Tour Description
This 13-day tour promises a truly unique and unforgettable experience, delving into the breathtaking wilderness surrounding the majestic Altai Mountains, reaching heights of 4,000 meters above sea level. Throughout the journey, you'll cover 470 km by bike and ascend 6,800 m, demanding significant endurance. Each day presents a cycling adventure through diverse landscapes, including mountain passes, knee-deep streams, and undulating valleys. Along the route, you'll have the chance to encounter and admire local Kazakh nomads tending to their herds of yaks and sheep. The cycling primarily takes place on a well-defined car track with a mostly smooth surface, occasionally interrupted by short rocky sections. The tour is expertly guided and includes transportation, cycling-appropriate meals, comfortable campsites equipped with drip showers and portable toilets, and organized tent camping throughout the journey.
Price includes
- All accommodation (twin shared)
- 2 nights in 4* hotel in Ulaanbaatar
- 1 hotel night in Ulgii
- 10 tented overnights
- All transfers including arrival & departure
- Internal flights
- Indicated meals (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
- Visits & national park fees
- Camping equipment
- English speaking cycling guide(s)
- Expedition cook(s)
- Mountain bike
Price excludes
- Travel insurance
- Excess luggage fees on the internal flights
- Meals not indicated
- Sleeping bags
- Drinks
- Gratuities
Tour dates:
- 1 June to 31 October,2025 OPEN
Day 1: Arrival to Ulaanbaatar, guided city walking tour
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will be dropped off at a hotel in the city center. The walking tour of the city will commence, during which you will visit Sukhbaatar Square and the Genghis Khan Museum. At 18:00, there will be a traditional music, harmonica, and contortion performance. Following the performance, dinner will be served at one of the finest restaurants in town. Accommodation:Hotel. Meals: Dinner.
Day 2: Flight to Western Mongolia, Drive to Ulaan Baishint
Fly to Ulgii, the westernmost part of Mongolia. Our travel support team will meet you in Ulgii. Upon arrival at the airport, we will drive 90 km towards the Mongolian-Russian border. We will set up camp in the mountains near the border. The camp will ensure your trip is comfortable, providing twin shared tent. The camp will also include essential facilities such as a dining tent, a shower tent, and a toilet tent. After setting up camp, we will assemble and check our bikes. Take a bike ride around the camp to familiarize yourself with the area and prepare for the trip the next day. Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 90km.
Day 3: Bike to Khaichinsar mount - Sogoo river valley
After breakfast, we will kick off the cycling tour, gradually ascending to reach the first pass at 2560m over 11 km. Following that, we will speed along a beautiful road for 20 km, feeling like prize winners. Subsequently, we will enter the high mountains of the Altai range, culminating in the day's highest peak, Khaichinsar Mountain, standing at 2740m. After navigating two more small mountains with ups and downs, we will camp in the valley of the Sogoo River. Along the way, you may encounter Kazakh nomads traveling along the road, busy with their daily tasks. Feel free to meet and converse with the shepherds tending to their sheep. Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 60km. Ascent: 1093m Descent: 1241m
Day 4: Bike to Baga Oigor - Altai mountain petroglyphs site.
After enjoying a comfortable breakfast, We on a bike ride to the Baga Oigor, Tsagaan Salaa petroglyphs. This natural gallery is renowned worldwide, boasting over 15,000 well-preserved paintings in an area stretching 15 km long and 5 km wide, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today's journey involves a gradual ascent as we traverse from the valley of the Sogoo River to the valley of the Baga Oigor River, where we will stay near the Oigor river. After setting up camp, you'll have the opportunity to explore the fascinating rock art monuments nestled in the mountains. Witness the evolution of human history spanning thousands of years from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age.
Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 45km. Ascent: 587m Descent: 341m
Day 5: Bike to Altai Tavan Bogd NP Gate
Today, we cycle to the entrance gate of Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain Park. During the first 5 km, you will cross cold water rivers, and there is a Mongolian border military unit located in this area. Soldiers with firearms will check your passport. Continuing our expedition, we will visit Kazakh nomadic families in the Oigor River valley, where we will sample yogurt, tea, and boortsog (bread). Kazakh nomads often have many children, so it's a good idea to bring sweets and small souvenirs when visiting this valley. While we won't encounter any steep climbs today, we will be at lower altitudes, so patience is necessary. Upon reaching Oigor National Park, we will make a stop. This area is frequented by many travelers, so local nomads operate teahouses and guest gers. You'll have the opportunity to meet them and learn about the activities of small businesses in the area. Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 35km. Ascent: 483m Descent: 171m
Day 6: Bike to Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain - Tsagaan Gol River Valley
Today marks the pinnacle of our journey as we behold the towering snow-capped peaks and expansive glaciers of the Altai Mountains. The road may be muddy and wet, and you may need to push your bike while ascending the mountain road. However, the challenges are rewarded with breathtaking views. This area attracts numerous tourists eager to witness the stunning natural beauty of the Altai Mountains, so expect to encounter many hikers and motorists along the way.
At the highest point of our expedition lies a sacred Ovoo, where people gather to perform rituals and pay homage to nature. Descending from this point, we will marvel at the picturesque Tsagan River gorge. This valley is home to Tuva families, an ethnic minority in Mongolia. Engage in meaningful conversations with them, visit their homes, and savor tea and bread together.
We will camp by the river with its milky white water, offering a refreshing shower in the icy waters of the White River. Your body will feel invigorated and relaxed after immersing yourself in the cold water. Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 28km. Ascent: 452m Descent: 770m
Day 7: Tsagaan Gol valley - Khar Nuur Plateau
We will journey from the White River Valley to Black Lake. The initial 5 km of the sacred Shiveet Khairkhan Pass involves a steep ascent that demands endurance. After a few days of short-distance on bike, we will transition back to long-distance cycling. You will notice the road's elevation decreasing, allowing your body to absorb more oxygen and enabling your muscles to work at their maximum capacity. Along the way, marvel at the incredible Shiveet Khairkhan rock paintings. Finally, we will conquer a steep mountain ascent to reach the mesmerizing Black Lake.
Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 45km. Ascent: 640m Descent: 715m
Day 8: Bike to Khoton Lake
Continue cycling southward, immersing yourself in the breathtaking scenery of grassy highlands, alpine lakes, and rugged hills. Our journey will take place at an average altitude of 2500 meters. Along the way, you will come across a Kazakh nomad burial ground, resembling small towns and villages, which are actually burial sites.
In the afternoon, we will ascend through a mountain valley adorned with larch trees, reaching the summit of a high pass. At this pass, you'll find the camping sites of Kazakh nomads, providing an opportunity to meet them and explore their homes. From Davaan Oroi, a spectacular view of Khoton Lake awaits you. The Mongolia-China border is prominently marked atop the mountains overlooking Khoton Lake.
Descending from the pass to Khoton Lake, we will arrive at a picturesque spot on the lake's shore. Take a break from cycling, dive into the refreshing waters, enjoy a satisfying meal, and unwind by the lake. Khoton Lake is a freshwater lake surrounded by high mountains at an altitude of 2080 meters. The western side of the lake features high snow-covered mountains with forests, while the eastern side has rocky high mountains. Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 62km. Ascent: 1320m Descent: 1570m
Day 9: Khoton & Khurgan lake to Black lake.
This day marks the longest cycling distance of our journey. After breakfast, we will ride our bikes to Khurgan Lake and the Godon River. We will enter the Hurgan Lake valley through the wooden bridge that connects Khoton and Khurgan Lakes. The snow-capped mountains on the west side of Khurgan Lake are stunning. Cyclists will enjoy navigating small hills as we make our way to the Godon River bridge. From there, the final 20 km uphill ride begins, and we will continue uphill until we reach Black Lake.
Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 82km. Ascent: 1000m Descent: 530m
Day 10: Bike to Sagsai river
We will depart from Black Lake early in the morning and begin our ascent after descending 25 km. In the picturesque valley of Harganat, Mongolian nomadic families often camp. From this vantage point, you can admire the majestic snow-covered mountains known as Tsengel Khairkhan. Today's challenge awaits us at the Modon Khushuu Pass, crowned with an aerial view. After conquering the pass, we will descend into the Sagsain River valley and camp along the banks of the Sagsain River. Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 65km. Ascent: 780m Descent: 1505m
Day 11: Sagsai river - Visit Eagle Hunter's Family - Ulgii town
Today is last cycling day. On the way, we will visit the Eagle family with this feather. We'll meet an eagle hunter and inquire about his hunting techniques with eagles. Continuing our journey, we'll cycle through a narrow V-shaped valley until we reach Shar Lake. From here, a paved road leads to Ulgii city. We'll load our bikes on the car and head to Ulgii, where we'll check into the hotel and enjoy dinner at a restaurant. Later, we'll take a stroll around town.
Accommodation: Tent. Meals: B.L.D. Distance: 42km. Ascent: 427m Descent: 130m
Day 12: Return Flight to Ulaanbaatar
This morning we catch a return flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon for shopping and else. Farewell dinner. Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: B.L.D
Day 13: Departure
Transfer to airport for your return flight home. Meals: Breakfast
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