Is Mongolia Your Next Riding Destination?

Since the advent of the Internet in the early 1990, the world has become a much smaller place. Images of far-flung corners of the globe are at our fingertips in an instant. But the more we vicariously ‘visit’ these remote parts of the world via our electronic devices, the more hollow it becomes; the more we want to actually travel to these countries and experience them first-hand. The more we yearn to smell and taste the imagery we’ve seen of these final frontiers.

The Central Asian country of Mongolia is such a place. Sandwiched between Russia and China, it’s the land of Genghis Khan, the Gobi Desert, nomads and horsemen, and the Trans-Siberian Railway. Steeped in history, shrouded in mystique, and insulated from much of the western world for many years, Mongolia is fast gaining a reputation as a spectacular must-do destination for people with an appetite for adventure. And for those who like to explore aboard dirt bikes, it turns out that Mongolia is an absolute gold mine.
That’s exactly why a growing number of adventurous Aussies are booking trips through a Mongolia-based company who’s leading the way with guided motorcycle tours in Mongolia, aptly called Motorcycle Mongolia.
So, how’s it work? What’s it cost? What do these tours include? And what can you expect to see on one of Motorcycle Mongolia’s tours? Here’s a snapshot of the packaged tours these switched-on operators stage during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months, three of which still have limited positions available…

TOUR 1: MASTER RALLY TOUR

Dates: July 23–31, 2017
Price: USD $2595 + motorbike hire
Motorcycle hire: USD $130 per day (7 days’ riding – KTM 450EXC, including unlimited fuel).
Accommodation on Tour: Wild camping in tents
Tour: http://www.motorcyclemongolia.com/master_rally_mongolia.html

TOUR 2: WHITE LAKE & KHORGO VOLCANO MOTORCYCLE TOUR

Tour: http://www.motorcyclemongolia.com/white_lake_khorgo_volcano.html
Dates: August 4–12, 2017
Price: USD $2795 + motorbike hire
Motorcycle Hire: USD $130 per day (7 days’ riding – KTM 450EXC, including unlimited fuel).
Accommodation on tour: Traditional Mongolian ger camps (see website for description)
Tour: http://www.motorcyclemongolia.com/accommodation.html)

TOUR 3: GOBI DESERT OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE TOUR

Dates: August 30 – Sept 8, 2017
Price: USD $3195 + motorbike hire
Motorcycle hire: USD $130 per day (8 days’ riding – KTM 450EXC, including unlimited fuel).
Accommodation on Tour: Traditional Mongolian ger camps
Tour: http://www.motorcyclemongolia.com/gobi_desert_motorcycle_tour.html

Interested? Here are a few things you’ll need to consider:

• Flights – most people from Australia use Korean Air via Seoul, but can also get daily flights from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar (Air China or MIAT Mongolian Airline) if travelling via China.
• It is also possible to get the train from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar – this is the first leg of the Trans-Siberian Railway, a fantastic 30-hour overnight journey across the Gobi Desert.
• Riders must be experienced and have some off-road skills (beginners are not accepted). Routes are remote and far from good medical facilities.
• Riders need to bring their own protective gear, including proper off-road boots.
• Motorcycle Mongolia can help with Mongolian visa application.

For more information about Motorcycle Mongolia’s fully guided tours, check out their website or this recent video edit below that showcases the trip of a lifetime for a group of Aussies.