Satellite Tracks and 50km Dog Escorts: 430km Across Mongolia
Riding across the Mongolian steppe heading north toward the Russian border isn't a route you find in standard guidebooks. There are no detailed cycling maps out here. You navigate by studying satellite imagery for double track 4x4 paths, tractor lines, and dried riverbeds that carve through the endless green valleys.
Over 8 days, covering 430 km and 8,000 m of climbing from Ulaanbaatar up to Tunhel and back through Gorkhi Terelj National Park, you experience pure off grid adventure without bumping into crowds of tourists.
Expedition Snapshot
Distance: 430 km
Elevation Gain: 8,000 m
Duration: 8 Days (Starting in Ulaanbaatar, riding north toward Tunhel, returning southeast through Gorkhi Terelj National Park)
Terrain: Pleasant double track fire roads, dirt tracks, river valleys, and rolling steppe
Accommodation: Local wooden huts and authentic family yurts (ger camps)
Resupply: Self reliant between villages; food and water are the heaviest loads carried
Who Is This Expedition For?
Mental Toughness: Moderate. The riding is smooth and enjoyable, but total isolation and unique local cuisine require an open mind.
Fitness Level: Intermediate. Covering 430 km with 8,000 m of rolling elevation gain over 8 days requires solid endurance.
Technical Bike Skills: Intermediate. Requires comfortable mountain bike handling skills on unpaved fire roads and dirt tracks.
Wilderness Experience: Ideal for riders looking to escape tourist crowds and experience authentic nomadic culture with an expert guide handling off grid route navigation.
Ready to Ride Remote?
Want to experience off-grid wilderness without getting lost in places where maps don't exist? Join our guided expeditions to ride the world's most remote trails with complete peace of mind.
NavigatiON WITH NO MAP: Satellite Routing & 29er MTBs
When official maps fail, satellite images become your primary tool. Flo plotted the entire route by identifying faint 4x4 tracks and tractor lines that cut across massive pastures filled with horses and cattle.
Riding along sweeping river valleys near the Russian border.
The Bike Setup: 29 inch mountain bikes with 2.4 inch tires. When carrying heavy expedition gear, food, and water, wide mountain bike tires provide essential stability, easier steering, and a sturdier ride across unpaved valleys. Total weight 40kg.
The Autonomous Safety Net: The team carried full tent setups for complete autonomy just in case. They carried roughly 3 kg of extra gear they didn't end up needing, but having backup shelter is mandatory when exploring unknown valleys.
Nomadic Etiquette & Delicacies
One of the biggest highlights of riding off the beaten track in Mongolia is meeting indigenous nomadic families.
Ger Tradition: When entering a traditional yurt (ger), culture dictates you always enter through the left side, which is specifically designated for guests.
Local Tastes: Guests are welcomed with local staples like airag (fermented horse milk, which has an acquired taste similar to sour milk), milk alcohol, air dried cow cheese, and fresh sheep dumplings, easily one of the best local delicacies on the trail.
The 50km Guard Dog Escort
While staying in a small village hut, a local child spoke to three stray village dogs. When Flo and his client set off the next morning, those three dogs fell into formation alongside the bikes.
For 50 km, the dogs ran beside the mountain bikes, shielding Flo and his client from territorial farm dogs in neighboring valleys before safely heading back. It was an unforgettable display of working animal instincts on the open steppe.
Gear & Setup: Off Grid Reliability
Bike Setup: 29er Mountain Bike with 2.4" tires for heavy load stability and control over rutted dirt tracks.
Navigation: Offline GPS loaded with custom routes mapped directly from satellite images.
Supplies: Lightweight water filtration system, emergency backup tents, and pre-planned village food resupplies.
Ride Off the Grid with Chasseurs de Cols
From the endless valleys of Mongolia to the volcanic deserts of Iceland, we create custom bikepacking journeys designed to get you far off the beaten path.
Expert Field Guidance: Custom satellite navigation, local cultural translation, and route safety.
Battle Tested Logistics: Equipment lists, meal strategies, and emergency protocols managed for you.
Small Expedition Groups: Intimate group sizes to keep the raw wilderness feeling personal.
