1.5 hour car transfer east of Ulaanbaatar brings you to Genghis Khan’s 40 meter mounted statue signifying the gateway to his homeland. While bikes are being readied take a panoramic view of the surrounding steppe and mountains from an observation deck on the horses head. We then start riding along
the Tuul river, a major river that empties in to lake Baikal in Russia. We cycle across rolling hills and lush meadows with some wooded mountains as a backdrop. Invariably we ride on smooth car tracks, at times slightly sandy and at times muddy depending on how much rain had fallen. As you bike you will catch a glimpse of a life that has seemingly not changed for a few hundred years. Large flocks of yaks, sheep and goats roam the area and circular tents of local herders can be seen from time to time. This morning as a warm up we have a few insignificant uphills and after lunch climb up to a wooded pass at 1887m. The effort is rewarded by spectacular views over wide valleys and forested mountains and a long descent to the Tuul river bank. Here we erect our tents and take a shower before dinner. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tent)
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Tuul river, 1 night