From the capital city Ulaanbaatar across the lush, green Steppes and the turquoise-colored lakes, through the hills and mountains, we will traverse the most spectacular region of Mongolia from the Centre to the West before heading north towards Russia.
You will tackle the most sparsely populated land on the planet, free as the eagles flying above you, as you point your motorcycle at the horizon and twist the throttle. All the while, you’ll be staying in traditional Gers (Yurts) to experience the authentic and traditional nomadic lifestyle. The ruggedness of northern Mongolia is a mind-blowing adventure destination where ancient traditions are still practiced daily by the hardy wanderers of the country’s vast steppes and deserts. This Mongolian adventure is designed to give you the most extraordinary and unforgettable experience, as you navigate across the Mongol empire on a motorcycle as Genghis Khan did on horseback 900 years ago.
Highlights: Enjoy the wild open spaces that Mongolia has to offer off the beaten tracks; Soak up the fabulous and fairly unknown Mongolian culture and hospitality; 8 days riding free without a care in the world: Bliss out on the most beautiful lake in Mongolia (Khuvsgul); Encounter nomadic families on the way
TOUR OPERATOR | Big Bike Tours – Motorcycle Expeditions | ||||||||||||
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (Capital) | ||||||||||||
DEPARTURE TIME | Please be informed, that you arrived at least one day before the tour started in Ulaanbaatar. We recommend two days before the tour start to acclimate and avoid jet lag. | ||||||||||||
RETURN TIME | The tour will finish at about noon back in Ulaanbaatar, so if you like to fly back the same day to your home destination, you can catch easily any flight from Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon. | ||||||||||||
GEAR | We recommend bringing your gear to be the most comfortable. Our riders have always brought all their gear for over 15 years. If it helps any, you can leave excess luggage at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar, and collect it again when you leave. |
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INCLUDED |
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NOT INCLUDED |
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Please be informed, that our tours are all-inclusive. So you can completely focus on your holiday, the adventure, the riding, and the amazing Mongolia. There are no hidden costs or other surprises – our tour prices are final. All is paid. Come ride with us – the real deal!
The Wild East Ride
ULAANBAATAR – ELSEN TASARKHAI – ORKHON WATERFALL – TAYHAR – WHITE LAKE – ZURKH LAKE – KHUVSGUL LAKE – KHORIDOL SARIDAG – MURUN CITY – ULAANBAATAR
(Distance: about 1,700 km / 1,060 miles )
Day 1. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (International Airport)
Welcome to Mongolia! All riders will be picked up from the airport and transferred to a hotel in the city center. Dinner with the crew and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 2. Ulaanbaatar to Elsen Tasarkhai (280 km, 6-7 hours)
A quick bus ride out of the city will deliver you to your motorcycle for the trip. The start of the adventure is an 80 km section of the Mongol Els dunes and is our first challenge. If we’re on Himalayans we’ll go around the dunes but if we’re on KTMs, we’ll have some fun pretending we’re Toby Price. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.
Day 3. Elsen Tasarkhai to Orkhon Waterfall (170 km, 7-8 hours)
After a short briefing, we ride to Khongor dunes. At Bayandalai we’ll stop to refuel and ride right next to sandhills before having lunch in Valley. Dinner and overnight stay in a Ger Camp.
Day 4. Orkhon Waterfall to Tayhar (170 km, 6-7 hours)
From the waterfall, we’ll ride the mountain and forest tracks heading west to the blue waters of a hot spring. Bring your swimsuit as we’re going to enjoy the natural hot water before continuing to the village of Tayhar which the Tamir River passes through. We’ll see how the nomadic villagers live and enjoy their hospitality and local cuisine. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.
Day 5. Tayhar to White Lake (155 km, 8 hours)
Today might be short on kilometers but it will take us the whole day to get to our destination. It will take us past the dormant volcano at Khorgo to the freshwater, Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (also known as White Lake). This lake was formed by a lava flow from a volcanic eruption many millions of years ago. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.
Day 6. White Lake to Zurkh Lake (300 km, 8 hours)
We head north to Zurkh Lake in the Khuvsgul province. It is surrounded by forests and is one of the most beautiful lakes in Mongolia. Not easy to find, let alone get to, you’ll be relieved to get off the bike at the end of the day and put your feet up. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.
Day 7. Zurkh Lake to Khuvsgul Lake (250 km, 8 hours)
The 136 km long Khuvsgul lake is surrounded by several mountain ranges and is near the Russian border in the northwest. The spectacular Khoridol Saridag mountains on the western side are home to over 60 species of mammals. The Dukha reindeer herders are among the colorful people who live in this area. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.
Day 8. Khuvsgul Lake to the Khoridol Saridag Mountains (240 km, 5-6 hours)
Today, we’re heading into the mountains in search of nomadic families. This will be the highlight of the adventure for most riders as the scenery is mind-blowing and the riding is free as we are again 100% off-road. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.
Day 9. Khuvsgul Lake to Murun City (150 km, 5 hours)
We head directly south to Murun City ripping up the countryside and keeping an eye out for epic scenery to take photos of. After lunch, we will arrive at the extremely ordered streets of Murun City. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 10. Murun City to Ulaanbaatar (3-hour flight)
We fly back to the capital and you’ll have the afternoon for sightseeing and last-minute souvenir shopping before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Highlights:
- Enjoy the wild open spaces that Mongolia has to offer off the beaten tracks
- Soak up the fabulous and fairly unknown Mongolian culture and hospitality
- 8 days riding free without a care in the world
- Bliss out on the most beautiful lake in Mongolia (Khuvsgul)
- Encounter nomadic families on the way
Accommodation:
Accommodation ranges from a hotel, guesthouses to camping and homestay in traditional Mongolian Gers. All accommodation is on same-sex twin-sharing (couples double-room). Sometimes there might be a single occupancy in a double room.
NOTE: A deposit of US$ 300 must be made on arrival in Mongolia. You are responsible for any damage to your bike during the trip, the repair charges will be deducted from this deposit and the balance will be reimbursed once the trip is over.
What riders should bring with them on this tour?
Bike Gear:
• Goggles and/or sunglasses
• Motorcycle gloves
• Snood/Dust mask
• Kidney belt
• Water-resistant backpack
• Bungee/Cargo net
Clothing:
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Warm clothes
• Water Resistant Jacket/Raincoat
• Strong and warm pair of trousers
• Fleece/under jacket
• Warm socks
• Warm underclothes such as thermals
• Riding boots and shoes
• A warm scarf or neck sock
Camping:
• Warm sleeping bag (-10 Celsius Degree)
• Dense travel towel/Quick-drying towel
• Penknife
• Torchlight/Headtorch
• Thermos for Hot & Cold
• Helmet
Other:
• 2 Passport pictures
• Alarm watch/wristwatch
• Money Belt
• Medication (consult GP)
• Basic first aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen/sunblock UV 30/40
• Lip balm
• Earplugs
Big Bike Tours & Motorcycle Expeditions & Logistic
Every tour is conducted by our hugely experienced motorcyclist guides. The staff has years of all-terrain experience allowing you to enjoy the bike, the ride, and the many wonders the Mongolian empire has to offer.
We provide the best Mongolia motorcycling experience by ensuring that your safety is paramount. Our motorcycles, backup vehicles, mechanics, staff, accommodation is second to none.
Our tours are designed to cater to riders of all abilities looking for that once-in-a-lifetime experience. We know how important your holiday time is to you, so we don’t skimp on organizational detail. We’ll take care of all transport and accommodation while you’re here, and then whisk you safely back to the airport for your trip home – simple as that.
Please Note
• This ride will take place at high altitudes and on unpredictable roads, therefore the tour operator insists riders seek travel insurance.
• Riders should also have a check-up or consult with their doctor before they travel.
• Please consult the terms & conditions on our website.
• Kindly note this itinerary can be changed or modified due to any uncertainty of Mother Nature such as landslides, heavy rainfall blocking roads. This is beyond our reach. In this case, our guide will take the appropriate decision according to the situation on the spot, which gives priority to your safety.
• A deposit of US$ 300 must be paid on arrival in Mongolia. You are responsible for any damage to your bike during the trip. On the off chance that you damaged the motorcycle, the repair charges will be deducted from this deposit and the balance will be reimbursed after the trip is over.
Visa for Mongolia
First of all, please note that today it is irrelevant whether you refer to Mongolia.
A visa is a document that allows a foreign citizen to travel into a specific country and stay there for a set period. Generally, a Mongolian visa is issued at the Mongolian Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s home country or a nearest third country.
Mongolia has reciprocal agreements with certain countries that waive visa requirements. It is important to research visa requirements before traveling internationally to avoid any issues with border control officials and airlines. If a destination country requires a visa and the traveler does not have it in his/her passport, the airline may refuse to board this person on the plane.
Most foreign visitors and travelers to Mongolia thereafter tend to continue traveling to our neighboring countries of Russia and China. In this regard, we also included herewith Information on Russian and Chinese visas as well.
The first important step to travel to Mongolia is to check your country of nationality from the following list. Since if your country is in the first table list, you are no need to obtain a Mongolian visa within its mentioned duration.
List of countries and regions with non-visa regimes for all types of passport holders:
www.mongoliavisa.com/visa-free-countries
Terms & Conditions
Dear Bikers,
We are providing you following list of terms & conditions of our motorcycle tours with us. You are humbly requested to go through it before you book any of your tours with us.
Kindly note when making an online booking with BIG BIKE TOURS LTD., PART. (hereafter referred to as (BBT) along with an appropriate deposit. A contract will come into existence between you (the Client) and BBT (the Organizer) in conjunction with the Terms & Conditions laid out in this document. Your booking with us is governed by and construed following Mongolia law and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Mongolian Courts.
1. Your Responsibility
You participate with BBT knowingly as a competent rider and do so entirely at your own risk. Understanding that motorcycle touring in Mongolia involves a certain amount of risk and we further ask please show respect and courtesy to your fellow riders.
2. Our Responsibility
At our discretion, any rider seen taking unnecessary risks en-route will have their journey terminated, thereafter traveling in one of the support vehicles for the remainder of the tour. No reimbursement is given. Safety is our primary concern.
3. Booking
On receiving your online booking, your deposit should reach us within 8 days and two months before the departure date. On receipt of the deposit, an invoice will be sent enclosing full details, including information required for visa application. From your online booking, it will be deemed you accept the Terms & Conditions set out in this document.
4. Costs
All our prices are fixed.
Please see our costs page with detailed programs for expedition prices online. A special cost can be offered for a group of more than 10+ participants.
5. Deposit and Balance payment
30% – Deposit per person required when online booking with BBT as advance money to ensure that you’re joining one of our motorcycle tours.
70% – Balance collected at the hotel, in Ulaanbaatar. On your arrival in Mongolia by one of our representatives. Deposit payments are made payable to BBT, and they can be made via Bank Draft. The deposit will ensure your place on the expeditions. The remaining 70% balance can be made either in Euros or US Dollars, Sterling Pounds as this makes paying for facilities easier en-route. Please, no TravellersCheques are accepted. All deposits should be addressed to BBT
6. Accommodation on our tours
Accommodation ranges from a hotel, guesthouses to camping and homestay in traditional Mongolian Gers. All accommodation is on same-sex twin-sharing (couples double-room). Sometimes there might be a single occupancy in a double room.
7. Single Rooms are provided on Supplement costs.
8. Documents required for Ride Riders must bring with them appropriate travel insurance and documents as follows:
a. Full Motorcycle License – valid
b. International Driving License/Permit – valid
c. You are required to bring your travel insurance policy with you on tour. Please print off a photocopy and keep it safe. As well as the address of your travel insurance company. Riders are requested to hand over the insurance numbers and addresses to our guide.
d. Without these documents, you will not be able to take part in your chosen tour (safety is our primary concern).
9. Cancellation
If you need to cancel your booking, please do so in writing. If your cancellation is received more than eight weeks before your departure date, 30% of your deposit will be refunded. If cancellation is received less than eight weeks before the departure date, there will be no refund.
If you are delayed or think you might be late. Contact details will be available and everything possible will be done to make alternative arrangements to meet further down the road. Extra costs may be incurred.
No refunds are given if a person/s leaves a tour en-route.
Our tours are planned for several months to avoid adverse climate conditions. However, changes will be made (en-route) if unfavorable weather hampers our progress.
However, while on tour should any unforeseeable situations arise beyond our control, e.g. landslides, snowpack, earthquake, or glacier movement. As safety is important, we will make changes en route and detour to continue with the adventure.
10. Tour Amendment
If we find there are insufficient numbers of riders in a particular tour group. We reserve the right to amend that route for the smaller group, without diluting any of the characteristics of the tour.
11. Food & beverages
We are very conscious of the catering it’s very important to have hygienic cuisine during our motorcycle tours while doing homestay during the motorcycling we always eat organic food with local families, our efficient kitchen crews are always ready to serve you the five-star cuisines at the altitude of 3,000 meters during the expeditions. Water bottles are always provided by the backup jeep during the road trip. Consumption of high degree alcohol is prohibited during the riding time but the evening is full of chit-chat and rum punch to knock out the fatigue of the day.
12. Motorcycle Damage Deposit
A safety deposit of 300 US$ is required before motorcycle assignment and this deposit can be paid in cash or via credit card authorization before the tour start, if no damages are incurred during the motorcycle holiday then no charges will appear on your credit card. Repairs of small accidental damage from bikes falling over & light spills are normally covered with the tour cost, but BBT reserves the right to appraise all damages & repair costs and bill accordingly.
13. Etiquette & Protocol
Riding a motorcycle in Mongolia is a privilege. BBT is grateful to the Tourism Authority of Mongolia for permission to operate tours of this kind in the country. Although Zurkh Lake (north-west), continue slowly open its doors to the outside world and experiment with new ideas for tourism, participants are reminded of the culturally sensitive nature of this trip and are urged & requested to conduct themselves respectively & show extra courtesy & riding style while encountering traffic in Mongolia!
14. A Word of Caution
Motorcycling in the mountainous areas in Mongolia is surely one of the best ways to experience the region’s rich cultures, friendly people, and unequaled scenery. At the same time, motorcycling does have its dangers – Especially on narrow mountain roads with unpredictable traffic & quickly changing weather conditions. This tour operated “Big Bike Tours”, should be undertaken by fit, experienced riders with an open mind to accept the changing conditions and different rules of the road. We granite you an everlasting lifetime or life-changing motorcycling with us in Mongolia.
a. Additional Documents – In addition to the required documents, it is always advisable to bring with you the following documents important documents you must bring with you on tour are:
b. Spare Passport sized photographs – for Permits and SIM card purchases
c. Photocopies of your Passport and Visa page – for Permits and SIM card purchases
d. Important telephone numbers – E.G. Credit card company contact number (in case of loss or theft).
e. International Driving Permit – Translated if necessary
f. Motorcycle License – Translated if necessary
g. Travel Insurance – To cover riding large capacity motorcycles as a means of transport you must have a suitable Travel Insurance Policy. It is your responsibility to obtain a suitable travel insurance policy covering your health, personal belongings and it must cover you whilst riding large capacity motorcycles as a means of transport.
15. Packing Essentials
Riding in Mongolia always requires a range of clothing. The passes are sometimes very cold. Your riding jacket though should be well ventilated. Evenings in the mountains can be cool. we advise you to bring a warm pullover or body-warmer.
Evenings can be chilly when the sun goes down. After the summer season, warm clothes are required. We provide a fleece sleeping bag and a lightweight long-sleeved fleece jacket.
Often newcomers to Mongolia will bring too much “stuff”! In Ulaanbaatar, the essentials are available, from toothpaste to batteries, from headache tablets to pants and socks. It’s part of the experience to buy simple requirements as you go along.
We always wear Helmets! It is the law to wear a helmet everywhere we ride. ‘Local quality’ helmets can be bought in Ulaanbaatar on your own is always more comfortable.
We recommend you travel to Mongolia with rugged, ‘soft’ luggage, which can later be stowed in our hotel or the support jeep. Bring casual clothes for evenings and non-riding times.
16. Tips for Planning Your Arrival
It may not always be possible, but planning to arrive a day before your tour starts, gives you time to rest and acclimatize to local conditions. This is particularly important if you be flying onwards to Ulaanbaatar, which at an altitude of 1,350 m, gives you time to get used to the climate there.
Part of your Tour Booking and Planning process includes submitting forms with your Flight Times and Arrival Dates.
If you are planning to arrive a day or two early, let us know and we can arrange to collect you from the airport and book hotel rooms for you. You can let us know by email about your Flight Arrival and Visa details.
If you wish to transfer to the hotel we have booked for you, unaccompanied, we strongly advise you to take only Government Registered Taxis, particularly when arriving in Mongolia. If you plan to stay for several days after your Tour we are happy to help with your accommodation and travel plans. If you have questions about anything, please ask!
17. Emergencies
Nobody wants to get hurt or injured on tour but accidents do sometimes happen. You should have a Travel Insurance Policy that is sufficient for your personal needs.
Check your insurance policy covers such needs as hospitalization or repatriation. Sometimes we ride in remote locations in which there will be no mobile signal, no helicopter recovery service and ambulances may not be available.
The Tour Leader will ensure the best possible evacuation/services are provided – given our location and the services available locally.
As part of the booking process, we ask Riders to provide an alternative emergency contact. In the unfortunate event that anything serious should happen to you, we will inform this alternative contact of your condition as soon as possible.
If you are unwell on a ride day, you may ride in the support vehicle, assuming we have one with us even though with 2 riders. The mechanic will ride your bike until you are fit to ride again.
Most medicines are available almost everywhere. Asian medicines tend to work more effectively on Asian ailments. If you use medication be sure to bring ample supplies with you. Your preferred brands of toiletries may not always be available. Drinking water comes in a 1-liter plastic bottle and we drink bottled water at all times. The stock is always in our backup Jeep.
Be aware that your insurance may cover helicopter rescue, but that we may have to send a messenger for one day back down the road to find a telephone that works to summon one, assuming the nearest helicopter is in working order. For that reason alone we will always wear helmets and armored riding gear. We ensure our riders stick to a minimum “2 Second Rule” keeping a safe separation between riders.
18. General Terms
You must know that motorcycle touring in Mongolia is an activity involving risk. The security and full and safe control of your motorcycle, whilst riding, is your responsibility.
We expect that you will have at least 3 years of motorcycle riding experience behind you, on large capacity motorcycles. To ride on our Tours we expect you to ride with skill, care, and confidence, on and off-road. Sections of highways are ‘off-road’ rough and some riding days can be long and require good physical fitness and stamina.
Your contract is with Big Bike Tours Ltd., Part.
Our responsibility is according to the laws of Mongolia and where possible we comply with ABTA standards.
19. Risk, Responsibility, Contract, and Liability
You must know that motorcycle touring in Mongolia is an activity not without risk. The security and full and safe control of your motorcycle, whilst riding, is your responsibility.
We accept responsibility for neglect or omission on our part and the part of any external service employed (e.g. support jeeps and mechanics) and will make refunds when our standards lapse below a reasonably acceptable standard. In such a case the limit of our liability will be up to or no more than 150% of the Tour Price.
We will not accept responsibility in the case of your death, injury, or illness, except when due to the negligence of the staff of external services we employ. We do not accept responsibility in respect of death, bodily injury, or illness by causes other than our Tour team and their actions.
Your contract is with Big Bike Tours Ltd., Part. Our responsibility is according to the laws of Mongolia where possible we comply with IJL standards. You the Rider and Pillion Passenger are responsible for necessary travel and medical insurance. You must ride wearing protective clothing and a helmet.
20. Motorcycle Experience
Some sections of the highway are ‘off-road’ rough. We expect that you will have at least 3 years of motorcycle riding experience behind you, on large capacity motorcycles.
To ride on our Tours we expect you to ride with skill, care, and confidence off-road. Some riding days can be long and require good physical fitness and stamina.
When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority and required motorcycling experience to do so and that you also accept these Terms and Conditions.
21. Conduct On Tour
We reserve the absolute right to remove you from the Tour without notice should your behavior, in our opinion:
a. Cause annoyance, distress, or danger to others in the group or anyone with whom we come in contact on Tour.
b. Cause undue damage to motorcycles or places in which we stay. In such cases, you will receive no refund. We will not tolerate racism.
22. Leaving a Tour Mid-Way
We cannot pay refunds if your Tour is terminated early due to an accident, impaired fitness to continue, or dismissal from a Tour. Leaving a Tour mid-way will incur the loss of your Motorcycle Security Deposit.
23. Our Tours Are Physically Demanding
Some sections of the highway are rough – off-road rough. We expect that you will have at least 3 years of motorcycle riding experience behind you, on large capacity motorcycles. To ride on our Tours we expect you to be able to ride with care and confidence in both on and off-road conditions. Some riding days can be long and will require good physical fitness and good physical stamina.
Sometimes we ride through hot sunshine, rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, in the space of a few hours, your physical stamina will be tested.
Good health and physical fitness are a ‘must’ for all our Tours. Off-road riding skills will be required, sometimes for hours and hours and again the next day.
Can you ride standing-on-the-pegs for 5 kilometers on a rough track for example? Familiarity and experience in handling a motorcycle ‘on the rough’ are important advantages. Our motorcycles have electric starters but we expect Riders to be able to kick-start their motorcycles. Some riders visit local Royal Enfield Dealerships for a short familiarization ride.
Although our mechanic checks the motorcycles regularly, Riders are responsible for the safe operation and care of their motorcycles. Our Tours pass through isolated and remote places and care for your motorcycle is important.
24. Law
The Contract between you and Big Bike Tours Ltd., Part. is based on the Terms and Conditions lay down in all our terms and conditions pages.
To comply with IATA directives, we do not purchase any international air tickets on behalf of our Riders on any of our Tours. Where necessary we will advise Riders of the exact flight ticket to purchase and in some cases through which Ticketing Agent to purchase the ticket. We advise all our Riders to purchase any international flight tickets required to complete Tour details.
We reserve the right to make changes due to natural uncertainty to Tour Itineraries without prior notice. Please ask any questions you may have regarding our Terms & conditions, kindly
25. Our Team
We are more than happy to welcome you on one of our motorcycle expeditions; our team ensures all your safety, comfort, your bikes, food, accommodations. An immemorial motorcycle tour with us is a grantee; we know how valuable your holidays are, especially while planning a motorcycle trip in foreign countries. It’s a year or two years of planning. You are in safe hands, we have years of experience of terrains, we know every corner of the itineraries or the countries where you are riding with us. Your tours are guided by a professional motorcycle crew, they are motorcycle enthusiasts, and they love, what they are doing. We are looking forward to riding soon with you. Our motto is Big Bike Tours awaits your ride with us……..A ride beyond your dreams!
2023 Tour Starts
| 20. May – 29. May |
| 20. June – 29. June |
| 05. July – 14. July |
| 13. August – 22. August |
2024 Tour Starts
| 20. May – 29. May |
| 20. June – 29. June |
| 05. July – 14. July |
| 13. August – 22. August |