Gobi Desert Bike Tour

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and tour briefing at welcome dinner

   Upon arrival to the Mongolian capital you will be transferred to a centrally located hotel. Time permitting you may consider exploring the downtown city and feel the atmosphere of vibrant changes of recent years. Meet with the rest of the group at welcome dinner and get an informal introduction to the great cycling adventure ahead of you. Overnight at the hotel.
   

   • Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Fly to Gobi desert and cycle to Flaming Red Cliffs

   Take a brief flight to the Gobi, the boundless desert comprised of arid plains, rugged mountain chains and towering sand dunes. It is the 3th largest desert on Earth covering third of the Mongolia’s territory and with another half of it located in China. Having fine-tuned the bikes, you'll start the cycling adventure straight from the desert airport. Right away you will be absorbed by the immense desert where only wandering camels, an occasional goat herd and dancing mirages come across your way.

   Since it’s a warm up day, the ride will finish by early evening and you can settle in a cozy hotel comprised of traditional Mongolian yurts commonly known as yurt camps. The group will then take an excursion to Flaming Red Cliffs, a paleontology site renowned for the earliest unearthing of dinosaur eggs by American explorers in the 1920s alongside unknown dinosaur species and fossilized mammals that co-existed with the early reptiles. On reaching the cliffs, that contrastingly stand out of the infinite plain, you can absorb the stark beauty of the dramatic landscape.
   
   

   • 19.3 miles
   • Yurt camp
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Cycle to Dundus Valley

   Riding today is a bit more challenging as you cycle along the inner of the Gurvan Saikhan mountain range used as summer grazing ground by local herders due to its elevation and better ventilation. Riding surface is predominantly smooth although some brief sandy portions are to be negotiated. Occasionally you will see large flocks of goats, sheep, horses as well as nomadic tents; a life style that seemingly has not changed for many hundreds of years.

   At the end of the day you will find yourself at a spectacular campsite with rock formations of weird shapes and softly lit mountain folds in the background. A comfortable tent camp providing all amenities of a good wilderness camp will be erected here, including tents designated for dining, showering and bathrooms, not to mention great meals cooked by a chef.
   
   

   • 26.7 miles
   • Tented Camping
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Ride to Khongoryn Dunes

   Start the day by struggling along a 3km (1.8mi) dry river filled river bed filled with loose gravel. Once clear through the challenge, 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 Sand dunes come in to your view. They stretch for almost 100km (62mi) and measure anything from 3 to 15km (1.8 - 9.3mi) in width. From the foothill to the crest of the highest dunes is a good 200 meters (656ft). Local people refer to them as to the “Singing Dunes” due to aeolian sounds heard on windy days. Here you can load up the bikes and drive to a yurt resort by the dunes and later when the heat subsides take an excursion to the dunes.

   Climbing the highest dune is a “ritual” that will allow you 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. After a day of camping, enjoy the night in comfortable yurts.
   
   

   • 13.7 miles
   • Tent
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Camel riding excursion

   This morning, take a chance to ride camels along the massive dunes. Compared to dromedaries the Mongolian “ship” of the desert are stockier and have 2 humps. Known as the Bactrian camels they are named after a historic region in Central Asia.

   You will also use the opportunity to visit a yurt of a camel breeder and learn about how people survive in the harsh desert environment. You'll then travel along the Gurvan Saikhan mountain and sleep in a yurt camp not far from the desert airport.
   

   • Yurt camp
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
6. Day 6Return flight to Ulaanbaatar

   Take a brief flight back to Ulaanbaatar and use the rest of the day by taking optional visits to city sights, shopping or exploring lively vibes of the bustling city. At a good-bye dinner in a traditional Mongolian restaurant you will be able to taste some of the incredible treats Mongolian cuisine has to offer.
   

   • Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
   • Breakfast and Dinner
7. Day 7Departure transfer

   You will be transferred to Chinggis Khan International Airport for your onward journey.
   

   • Breakfast