Let's go on this incredible adventure as we explore the most beautiful lake trails of Mongolia. From remote villages to steep mountain climbs and wild river crossings. Steppe Off-Road | SOR "Secrets of Eight Lakes" is designed specifically for riders of intermediate and professional levels seeking the ultimate real-deal motorbiking adventure holiday!
New to our Steppe Off-Ride Tour | SOR calendar this year is one of our physically challenging tours. It is one of the best networks of super lake trails for the Enduro enthusiast! Intermediate to pro riders should apply. Having said that, it’s not all hard yards, with some chill days towards the end and some beautiful locations to enjoy, it is, after all, a holiday!
Eight Lakes - Khuisiin Naiman Nuur was formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago and are a part of the 11,500 hectares of Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve. These scenic lakes are not easily accessible, that is why they stayed undisturbed and untouched by the people. Even the locals have a hard time accessing the true beauty of the Eight Lakes. It is situated at an altitude of 2400 metres above sea level and situated in the middle of Khangai Mountain range.
This tour will take us through various terrains such as volcanic fields, waterfalls, wild rivers crossings, untouched landscapes, sand dunes, strange rocky formations, canyons, and steppes that seem to go on forever, as well as big beautiful lakes.
We will go by the Elsen Tasarkhai, part of the Mongol Els sand dunes; Magnificent Eight Lakes;
Erdene Zuu Monastery; Orkhon Waterfall; Tsenkher Hot Springs second hottest in Mongolia;
Mongol Empire Capital - Karakorum; Freshwater Lake Ögii; Khustai National Park and many more
Pick-up from the Airport and transfer to the hotel will be arranged. (Trip to The Genghis Khan Statue, which is the biggest Equestrian statue in the world, can be arranged if you arrive early)
Safety briefing at the office, try our gear and bikes(We will help you make adjustments like handlebar height, change fork & rear shock springs for bigger riders). Followed by a welcome dinner that will be at the restaurant with all the riders
Today, we'll venture beyond the city's boundaries to experience the diverse landscapes of Mongolia. Our first destination is the mesmerizing Sand Dunes, where you can witness the stark beauty of the desert meeting the sky. Afterward, we'll proceed to Bayangobi, an oasis surrounded by rocky mountains and lush greenery. Here, you'll have the chance to explore and absorb the serene surroundings. Our final stop for the day is Erdene Khamba Monastery, a spiritual haven nestled in the heart of nature.
We will ride South West through the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire - Karakorum and the Erdene Zuu Monastery. It is surrounded by 108 magnificent white stupas, which once counted as almost 100 temples, 300 gers, and around 1,000 monks. Erdene Zuu was built in Mongolia 436 years ago. Karakorum dates back to 12th century.
The Uyanga district of Övörkhangai province. Home to natural landscapes such as the Red Rock cliffs, Eight Lakes, and many mountains elevated 3230 metres above sea level, rich in resources like gold and precious stones.
We will rest in our tent camps under the starry nights.
We ride towards Eight Lakes or Khuisiin Naiman Nuur, they were formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago and are a part of the 11,500 hectares of Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve. These scenic lakes are not easily accessible, that’s why they stayed undisturbed and untouched by the people. Even the locals have a hard time accessing the true beauty of the Eight Lakes. The Eight Lakes are called Shireet, Mukhar, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Döröö, Khuis, and Onon, they are located from 500 metres to 3 kilometres from each other, but the track is impassable. This way is only open to hikers, horse-riders, and motorcycles who will enjoy exceptional nature, whereas the jeeps will have to skirt around the mountains by Bat Ölzii(130 km) and in case of rain by track to Khujirt(260 km).
The area is extremely beautiful surrounded by coniferous tree-covered mountains and the forest clearings have multitudes of wildflowers, is a famous horse-riding destination in central Mongolia. Shireet is the largest among the Eight Lakes and is accessible by sturdy 4WD from the southern side. We will have an extra day to adventure around the Eight Lakes riding our motorcycles.
We start heading towards the Orkhon Waterfall, it is one of the picturesque sights in the historically significant Orkhon River Valley, which requires bumpy and muddy driving through the lava-covered scenic valley with several freshwater streams and small river crossings full of nomads and their herds of sheep, horses, and cows. We will have lunch right next to the waterfall.
We will continue our trip to the hot springs where you can enjoy the hot spa at the camp. Hot Springs have skin-healing and muscle-relaxing properties, owing to their mineral-rich water. The waters here clock up to 85,5 degrees Celsius. Arkhangai Province has many old volcanoes, which explains the constant flow of hot springs in many locations all year long. In ancient times nomads used to cook their hunted prey in these hot waters. Hot springs have an abundance of minerals including sodium carbonate, hydro carbonate, sulphate, fluorite, and hydrogen sulphide. We will enjoy the hot springs and replenish our energy to continue our trip.
We will ride through the endless steppe towards Ögii lake. It is one of the biggest freshwater lakes in Mongolia and has an area of 27 square kilometres with an average depth of 6.64 metres, in some sections 15.3 metres, and coastal length of 23.5 metres. Ögii lake abounds with various types of fish and birds, which creates an incredible natural beauty. It also provides a favourable condition for research work and travelling. It attracts travellers, tourists, and nature researchers from Mongolia as well as from foreign countries. Also, it is enthusiastic about swimming, sunbathing, and horse/camelback riding around the lake. Don’t forget to take your swimming shorts when you visit Ögii Lake as the water is very warm during summer.
Ögii lake is worshipped by the locals, so they prohibit women from getting into the water. In 1971, it was registered as a protected water ecosystem. Make sure to keep your phone and camera handy for spotting and documenting rare birdlife.
Last but not least we will ride to Khustai park. Located about 100 kilometres from the capital city, it was declared a National Park in 1993. Initially established for the first reintroduction of the wild Takhi or Przewalski’s horse, the park covers more than 50,600 hectares. We will see the endangered horse species roaming freely on rolling hills of beautiful Mongolia along with other wildlife.
We will visit a nomadic family along the way and experience the true nomadic way of life. You can bring the kids some sweets to make their day even better. We will spend the night at one of the ger camps at the park.
As we head back to Ulaanbaatar, the landscape becomes greener and more mountainous, and there are more horses and fewer camels than we encountered in the Gobi. After returning to Ulaanbaatar, we will have a break and shower at the hotel. There will be time to do some cashmere shopping if desired. Later we will take you to Ulaanbaatar’s best restaurant for a farewell dinner.
Transfer to the airport.
Bon Voyage, we hope to see you again!