Mongol Empire

Leaving Ulan Bator and its urban comforts, the riders will head west and quickly find themselves off the pavement and into the northern wilds of the country. This is the Mongolia many people imagine; vast rolling steppes, coated in green, dotted with traditional yurts surrounded by nomadic livestock and back-dropped by snow-capped mountains. The cycling will be tough but immensely rewarding. Nights will be spent tenting under the immense open skies and days spinning through the grassy steppes of the gorgeous countryside keeping an eye open for Przewalski's Horse, the world’s last truly wild horse.

A rest day in the friendly town of Moron offers riders a chance to visit Uushigiin Uver, a bronze age site containing some amazing carved deer stones (mysterious ancient markers) or to stock up on supplies before heading back into the wilds of Mongolia. The route now heads south along salt lakes and through stunning valleys to the Tarvagatai Mountains where the route turns eastward. The cyclists now spin past the clear waters of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, surrounded by the cones of extinct volcanoes, before arriving in the pleasant town of Tsetserleg for a rest day. Set amongst the Khangai mountains, it is a good place to fish or explore the local Zayiin Gegeen Monastery. The route continues back to Ulan Bator and the end of this beautiful section.

Highlights

• Mongolia's stunning & remote landscapes
• Super friendly nomadic peoples
• Ancient capital of Kharkhorin
• Wild horses