Winter Motorcycle Ride

Dates:	February 23rd-March 6th
Price:	$5,000 per person
Duration:	12 days/10 days riding
Minimum group size:	8 people
Maximum group size:	10 people
Riding skill:	Intermediate - Experienced
Language:	English

Description

This tour is a heady cocktail of motorcycles, Mongolia and ice, and the first of its kind. There are no shortage of motorcycle tours in Mongolia, inspired by The Long Way Round and a thousand Ewan MacGregor tribute journeys. And who can blame them, for Mongolia lends itself so brilliantly to travel by bike for those with the right constitution. Finally, there is a blossoming winter tourism trend in Mongolia, one of the most spectacularly beautiful landscapes on Earth, for those who are tough enough to brave temperatures as low as -40. It’s certainly not for the faint hearted tourist but the rewards are truly sublime. It’s a chance to see how the Mongolian herders survive and thrive in these hostile conditions and adopt a little of their timeless and stoical ways. The sheer satisfaction of being comfortable in conditions few would venture out in, augmented by incredible riding, great company, unexpected luxuries and a rewarding journey, will make for an unforgettable experience.

The Ice Festival, March 3-4th

The Tsaatan are the dominant tribe in Khovsgol, and the very last people to make their living herding reindeer. For the last few years they have gathered in March for a celebration on the shores of magnificent Lake Khovsgol, a rare chance to socialize and relax, show aspects of their extraordinary culture and just have a great party. Thus was born the Ice Festival; dog and horse sleds lap the lake, everyone dresses up in their finest silks and skins, locals, traveling Mongolians and foreigners share fire, stories and feasts….there’s not much in the way of scheduled activities but this has turned into a delightful gathering, not just photographic but truly inclusive and fun. That’s where we are heading, the end of 800kms of the road less traveled from Ulaanbaatar.

The Bikes

We will ride Ural. We’ll have mechanical support and a good cache of spare parts with us, for where we are going, there ain’t no garages.

The Conditions

Mongolia in winter is invasively cold, and gloriously sunny. Snowfall will vary but it is likely there will be trails through packed snow and fresh, as well as frozen earth. Daytime temperatures could be -10 or -30, and in high winds or high speeds this will feel much colder.

The Riding and Lodging

We’ll be on the trail for 8 days to get from UB to the Lake. Riding days will be broken up so there is plenty of down time off the bikes, to keep warm, hydrated and fueled. We’ll stop in at Tsenkher hot springs for a delicious hot soak half way, and overnight in warm gers once we make it to Khovsgol. The rest of the time, we are camping, but we’ll be camping in style. The two support vehicles will work together to ensure you have access to the right kit at the right times, and are never too far from a hot drink and a wholesome feed. We’ll make camp properly every evening and enjoy some spectacular bush catering. We’ll share large expedition tents to maximize warmth without spending hours putting up and taking down a ger twice a day. You’ll need to bring an expedition quality sleeping bag and a decent mat, but we’ll do the rest.

Please note this is the first trip of its kind in Mongolia. We’ll be flexible as the conditions dictate, go further or less far depending on how the group feels and performs. We’ll balance safety and fun to the best of our (considerable) ability and experience.

Itinerary
Photo Gallery

Day 1 – February 23rd:

Fly into Chinggis Khaan international airport. We will collect you and transfer you to a hotel not far from the airport, and a little way out of the city centre where the motorcycles will be waiting. We’ll head into the city for a group dinner and social once all are assembled, and if folks fly in early we can enjoy a city tour.

Day 2 - February 24th:

Preparation day in UB: this is your chance to test your cold weather riding kit, and if necessary, change or supplement it. We will be on hand to assist and find suppliers. We’ll take the bikes out for a spin, meet the team you’ll be on the road with; cook, mechanic, drivers and the dashing glue of the whole outfit, Taylor and Katy. This is the chance to make any adjustments necessary before the off. We’ll dine together in the city and toast the journey.

Day 3 – February 25th:

We are off! The destination for the first riding day is Elsen Tasarkhai, the beautiful ‘mini Gobi’ sand dunes some 285kms from UB in Ovorkhangai province. We will also cruise through Khustai National Park, home of the Takhi (Przewalski’s) wild horse. We’ll camp in the dunes.

Day 4 – February 26th:

After a princely breakfast to persuade you out of the tents we’ll play in the dunes for the morning before heading for Kharkhorin, the ancient capital and site of the largest Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia, Erdene Zuu, and on through the Orkhon River Valley. Our destination tonight is the magnificent Orkhon Waterfall, which may or may not be frozen solid in the depths of winter.

Day 5 – February 27th:

We’ll ride around the falls for the morning and enjoy the spectacular Orkhon Valley. The distance today is lower and we can ride for fun in a glorious setting, or be off the bikes and have a hike or a lie in a second breakfast. We will make tracks in the afternoon and head to Tsenkher in the heart of Arkhangai province, where there is a famous hot springs with a resort attached. No camp tonight, you’ll luxuriate in shared gers with fires and soak the excesses of the road away in the spa waters.

Day 6 – February 28th:

Today we take in more of Arkhangai province, home of most of Mongolia’s yaks. We’ll be aiming for White Lake, and if we make good progress we’ll also take in Khorgo Volcano. We’ll camp on the lakeshore.

Day 7-8 – March 1st and March 2nd:

Over two days we will leave Arkhangai for Khovsgol province, and reach the shores of mighty Lake Khovsgol. We’ll likely cut east towards Tarialan, the most easterly settlement in Khovsgol, and then tack north west towards Khatgal at the southern tip of the lake. This is some of the most breath-taking countryside in Mongolia. These will be two long riding days, with the promise of indoor warmth, frothy coffee and hot water once we make it to Khatgal. We will either overnight in a guest house in Khatgal, or continue the last 30kms to the resorts on the south western shore of the lake.

Day 9-10 – March 3rd and 4th:

The Ice Festival! Explore the frozen surface of Khovsgol Lake - Dalai Ej - Mother Sea to Mongolians. It is a spiritual place for Mongolians and its natural beauty makes it a stunning location to take a little time out. Khovsgol is 126km in length and represents roughly 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and is the younger sister to Lake Baikal in Siberia and part of the same Rift System. If the sky is clear, you can stand on the shoreline and see the snow capped Sayan Mountains - the border with Siberia. It is truly spectacular. There may be an ice driving rally, horse sled racing, games like tug of war, ice sumo, ice sculpting….you get the idea. Ice-related shenanigans. We’ll overnight in a ger camp both nights, some hard won luxury after the rigours of the road.

Day 11 – March 5th:

Fly home to UB from Moron airport. It will be a half day ride to the airport, and once there you’ll de-kit and hop on the plane. The bikes will be trailered home and your bulky kit will go in the camp support vehicle as during the ride itself, to save you checking it on the flight. It’s a 15 hour drive, so pack an overnight back for UB this evening. You’ll be back in the city by tea time and overnight in a central hotel, having said farewell to the bikes. We’ll head out for a celebration dinner.

Day 12 – March 6th:

We’ll get you back to the airport to fly home. Your luggage will likely roll in at dawn today so leave yourself time to sort and re-pack before the journey home.