Gobi Discovery

Our Mongolian riding experience starts by heading south for about 100 km on paved roads towards the Gobi Desert. This allows us to get used to the bikes before we hit the dirt track and continue west for 150 km to our ger camp for the night. Baga Gazrin Chuluu is a picturesque mountain in the Gobi Desert. At an elevation of 1751 metres, it is located in the granite belt and hosts ibex, Siberian argali, vultures, hawks and eagles.

The day starts with a short ride to the White Cliffs, then riding around this interesting archaeological area. This leaves us with another 50 kms (approx.) of dirt track, giving us the opportunity to truly experience the extreme remoteness of the Gobi Desert.

A stretch of paved roads delivers us into Dalanzadgad (DZ), the provincial capital of Umungobi for a quick refuel and resupply. After DZ another 40 km (approx.) of enjoyable desert riding brings us to our ger camp for the night.

Today promises to be one of the riding highlights of the trip. The Gurvan Saikhan mountains are the first sizeable mountains we get to play in. As today’s route is entirely on dirt, we see the gradual change of landscape from steppe to mountain range, to eventually reach Khongorin Els, one of the largest formations of sand dunes in the Gobi Desert.

On our way to the dunes, we ride through the Yolin Am Canyon via the Vulture’s Nest, a pass in a deep, narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains where finding ice sheets in the bottom shadows is not unusual. Exiting the canyon delivers us to some of the best open-steppe riding on the tour—wide open landscapes and dozens of tracks to choose from. Stand up, look up, and open up!

Up for an early start from the dunes, we head towards the tiny village of Bulgan to refuel. We cross a few dry riverbeds while riding through the northern side of the mountains in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park.

Our ger camp for the night is located close to Mongolia’s famous Flaming Cliffs – a place renowned for one of the richest collections of dinosaur remains on the planet after Roy Andrew Chapman discovered dozens of paleontological artifacts here in the 1920s. The high red gravel cliffs and the surrounding emptiness make it well worth the visit.

Day 8-July 19

Saikhan Ovoo – Ongi Monastry
230km (all gravel).
Accommodation in ger camp.

A relatively flat ride through the expanse of the Gobi Desert takes us from Bayanzag to Saikhan-Ovoo. A famous camel-herding area, we are likely pass many Bactrian camels. Our overnight stop is near the Ongi Monastery, established in the mid 16th century and once one of Mongolia’s largest monasteries.

Day 9-July 20

Khujirt – Orkhon Eco Camp
270 km (all gravel).
Accommodation in ger camp.

Today is usually a fairly long day, so we will start early. After a short ride to refuel in Saikhan-Ovoo, we return to dirt tracks through the desert. After leaving Dundgobi province, the landscape gradually transitions to small river crossings, alpine trees, and eventually mountain passes, promising more great riding.

Our accommodation is an eco-camp in the beautiful Orkhon Valley overlooking the Orkhon River.

Day 10-July 21

Tshenkher Hot Springs
280 km (all gravel).
Accommodation in ger camp.

We start the day in search of a suitable spot to cross the Orkhon River. Once on the other side a delightful ride awaits through forests, up and down hilly mountain roads, and many little river crossings at the bottom of valleys.

Our ger camp for the next two nights is at the Tshenker Hot Springs, enabling us to enjoy this area.

Day 11-July 22

Tshenkher Hot Springs
Rest Day. No Riding.
Accommodation in ger camp.

Today is a rest day to do as you wish. Choose to start off with a soak in the hot springs, catch up with laundry, or hire a local guide and explore the area on horseback.

Day 12-July 23

Kharkhorin
120 km (90 km paved/30 km gravel).
Accommodation in ger camp.

Only a short day (distance wise) awaits. After a short but fun ride along the flat river valley and crossing several shallow streams, we resupply in the town of Altan Ovoo. From here we ride pavement to the city of Kharkhorin where the main attraction is the Erdene Zuu monastery—one of Mongolia’s largest monasteries before the Communists destroyed it.

Today, the monastery is active and holds around 100 monks. We also have time to visit the new Erdene Zuu Museum which displays many unique artifacts of the Khubilai Khan era.

Day 13-July 24

Hustai National Park
295 km (275 km paved/20 km gravel).
Accommodation in ger camp.

Today is one of our longest days of riding on a paved road. For some it will be a source of great joy after long days on a dirt tracks. We start by riding towards Hustai National Park where Przewalski’s horses, the last surviving subspecies of wild horses, were introduced after near extinction in late 1950s.

Day 14-July 25

Ulaanbaatar
85 km (15 km paved/70 km gravel).

Our last day on the bikes, unfortunately! A short ride takes us from Hustai to Ulaanbaatar with the option of returning via a paved road or dirt track. The track is beautiful and follows a valley right up to the city. We return the bikes in the afternoon and then clean up for our last group dinner in this magnificent country.

Day 15-July 26

Fly Out – Ulaanbaatar
No Riding.

After breakfast your driver will take you to the airport, bringing your Mongolia adventure to a close. It’s time to get back to the real world.