Photo: Marcin Konsek ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Twelve days without fences or tarmac.
A loop from Ulaanbaatar through the Khangai mountains to the Khongoryn Els dunes and back across the Gobi. Roads in the usual sense barely exist: steppe tracks, river crossings, rocky passes and sand. A big journey for riders already confident off-road who want to see a country with fewer than two people per square kilometre.
- The Khongoryn Els dunes, up to 300 m high
- Orkhon waterfall and Erdene Zuu monastery
- Yolyn Am gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan mountains
- Nights in gers with nomad families
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Briefing and bike prep
Arrival and meeting the bikes
Airport pick-up, hotel check-in, route briefing and bike fitting. A short evening walk around Sükhbaatar Square.
Overnight: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar - DAY 2 · 160 km, dirt and tarmac
Out of the city to Hustai
The first 100 km on tarmac heading west, then dirt to Hustai National Park, home of the Przewalski horse. Getting used to the bikes on easy tracks.
Overnight: Ger camp, Hustai - DAY 3 · 270 km, steppe tracks
Orkhon valley and Kharkhorin
Steppe tracks along the Tuul river and on to the old capital of Karakorum. We visit Erdene Zuu monastery, founded in 1586.
Overnight: Ger camp, Kharkhorin - DAY 4 · 180 km, rocks and fords
Orkhon waterfall and river crossings
The rocky Orkhon valley with its lava fields, a few river crossings and the 20-metre Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall. Night with a nomad family.
Overnight: Nomad ger, Orkhon valley - DAY 5 · 260 km, mountain passes
Khangai passes to Bayankhongor
We cross the Khangai range on dirt passes above 2,500 m, drop through larch valleys and reach the town of Bayankhongor.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Bayankhongor - DAY 6 · 300 km, gravel
Down into the Gobi
The landscape changes within a day as steppe gives way to stony semi-desert. A long push south on gravel tracks to the Bayangovi oasis.
Overnight: Ger camp, Bayangovi - DAY 7 · 220 km, sand and gravel
The Khongoryn Els sands
We reach the 180-kilometre ridge of the ‘singing’ dunes. In the afternoon we climb the highest dune on foot, some 300 m above the valley.
Overnight: Ger camp by the dunes - DAY 8 · 190 km, sandy tracks
The Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag
Through saxaul groves to the red cliffs of Bayanzag, where the first dinosaur eggs were found in the 1920s. Sunset on the escarpment.
Overnight: Ger camp, Bayanzag - DAY 9 · 150 km, rocky roads
Yolyn Am gorge
Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park and the narrow Yolyn Am gorge, where ice lingers into early summer. A short ride, a walk on foot, then a night in Dalanzadgad.
Overnight: Hotel in Dalanzadgad - DAY 10 · 330 km, tarmac and gravel
The long haul north
From Dalanzadgad on the new tarmac road and old gravel tracks to Mandalgovi. The longest day, but flat and fast.
Overnight: Ger camp, Mandalgovi - DAY 11 · 290 km, dirt and tarmac
The granite of Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Past the granite outcrops of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, back into the steppe and into Ulaanbaatar by evening. Bike hand-back and a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar - DAY 12 · Transfer
Flight home
Breakfast and airport transfer. With a late flight there is time for the Chinggis Khaan Museum or the cashmere shops.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Husqvarna FE 450 / KTM 500 EXC enduro hire with guards and luggage
Support vehicle with mechanic, spares and fuel
Local riding guide
Ger camps and family gers, two hotel nights
Three meals a day on the route
Fuel and national park entry
Transfers from Chinggis Khaan airport
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Refundable motorcycle deposit
Dinners in Ulaanbaatar
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Category A licence, three or more years of riding and genuine off-road and sand experience are required. Before departure Ivan runs a training day on an enduro ground and helps put together your kit.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.