Mongolia mountain biking holiday

country:	Mongolia
trip type:	Adventurous cycling holidays
departures:	2010: 29 May, 10 Jul, 7 Aug
price:	From US $2850 (14 days) excluding flights. Single supplement US $185, bike hire US $120. Minimum 2 participants needed for departure
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

Mountain biking holidays here

Mongolia holidays here

the amazing things you'll be doing

Mongolia is a unique tourist destination and many people who choose to go there are pleased to encounter its friendly citizens and rich culture filled with history that extends far beyond Genghis Khan.

For mountain biking enthusiasts, Mongolia offers an experience like no other. The Gobi desert and the views of its beautiful valleys from 2100 meters above sea level will take your breath away. As you pedal through the Khangai Mountain range, you’ll encounter wild yaks, sheep, horses and goats as well as the friendly nomads that gather them into herds.

You'll ride your bike through ruins from the ancient Mongolian Empire and visit ancient graves and other points steeped in history. When it’s time to cool off, the beautiful Orkhon river and the famed Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall are also on the agenda. This trip is challenging, but those who enjoy an off-road adventure will love it - less than 20 of around 450 total kilometers take place on paved roads! The natural topography features a little bit of everything: dirt roads littered with small rocks, riverbeds, long downhill stretches followed by short steep climbs, compressed earthy terrain and trails that have mainly been used by horses. At times, the experience may seem demanding, but the rewards for an adventurous spirit are immense and will provide a lifetime of memories once you decide to get on your bike and go!

This trip is recommended for confident and physically fit riders looking for a challenging experience with a lot of off-road terrain. Around 450 kilometers will be covered in seven and half cycling days. Those with an adventurous spirit will get the most out of this cycle tour.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and take a tour of Mongolia’s capital.
Day 2:	Gobi desert. Fly to the northern edge of the Gobi desert and then drive to the starting point of your bike trip.
Day 3:	Acclimate. Assemble your bike and acclimate yourself with your new surroundings as you prepare for the adventure that lies ahead.
Day 4:	Khangai Mountain range. Your first full day of riding across the Khangai Mountain range features a wide variety of terrain and quite possibly an encounter with a herd of wild yak.
Day 5:	Ancient burial site. The excitement continues through steep passes and across the valley floor as you make your way to an ancient burial site.
Day 6:	Some climbing today but this is complimented by rides across the floor of the valley on smooth grass surfaces.
Day 7:	Khangai Range. Experience the main crossing of the Khangai Range amidst a variety of riding conditions.
Day 8:	The best riding conditions of the trip so far also features beautiful landscapes.
Day 9:	Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall. Ride to the Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall and several ancient graves and historical sites
Day 10:	Rest day. A day of well-deserved rest and relaxation will feature natural wonders, Mongol nomads and a taste of fermented horse milk
Day 11:	Karakorum. The longest (and last) riding day of the trip takes you to Karakorum - the medieval capital of the Mongolian Empire.
Day 12:	National parks. Explore two national parks steeped in history.
Day 13:	Ulaanbataar. Return to Ulaanbataar and gather for a farewell dinner.
Day 14:	Depart. Transfer to the airport and onward travel.

small group adventure holiday

Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.

how this holiday makes a difference

We ride through areas of Mongolia rarely visited by tourists and except for two nights in Ulaanbaatar, we adapt to the local nomadic lifestyle and camp in tents and one night in ger tents, which have a strong reputation for their ability to stand up to Mongolia’s weather conditions. A mess tent (dome or traditional Mongolian style), toilet (with a seat) and shower tents are also provided.

Environment:
Our tours are never more than 12 people to minimize any social and environmental impact. The itinerary for this trip, and indeed the whole brochure, can be downloaded from our website, reducing the need for printing in most cases.

Adopting a “carry in – carry out” policy, we actively engage in environmentally responsible practices to minimize tourist impact upon the local habitat. From biodegradable soaps to re-usable water containers, we provide clients with the best information and means to help them identify and implement effective ways to positively protect local nature and communities. It is a vital ethos that can be passed on and abided by all, long after the trip has ended.

Non-organic waste is strictly packed and carried out and disposed off in city and settlements. Organic waste is usually thrown away. When camping a toilet hole is dug away from water sources and shallow enough to allow maximum exposure to sun and water so that waste decomposes fast.

Although bottled water is preferred by most of travellers on cycling tours we do boil water and supply it to group members. They are encouraged to have individual water bottles that can be refilled when necessary.

When on the move people are advised to bring back the toilet paper and dispose off it in the camp in the evening.

Our staff members are thoroughly trained and instructed to enforce the above principles.

Community:
We use a local tour operator and travel with a Mongolian crew. Their salaries make a considerable financial difference to their families. Unemployment in Mongolia is high and for those employed by the State, salaries are low.

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.