Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB

Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB

Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB

Prices

From $2,975USD

Difficulty

Guided

Hotels, camps

Start Your Booking

Highlights

Spend 12 days biking beneath Mongolia’s vast blue skies

Visit Gandantegchinlen Monastery, the largest in Mongolia.

Cycle through the rugged Khangai Mountains 400km west of Ulaanbaatar.

Take in the restorative properties of the Tsenher Hot Spring to revive your riding muscles.

Discover the rich history of Karakorum, the capital of what was once the Mongolian Empire.

The Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB has been carefully planned to provide beautiful views of diverse landscapes and scenes, as well as the different lifestyles of Mongolian people, including nomads and locals in small villages.

The majority of the days on this tour will be split into two parts: driving and cycling. Given Mongolia's vast territory and weak infrastructure, getting from one place to another is a major undertaking. In addition to cycling, travelers will see, visit, taste, experience, and share as much as possible in order to get the most out of their Mongolian adventure.

Throughout the journey you will traverse a variety of terrain, including high mountain passes, river crossings, and so on, but don’t be scared off, as you will have plenty of support. A member of the team will ride ahead of the cyclists to ensure that the first arrivals have all they need and are well cared for when they arrive at their destination.

Slow pacers will also be accompanied by a support team, with the option to load your bikes into a vehicle to complete each stage by car if need be. Push yourself as hard as you want on this adventurous mountain biking journey!

The Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival at Ulaanbaatar and an Optional City Tour

Guests will be greeted upon arrival at the airport before being transported to a convenient, centrally located hotel. A city tour can be arranged depending on your arrival time, which includes Bogd Khan's Winter & Summer Palace, a series of beautiful traditional buildings in which the eighth Living Buddha and the last king lived.

You will also explore the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, which is the largest and most important monastery within Mongolia, before visiting the magnificent 82-foot high statue of Migjid Janraisig. You will finish the city tour atop Zaisan hill for a view of Ulaanbaatar.

In the evening, your tour guide will give you a short briefing about the coming trip and answer all your questions, before taking you to a famous Mongolian restaurant for a first taste of Mongolian food.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Distance
None
Meals
Dinner

Day 2 Drive to the Beautiful Arvaikheer

Mongolia is a biker's dream. To begin with, only 10% of the country is paved. To add to that, it is one of the least heavily populated countries on the planet. Expect to travel on dirt, grass, and gravel paths. The rolling, grassy terrain makes up the majority of our path, with the exception of a few difficult passes.

Day 2 of the tour doesn’t quite involve any biking just yet, as you will need to drive 431km to reach the starting point of your cycling adventure in Arvaikheer. This is a central town known for its traditional crafts, cashmere goat herding, and equestrian sports.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Arvaikheer
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Drive and Bike to Shargaljuut Hot Spring

Today will begin with a drive to Shargaljuut Sum's hot springs and health resorts, which are 60 kilometers from the Bayanhongor Aimag hub. They are situated on a rocky pass on the Shargaljuut River's north western side.

Here, you will take a couple of minutes to test the bikes and make any necessary changes before starting the first 36km leg of your tour. Accommodation for the night will be in a tented camp.

Overnight Location
Camping at Shargaljuut
Distance
36km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Cycle to Khoh Gol River passing by Nam Dorolj Pass

Day 4 of the tour will see you cycle through the rugged terrain of the Khangai Mountains, which are located 400 kilometers west of Ulaanbaatar in central Mongolia and stretch from central Mongolia to the western border.

Along the ride, the mountain landscape will eventually morph into the steppes of eastern Mongolia in the eastern foothills. This geographical mix results in a diverse range of ecosystems within a reasonable distance, as well as a rich variety of flora and fauna.

Overnight Location
Camping in Khangai Mountain Region
Distance
32km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Cycle to Tongorogyn Pass passing by Suugiin Pass

After breakfast, you will continue cycling through the Khangai Mountains to Tongorogyn Pass. Here, you will have views of the rivers Orkhon, Selenge, Ideriin, Zavkhan, and the lakes Orog and Böön Tsagaan. The mountain range is home to a slew of small lakes that are all linked by rivers, as the fresh water flows down from the mountains into the lakes. The Khangai Mountain Range divides the arid Gobi Desert area of southern Mongolia from the lush rolling hills of northern Mongolia.

Overnight Location
Camping in Khangai Mountain Region
Distance
29km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Cycling to Ultiin Pass

Day 6 of your Mongolian adventure features a bit of a longer and tougher ride, as you will work your way through the mountains to Ultiin Pass. The Khangai Mountains are 2500-3000 meters above sea level and are mostly made up of Paleozoic period granite, intrusive chert, and sandstone, making for a barren, yet beautiful landscape.

Overnight Location
Camping in Khangai Mountain Region
Distance
62km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Cycle to the Relaxing Tsenher Hot Spring

After breakfast, you will cycle to the Tsenher Hot Spring, which features water that is over 80 degrees continuously flowing from the spring. Some people will sit in the pool for hours, conversing with their mates while looking at the stars or scanning the nighttime landscape around them.

Overnight Location
Camping in Khangai Mountain Region
Distance
49km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Cycling Expedition to Tsagaan Sum

After spending the night in your Ger camp, you will drive by Jeep across a river, which is usually flooded in the summer, and begin cycling. The route for the day will take you through a mix of forested hills, granite formations, and deep fertile valleys peppered with Gers. The journey will take you deep into the Khangai Mountains, which are lush and green with wild flowers and plants, and are also home to a large number of Mongolian yaks.

This is the hardest day of the trip, as you will ride through mountains and down rugged terrain; however, those who are exhausted will be able to retreat to the comfort of the Jeeps. You will arrive at the campsite early in the evening, which will already have been set up. Here, you will spend the evening around the campfire, taking in the full wilderness and silence.

Overnight Location
Camping in Khangai Mountain Region
Distance
49km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 Travel to Tovkhon Monastery Cycle to Orkhon Waterfall

Today you will travel by Jeep to Tovkhon Monastery, which was founded by Zanabazar in the 1650s. 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. You will then cycle to the Orkhon waterfall in Orkhon valley after lunch.

Overnight Location
Camping in Khangai Mountain Region
Distance
49km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 Rest Day at Waterfall

Today you will have a much earned rest day to give your body a bit of a break from all of the hard cycling you have done. You will spend the day exploring the beautiful Orkhon waterfall and its surrounding valley, which UNESCO has designated as a world cultural heritage site because of ancient artifacts dating back to the early 6th century and even earlier. The 20-meter-high, 10-meter-wide waterfall marks the beginning of this canyon, and daring adventurers can descend the canyon for a swim in the lake at the base of the waterfall.

Overnight Location
Camping in Khangai Mountain Region
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11 Cycle to Khujirt Village and Drive to Karakorum

Day 11 marks the final leg of your Mongolian cycling adventure. On this day, you will cycle 46 kilometers through the UNESCO-designated Orkhon valley, from the waterfall to Khujirt village, stopping at ancient burial sites along the way. After lunch and some sightseeing, you will begin the drive back to Karakorum.

Overnight Location
Camping in Karakorum
Distance
46km
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12 Visit to Erdene zuu Monastery and Karakorum Archaeological Museum

Today you will be visiting Karakorum (also called Kharkhorin), which was the capital of Genghis Khan’s Mongolian Empire in the thirteenth century. Here, you will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is now all that is left of what was once a massive monastery with 100 temples. You’ll walk around the grounds of Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is encircled by huge 400 m X 400 m walls.

The Karakorum Archaeological Museum will be another stop on your 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.

Overnight Location
Camping in Karakorum
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13 Drive Back to Ulaanbaatar

The time has come to drive back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital. You can use your free afternoon as you see fit. A great option is to go see some lovely cultural exhibitions and admire the contortionists while watching colorful and rhythmic Mongolian dances.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14 Departure

After breakfast, guests will make an individual departure and bid farewell to Ulaanbaatar.

Overnight Location
None
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

The Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB Price and Dates

This guided biking tour in the Khangai Mountains of Mongolia is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price per person is fixed.

Prices below are per person:

  • Guided Group of 2+: $2,975USD per person
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Accommodation on the Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB

This tour is based in hotels and camps. Hotels on this trip are 2 and 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Camps will have basic supplies and camping gear will be supplied.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Night 1-13

Hotels and camps at Khangai Mountain

The accommodation on this tour will range from hotels to ger camps or tents. Guests will spend two nights in the hotel, before beginning the adventure and staying in camps all throughout the cycling tour. The last night will be spent back to the center town hotel.

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s Included in the Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB?

Meals

13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 13 dinners included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 13 nights are included.

Transportation during the Tour

Local transportation for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour. Mountain bike rental is also included. International airport transfers are not included but available as an optional extra.

Also Included

  • English-speaking guide
  • Camping and kitchen equipment
  • National park entrance fees
  • Museum and monasteries entrance tickets
  • Helmet

Not included

  • City touring
  • Medical, trip insurance
  • Flights
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Meals not previously mentioned as included
  • Visas if required
  • Items of personal nature
  • Anything not mentioned as included

Optional Extras

  • City tour: $42USD per person
  • Airport transfers: $88USD per vehicle, up to 2 people

Frequenty Asked Questions about Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB

How hard is the Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB?

We rate this tour as a 4/5. Expect to travel on dirt, grass, and gravel paths on a high mountain and rugged terrain. This tour is best suited to fit adventures with mountain biking experience.

Do I need a visa to travel to Mongolia?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You can also check online, although you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB?

13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 13 dinners are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover mountain biking. Get your travel insurance.

How do I get to Ulaanbaatar to start this tour?

Fly into Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN). Airport transfers can be booked as a supplement.

Is the Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB in English?

Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.

Where does the Khangai Mountain Traverse by MTB end?

The tour ends in Ulaanbaatar, where you can either find your own way to the airport or book a transfer as a supplement.

How many members make up a group?

In order to ensure the utmost in personal service and quality, the group size on this tour to a maximum of 8 to 10 passengers.

Can I customize this tour?

Yes! Please contact us with your preferred tour specifications and we’ll adapt this itinerary to your needs.

When is the best time to travel to Mongolia for this tour?

The best time to travel to Mongolia for this cycling adventure is from July-September, when the summer season brings favourable weather conditions. During this period, you should experience sunny days and little in the way of rainfall.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Mongolia?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Mongolia?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

Reviews

All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.

Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.

Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.

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Prices

From $2,975USD

Difficulty

Guided

Hotels, camps

Start Your Booking

What travellers say

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Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

Tour Difficulty

We rate this tour as a 4/5. Expect to travel on dirt, grass, and gravel paths on a high mountain and rugged terrain. This tour is best suited to fit adventures with mountain biking experience.


Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

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