Western Mongolia - Altai Mountain Biking Tour

5 - 22 September 2021

The Altai mountain range in the far west of the country is home to Mongolia’s largest national minority, the Kazakhs who came to settle here almost 200 years ago. It is within this area that we will cycle and explore this little visited area, in the company of goats, yaks and horses that graze the plains shadowed by Mountains. The culmination is a fascinating tradition, celebrated during “The Golden Eagle Festival”. With a backdrop of majestic snow-capped mountains, Golden eagles demonstrate their speed and agility under the command of their proud masters. You will also experience true wilderness and authentic nomadic culture within the Tavan Bogd national park where Mongolia’s highest peaks mark the border with both China and Russia.

Number of days cycling: 10 Average daily distance: 55.0 km Average daily ascent: 0.0 m

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Sun 5 Sep - Arrival at Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB) you will be met by your guide and transferred to a hotel in the city centre. Time permitting, you will be taken on a guided tour to some of the city’s highlights, including a giant Buddha statue at Mongolia’s main Buddhist center, the National museum and the central square. A traditional throat singing and contortion performance will be presented at the end of the day. At a welcome dinner you will be given an informal introduction to the tour ahead of you.

No cycling Accommodation: Hotel Meals: (D)

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Mon 6 Sep - Extra day at the start in Ullaanbaatar

Extra day at the start in Ullaanbaatar

No cycling Accommodation: Hotel Meals: (B)

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Tue 7 Sep - Flight to Ulgii, Bike to Tsagaan Nuur lake

Transfer to airport and fly to the westernmost province of Bayan-Olgiy where the country’s highest mountains lie. On arrival meet with the support team and start biking straight from the airport heading towards the mountains and acclimatizing to the dry air and altitude. The 55km tarmac stretch is the only sealed part of the whole journey of 550km across the Altai mountain range. Tonight we erect our tent camp not far from the Mongolian-Russian border.

Cycling Distance: 55 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Wed 8 Sep - Bike to Khaichinsar mountain

Two thirds of the way is a gradual ascent along the Russian borderline on desolate mountain roads and faint tracks until reaching the day’s highest point at 2575m. Vast numbers of domesticated animals mainly yaks and goats grazing on steep slopes and rugged ridges can often be seen. They belong to local Muslim Kazakhs whose felt walled tents known as gers or yurts can also be seen in twos or threes. An occasional encounter with a curious shepherd or local children always offers a chance for taking some good photos. The last 20km is a downhill to a grassy campsite by a small stream. We sleep at almost 2200m.

Cycling Distance: 69 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Thur 9 Sep - Bike to Khukh Ereg

We cycle further west across mountainous desert with terrain that requires more climbing than the previous days. Although the riding surface is dominated by packed soils, rocky tracks and loose soil are also present especially near the tops of mountain passes. The destination is the Baga Oigor valley, the site of an extensive petroglyph gallery included in the UNESCO "World Cultural Heritage List. Stone and Bronze Age rock carvings are scattered across an area 15km long and 500m wide. Images depict wild and domestic animals and scenes of human life such as hunting, herding, worship etc. Here we set up our tented camp and explore the rock art gallery.

Cycling Distance: 46 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Fri 10 Sep - Bike to Oigor

We continue a short while along the rugged folds of Baga Oigor valley and stop at a border patrol station to settle formalities. The road then climbs up a grassy shoulder between two dome shaped mountains. This brings us to an enormous V-shaped mountain valley with clear streams running down from glaciers that cover the ridge top. The main feature of the mountains here is the alternation of grassy slopes with massive walls of loose scree. Here we cycle by some alpine lakes, a summer base for local Kazakh herdsmen. They live in large mushroom-like yurts and tend their massive flocks of yaks and goats. It will be interesting to visit them and learn about their way of life which seemingly hasn’t changed for many hundreds of years. At the day’s end we arrive at Tavan Bogd NP gate - a few yurts, home of local rangers at the foothill of even bigger mountains.

Cycling Distance: 59 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Sat 11 Sep - Bike to Tsagaan Gol

We pedal and push the bikes on the high mountain terrain strewn with running streams and patches of snow. The day’s halfway point is a hill from which there opens a panoramic view of Mongolia’s highest peaks and largest glaciers. We have our picnic lunch while enjoying the magnificent views before heading down towards a deep V-shaped valley at the bottom of which rumbles a torrential river full of glacial silt. This is the White river. Its lush valley is the summer pastureland of herding nomads. We free-wheel down a steep slope and arrive at our campsite by the glacial river.

Cycling Distance: 26 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Sun 12 Sep - Bike to Khar Nuur via Shiveet south side

We roll down the White river valley and visit a Tuvan family. Also known as the Uriankhai this ethnic people of Turkic origin have historically been moving around southern Siberia. Traditionally they practice shamanism - a worship of ancestral and natural spirits but today their belief is a strong blend with Tibetan Buddhism. We learn about their way of life and taste food and drink offered according to unwritten local rules. After the visit we climb back to the brim of the valley towards Holy Mt. Shiveet and cycle along its base. A massive flat rock strewn with hundreds of images of wild beasts, cattle and hunting people lies at the mountain east end. From there, we roll downhill into the widening valley for another 20km. After lunch we leave the White river valley behind and climb to a highland tundra using seasonal migration roads. We spend the night at 2600m.

Cycling Distance: 50 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Mon 13 Sep - Bike to Khoton Lake

Continue further south enjoying spectacular scenery: grassy uplands, alpine lakes and rugged hills. We will be travelling at an average altitude of 2500m and depending on the time in the summer, we might come across locals moving with antique Russian trucks, fearlessly negotiating tricky mountain roads. We may also meet Kazakh hunters who train golden eagles and use them for hunting. Although actual hunting is done in winter you can still see the massive birds and have a photo taken holding one on your arms. At the day end arrive at Khoton; a spectacular alpine lake bordering with China’s Xinjiang province.

Cycling Distance: 61 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Tue 14 Sep - Rest at Khoton lake

We spend a well-earned rest day at ease. The Khoton lake campsite is truly idyllic. A snow-capped ridge marking the borderline with China and wooded slopes below reflect in the mirror-like surface of the lake. You can go swimming or explore some distinctly well preserved Bronze-age rock carvings just beside the camp.

No cycling Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Wed 15 Sep - Bike to Khar lake

We cross a narrow strait linking the Khoton with its “sister” lake called Khurgan and ride along the latter enjoying views of the snow-capped ridge that marks the borderline with China. Our camp tonight will be at another highland lake with the snow-capped Mt. Tsengel as the backdrop.

Cycling Distance: 71 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Thur 16 Sep - Bike to Sagsai

Ride north-east enjoying views of the 3943m Mt. Tsengel. Its rugged foothills and grassy slopes are perfect grazing for yaks and sheep of which you will see hundreds along the way. The morning riding is easy with a general downward inclination. Then after lunch we climb to the top of a dry ridge at 2660m followed by a 15km fast downhill to our next campsite amidst the semi-desert landscape.

Cycling Distance: 70 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Tent Meals: (B, L, D)

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Fri 17 Sep - Bike to Ulgii

The last 35km to Olgiy town are rather uneventful. The tour’s last challenge will be climbing 400m in 8km. A descent on a dusty road will bring us to the edge of the capital of the westernmost province and to a cozy hotel to celebrate the end to the cycling adventure.

Cycling Distance: 43 km Altitude Gain: 0 m Accommodation: Ger camp or hotel Meals: (B, L, D)

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Sat 18 Sep - Eagle festival

For 2 days we attend the annual Golden Eagle festival. 50 eagles guided by their masters, will compete displaying their speed and agility: each bird is released from a mountain top commanded by his master to land on to an artificial prey as fast as possible. Participate in the excitement of traditional Kazakh games, such as ‘kyzkuar,’ a dating game played on horseback and ‘kokpar,’ a tug-of-war game played on horseback with a goatskin. There will also be a parade where each hunter demonstrates his outfit and riding harness. As we will be based in Olgiy, time permitting you can explore the town with its distinct Central Asian character, visit the town market and museum. A traditional Kazakh meal accompanied by music and songs will be served on one of these days.

No cycling Accommodation: Ger camp or hotel

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Sun 19 Sep - Eagle festival

A second day at the festival

No cycling Accommodation: Ger camp or hotel

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Mon 20 Sep - Flight to Ulaanbaatar.

Transfer to Olgiy airport and fly back to UB. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Rest until we gather for a farewell dinner.

No cycling Accommodation: Hotel Meals: (B, D)

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Tue 21 Sep - Ullaanbaatar

A contingency day.

No cycling Accommodation: Hotel Meals: (B)

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Wed 22 Sep - Depature

Transfer to the airport for your return flight back home

No cycling

5 - 22 September 2021

Cost

Land Only - £2260

Payment Schedule

A deposit of £300 per person is payable upon booking, with the final balance of £1960 per person to be paid by 26th June 2021

Price includes:

• 4 nights in 4 star Bayangol hotel
• 3 nights in Olgiy hotel
• 10 tented nights, twin share
• Camping mats
• All indicated meals + bottled drinking water
• Extra snacks and drinks on cycling days
• Back up van
• Flight ticket Ulaanbaatar-Olgiy-Ulaanbaatar
• All airport transfers
• English speaking cycling guide
• Bike mechanic
• Cook with an assistant
• National park and border permit fees
• Eagle festival fees
• Gratuities
• Mountain bikes (hard-tail 27.5 Giant XTC800-860, 30 speed, hydraulic brakes, Shimano components)

Price does not include:

• Travel to and from Ulaanbaatar
• Sleeping bag
• Excess baggage fee on the local flights
• Meals not indicated
• Drinks & alcohol
• Any other personal expenses
• Travel Insurance

Cancellations

Written Notice Received:	Cancellation Charge:
25th June 2021	£300 (deposit)
26th June to Depature	£2260 (full amount)

How to make a booking:

Hotels Tents Sleeping mats and sleeping bags Meals on camping days Toilets The nature of the holiday Vehicle Support Rides and Rest Days Group information Weather and Clothing Cycles / Equipement Maps Travel Insurance and advice