardy.

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Welcome to Mongolia, where adventure awaits with Mongolia Expeditions & Tours! Experience the unparalleled beauty of this unique land through our diverse range of activities including trekking, mountaineering, mountain biking, horse riding, and jeep tours. Our carefully planned and tested tours ensure the best travel experience for our guests. Choose from our selection of SET DATE TOURS or join one of our GUARANTEED TOURS for an unforgettable journey with like-minded travelers. Can't find a tour that suits your preferences? No problem! We'll happily tailor an individual tour just for you and include it in our list of GUARANTEED TOURS , allowing you to enjoy the company of others while sharing costs. Remember, the more people, the lower the cost per person! Experience the freedom to BUILD YOUR ADVENTURE, YOUR WAY with our tailor-made tours.

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Discover the untamed beauty of the Altai Tavan Bogd mountain range in far Western Mongolia with Mongolia Expeditions. Our "...

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Mongolia is a land of nomads awaiting your adventure, camping out at night and trekking through the day. There’s river rafting, mountain bike and motorcycle riding on tough offroad trails, and camel trekking through the Gobi Desert. There's also monasteries and ancient ruins to explore.

191 Mongolia tour packages with 252 reviews

• In-depth Cultural

Nomadic Mongolia

This trip was amazing! I couldn't recommend it more highly. Huge landscapes and big skies, history, culture and warm and generous people. The trip itself was very well organized with a fantastic guide (thank you Gan-Erdene) and really competent great drivers. The accommodation in Gers was great - in many places as it started to get cold - they would come and light the stove at night and again early in the morning - super cozy! The only advice I would give is to bring a sleeping bag for the stay with the Nomad family (if you have room in your bag and especially as the weather gets colder) along with a good coat and rain coat. But in every single way this was a trip of a lifetime.

• Christmas & New Year

Essence of Mongolia - 5 Days

This was an excellent tour. I had an unforgettable time. Mendee, the guide was super knowledgeable and seemingly had really good connections and relationships with various people/places along the way. The driver was great as well. The experiences of the tour itself were really interesting and the opportunity to stay alongside families was so incredible. I definitely recommend this company and this tour!

• Local Living

Wild Mongolia

Intrepid's Wild Mongolia tour was above and beyond my expectations. Our guide TEM, our drivers and staff we met along the way did all they could to make our tour interesting, educational, adventurous, safe and lots of fun. Mongolia is so much more than I expected. I never felt like we we roughing it. Accommodations were unique, scenic and sufficient. The homestays were a challenge that bonded the group and the families. The activities gave us a variety of experiences. I highly recommend is you want a challenging, adventurous tour with not too much physical exertion.

Essence of Mongolia - 7 Days

We signed up for the 7-day "Essence of Mongolia" tour. Our tour guide, Shuree, and driver, Maga, were absolutely amazing. We appreciated the flexibility of the tour schedule -- the activities were nicely spread out and were not back-to-back -- so we never felt that we had to be constantly rushing from place to place. We also throughly enjoyed our experiences staying with the nomad families. The families were very warm and friendly, and it was nice to see how each family was slightly different from one another (some families were bigger, each family had different animals that they reared, etc). Shuree, our tour guide, was also incredibly attentive to our needs and interests over the course of the tour. For example, I had told her at some point that I liked the history of the Mongol Empire, so she took a lot of time and effort to go through all the exhibits with me when we were at the various museums (and also told me stories about the different Khans during our car rides). There were so many other wonderful examples like this. Overall, my husband and I had an amazing experience. The tour provided us glimpses into different parts of Mongolian history and culture, and really, the "Essence of Mongolia". Our guide and driver were always present and caring, and we always felt welcomed and well taken care of. Thank you, Tour Mongolia!

Customized Mongolia Gobi Desert Adventure with Private Guide & Driver

I had an amazing experience!! Everything was planed and executed perfectly, my guide and driver Deema and Khangai were wonderful it was a pleasure to share my trip with them. I learned a lot and experienced some of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. I strongly recomend this tour to anyone interested.

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Tailor-Made Private Mongolia Tour of Nomadic Gobi & Nature

We had a great time in mongolia with a great driver and tour guide! Mongolia is an absolute stunner!

Golden Voyage tour

This trip was AMAZING! Our guide, Tuvshuu, was extremely knowledgeable, fun, friendly and helpful. He even arranged vegan meals for me at each of our stops - from ger camps to hotels, to restaurants along the way. (The food was fabulous!) Our driver, Buugi, was also excellent. Some of the terrain was pretty rough and Buugi got us safely and comfortably through, even through a freak snowstorm! I’m a solo female traveler, as was the other woman on this tour, and I’ve honestly never felt more safe and well-cared for than I did with Nomadic of Blue Sky. Mongolia is unbelievably gorgeous. Breathtakingly beautiful. Absolutely my favorite place of the 17 countries I visited in my 6 month tour of Asia. You will love Mongolia and you will love Nomadic of Blue Sky! Just go!!

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Mongolia's highest peak, Climb to Mt.Khuiten

That was an extraordinary trip with Discover Altai Team. The Altai region is so beautiful, the nomadic families were very welcomed. I can't recommend enough the team and trip organization. My personal tips are: pack enough warm clothes, the night gets cold in tent. We had an amazing experience in this region and definitely recommend for everyone!!!

Gobi Tour 5D/4N

Tour is great!! Especially guides are so nice people. They introduced lots of things and very care for me always. First day was almost only moved by car. So If you want to came Gobi, you should take a minimum 5 days tour. Additionally, before I thought could came for my self, but actually ir impossible. Should take tour because No public buses and always off road, Moreover there is no town, Should find gel hotels.

Shamanic Ritual Tour in Mongolia

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6 Day Amazing Orkhon Waterfall and Tsenher Hot Spring

hello dear travelers. iI traveled Mongolia in summer 2017 and served by Nomadic of Blue Sky. Mongolia is good one to exlpore nomad life style and wild life. i suggest you must see Mongolia. After this trip i want to comeback Mongolia and explore more. See ypu again Nomadic of Blue Sky. I missing your services. Regards Uugii

• Hiking & Trekking

Trekking in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia

The trip was absolutely amazing. From the pristine mountains and valleys, the excellent food and Daurens expertise and knowledge of the area, the trip couldn't have been run better. If you're planning a trip to Mongolia the Altai Mountains are a must see as they are just so beautiful and all the local nomads are incredibly friendly and helpful. Dauren was a fantastic guide who seemed to know everything about the area and answered any questions we asked. He also knew a lot of the nomads personally and they would often stop to chat with him and invite us all for some food or drinks. He was also quick to adapt to things like illness in the group by arranging horses or a local ger for the person to rest in. Overall I'd strongly recommend the Altai Mountains to anyone who enjoys beautiful hikes and I don't think you could get a better guide than Dauren.

Luxury Adventure to Central Mongolia

• Desert Hikes

Your Luxury Escape to Three Camel Lodge

What people love about mongolia tours.

This trip was amazing! I couldn't recommend it more highly. Huge landscapes and big skies, history, culture and warm and generous people. The trip itself was very well organized with a fantastic guide (thank you Gan-Erdene) and really competent great drivers. The accommodation in Gers was great - in many places as it started to get cold - they would come and light the stove at night and again early in the morning - super cozy! The only advice I would give is to bring a sleeping bag for the stay with the Nomad family (if you have room in your bag and especially as the weather gets colder) along with a good coat and rain coat. But in every single way this was a trip of a lifetime.

A great experience, getting a taste of different environments, experiencing a little bit of the traditional nomadic culture and food, all with the help of a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Ulaanbaatar traffic is no joke, but once outside the city you really start to feel the immense openness and beautiful expanse of the countryside. Highly recommended.

Intrepid's Wild Mongolia tour was above and beyond my expectations. Our guide TEM, our drivers and staff we met along the way did all they could to make our tour interesting, educational, adventurous, safe and lots of fun. Mongolia is so much more than I expected. I never felt like we we roughing it. Accommodations were unique, scenic and sufficient. The homestays were a challenge that bonded the group and the families. The activities gave us a variety of experiences. I highly recommend is you want a challenging, adventurous tour with not too much physical exertion.

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Motorcycle Travel Guide: Mongolia

Planning on traversing one of the most incredible countries in the world? Check out this packed guide dedicated to Motorcycle Travel in Mongolia first!

Motorcycle Travel Mongolia

Turns out the brief research we did before entering Mongolia was complete rubbish. You don’t need to be an expert navigator, rider and action man to ride there and it’s nowhere near as hard as people make out. It’s an incredible, expansive, vast land and the beautiful thing about it is that you can make it as hard or easy as you like. Here’s everything you need to know about motorcycle travel in Mongolia and overlanding. 

Mongolia motorcycle routes 

“Are you taking the north, middle or south route?” The closer we got to Mongolia the more we heard and were asked this question. And the funny thing was, everybody had a different idea of where these routes actually were, nobody had any clue which was the best one, everyone had a different idea of what the ‘best’ one actually meant and everybody had a friend or heard of someone who took one of the routes and said it was the hardest.

In the end, we got tired of trying to figure out which route was the best and just plotted a course to all of the main sights we wanted to visit.

South route

The Mongol Rally was passing through around the time we entered Mongolia and every team we met opted for the southern route. They all heard it was the easiest and other rally teams who had just passed through reported back saying it was the easiest. It’s a primarily asphalt route, although a few teams did get diverted into sand traps. It also heads towards the Gobi Desert , you can divert even further south and take a very long hard slog through the desert if you fancy it.

North route

We heard mix reports on the north route. A friend of ours took the route and said it was easy but very boring. He’s new to motorcycling and travelled on a Royal Enfield. However, we met people who travelled the north route six months before he did it and they said it was too tough because of river crossings and had to turn around. We’ve also heard from friends that it didn’t really meet their expectations of what they thought Mongolia would look like, appearing more like south Russia and Siberia.

Middle route

Nobody really had much to say about the middle route. So, we opted for a mix of all three, hitting the southern, middle and northern routes to get to Ulaanbaatar from the eastern border with Russia. This route encompassed the classic image of Mongolia by rolling through the grasslands and pastures, it took in the arid deserts of the south, flaming cliffs, and rocky mountains.

Plotting your own route

Ours started on the southern asphalt route. But that got incredibly boring very quickly. So we moved to the middle. Even then, some of the roads were a little boring so we deviated a little more and ended up plotting waypoints on a map and heading to them off-road.

That’s the thing about motorcycle travel in Mongolia, and as we mentioned at the beginning, it can be as easy or as hard as you like. If you don’t like the route you’re on, or if you want more off-road, just plot a waypoint on your GPS and head there. There’s nothing stopping you. We met people who had had enough, saying the road they were on was boring. Just leave the road!

In Mongolia, thousands upon thousands of car and motorcycle tracks wiggle their way over the land, just pick one that heads in the rough direction you’re planning on and follow it.

It really is a vast wonderment, whichever route you choose you’ll be happy.

Mongolia road conditions for motorcycling

As mentioned above, there are asphalt roads, which in places are exceptionally good. And the country seems to be working on building new roads everywhere. Despite what some people say, this isn’t a problem – you don’t have to take them. And if you break down or need help you’ll be glad they’re there. The roadworks can pose a problem though if they’re on your route, as the work is slow going and you’ll quite often find deviations and road blocks. You could always come off the main road and ride one of the tracks which will no doubt run beside it.

The general condition of off-road tracks are easy going gravel. Only if you go well off course will you start to find sand and deep muck. Depending on the time of year you might not find any river crossings either. You almost need to look for the harder tracks at times. We wouldn’t say the off-roading is easy, but it is definitely doable. We opted for hard routes and tracks and we got them. Some days we spent four hours trying to cover 10km through sand and swamps. We chose that as we wanted a challenge and some fun. But you can certainly get away without having to do it.

Finding fuel in Mongolia

Finding petrol seems to be the top concern for people planning on motorcycle travel in Mongolia. It really shouldn’t be. Our motorcycle has a 15 litre tank, which covers around 250 km. We carry an extra 6.6 litres in a   Rotopax jerry can , which gives us an extra 100kms. We only needed to use our spare fuel twice, and that was because we went well off-piste into the Gobi. We also used it a third time, but that was to help a stranded Mongolian horse herder.

We’ve seen plenty of people online asking and worrying about petrol for their big cars and trucks while stating they can only cover 800km to a tank. It’s nuts. Don’t worry about fuel, you’ll find it in nearly every town.

And if you don’t, still don’t worry. Nomads inhabit these vast lands and gone are the times of tending their herds on horseback. Now, everyone seems to own small Chinese made 125cc motorcycles in Mongolia. Beeping their horns as they chase their sheep and horses over hills to new pastures. If you run out in the middle of nowhere it’s very unlikely that you’ll be stranded for long. Most yurts have spare fuel, which they’d be happy to sell.

Food and water

Same principal goes for food and water. Simply plan your routes so that you stop every so often in a town and load up on supplies. We carried six litres of water a day for two people. That was enough for drinking, camping, cooking and washing. We recommend boiling river water (if you’re looking for cooking equipment, we use the MSR Quick 2 system and the MSR Dragonfly stove ).

Motorcycle camping in Mongolia

You can pretty much camp anywhere you like in Mongolia except for in National Parks where you have to pay to enter. We once saw a camping spot on iOverlander which recommended a camping spot in a park. We decided to camp there and were woken in the middle of the night, being told to move.

They gave us leaflets in English explaining we couldn’t camp. Despite explaining that it was dark, a treacherously hard off-road route back to the main road and we’d leave first thing in the morning, they refused, insistent that we left. That was the one and only time we ever had a problem in Mongolia. We rode back to the main road, crossed the road and stuck up our tent in the next field. It’s very uncommon for that to happen, but worth noting that if you have to pay to get into a national park, don’t bother camping there.

It’s always worth camping out of the way, or if you’re near yurts and you get a good vibe from them, you could always ask to put up your tent near their yurt. It could easily lead to invites for tea and biscuits!

READ MORE: 

• The Ultimate Motorcycle Camping Gear List
• The 10 Best Motorcycle Camping Tents

Hotels in Mongolia

There are some fantastic hotels in Mongolia. You’ll find motels and hotels in towns and big cities, but nothing along the road. The easiest way to find hotels for motorcycle travellers is to use the iOverlander app and Google Maps. 

However, once you get to big cities and especially Ulaanbaatar, we recommend using Booking.com to find cheap options. 

Navigation and maps

We relied on the Maps.Me app for our entire motorcycle ride through Mongolia. The app shows up mini trails and paths that Google Maps doesn’t. And as it works offline, making it far easier to plot routes through Mongolia. A paper map also helps to plan the overall direction. But on a daily basis, Maps.Me is perfect, you’d be surprised at the amount of small trails it has.

• The Best Motorcycle Sat Navs
• The Best Motorcycle Phone Mounts

Visa, insurance, money and paperwork

Mongolia is straightforward when it comes to paperwork, visas and insurance. Check below to find out what you’ll need and how to get it. And there’s a full guide that explains all the paperwork requirements you’d need on a RTW trip if you fancy digging deeper here…

READ MORE: Motorcycle Travel Paperwork Explained

Crossing the border

When we crossed the border into Mongolia from Russia in the west, we had to wait for two hours while the Mongolian border guards had lunch. (On the Russian side, you will have to show the paperwork you were given when entering from Kazakhstan, if you came that way). It’s best to tackle the border in the morning. The process is straight forward and you’ll just need to get a bunch of colourful stamps. You’ll be given a piece of paper by customs if you have a vehicle, which you’ll need to keep for the duration of your stay.

The Mongolian visa is single-entry and valid for 30 days. It is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued meaning you can enter anytime within 90 days of issue and stay for 30 days. Mongolia does allow visa exemptions for certain nationalities –  find out if you’re on that list .

If you’re travelling overland you won’t be able to get a visa on arrival, so you’ll need to source your visa in your home country or from an embassy abroad, which is incredibly easy.

We obtained our Mongolian visa in Almaty, Kazakhstan and it was the easiest visa process we’ve ever had. We walked into the embassy, paid 90 USD per person (we paid for an immediate visa, it’s around 70 USD if you don’t mind waiting a few days) and they processed the visa and gave our passports back in 10 minutes.

• You will need your passport, a copy of your passport, complete and printed application forms and two passport photos.
• You can only pay in USD.
• You do not need a letter of invitation
• Check iOverlander for the specific embassy information
• You can extend your visa for another 30 days at the Ulaanbaatar or Olgii Immigration Offices (again, check iOverlander for up-to-date info). Keep in mind that if you extend your visa, you will also need to register your day and that you can also extend up to four days before your current visa expires.

Extra info on the Almaty embassy

• There is no bell at the embassy, you’ll either need to ring the number on the sign, wait for someone to come out or shout
• The embassy is located  here
• The embassy’s opening times are Monday to Friday, 0930-1300. It’s usually very quiet throughout the day.

Officially, you need insurance to travel with your motorcycle through Mongolia. Once you pass through the border you’ll be flagged down and taken into a little makeshift office and asked to pay up in exchange for a yellow piece of paper. The insurance will be valid for 30 days. The prices aren’t exactly official either. We were asked to pay 20 USD for a motorcycle for 30 days, we paid 15. At the same time, a Spanish guy was asked to pay 30 USD for his car, he paid 20 Euros. 

READ MORE: The UK Motorcycle Travel Insurance Guide

Do not pay for anything else, other than insurance. Friends of ours were shouted at and told that they had to pay tax of some kind. Ignore that, pay your insurance and get out of there.

You do not need a Carnet de Passage for Mongolia.

If you are crossing into Mongolia from the west, one of the first towns you’ll come across is Olgii, there are ATMs in this town, so you can stock up on cash here. There are also ATMs in all major towns along the way to Ulaanbaatar. We’d advise carrying enough cash, and a few USDs as back-up. Mongolia isn’t expensive to travel through, so you don’t need to carry big wads of cash, just enough to get you through.

What to take

Packing gear for motorcycle travel in Mongolia means packing for everything. You will need kit for the rain, cold and sun. You’ll find yourself sweating buckets in the deserts, freezing cold at night, and trapped in torrential rain in the space of a few days. The weather can be unpredictable and volatile at times, so be prepared. Easy off-road tracks can quickly turn into a nightmare after a rainstorm.

READ MORE: How to Choose Your Adventure Riding Gear

Make sure you have a suitable charging device for whatever you use for navigation if you’re relying on technology.

It’s worth carrying a puncture repair kit and compressor if you have your own transport.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Adventure Bike Tool Kit Guide

• Tools to fix the basics and help you hobble to a garage. Without sounding mean, some of the workmanship in Mongolia isn’t exactly up to western standards, if you need something welded, get a temporary bodge weld and then have it re-welded once you leave.
• Carry enough food and water for two days if you’re heading well off the beaten path.
• Off-road motorcycle tyres if you’re travelling on the rough stuff.

Motorcycle rentals and tours in Mongolia

This guide is geared towards overland motorcycle travellers riding their own bikes in and out of Mongolia. However, you can always fly into Mongolia and either rent a bike or join an organised tour instead. If you are planning on renting or joining a tour, then it’s likely you’ll be flying in, in which case we recommend using skyscanner.net to find the cheapest flights. Just make sure when selecting dates that you click ‘flexible dates’ and select by month. That way you’ll find the cheapest dates in green. 

For info on rental companies, check out this page:

READ MORE: Mongolia Motorcycle Rental and Tour Companies

Motorcycle shipping companies

Another option is to ship your motorcycle to or from Mongolia. This is a great way of saving time on your travels, or if you only wanted to do a one way ride. 

For info on shipping companies, check out the below link and also have a read of the Trans Siberian Railway guide too as you can use the train to get closer to Mongolia from Europe. 

• Mongolia Motorcycle Shipping Companies
• How to Transport a Motorcycle on the Trans Siberian Railway 

Our experience motorcycling in Mongolia

If you’re wondering what it’s like riding a motorcycle in Mongolia, have a read of our round the world motorcycle travel blog. We detail our experiences and what it was like for us riding there.

READ MORE:  Motorcycle Travel Blog: Mongolia

Top tips for motorcycle travel in Mongolia

It sounds silly and obvious, but the most important thing to remember is to relax and enjoy it. We met so many people who got so worked up about motorcycling in Mongolia before they even got there. Everyone goes on about how hard it is, the road conditions, the wilderness and so on.

And so when they arrive, they either blast through on easy roads or spend their whole time worrying about a river crossing that never comes. Once they get to Ulaanbaatar they wished they took the time to explore more. It really isn’t as hard as people make out. Try going off-piste, if you don’t like it just head back to the road you were on.

If you’ve just come from Central Asia, then you’ll probably find the Mongolians aren’t as forthcoming and friendly. But they are still kind people, just more reserved than the super friendly Tajiks.

Pack appropriate gear. You could be riding all day in the baking hot sun, but by the time night falls and you crawl into your tent you’ll see your breath.

You can buy a Mongolian SIM card in Mongolia, the wifi signal isn’t great throughout the country, but it’s worth having.

Recommended apartment

We don’t normally write recommendations for places to stay, but we want to recommend Amra’s place in Ulaanbaatar. Amra is a sweet Mongolian lady, who rents out rooms in an apartment. She speaks excellent English and is also fluent in German. The apartment is centrally located and has three large bedrooms. One of the rooms is taken up by a Tibetan monk on a long-term rental – super nice guy who cooks a mean noodle soup.

The apartment is impeccably clean with two toilets and Amra’s lives in the apartment next door in case you need anything, and she pops over every day to clean. Amra also runs tours in Mongolia and the apartment rental is her side business. We didn’t go on any tours, and only found out about her place through someone we met in Kazakhstan. We ended up staying for a week because we liked it so much and could park our bike right outside. It’s around 15 USD per person per night. You can email her on [email protected] or Whatsapp her on +97695595989 if you’re interested.

You’re going to love travelling through Mongolia on your motorcycle. It’s one of the world’s wildest, most vast and epic biking landscapes. 

Read more on motorcycle travel in Mongolia

Thanks for checking out our Mad in Mongolia Blog post. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycling in Mongolia that we recommend you read next. 

• All Mongolia Guides
• How to get to the Gobi Desert
• How to find an Eagle Hunter in Mongolia
• Top 10 things to do in Mongolia
• Asia Destination  Guides
• Motorcycle Rental in Mongolia

We may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase a product using the affiliate links on this page. We’re not sponsored, are completely impartial and don’t run ads. So this helps us keep the site running. Thank you for your support.

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We hope you found this Motorcycle Travel Guide for Mongolia helpful. If you’re heading there or have any questions, please let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!

8 thoughts on “Motorcycle Travel Guide: Mongolia”

Have you any idea about a customs broker if I wanted to import a bike into Mongolia for summer rides?

Hi Martin, we haven’t dealt with importing a vehicle permanently into Mongolia, only temporary imports for travelling. Sorry we can’t be of more help here.

Hi guys! love your travels! Did you ship your bikes to Mongolia or maybe Russia or did you ride all through Europe? If so any advice? Me and my mate are trying to plan a trip and was wondering if it makes sense for us to air/sea ship the bikes to save time and drive from Mongolia to Europe.

Thanks and safe travels

Hi Andre, Thanks for your comment! We’re about three years into our RTW trip, so we rode to Mongolia from the UK via Europe, Turkey, Caucasus and Central Asia before nipping up through Kazakhstan and then into Mongolia. If you’re interested in our ride there and route you can check out our Blog page. That’s great to hear you and your friend are planning a trip!!!

I’m more than happy to offer advice on how to ride and/or ship to Mongolia, but of course I’ll need loads more info as it depends on loads of different factors, i.e. how much time you have for your trip, overall budget, route you want to take there/back, bikes, how much off-road you want to do etc etc.

There will probably be a lot of back and forth with this, so it might be a good idea to move this over to the Forum. Just chuck your questions and answers to the above in there and i’ll be able to reply in more detail. Cheers, Andy

Just wondering how many days your route took?

Thanks for all the info, great website!

Hi Tom, thanks very much for your comment and kind words about the website! We got a 30-day Mongolia visa and stayed right up to the last day. We perhaps spent five days in the capital, so I’d say around 3 weeks. You can read more about our route there in our Mongolia blog post if you’re interested: https://www.madornomad.com/mad-in-mongolia/ Hope this helps! Cheers and all the best, Andy

Great stuff. Very helpful. I am looking at visiting soon and will ping you any updates. Drive safely

Cheers Danny! Have a great trip there, you’ll love it. Look forward to receiving your updates! Cheers, Andy

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The Ultimate Mongolia Travel Guide 2024

From the best time of year to visit to how to get a SIM card and where to register with immigration , these are the important things to know as you plan your trip to Mongolia.

• April 9, 2020
• Updated: January 24, 2024

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Table of contents.

When I say I love living in Mongolia, I mean it with every part of my heart and soul. It was after coming here in 2018 as a tourist to join a Mongolia tour and experience the local culture that I remember thinking, this place can’t be real.

It turned out to be the best way to experience Mongolia I could have asked for. That short trip made me realize the Mongolian steppe is one of the last truly untouched places in the world for nature lovers and true adventure seekers.

Nomadic families really did still live of the land, and their herds, the same way they have for thousands of years. Talk about sustainable.

In fact, 25% of the Mongolian population still lives this way. That’s a huge percentage in a country of just over 3.2 million.

However, it wasn’t just the Mongolian countryside that I fell in love with. After coming back and living a summer in Ulaanbaatar (also written as Ulan Bator), Mongolia’s capital city, I knew this was the country, and the place for me.

It’s by no means easy living here. This is not the United States, where everything runs smoothly. Language barriers are a thing, credit cards always have issues (especially Mastercard), and you really need to get used to Mongolian time. Whether you want to or not.

In the end, I’ve learned it’s better not to resist this style of living and just go with the flow. It’s probably the only reason I’ve made it this long here. Living here has taught me a lot about patience, compassion, and myself. Things living in Los Angeles, New York, and growing up in Pittsburgh couldn’t do in 32 years.

Because, when it comes down to it, Mongolia is a tough place to be as a foreigner among the local people. When I moved here, there was no information on how to navigate the the city, let alone rural Mongolia. I’m talking, nothing! I had to become my own local guide.

Not just for people crazy enough to move here like me, but for travelers, too. The type of people willing to travel more than 24 hours to a place where they usually have no idea about the chaos they are about to encounter. The kind of people who book a tour but the tour company could be real and you could have the adventure of the lifetime, or it could be a complete scam. The people who just go for it with fearlessness without ever looking back. Those are my people. You are my people.

So, I hope this Mongolia travel guide, along with the other guides on this Mongolia travel blog give you the insight and information that wasn’t available to me when I first came here. That these articles will help you navigate Ulaanbaatar like a local and Mongolia like a travel pro.

As always, if you need help planning an itinerary or have more specific travel questions, you can always book a 30-minute travel consultation with me. There’s nothing I love more than talking about Mongolia and getting people excited about visiting.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Mongolia?

Summer is the best time of year to visit Mongolia and is considered peak season. June, July, and August are beautiful months with a great deal of things to see and experience. This is when most tourists visit Mongolia, so you can expect peak rates, sometimes crowded natural landmarks and museums, and full flights.

The average summer temperature in Mongolia is between 25° and 32° C, with cold nights. You can comfortably wear t-shirts during the day and a light jacket when it gets dark. Dust storms are common in the summer season, especially when you’re on the wide-open plains.

Keep in mind that if you visit areas in the north or west, at higher elevations, temperatures will be lower than this. If you visit places in the south, particularly the Gobi Desert, temperatures will be much higher. Temperatures in the Gobi Desert average 40° C, and higher, in June, July, and August.

If you plan to visit Mongolia in the summer, especially in July, book your tours, hotels, and flights no later than March. July is the busiest month for tourism in Mongolia thanks to the Naadam festival. Hotel rates in Ulaanbaatar are even known to double in price between July 10 and 12, when the Opening Ceremony takes place in the city.

Naadam is the biggest and most important festival of the year and visiting Mongolia during Naadam gives you the best of Mongolia, and Mongolian culture, in just a few short days. The festival always takes place in July, with the National Opening Ceremony always being held in Ulaanbaatar on July 11. Thus, the high hotel rates in the city.

It’s during Naadam when you can watch wrestling, horse racing, and archery competitions big and small across the country.

Here are some other great things to see and experience when visiting Mongolia in June, July, and August:

• Annual Naadam Festival
• PlayTime Music Festival
• Spirit of Gobi Music Festival
• Tenger World Shaman Festival
• Mongol Derby
• Monkey Run Mongolia
• Free Daily Cultural Shows in Ulaanbaatar
• Polo Matches at the Genghis Khan Retreat and Polo Club

What to Expect When You Visit Mongolia in Fall, Winter, or Spring

While summer is the most popular, and best time to visit Mongolia for many reasons, fall, winter, and spring shouldn’t be immediately ruled out. Here are a few reasons why.

Personally, fall is my favorite time to be in Mongolia .

Tourism starts to die down at the end of August as school starts and the weather starts to get a bit chillier and days shorter. This is the time when most nomadic families begin to prepare for the cold winter months ahead, which makes it an especially interesting time to visit. You can help families move to their winter camps, either by truck, camel, or yak, and help tear down and build their gers (homes) with them. It’s a special time to bond with families and feel like you’re being useful. The worst is when you go somewhere and feel like they’re just putting on a “show” for tourism reasons. This isn’t that. I can promise.

September is also the time when the landscape turns a beautiful golden hue. Trees turn bright shades of yellow, orange, and red, and snow starts to cover the mountain tops.

Because of all these things, traditional ger camps begin closing up for the season at this time. This is usually to traveler’s benefits because it means you can find great deals on nightly rates before they do.

Then, when October hits, it’s time for the famous Golden Eagle Festival .

The festival is extremely popular with tourists, so be sure to make your arrangements if you want to attend as far in advance as possible. I would recommend making your arrangements before June. Especially since securing flights from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii can be tricky and confusing. For this I also recommend hiring a local tour company to make all your arrangements.

The annual Golden Eagle Festival is always held the first weekend in October .

Here are some other great things to see and experience when visiting Mongolia in September, October, and November:

• Sagsai Eagle Festival
• Golden Eagle Festival
• Ulaanbaatar Jazz Week

Don’t let the idea winter in Mongolia intimidate you. Yes, temperatures do reach -30° C. And yes, Ulaanbaatar is officially the coldest capital city in the world . But it’s because of these things Ulaanbaatar, and Mongolia, are something special to see and experience during December, January, and February.

While temperatures do drop to around -30° C, you can still do things like visit and spend the night in a yurt with a nomadic family out in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Out there, you can go horseback riding on Mongolia’s famously wild horses, and even dog sledding through the winter wonderland that has become the snow-covered countryside.

Or, better yet, head down to the Gobi Desert, one of the only deserts in the world where snow can lay across the dunes covering them in a sea of white. This is the perfect time to experience the natural beauty of the Mongolian desert, but with fewer crowds.

Alternatively, Tsagaan Sar , or Mongolian Lunar New Year, happens in February and is a unique way to experience a Mongolia relatively free of other tourists.

The holiday marks the first day of spring and a time when Mongolians take the time to visit each of the elders in their family, bringing gifts and sharing a meal. This is a special time for Mongolians to celebrate with family and look forward to new beginnings.

Here are some other great things to see and experience when visiting Mongolia in December, January, and February:

• Ulaanbaatar’s Christmas Markets
• New Year’s Eve Celebrations
• Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)
• See the Gobi Desert Covered in Snow
• Dog sledding on Lake Khusvgul
• Ice Fishing

While most people think of spring as a time when temperatures start to warm up, flowers begin to bloom, and life returns to nature, spring in Mongolia isn’t quite that. In fact, spring is still uncomfortably cold and you should probably just think of spring in Mongolia as winter-lite.

Blizzards can still occur in May, which locals refer to as dzud (or zud, a natural phenomenon that kills off a large portion of herds from starvation since they aren’t able to graze), and it’s still a harsh time in the country as locals start to run out of winter rations and look forward to warmer summer months.

However, as is usually the case in Mongolia, the brave are rewarded with two very cool festivals that make a trip to Mongolia in the spring worth it.

The annual Camel Festival is held each March in the Gobi Desert.

During the festival, there are camel polo matches, camel races, and friendly competitions among the local camel breeders. Mongolia is one of the few places in the world where you find Bactrian (two-hump) camels, and the Gobi Desert one of the only deserts in the world where snow accumulates. Making a trip down to the desert during this time is actually quite a magical experience.

Also in March, the annual Ice Festival is held on Lake Khuvsgul, the world’s second-largest freshwater lake. The lake is completely frozen over and is strong enough to drive cars over and host an entire festival on.

And yes, this region bordering Siberia will be every bit as cold as you’d expect it would be, so don’t come unprepared. A fur-lined winter deel (traditional Mongolian robe) probably wouldn’t be a bad investment. You can have one custom-made in Ulaanbaatar as soon as you land.

Here are some other great things to see and experience when visiting Mongolia in March, April, and May:

• Camel Festival
• Ice Festival
• Ulaanbaatar Eagle Festival

Finding a Cheap Flight to Mongolia

Check the cheapest rates to Ulaanbaatar on CheapOair.com below.

The best direct flights to Mongolia are on the following airlines:

• Mongolian National Airline (MIAT)
• Turkish Airlines

If you’re traveling from the U.S., your two best options are via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines or via Seoul on Korean Air. I usually recommend traveling via Istanbul if you’re departing from the east coast and via Seoul if you’re departing from the west coast.

Turkish Airlines is my personal preference and I’ve never had an issue with them. I particularly like Turkish Airlines right now because they have a layover program that includes a  free 4-star hotel in Istanbul . Besides helping break up your jetlag, it’s also an excuse to cross another country off your list. Two birds, one stone!

From Europe, flying via Frankfurt on MIAT, Mongolia’s national airline, is another good option. As an airline, MIAT is safe, but they don’t always have the best track record for being on time, having a smooth check-in process, and cancellations do happen with them more often than other airlines. I have flown MIAT, but they usually aren’t my first choice.

Internal domestic flights can be booked through MIAT, Aero Mongolia, or Hunnu Air. Domestic roundtrip flights are not cheap, usually costing at least a few hundred U.S. dollars. It’s also extremely confusing to book these flights on your own, especially without a local Mongolian bank account. If you plan to book a domestic flight in Mongolia, I recommend getting a local tour guide or agency to help you through the process.

Once you land in Ulaanbaatar at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, here are the best ways to  get from the airport into the city center .

Taking the Trans-Siberian Railway

Taking the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Beijing is one of the most iconic train journeys in the world. It’s high on my list of things to do, and I’m hoping to do it sooner rather than later.

Conveniently, the Trans-Siberian Railway stops in Ulaanbaatar, giving travelers an excuse to explore the city and surrounding countryside for a few days. The train station is located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar and most hostels and guesthouses offer free transfers from the train station.

Tips for Taking Taxis, Public Transportation, and Hiring a Driving

When it comes to hailing a taxi, finding the bus schedule, or hiring a private driver, there are a few things to know. Use these travel tips for getting around Mongolia cost-efficiently and with less hassle than if you were to have to figure it out on your own.

Finding a Taxi in Ulaanbaatar

You can hail a taxi in Ulaanbaatar simply putting out your hand to your side, signaling you’re looking for a ride.

These are not official taxis, but they are the most common way to get around the city. It’s how I get around almost every day. It’s safe and reliable, but you do need to explain where you’re going. I usually tell the driver a major landmark that’s close enough to where I’m going or I show them on Google Maps. On occasion, the driver will ask for your destination before allowing you in their car, just in case they aren’t going that way. Both male and female drivers stop and do this, sometimes with kids and other family members in the car. It’s all normal here.

When it comes time to pay your driver, expect to pay 1,500 MNT per kilometer . It’s helpful to have small bills and exact change, most drivers don’t carry cash.

If the thought of getting into a strange Mongolian’s car freaks you out, apps like UBCab are the Mongolian equivalent of Uber, which don’t exist in Mongolia. You’ll need a local Mongolian number to register within the app and begin requesting rides. The app is okay from a user perspective and the driver usually calls when they’re on their way to your pickup location.

You’ll still need cash if using UBCab, the app doesn’t accept credit cards. At the end of the ride you’ll see your total in the app, which also helps you get a gauge on the average taxi price to get around the city.

Scooters and Bikes

Ulaanbaatar is now home to both scooter and bike sharing apps.

Jet scooters are hard to miss scattered around town. To use one, download the Jet app ( Apple , Android ), scan the scooter’s QR code, and then pay by the minute. You can use the app to find a nearby scooter and while they are a convenient way to beat rush hour traffic, Ulaanbaatar’s sidewalks and drivers don’t make it the safest option. Ride with caution!

Hi Sainuu ( Apple ,  Android ) is the bikesharing app that’s taken over the city. It works much the same way as Jet and, again, should be used with caution.

Public Transportation in Ulaanbaatar

Buses within Ulaanbaatar are often crowded, especially around rush hour thanks to a lack of routes and other public transportation options. Ulaanbaatar does not have a subway system.

Cash is not accepted once you step on the bus so you’ll need a refillable U Money Smart Card (3,600 MNT to purchase) to take the bus. The price per ride is 500 MNT. You can purchase and refill a U Money Smart Card at bus kiosks around town or inside CU convenience stores. Note that routes and bus numbers will appear in Cyrillic.

You can find information on bus stops, waiting time, routes, and U Money kiosks on the UB Smart Bus app ( Apple ,  Android ).

Additionally, it’s possible to take buses from Ulaanbaatar to different cities throughout the country. Bus tickets and schedules are found at the Dragon Center Bus Station, on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. You can now  purchase bus tickets to destinations outside of Ulaanbaatar online , but be warned the system doesn’t always work as promised. I recommend going to the bus station a day before you plan to depart Ulaanbaatar to get the most up-to-date schedule and purchase your ticket in-person then.

A bus ride to Moron, for example, will be relatively inexpensive, costing 32,000 MNT for the 14-hour ride.

Renting a Car in Ulaanbaatar

Renting a car in Mongolia  these days isn’t as cheap as it used to be. In fact, it’s downright expensive. With only two major rental companies to choose from, Avis and Sixt, there’s a monopoly on the car rental market. When you rent from either company, expect to pay a deposit on the rental around $2,000 USD, not including any of your rental costs, which will also need paid up front. If there’s no damage done to the car, you’ll get the deposit money back after returning the rental at the end of your trip.

One hack to that is renting a car through a company like  Follow the Tracks . The company offers self-driving tours of Mongolia and these cars are equipped with rooftop tents and they even give you a route to follow.

Another reason I really like Follow the Tracks is because it can be very difficult to navigate Mongolia on your own. Once you leave the city the roads conditions start to worsen, and fast.

Unless you’re a driver who’s really comfortable driving off-roading, and in extreme conditions, I don’t recommend renting a car in Mongolia.

Instead, hire a driver.

Hiring a Driver in Mongolia

There are a few benefits to hiring a driver in Mongolia.

First, like I mentioned above, unless you are really comfortable driving off-road, driving in Mongolia is not easy.

Second, you can’t beat the cost. The cost per day to hire a driver with a car in Mongolia is currently 200,000 MNT per day. You are responsible for the driver’s meals, making sure they have a place to sleep, and you’ll pay for your own gas along the way. Your gas costs will depend on your route, and the type of car you’re in, but expect to fill up at least three to four times during your trip at 300,000 to 400,000 MNT per tank.

Your driver will need to be paid in cash at the end of your trip. Gas can usually be paid for by credit card at gas stations like Petrovis, but you should also carry emergency cash on you for at least two tanks of gas, just in case.

I recommend hiring a driver with either a Toyota Land Cruiser 200, Toyota Delica, or Russian UAZ furgon. These will be the most reliable cars that will get you across the steppe. UAZ furgons are the least comfortable of the three options, and usually also the cheapest.

Drivers are always flexible, easy going, and ready to fix their own car when something goes wrong. Something I can almost guarantee will happen. Usually drivers don’t speak English, but you’ll quickly learn the key words you need to get through your journey. Never underestimate the power of sign language and Google Translate. Take the time to get to know your driver, they’re funny characters that start to become like family in no time.

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Plugs and Voltage

Sockets in Mongolia work with both U.S. (type B plugs with two flat prongs and a grounding pin) and European plugs (type C plugs with two round pins). Each socket has one type of each plug.

So, if you’re coming from the U.S., your device will work in most wall sockets in Mongolia. However, it is important to note that there will be a voltage difference. In Mongolia the sockets are 230 volts, compared to the typical 120 volt sockets we use in the U.S.

Most computer chargers, phone chargers, and other electronics have power converters built into the device to account for these types of voltage differences.

For example, I use my U.S. computer charger without any issue. I plug it right into the socket in my apartment, in coffee shops, in hotels – everywhere – and I’ve never had an issue. The same goes with my phone charger, camera battery charger, drone charger, hair straightener, and just about any other electronic you can think of.

If you’d like to bring a wall charger that will allow you to charge via USB-A and USB-C, I recommend this travel adapter . This two pack also gives you the most charging power out of the shortest available charging time.

When packing for Mongolia, be sure to bring travel adapters, power banks, extra C charging cables, and a solar powered charger, if you have one. Electricity is not reliable or regularly available once you leave Ulaanbaatar, so you need to be prepared if you plan to travel around the country for several days. Especially if you plan to do a homestay or spend time in the more remote corners of the country.

As I mentioned above, be aware that the voltage is much higher in Mongolia than it is in the U.S. (230 V vs 120 V). If you plan to plug directly into the wall socket make sure your device has a built-in power converter, or you have a power adapter that allows for dual voltage.

Getting a SIM Card

The best place to get a physical SIM card in Ulaanbaatar is at the State Department Store on the 5th floor. There you’ll find Unitel , MobiCom , Skytel , and gmobile kiosks next to each other. Since they are all located next to each other, it’s easy to browse and compare each company’s service plans and choose the right one for your trip.

Most locals use Unitel, myself included, which offers some of the best service coverage across the country.

Getting a SIM card is quick and easy, but you will need to bring your passport with you to get one issued. You can use a credit card or cash to purchase your car and plan, which should cost less than 40,000 tugrik all together.

If you have an iPhone 15 that doesn’t have a SIM card holder , you can ask for your SIM to be converted to an eSIM . From experience, I know that Unitel offers eSIM cards .

eSIMS are also available in Mongolia and can be purchased through apps like Airalo. Purchasing an eSIM this way is more expensive ($35 USD compared to $10 USD), but it is more convenient and works just as well as using a physical SIM. If you’re short on time and won’t have time to make it to the State Department Store before leaving the city, this is a great option.

Before you purchase a SIM card of any kind, be sure to ask yourself if you really need or want one. Service in the countryside is hit and miss, so even if you purchase a SIM you may not have any data or service.

Only purchase one if it’s absolutely necessary for you to stay connected. Otherwise, enjoy being disconnected, that’s one of the best things about traveling in Mongolia.

If you do decide to purchase a SIM, the two most reliable service providers in Mongolia are MobiCom and Unitel. Tourist plans start as low as 20,000 tugrik and include international call rates, SMS messaging, and different levels of data. No service provider will be able to offer unlimited data, we just don’t have that in Mongolia yet.

Exchanging Cash in Ulaanbaatar

The local currency in Mongolia is Tugriks , also spelled togrog or used as the abbreviation MNT.

As of December 2023, one USD = about 3,455 Tugrik .

You will always need to have cash on hand in Mongolia. Even in Ulaanbaatar where credit cards are becoming more widely accepted. But, you can’t always rely on them to work. It’s especially known that there are issues with Mastercard credit cards and American Express. If you have a Visa credit card, that is your best option for using around the city.

Cash will always be needed if you hail a taxi off the street, and be sure to carry smaller bills on you at all times. Expecting exact change isn’t always possible. I recommend carrying at least ten 1,000 MNT bills, four 5,000 MNT bills, and two 10,000 MNT bills with you at all times. This is still a country where cash is king.

The easiest way to exchange USD or Euros for Tugriks is at one of the currency exchange offices off of Sambuu Street, near the  Holiday Inn , where this Google Maps pin is.

There is also a cash exchange stand in the State Department Store, on the third floor, near the kitchen electronics.

ATM’s are more available than cash exchanges in the city, so you can pull out money that way as well. ATM’s typically have a withdraw limit of 500,000 MNT, 800,000 MNT at very select terminals.

Prepare to have what will seem like a large amount of cash on you and note that Mongolia does not use coins.

While most tour operators, guides and private drivers are happy to accept cash in USD or Euros, taxi drivers and local businesses will only accept MNT.

Take my advice and take care of this before you leave Ulaanbaatar for the countryside. Finding working ATMs and currency exchange counters isn’t so easy in the country’s small towns and remote areas.

Visa-Free Countries and How to Get an E-Visa

Citizens from more than 60 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can enter Mongolia without needing a visa.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Mongolia. If you are a U.S. passport holder, and you plan to stay more than 30 days, you will need to register with the immigration office within 7 days of arriving in the country. Then, you can stay up to 90 days without issue. If you fail to register with immigration, you’ll be fined a few hundred dollars at the airport when leaving the country.

Citizens of Canada, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Iceland, Israel, Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland can stay visa-free for up to 30 days .

Citizens from 98 countries, including India, China, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Armenia can now apply for an electronic visa before departing for Ulaanbaatar.

See the full list of  visa-free countries  here.

Registering with the Immigration Office

When I first started coming to Mongolia this process had to be done in person at the Immigration Office, which is nowhere near the center of town. Today the process is automated and takes only minutes to complete.

U.S. citizens who plan to stay in Mongolia for more than 30 days need to register with the Immigration Office within 48 hours of arrival.

This has nothing to do with being allowed to stay for up to 90 days visa free. This is absolutely mandatory. I can’t stress this enough. If you fail to register at the Immigration Office you will be stopped at passport control on your way out of the country and not allowed to board your flight until you pay the fine for violating this law. Even worse, you could be banned from entering the country ever again.

Luckily, you can now register with the Immigration Office online.

To register online with immigration you will need to do the following. You will need the information for the person responsible for your stay in the country, including their ID number, email, local phone number, and address . You should have this information before you begin filling out the form.

• Go to  https://immigration.gov.mn/en/
• Click “Registration of a Foreign National”
• Follow the steps on the form
• Click submit and you’re all set. The form may not look like it’s been submitted, but it has.
• You won’t receive a confirmation email so I recommend taking a picture of the screen or a screenshot in case there is an issue or dispute when you go to leave the country.

Language and Religion

Mongolian is the official language spoken in Mongolia. It’s written using the Cyrillic alphabet. Although it’s becoming more common to see it written using Latin letters.

Russian and English are the second and third most spoken languages by Mongolians. However, don’t expect most people in Ulaanbaatar to speak English. Most Mongolians don’t.

It will be more likely to find English-speakers in Ulaanbaatar. Once you leave the capital, don’t expect English to be a common language to use for communicating. (You can always use my Mongolian Language Cheat Sheet for help.)

Buddhism is the main “religion” practiced in Mongolia. About 80% of the population considers themselves Buddhist.

Mongolians also believe in respecting the earth and its inhabitants above all else. This is called Tengerism and it was primary religion in Mongolia centuries ago. Today Tengerism and  Shamanism  still play an important role in the core beliefs of most Mongolians, but they’ll still call themselves Buddhists.

While most of the country’s monasteries were destroyed during Soviet times, a handful can still be found across the country and are worth taking the time to seek out and visit.

Eating and Drinking in Mongolia

There are many amazing traditional Mongolian dishes to taste during your travels. From homemade buuz (dumplings) to tsuvian (friend noodles with dried meat and vegetables) and khuushuur (think: Mongolian hot pocket meets an empanada), you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste them all. Especially if you’re planning to spend time with a nomadic family in their home.

There are a few important things to remember about eating and drinking in Mongolia.

First, it’s rude to accept food and not finish it. Food is a scarce and sacred resource on the steppe and it should be treated that way.

Second, always accept a plate, cup of tea, or anything else from your host with your right hand or two hands.

Finally, drinking is very common in Mongolian culture. A bottle of vodka for your nomadic host will always go a long way but be warned that (like many post-Soviet countries), alcoholism can be a problem. Always drink with caution and be aware of your surroundings and never drink and drive. Mongolia has a zero tolerance policy.

Besides vodka, airag , or fermented mare’s milk, is another common alcoholic beverage. It’s most commonly consumed in the countryside, where nomadic families make their own brew. Be cautious when drinking airag, your stomach won’t be used to the bacteria and it’s been known to make people run to the toilet. I’m speaking here from experience!

I recommend keeping your drinking to a minimum when you’re staying with a host family. Especially if you’re female or traveling alone.

Travel Insurance and Emergency Healthcare

Getting medical treatment is cheap compared to other countries. I paid about $3,000 all in for surgery in Ulaanbaatar at a private hospital when I broke my collarbone. If I was in the U.S. that same surgery would have probably been $30,000.

The downside of cheap medical treatments is that they aren’t always the most reliable or consistent. While I had a great experience, I can’t say that other foreigners have had the same.

This is why I always recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip to Mongolia.

Should something terrible happen to you during your trip, such as a horse riding or car accident, your travel insurance policy should cover medical emergencies and evacuation. Be sure to do your research when looking at policies and choose the best one for you, your travels, and your budget.

Look for a policy that also covers trip cancellation in case you need to unexpectedly cancel your travel plans. Trip cancellation policies cover unforeseen events, like an illness, injury, jury duty, or an airline strike. Reimbursable costs in these instances could include transportation, accommodations, and tour costs, up to 100% depending on your policy.

If you experience a medical emergency while in Ulaanbaatar, the phone number is +976 103.

If you experience a medical emergency while outside of Ulaanbaatar, the best thing to do is get to the city as quickly as possible. If you don’t need to, don’t go to one of the local towns for medical treatment.

Hospitals I can vouch for in Ulaanbaatar are:

• UB Songdo Private Hospital

You can find more information, including each hospital’s location and contact information, on our  what to do in case of emergency  page.

Author: Breanna Wilson

Hi! Sain uu! I’m Breanna, an American travel writer and adventurer living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for more than 5 years. I’ve written for and been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times, among others. Read more of my Mongolia travel articles here .

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The warrior’s trail, 9 day dirt bike tour of mongolia, asia mongolia.

If you are looking for a truly incredible motorcycle adventure, our dirt bike tour of Mongolia is the one for you – it’s…

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Home > Trips > Asia > Mongolia > The Warrior’s Trail

• Destinations: Asia Mongolia
• Max Group Size: 15 Riders
• Trip Type: Guided & Supported
• Riding Type: Dirt Bike

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Tour highlights.

If you are looking for a truly incredible motorcycle adventure, our dirt bike tour of Mongolia is the one for you – it’s spectacular. Bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, this vast country feels like it was made for adventure and boy does it deliver. Mongolia’s history and indeed its culture and landscape is dominated by Genghis Khan, the infamous founder of the Mongol Empire back in the 13th century. Over 800 years later Khan’s influence is still enormous, from his vast statue on the outskirts of the capital city where we begin our adventure to the dangerously delicious vodka that bears his name.

But it’s not Mongolia’s history that really astounds you, it’s the riding. With a mere three million people spread over half a million square metres of land – and half of those now living cheek-by-jowl in the sprawling capital city Ulaanbaatar, this is by far the most sparsely populated and remote place we’ve ever visited. Hundreds of miles of uninterrupted trails run in every direction and with no borders, fences or boundaries, you are free to ride from sunrise to sunset – this is dirt bike heaven and we love it!

But to ensure you experience the best of Mongolia, our team of committed riders and guides have put together a route that really has it all. Life-affirming trails that sweep through the epic landscapes, flat-out gravel roads that will have you whooping with joy and stunning little tracks that explore from cool forests to vast volcanoes. And with so much land to explore in this vast wilderness, you can ride for days without a single mile of tarmac, staying in traditional yurts and immersing yourself in the culture and joy of this almost untouched country.

If you are looking for the ultimate dirt biking adventure – you’ve got to ride Mongolia!

Tour Itinerary Click to expand

Day 1: arrive in ulaanbaatar - welcome to mongolia click to expand.

Your adventure starts the moment you touch down at the sparkly new Chinggis Khan International Airport. Our team will meet you at Arrivals, whisking you swiftly away to visit the most enormous statue you are ever likely to see. Finished relatively recently in 2008, perhaps demonstrating his enduring legacy, Khan’s enormous stainless steel statue on his horse stands over 40 metres high, dominating the landscape in every direction.

Once you’ve got over just how impressive and enormous the statue is – and posed for the obligatory selfies on top of the horse head – we’ll make our way to our first night’s accommodation, where you’ll meet the rest of the riders and the support team for the tour.

You’ll be staying in a ‘ger’ which you may also know as a ‘yurt’ to start the adventure in true Mongolian style, and after a full briefing from our team, it’s time for a welcome feast around a roaring campfire, and perhaps a taste of that wonderful Chinggis Khan vodka. But take it easy – tomorrow it’s time to fire up the bikes and go riding!

• Accommodation: Traditional ger camp just outside of the city.
• Included Meals: Dinner.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar - Baga Gazriin Chuluu 250km Click to expand

So today it’s straight onto the bikes for the start of seven days of stunning riding. As soon as we’ve had breakfast it’s time to hit the starter and head out into the wilderness. For the morning we’ve got about 200km of mostly tarmac roads to get us out into the good stuff, and it’s a chance to shake down the bikes and make any adjustments to bars, levers – the usual stuff!

After a picnic lunch under those wide blue skies, it’s time to wave goodbye to the blacktop and say hello to the dirt for your first taste of the unlimited riding that Mongolia can offer.

We’ve got about 60km of off-road riding to enjoy to reach the spectacular Baga Gazriin Chuluu valley, and by the time we kill the motors in the late afternoon, we guarantee that your grin will be as wide as the valley.

• Accommodation: Ger camp.
• Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 3: Baga Gazriin Chuluu - Ongi Monastery 280km Click to expand

After a tasty Mongolian country breakfast, we are quickly back on the bikes for another day of epic off-road riding. We’ve got just over 60km dirt tracks to ride before a quick fuel stop in the little village of Delgetsogt – with petrol stations few and far between in this vast country, we never pass a fuel stop without brimming the bikes and jerry cans!

We then have a challenging section of poorly maintained (or possibly never maintained!) tarmac before making welcome transition back onto dirt trails that lead across wide grassy landscapes. You’ll see scores of wild horses for which Mongolia is famous, not to mention sheep, cattle and the enormous herds of jet black goats that flow across the trails like a single being.

Our final destination today is by the ancient Ongi Monastery, and we’ll get a chance to look round and find out about it’s colorful and often tragic history before heading to our accomodation for dinner and a couple of cold beers.

Day 4: Ongi Monastery - Red Waterfall 220km Click to expand

It’s a full day of off-road riding today, so an early breakfast is called for. On our riding menu for the morning, it’s more of those wide-open grassy hills and valleys where you can really open the throttle and cruise through the massive landscape.

After four or so hours of pure dirt biking joy, it’s time to stop for a picnic lunch, with our support truck on hand with a fine selection to refuel both riders and bikes.

Suitably refreshed, we leave the grassy landscape behind as we ride onto sinuous trails through cool larch forests, with the odd river crossing thrown in for good measure. As the landscape changes, so do the animals that are dotted across the landscape, the wild horses and sheep of the open plains now giving way to groups of shaggy yak wandering gently, chewing the cud by the trails.

As the sun begins to set behind the distant hills, we reach the eco ger resort for a much needed rest. Today has been a good day!

• Accommodation: Ger camp with natural hot spring pools.

Day 5: Red Waterfall - Tsenkher Hot Springs 280km Click to expand

While you might not have known it, Chinggis Khan and his buddies liked nothing more than a soak in a hot spring after a hard day marauding and pillaging – and that’s what’s in store at the end of the ride today.

We start by retracing our steps a little to regain the onward trail, and then cruise through the scenery heading for the ancient capital of Mongolia – an impressive settlement steeped in the country’s vibrant and often tumultuous history. Oh, and you might even get the chance to have an eagle perch on your arm, so we’d recommend you keep the riding jacket on for that one.

We’ll also visit a very beautiful and tranquil monastery, have a chance to barter for some souvenirs at a local market and maybe catch a coffee in the local town. Just a heads up – don’t ask for a skinny latte with soya milk – this is not Starbucks. With trinkets bought and coffee drunk, it’s back on the bikes for that intoxicating mix of gorgeous trails and beautiful pine forests for the entire afternoon.

Our destination today is – you’ll be able to guess this soon – a cosy little Ger resort with wonderfully relaxing hot spring pools to ease those tired limbs, Grab a cool beer and relax in the healing water until dinner.

Day 6: Tsenkher Hot Springs - Ugii Lake 160km Click to expand

It’s a leisurely start to the day, so there’s time for a bit of a lie-in or maybe another dip into the hot springs followed by a bit of an exploration around the charming resort.

We’ve got about 160 kilometres to cover today and every single one of them will make you smile. There are sweeping fast gravel trails through grassy valleys, twisty little tracks through more of those dreamy larch forests before dropping down to track crystal clear rivers that snake through the scenery.

Our destination for the night is a ger campsite alongside the stunning Ugii lake.

• Accommodation: Lakeside ger camp.

Day 7: Ugii Lake - Mini Gobi 260km Click to expand

With such a stunning lake a stone’s throw from your ger, a morning dip is the perfect way to start Day Seven of your tour. For those less brave, or perhaps more sensible, a hot cup of tea on the shore may prove a popular alternative.

After breakfast it’s back on the bikes, bound for one of Mongolia’s must see areas – the legendary Orkhon Valley. On the way, there are more of those stunning tracks to enjoy, with those rolling hills and stunning views in every direction.

By mid afternoon we’ll reach the Elsen Tasarkhai, better known as the Mini Gobi for its vast and endless dunes. If you’ve never tried dune riding, this is the time to try, but don’t forget to keep that throttle open and stay away from the front brake!

Day 8: Mini Gobi - Ulaanbaatar Click to expand

After the fun in the dunes, it’s time to start heading back towards Ulaanbaatar today, but we’ve kept the best to last. We’ve got 250 kilometers of dirt riding heaven ahead of us – from sweeping gravel trails to splashing through rocky river beds, glorious climbs and meandering descents – you’ve got to ride it to know just how good today is! Before reaching our final destination, we’ll visit the stunning Hustai National Park, where we’ll get a chance to learn about and get close up to the majestic Mongolian horses that we’ve seen out on the plains.

As today is a big day on the bikes, we’ll be staying at a hotel on the outskirts of the city, avoiding the busy traffic. Of course, a farewell dinner and celebratory drinks are in order, as we reflect on the epic journey we’ve just completed in this fascinating and beautiful country!

• Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 9: Departure - Transfer to the Airport Click to expand

So it’s time to say our goodbyes, and after sharing so many amazing experiences on tour, it can be an emotional time. High fives, big hugs and maybe the odd – “Are you crying mate? No, I’ve got something in my eye …”

We’ll arrange transfers either to the airport or to the city… If you have a day spare, we’d recommend staying an extra night in Ulaanbaatar to give you a chance to look around this interesting capital.

When you finally sit down on the plane, take a moment to think about what an epic adventure you’ve just had.

Bon voyage!

• Accommodation: Not included.
• Included Meals: Breakfast.

Inclusions Click to expand

Included click to expand, airport transfers click to expand.

You’ll be collected from Chinggis Khan International Airport (UBN) on the morning of the first day and dropped off at the same airport on the last day of the trip.

Entrance Fees Click to expand

All entrance fees during the tour.

Expedition Leader Click to expand

Your tour will be led and managed by a highly experienced member of the Ride Expeditions team (trained as a wilderness first response medic).

Financial Protection Click to expand

Ride Expeditions Ltd is committed to customer satisfaction and consumer financial protection. At no extra cost to you, and in accordance with ‘The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018’, all passengers booking with Ride Expeditions Ltd are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form.

The policy also includes repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Ride Expeditions Ltd. This insurance has been arranged by Towergate Travel through Evolution Insurance.

During the COVID-19 crisis, every rider that requested a refund was issued a cash refund.

Fuel Click to expand

All fuel for your motorcycle is provided by us and we carry spare fuel in our support vehicle for the sections of the route where fuel stations are scarce.

GPS Tracking Click to expand

This motorcycle tour is accompanied by a GPS tracker that displays our live location and track history on an online map. We will provide you with the link and login details which you can then share with your family at home so they can track your progress throughout the trip.

Local Guide Click to expand

Your Mongolian motorcycle tour will be guided by an experienced local who knows the tracks & trails like the back of his hand!

Meals Click to expand

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided on every riding day. On the welcome day, dinner is included only. One the departure day, breakfast is included only.

Mechanic Click to expand

A mechanic will be travelling at the back of the group in a support vehicle.

Medical Support Click to expand

At least one member of the support team will have been trained as a Wilderness First Response medic.

An extensive medical kit including a defibrillator (AED) & stretcher is carried in the support vehicle.

We also have consulting doctors on call, 24/7, who are always ready to assist in the case of an emergency. Our doctors are fully briefed on all riders medical info prior to the tour, they know what we do, where we are riding, exactly what we have in our medical kit and what training our medics have.

Tours are accompanied by GPS trackers and a satellite messenger device so our doctor and office can see exactly where we are and can maintain communication.

Motorcycle Hire Click to expand

Please see the Dates & Prices section for available bikes.

The cost of shipping the motorcycle back to the start point is also included.

If you have you your own suitable & reliable motorcycle at the start point, you are quite welcome to use that for this trip.

Part Profits Donated to Charity Click to expand

Since the day Ride Expeditions started running tours in Cambodia back in 2012, we have been dedicated to supporting the local community.

Part profits from every motorcycle tour are donated to M’Lop Tapang – a local Cambodian charity dedicated to bettering the lives of young children & their families.

Rainforest & Wildlife Conservation Click to expand

Playing our part in rainforest & wildlife conservation and in an effort to off-set our carbon emissions, we donate part profits to World Land Trust .

Support Vehicles Click to expand

A 4×4 support vehicle driven by a mechanic carrying a spare bike, spare parts, tools, cold drinks, medical kit, stretcher, defibrillator (AED) etc. An additional luggage vehicle will accompany the larger groups.

T-shirt Click to expand

Ride Expeditions t-shirt.

Not Included Click to expand

Flights click to expand.

It is important you either:

• Book a flexible flight ticket that allows you to make amendments or cancel without penalty;
• Have travel insurance that you will reimburse you for out of pocket expenses incurred by a cancelled trip;
• Do not book your flights until we have notified you that this departure is guaranteed.

Motorcycle Damages Click to expand

Please be aware that you are responsible for all damage to the motorcycle. Please see the 'optional extras' section for our 'damage protection plan'.

Other Expenses Click to expand

• Any meals that are not mentioned in the itinerary;
• Emergency transportation;
• Any other item, optional excursion, activity or entrance fee that is not specifically mentioned as being included.

Personal Travel Insurance Click to expand

It is a condition of booking that you obtain appropriate travel insurance that covers you for riding the same capacity motorcycle that you’ll be riding on this motorcycle tour.

The insurance must cover emergency evacuation, medical bills, repatriation etc.

Riding Kit Click to expand

Enduro / summer weight adventure style kit is the way to go on this motorcycle tour, rather than road riding kit. If you are opting for enduro kit, we’d recommend you bring extra layers and waterproofs to keep out the wet stuff.

You'll want some decent armoured protection and please do bear in mind that we will sometimes be riding on the road... 'dress for the slide, not the ride!'

Optional Extras Click to expand

Motorcycle damage protection plan click to expand.

All damage to the motorcycle is then covered by us. Please bear in mind that this excludes damage caused by irresponsible riding.

Single Room Supplement Click to expand

Single room accommodation is available at every accommodation, but this is entirely subject to availability. If you pay the single room supplement, but we're not able to provide a single room for every night, we will partially refund the supplement for those nights.

FAQs Click to expand

Can you cater for vegetarians, vegans or those with food allergies click to expand.

Outside of the capital, Mongolia is less developed than most tourist destinations, so catering for vegetarians is a relatively new concept for a country that is so dominated by livestock and meat eating.

Most of the places we stay at will cater for a meat-free meal (and we’ll always have a backup plan for those places that might not!), but vegan and other allergy / gluten intolerant options may not be available.

We’ll do our best to work around any specific requirements, but if you are going to go into anaphylactic shock if a peanut so much as looks at you, please let us know and have a fully loaded epi-pen somewhere readily accessible.

Drop us an email and we can discuss any concerns you may have.

Do I need a licence? Click to expand

To be legally riding in Mongolia you are required to carry your local driving licence, which must cover the size of bike you will be riding. This will also be a stipulation of any travel insurance company too.

You will also need an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is basically an official, multi-language translation of your driving licence.

Do I need a visa? Click to expand

Most nationalities do need a visa, but thankfully, Mongolia has recently introduced an e-visa service, making the process quick and easy.

How do I book? Click to expand

To secure your place we simply need a 20% non-refundable deposit (subject to a minimum of £500). The remainder does not need to be paid until 60 days prior to the tour start date.

Is Ride Expeditions insured? Click to expand

Yes. Here at Ride Expeditions, we take the necessary precautions to ensure that we protect both ourselves and you as the customer, with insurances covering financial failure, public liability, professional indemnity and employers liability (you will need your own travel insurance).

To obtain this insurance we must meet strict safety standards and local regulations. We must also carry out thorough risk assessments about all aspects of a tour before tyres can hit tarmac (…or dirt!).

Is my money safe? Click to expand

Yes. All passengers booking with Ride Expeditions Ltd are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form. The policy also includes repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Ride Expeditions Ltd. This insurance has been arranged by Towergate Travel through Evolution Insurance.

Is this trip suitable for those with limited mobility? Click to expand

Not riding the motorcycle, no (although this will of course depend on the extent of your limited mobility). However, we may be able to accommodate you in our support vehicle. We advise you to give us a call and we can discuss.

What are the health / immunisation considerations? Click to expand

For the most accurate and up to date info, we advise you visit the ‘Travel Health Pro’ website .

Please also consult with your own doctor at home at least 8 weeks before your trip.

What is the average group size? Click to expand

Average group sizes are 8-9 riders and we limit the groups to 15 riders.

What is the cancellation policy? Click to expand

If you cancel your booking before departure, cancellation charges will be applied as follows:

• 61 days or more before tour start date – retention of deposit
• 42-60 days before tour start date – retention of 50% of tour price
• 28-41 days before tour start date – retention of 70% of tour price
• 0-27 days before tour start date – retention of 100% tour price

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for further info regarding cancellations, changes and transferring your trip to a friend.

What is the official travel advice? Click to expand

For the most accurate and up to date info on travel advice for Mongolia, we advise you to visit the foreign office website.

Follow this link for Mongolia travel advice from the UK foreign office. As we are a UK company, this is the official government advice we follow. If you are not a UK resident, we advise you search for the equivalent info from your own country’s foreign office, as travel advice may differ.

What riding experience do I need? Click to expand

The riding on this Mongolia dirt bike tour can be a little challenging in places, so we therefore ask that you’ve had at least two years of active riding experience prior to booking. As it’s an off-road based tour, we’d also want to know that you’ve actually had some suitable off-road / dirt / trail riding experience – it’s not ideal if your first experience of off-road riding is on a week long dirt bike holiday in outer Mongolia! Being comfortable riding whilst standing on the pegs is ideal. The riding itself is not that difficult but the ruts and occasional patches of sand and mud can catch people out.

If you’re unsure of your ability, give us a call and we’ll happily talk you through it. We can also recommend some excellent off-road skills training centres.

What's the local currency? Click to expand

The currency is called ‘tögrög’, code: MNT, sumbol: ₮, and the exchange rate will give you around 3500 to the pound. But don’t worry about planning ahead as you can’t get them outside of Mongolia, so you can either bring dollars to change or get money out of an ATM as you would in another country. Please remember to do this in Ulaanbaatar as there are precious few ATMs in the middle of nowhere. In reality you won’t need too much cash as there are few opportunities to buy anything. If you want to shop – go to Dubai…

Don’t forget to tell your bank you are heading to Mongolia as without this information they will most likely think some rogue hacker is dipping into your account and promptly block your card.

What's the minimum number of riders required for this tour? Click to expand

The minimum required number for this trip to run is 6 riders. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if this number is not met and we will provide you with a minimum of 56 days notice. Please know that this is an absolute last resort for us and we will always do everything in our power to avoid this happening.

Which payment methods do you accept? Click to expand

We accept GBP payments by Visa, Mastercard & American Express and direct bank transfers. Please get in touch if you would rather pay in another currency – we’ll do our best to accommodate!

Which plug types are used in Mongolia? Click to expand

For Mongolia there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin.

Will I have to eat horse testicle stew? Click to expand

Although we can’t guarantee the menu, we’ve certainly not ordered it at any of our overnight stops. Mongolians do eat horse meat though and if you’re OK with that, we’ll be able to find some. We really don’t recommend horse cheese or even worse, fermented horse milk.

Dates & Pricing

June 2, 2024 - june 10, 2024 (standard package) sold out.

• Rider (Incl. Suzuki DRZ 400E): £3425
• Rider (own bike): £2705

The Motorcycles

• Suzuki DRZ 400E Included [Sold Out]
• Gas Gas EC 350F + £305 [3 Available]

Optional Extras

• Motorcycle Damage Protection Plan + £280
• Single Room Supplement + £325
• Start Date: June 2, 2024
• End Date: June 10, 2024

Expedition Leader:

June 12, 2024 - June 23, 2024 (Private) (Standard Package)

• Rider (Incl. Suzuki DRZ 400E): £4315
• Rider (own bike): £3330
• Gas Gas EC 350F + £490 [1 Available]
• Start Date: June 12, 2024
• End Date: June 23, 2024
• Only 1 place remaining.

Private tour for John

June 27, 2024 - july 5, 2024 (standard package).

• Suzuki DRZ 400E Included [5 Available]
• Gas Gas EC 350F + £305 [5 Available]
• Start Date: June 27, 2024
• End Date: July 5, 2024

July 11, 2024 - July 19, 2024 (Standard Package)

• Suzuki DRZ 400E Included [6 Available]
• Gas Gas EC 350F + £305 [Sold Out]
• Start Date: July 11, 2024
• End Date: July 19, 2024
• Only 5 places remaining.

July 28, 2024 - August 5, 2024 (Private) (Standard Package) SOLD OUT

• Rider (Incl. Gas Gas EC 350F): £3035
• Rider (own bike): £2375
• Gas Gas EC 350F Included [Sold Out]
• Single Room Supplement + £305
• Start Date: July 28, 2024
• End Date: August 5, 2024

Private tour for Jim

August 15, 2024 - august 23, 2024 (standard package).

• Gas Gas EC 350F + £305 [8 Available]
• Start Date: August 15, 2024
• End Date: August 23, 2024

June 1, 2025 - June 9, 2025 (Standard Package)

• Rider (Incl. Suzuki DRZ 400E): £3525
• Rider (own bike): £2805
• Gas Gas EC 350F + £355 [8 Available]
• Single Room Supplement + £340
• Start Date: June 1, 2025
• End Date: June 9, 2025

June 12, 2025 - June 20, 2025 (Standard Package)

• Start Date: June 12, 2025
• End Date: June 20, 2025

June 26, 2025 - July 4, 2025 (Standard Package)

• Start Date: June 26, 2025
• End Date: July 4, 2025

July 10, 2025 - July 18, 2025 (Standard Package)

• Start Date: July 10, 2025
• End Date: July 18, 2025

July 27, 2025 - August 4, 2025 (Standard Package)

• Start Date: July 27, 2025
• End Date: August 4, 2025

August 7, 2025 - August 15, 2025 (Standard Package)

• Start Date: August 7, 2025
• End Date: August 15, 2025

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• Trip Inspiration

Mongolia travel blog — Explore the life of Mongolian nomads in the heart of Gobi desert

Walking through the Gobi Desert, Mongolia with freezing night wind blowing through the traditional Yurt tents, I and my companion Karen, are still alive, without water, electricity and other traditionally essential things. The trip is teaching us a valuable lesson–how to live in the desert as Mongolian nomadic people have done for thousands of years. Now, let’s discover the life of Mongolian nomads in the heart of Gobi desert via this Mongolia travel blog.

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My friend Karen – an English teacher and I book a tour from Ulaanbaatar to the Gobi Desert by Jeep to experience the way of life of the ancient Mongolians. Accompanying us is Ms. Gana – the tour guide, and Mr. Burmaa, the driver. Gana spends 1 hour buying food at the supermarket for the trip.

“Grand Caynon” in the ancient desert

Gana shoots off rapid-fire questions to us about Genghis Khan. For her and Mongolians, he is the greatest hero and father of the whole nation. His picture is printed on all kinds of cash as a form of respect. As Gana says,Gobi Desert is the place that lifted up Genghis Khan, allowing him to majestically conquer various lands from Asia to Europe.

The Gobi Desert is one of the five largest deserts in the world and is the biggest desert in Asia. Measuring 800km from the north to the south, and about 1,600km from the southwest to the north east, Gobi is one of the coldest deserts in the world. In winter, it is shrouded in thick fog and the mountain tops are covered in snow. The temperature sometimes drops to -30°C. It is warmer in summer. A distinctive feature of the Gobi Desert is rapid changes of temperature, creating different seasons within a single day, Gana says.

The cloudless sky looks like a huge stretch of blue silk laid across the heavens; the sun radiates warm rays to ease the coldness of desert wind. We visit Erdenedalai city after a day wandering around Ulaanbaatar capital. Erdenedalai is in southern Mongolia and is the gateway to the Gobi Desert. The land blends immense meadows and wild deserts. Gana takes us to a place full of stones emerging from the desert floor and hewn into different shapes, some of which are egg-shaped.

I see these protruding stones and silently compare them with children from poor families because they are not as beautiful and famous as Cappadocia of Turkey or the Grand Canyon of the US. However, it still owns the sincere and truthful beauty of the Mongolians. The shifting meadows compose sweet melodies which still echo the hooves of Genghis Khan’s horse as he continued on his conquering path.

It is said that stone is an inanimate object with no soul, but in the Gobi Desert, their souls are momentarily etched on to the surface as day moves into night.

The volcanic activity gives not only a large amount of fertile basalt soil for cultivation but also stunning landscapes. The word “hoodoo” is often used to name rocks with different shapes made from volcanoes in deserts or in hot, dry areas.

“Hoodoos” are often rocks with a height ranging from that of a person to a ten-floor building. The tops of hoodoos are formed by sediment and hardy to erosion so hoodoos can stand firmly with time.

Geological research indicates that hoodoos are normally composed of thick rock layers from volcanoes (these rock layers are made up of adhesive volcanic ash) whose outer is covered with a thin layer of basalt or other volcanic dust from volcanic eruptions. It is the cover of basalt or volcanic dust that prevents hoodoos from eroding because of time or other factors as rain, wind, light and temperature. Formed during volcanic eruptions, hoodoos contain a range of minerals which create different colors depending on sun light and the hoodoos’ height.

In the following days, Gana takes us deep into the desert of Tsagaansuvarga (Tsagaan Suvarga), Bagagazariinchuluu (Baga Gazriin Chuluu) and Bayanzag, where hoodoos take form. Both Karen and I are mesmerized, looking at and wandering around different hoodoos with shapes of bamboo shoots, mushrooms, spires in the castles of the fairy tales or a sitting person. They have different colors in the sunset and at dawn. I have so much passion for them that I do not notice sunset’s or dawn’s cold gusts of wind suddenly arriving at the craggy cliffs.

And in those mountains, there are some small wells formed inside rocks. Gana tells us they contain holy water and let us try some. As local people say, drinking or washing eyes with that holy water makes people live long and have a sound mind.

Experiencing life in the desert wilderness

Burmaa drives skillfully to get across the huge desert. Karen and I both wonder how he can locate the ways easily without any trace of signage in these deserted meadows and sand hills. People who have lived in the desert for a long time find the way based on the sun and stars, Burmaa says. Burmaa in particular find directions by looking at the shape of the mountains and spotting stone Mongolian temples. By seeing and following the stone temples, he can identify a village or a town is near there.

We stay overnight in traditional Mongolian tents named Yurts. The tent exterior is a plain white but it is very colorful inside. Most daily activities are carried out in the main tent of the host; other tents are for visiting guests. A yurt is divided into two parts, on the left is a bed and a small table for the male homeowner and on the right is a bed and a stove for the female homeowner. Between the male and female areas is an ancestral altar. In front of the altar is a small table for daily activities like dining or drinking tea. A stove with a big chimney at the entrance is for cooking everyday and acts as a heater in winter.

Every afternoon, if I and Karen are not reading books, we will help the host cut the camels’ hair and fleece. Bataar, a host in Tsagaansuvarga says water and electricity are two essential factors and a means of support for their self-sufficient life in the desert. The local traditional occupation is to farm cattle on endless meadows. When finding ground water, local people will stop their nomadic life style to settle.

The tangle of camel’s hair is plaited and stuffed into felt pieces to make domes or the wallboard of the yurt. Camel’s hair is weaved into sweaters for winter and cattle feces is dried for fuel to cook and heat. Horses and camels are the means to carry water from groundwater sources to the yurt for storage. Better-off families buy batteries for watching TV or lighting to drink tea and talk in the evening . Telephones are hung high on the dome of Yurt to receive the signal.

I also learn how to wash dishes in a highly water-saving way by using many towels after rinsing once by clean water. Karen has much more experience in the desert than me.She brings many useful items along such as wet tissues for cleaning her face in the morning, mouthwash and candles for reading books at night.

Living in material scarcity, I still feel happy because I have the chance to become familiar with the nomadic lifestyle of Mongolian people.

Every experience must come to an end. Living in material scarcity, I still feel happy because I have the chance to become familiar with the nomadic lifestyle of Mongolian people. Personally I think, it was the nomadic lifestyle that helped Genghis Khan to conquer Asia and Europe in the past.

Further information

Two airlines servicing the routes from Saigon or Hanoi to Ulaanbatar are Air China and Korean Air. Korean Air is a good choice with 12 hours for transiting, shorter compared to the22 hours of Air China.

+ The weather in Ulaanbatar is very severe and changeable, a day can have many seasons, so flights need checking before departure.

+ Most of the tourists have to book a tour to go inside Gobi desert. The tour fee depends on the number of tourists. The fee fluctuates from 50USD to 80USD/person/day.

+ Mongolian currency is Tughrik (MNT). Local banks offer currency exchange services with an exchange rate of approximately 1USD = 1.825MNT

+ The capital Ulaanbatar is not so big and tourist destinations are quite close to each other, tourists can walk to visit Ganda Pagoda, Sukhbaatar Square, Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, International Museum and Bogd Khan’s Summer Palace.

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