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This
270km mountain bike vacation passes through remote and
beautiful scenery and provides an opportunity to see the real
Mongolia: vast and varied landscapes, nomadic families,
and historical sites. Starting with an internal flight
to Bayankhongor on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert,
you will cycle up into the Khangai Mountains, second highest range
in Mongolia, and finish at Tsetserleg town, capital of Arkhangai province, before driving to Kharkhorin the site of Genghis
Khan's capital in the thirteenth century.
The
mountain bike riding is 100% off road, following rough
jeep tracks for most of the way. The highest point is Khul Sayangiin
Davaa at 2750 meters, and there are several technical downhill
stretches. Daily cycling distance varies up to a maximum of 65km.
Outside Ulaanbaatar all nights will be spent camping in Western-style
tents.
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Bayankhongor
Province is a plateau crossed by three mountain belts:
the Gobi-Altai, the Khangai and the Tsagaan Bogd
mountains. In the south lies the Great Gobi Reserve,
habitat of rare species such as snow leopard, wild
camel and the Gobi bear.
This
health spa in the mountains contains 300
natural springs with water ranging from icy cold to boiling
hot. Mongolians come to bathe in the hot waters which
are good for skin complaints and rheumatic disorders. 
The
wall of the monastery is composed of 108 stupas,
each one erected to commemorate a particular event. Some
house the remains of great lamas, mummified in
salt and mercury and wrapped in strips of cloth covered
in ashes, clay and gold or silver.
