Cycling in Mongolia

Traveler Reviews

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  Ville

  September 17th, 2019
  4.5
  11 amazing crew for 12 travellers. Overall excellent. I did not expect the nights to be so cold. I should have...
  11 amazing crew for 12 travellers. Overall excellent. I did not expect the nights to be so cold. I should have brought one heating gel pad. Exodus rates it as a 4/10 physical level. I would rate it 6.Show more
  Traveled in September 2019
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  Ian Tucker

  October 13th, 2011
  5
  It was a real adventure holiday and did what the brochure said and more. Terrific fun , scenery was amazing and...
  It was a real adventure holiday and did what the brochure said and more. Terrific fun , scenery was amazing and organisation excellent. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? BIking along with horses galloping along side me. Waking to ice on the tent and later in the day 28c of hot sunshine!  Th great comradeship in th group which kept us going even when it was tough. Also sitting on a Yak, When you are cold and it is lovely and warm.Seeing the locals and even staying in a local school (extra due to weather). Getting to learn how life was like out there.  Also staying in a Ger. What did you think of your group leader? We had two leaders both excellent in their field and knowledge of the area. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for 4 seasons in a day. In other words layers of clothing. It can get very cold and hot. Take thick padded shorts for the bumpy tracks. Practice off road biking for the down hills, bits can be technical. Rocky and sandy. But great fun.Finally look at alternative flights if you have a long stop in Seoul or stop over for a few days there like we did and have a great time. Is there anything else you would like to add? Just don't hesitate  book it before UB changes and the tracks in the country change to tarmac roads as this wouldn't have been nearly so much fun if it had been on roads all the time.  It is a wilderness still and needs to be appreciated before it changes.Show more
  Traveled in September 2011
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  Gillian Goode

  September 30th, 2011
  5
  A unique holiday in a unique country. Cycling gives the opportunity to really immerse in the landscape and interact...
  A unique holiday in a unique country. Cycling gives the opportunity to really immerse in the landscape and interact with local herders. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? One day we followed a river valley and herd after herd of horses would gallop beside and across our path - watching their behaviour up close was fantastic. Returning home I cannot help but feel sorry for horses isolated in tiny paddocks and stables here. Having the opportunity to ride a Mongolian horse and finding how responsive it was to me (a beginner) was also great.  I always love to discover the lifestyle of people in other countries and in Mongolia I was not disappointed - visiting two ger families, watching horses being milked, yaks being lassooed and children at play and school. Lodging at a boarding school overnight due to bad weather really enabled us to explore the small town and interact with the local people. What did you think of your group leader? Erdene is a very caring individual taking great care of all of us, and from the start helping us quickly become a functional team. Daily briefings were very useful.Misheel, his assistant, has a more outgoing personality and added to the trip with her obvious pride in and passion for her country. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for the cold. Even on sunny days the early mornings and nights will be very cold. Warm hat, gloves, coat and a good quality sleeping bag are ESSENTIAL. Do not forget lip protection - several people had very sore lips by the end. Good cycling glasses advised - my eyes suffered with the wind.Prepare for cycling day after day without many rest or 1/2 days. It was my first cycling holiday but others in the group commented that possibly the grading should be higher as the off road nature makes it quite tough compared to other 'moderate' grade holidays. Some of the downhills were quite difficult due to sand, gravel and ruts. The vans could not seat us all so you could not 'hop on and off' easily. I loved the holiday but be prepared for basic camping and, even at the ger camps, showers may not work. Plenty of wipes advised!! Inhibitions about toileting during the day are soon lost - there are very few bushes for us ladies to hide behind!! Is there anything else you would like to add? The food was fantastic throughout the trip and a highlight was watching our driver slaughter a sheep the traditional way and butcher it expertly to provide meat for the second half of the trip. 'Can kill a sheep in minutes' was heard many times when referring to him afterwards! Vegetarians were well catered for too. The habit of a mid-morning mars bar was hard to break when the cycling ended and energy requirements dropped!Twitchers among you take a bird book as being unable to name the many birds of prey seen became frustrating. Demoiselle cranes calling while flying overhead as we toiled uphill is another unforgettable memory.   Show more
  Traveled in August 2011
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  Steve Mallon

  September 22nd, 2011
  5
  i think that mongolia is one hell of incredable place although it is a really long journey to get there but well...
  i think that mongolia is one hell of incredable place although it is a really long journey to get there but well worth it when you get there. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? there where to many to mention firstly the weather one minute it can be red hot then it be really cold frosty in the morning,also it did snow.The guides eddie and michelle were the best i have ever had made you feel really welcome from start to finish,the drivers cooks where wonderful people,and the cycling but this trip isnt for the faint hearted beware it can be quite tough.Staying in a local boarding school was also a highlight it made me realize how lucky us in the west are .Finally everyone in the group was very easy to get along with and by the end we where like a small family that memory will also stay with me forever What did you think of your group leader? in one word Fantastic eddie and michelle and all the support team did us proud in my words the best leaders i have had on a cycling trip. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Dont let the travelling put you off,also if i was to vist again i would pack lots more warm clothes as it can drop below zero at night Is there anything else you would like to add? yes i think exodus should look at a more direct route to UB as we flew over mongolia to get to seoul,then had to wait 6 hours to get another flight back into UB to me this doesnt make much sense, also maybe you could spent a few more nights in ger camps as having a fire at night was very welcome maybe 7 nights camping and a few more ger camps please.Show more
  Traveled in August 2011
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  Michael Hayward

  September 16th, 2011
  4
  Once I arrived in UB the trip was very good apart from the last day. I could make nothing but praise for the staff...
  Once I arrived in UB the trip was very good apart from the last day. I could make nothing but praise for the staff who are the local based company that run this trip on behalf of Exodus What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The endless wide open spaces and big skies What did you think of your group leader? Ganer was excellent, just the right balance between letting you find out for yourself but willing to answer any questions that you had. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? I chose to rent a bike from exodus supposedly had front suspension.  My bike only had 1" of travel so was pretty much like no suspension.I Took my own saddle and pedals of which I was glad.Biking was easy smooth technically  not too demanding and 100% ridable. I found the food good and plentiful and the trip staff (cook, driver and guide )very good. There is not that much to do beside shopping and drinking in UB. The local kids love balloons - take some to give to them.  Is there anything else you would like to add? If the Exodus staff in the UK were as good as the staff in Mongoila I would have no problems, but they are very variable in reliability.  I rang quite a few times with queries and on some occasion I was told people would ring back, but they did not. Once I made a complaint, as one guy did not even pass on the message.  Later I was told that no record of my complaint was made. The quality control there is clearly an issue.Exodus booked us flights via Soeul. S Korea- this was a 12 hour flight. On the way out We then had to wait 6 hours for a connecting flight back to Mongolia (which we had flown over on the way. However there was another flight to UB with the same airline that left 2 hours  before our flight. We finished cycling on Thursday, and drove back to UB on Friday arriving at 4 p.m. then off to see a local cultural show which was good. Our flight was booked for Saturday at 23-50. So we had a whole day to do nothing in UB. We all felt that getting the flight friday night would have been better. OR sometime later on Saturday, since we then had a 10 hour wait to get our flight back to the UK.OR do another day cycling so there is not a dead day at the end of the trip.Presumably Exodus do some sort of deal with Korean airlines to get cheap  flight tickets. Their priority should be to minimise transfer time and maximise cycling time.The first two days of the trip is now on road as the tracks were tarmac tarmac-ed 2 years ago. teh loacl guys say they have told Exodus- but the trip notes have not been changed.The trip notes say 'overnight is a comfortable  sleeping compartments on a train. Dinner is taken on the train - the train trip is awful - to be endured not enjoyed. No-one got any sleep and dinner was a sandwich!! - This should be deleted from the trip and travel by road instead. There were only 4 people on my trip. A couple a lady and myself. I rang up four weeks before the trip to get add a single supplement- instead of informing me  it would not be needed as there were only 4 on the they happily took my money.So I suggest to make the best of the trip expect exodus to cause you a few problems, Book your own flight to minimise the transfer times and likely contact the local company direct to avoid wasting a day at the end of the trip. Apart from that you will have a fab time.Show more
  Traveled in August 2011
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  Rebecca Taylor

  September 9th, 2008
  5
  It was fantastic, as I have come to expect from Exodus. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The...
  It was fantastic, as I have come to expect from Exodus. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The whole package - the scenery, the cycling, the crew, the Mongolian people, the scenery, the scenery!! What did you think of your group leader? He was okay - not the best I have had, however. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Do distances in the heat to train for this holiday. In August, it is very hot and this takes your strength away when you are cycling so many miles. It is not technical, but you do a lot of cycling on tracks. You need to be quite fit! Is there anything else you would like to add? I want to move to Mongolia!!Show more
  Traveled in August 2008
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  Richard Millen

  October 10th, 2013
  5
  A brilliant trip involving reasonably challenging cycling through what must be some of the most beautiful and...
  A brilliant trip involving reasonably challenging cycling through what must be some of the most beautiful and untouched country in the world - truly the way it was in the days of Genghis Khan (if a little safer!). What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The top moment was having a herd of horses galloping past us in the middle of a thunderstorm that we had seen brewing and then sweeping across the valley before the van could get to us to offer us shelter. We saw this scene (minus the thunderstorm) many times and it never ceased to send a tingle up the spine. What did you think of your group leader? Gana, our group leader was professional and effective. He was very efficient in arranging the evacuation of one of our party who came off his bike and broke his leg and the whole trip was very well organised (GREAT campsites!). Only slight negative is that he is a reserved individual so you had draw him out to get to tell you about Mongolia, it's history, our route etc. Tommy, the assistant guide was much more outgoing so there was some balance. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Definitely do this trip. We've done over 10 cycle trips with groups or self guided and this is right up the top of the list. September was a great time to go, a bit cold but we had the place to ourselves. Is there anything else you would like to add? We had an observer from Exodus on our trip. It was good to see that Exodus take their quality control seriously..and it's effective.Show more
  Traveled in September 2013
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  Sarah Proud

  September 23rd, 2013
  4
  Beautiful countryside, fantastic cycling and wild horses galore! What was the most inspirational moment of your...
  Beautiful countryside, fantastic cycling and wild horses galore! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? there is nothing quite like waking up to the sound of wild horses galloping past your tent.  A sound I hope I never forget.  Second only to seeing them gallop past our bikes/toilets/campsite! looking up... day and night! some of the most beautiful stars I have ever seen... and some of the biggest blue skys!   What did you think of your group leader? Gana ran a tight ship, everything worked as it should.  He wasn't quite as fit as I thought he would be, and didn't volunteer as much information about the local area/wildlife as I would have liked.  I couldn't speak more highly off all of the other staff, really fantastic. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure you are fit when you go, it will make the trip so much more enjoyable. (although the support bus is there if you need it).  The bikes were great, and I didn't used an additional gel seat, but if you have a favourite saddle- its worth taking!Down jacket and sleeping bag are a must for the September departure- we had lows of minus 5 at night.   The atmosphere is quite dry out there, I was very glad I took a few luxury moisturisers!   Is there anything else you would like to add? This trip was the perfect combination if physical challenge, wilderness and luxury for me.   The cycling was fantastic, not too technical (if you are used to cycling off road), the distances just enough to make you feel that you had earnt your dinner.. and talking of food.. YUMM!Mongolia has so much to offer- especially when you get out of the towns.  Loved it.  Show more
  Traveled in August 2013
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  Aileen Helps

  August 9th, 2013
  3
  Wide open spaces in an isolated country What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The...
  Wide open spaces in an isolated country What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The "undulating" countryside made for some exhilarating downhills!  Hearty food in often beautiful countryside, friendly people and a great group! The Nadaam festival was a really interesting insight into the juxtaposition of old and new in this changing country.  I'm very glad we got to go.    What did you think of your group leader? Gana was a difficult customer.  He did not seem interested in the group and was not a great "leader" in that he didn't warn us when it was time to leave-he just took off!  He did not seem fit enough to be leading a bike trip and it seemed that he was maybe a bit burnt out.  He told us that he is leaving soon to start his own company and maybe he was just treading water until this could happen.   The rest of the team, however, were excellent, kind and extremely good at their jobs!  After an emergency trip in the van (nicknamed Boris), I realised just how much skill is involved in driving in Mongolia.  We may be cycling on jeep tracks but these are also the main roads for the traffic!    Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go!  Get some off road experience and be prepared to rough it a bit!   Is there anything else you would like to add? I have written to Exodus separately due to some safety concerns on this trip, which in part may relate to the tour leader and not be generalisable the the trip as a whole.  A client had a fairly serious accident and although I do not think there was anything avoidable with this, there were some aspects of the trip which were not as safety conscious as they could have been.  Make sure if you go during July to see the Nadaam festival that Exodus know this is why you were going.  Our guide initially seemed surprised that this was part of the Exodus trip notes.  It started the holiday off on a sour note and is another example of the trip notes being inaccurate as has been mentioned in previous reviews.   Show more
  Traveled in July 2013
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  Monica Holland

  August 4th, 2013
  3
  Mongolia is a very impressive place. Ulaan Baatar is a boom town, construction everywhere and lots of bustle. The...
  Mongolia is a very impressive place. Ulaan Baatar is a boom town, construction everywhere and lots of bustle. The countryside was vast and empty. I loved the way there were hardly any fences, few trees, the views went for miles and miles. Very much 'big sky country'. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I found the local cooks and drivers who accompanied us were the most memorable part of the trip. Their friendliness and competence in not always easy situations left a lasting impression on me. What did you think of your group leader? Gana was wrong-footed by the trip notes not being up to date, also on the defensive about perceived complaints. I think this made it hard for him and he tended to be quite introverted. It was difficult to get him to smile and relax. Tommy was 'a true gentleman', as I often told him. Very caring and an excellent photographer. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Get some off-road experience for the cycling. Be ready for hot sun in the day but cold temperatures at night. I said it in another feedback form about this trip and I'll say it again here - the most useful item I packed was a lava-lava (aka sarong). It acts as a skirt, shoulder wrap for visiting temples, towel, dressing gown, and, best of all, mini tent to keep the beating sun off at the lunch and snack stops. Is there anything else you would like to add? It helps to have a 'take it as it comes' viewpoint; don't take it to heart when things don't come out exactly as expected. Be warned about safety. If you crash off your bike, there is no protective NHS bubble following you around that will put things right for you straight away. Expect the unexpected.Show more
  Traveled in July 2013