Mongolia Moto Adventure
Ulaanbaatar – Mini Gobi Desert – Nomad Life
Adventurers wanted for an authentic vintage Ural moto trip into Mongolia’s steppe and desert to live with the nomads
Highlights: Ride a vintage Soviet Ural sidecar motorbike – Stay in an authentic yurt – Live with a nomadic family and help out with their daily tasks and animal herding – Learn to cook traditional Mongolian dishes – Explore the Mini Gobi Desert – Look for wild horses
No single supplement* | 10 spots | Full support team (mechanic, translator, female host) | Real & raw adventure
*Prices per person, we pair you with another solo traveler
Trip Overview
- 4 to 11 June, 2022
Max. 10 guests
Hosted by Breanna Wilson
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Ulaanbaatar
We’ll have a driver waiting to transfer you to your hotel and you’ll be free until dinner time. If you are keen to explore Ulaanbaatar, we recommend the Mongolian National Museum and the main square (pictured left) which you can’t miss.
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia’s capital and most populous city. You’ll acclimatize to the country here before heading off into the far flung wilderness, where high-rises of the city give way to the solitude of the desert. While infrastructure in much of Mongolia is relatively undeveloped, you’ll find Ulaanbaatar to be a modern metropolis with restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment.
If you have a bit more time, you can take a day trip to the Terelj National Park nearby to see the largest statue of Ghengis Khan and largest equestrian statue in the world (you can walk up to his head).
In the evening, we’ll do a casual Welcome Dinner so everyone can meet each other, meet the team, and acclimatize to Mongolian time. The team you’ll meet include your mechanic, translator, and female host, all of whom will be with you for the tour.
Note: If you wish to explore Ulaanbaatar on your own before the adventure begins, we can help extend the hotel reservation or find a different one and give recommendations on things to do.
Overnight at Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar
We will spend the night at the modern and comfortable Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar (or similar) in the city.
The hotel is walking distance from the major sites in the city and a good place to relax and settle in before we start our adventure.
Days 2 : Test Ride Day
As the most sparsely populated country in the world, and a place where nomads still wander the steppe, horses are godly, and Chinggis Khaan is still revered, Mongolia is by far the coolest place you could ever discover by way of two…erm, three wheels.
Today you’ll wake up and we’ll make sure you get that crack coffee fix first thing. Once you’re a human again, it will be time to head out to meet your bike, our vintage Russian Ural sidecar bikes, durable and fashionably cool.
We’ll go over everything you need to know for the ride, our rough itinerary for the next few days, and get you as comfortable with your new adventure rig as possible.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Overnight in Ulaanbaatar at the Holiday Inn or similar.
Day 3 : Ride Day
Today we leave the comfort of Ulaanbaatar and head to our first stop, our herder friend’s spring camp.
Following breakfast at the hotel (and your last warm shower), you’ll pack up and meet the group in the lobby. We’ll ride until lunch time where we’ll pull over and have a leisurely meal and siesta while your butt gains its feeling back.
You’ll switch drivers for the afternoon when we hit the road again and we’ll be off-roading across the grassy plains of the steppe in no time.
After a full day on the road we’ll arrive at camp where we’ll be welcomed like family by our hosts.
We’ll set up camp, make ourselves comfortable, and shake ourselves a fresh margarita (or three) to celebrate an epic first day of riding.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Overnight at nomad spring camp
During this trip we will be camping, sleeping in gers (yurts) and tents all along the way. This also means you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
Showers will not be readily available (there is no running water or electricity where we’re going), so we ask that you come into this adventure with an open mind and adventurous spirit. This is real nomadic living.
Days 4 : Nomad Day
Today you’ll wake up to a freshly tuned bike (our mechanic will be going over the bikes every night to make sure we’re ready for whatever bumps and low tires get thrown our way) and once we’re all dressed and ready to go, we’ll start our ride out to the sand dunes and an area called the Mini Gobi.
After we search for wild horses and help our herder friends herd in their animals using our Urals, we’ll meetup with some of the neighboring nomads and really dig deeper into Mongolian customs and culture.
This is your chance to immerse yourself completely into the nomadic way of life still lived throughout Mongolia.
Using our motorcycles to help with chores, we’ll herd animals, take supplies to neighboring families, and go full Mongol. So much so that we’ll have you saying “sain baina” and drinking airag (fermented horse milk) in no time!
Overnight at camp.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5 : Nomad Day
Today we’ll keep exploring the area and help the herders again with their animals – you never know what you’re going to learn out here but we know it’ll be an immersive experience and that you will be doing things you probably never did before like taking care of the horses manes or looking for wild ones.
On the plan is also the chance to help mama cook and learn about traditional Mongolian dishes like tsuivan (noodle dish) and delicious buuz (steamed meat dumplings) which we are sure will be the culinary highlight of the trip.
Tonight, if everyone’s up for a little more adventure, we’ll drive into the local soum (town) for some drinks and karaoke with our new herder friends to enjoy authentic Mongolia’s culture.
Overnight at camp.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 6 : Ride to New Camp
Saying goodbye to your new favorite Mongolian family, and leaving them with a few supplies we’ve packed just for them, we’ll pack up our spring camp and head even deeper into the Mini Gobi desert to explore more of what this unique and beautiful area of the world has to offer.
We’ll take off late morning and ride through the afternoon, stopping for lunch along the way, as we make our way to our new camp for the night.
Overnight at camp
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 7 : Bucket List Day
Today we’ll leave you to explore at your own pace. We can arrange any of those last bucket list items you might be itching to do or you can spend the day relaxing – today is your day.
Want to ride a camel? We can set that up.
Interested in learning how to cook another Mongolian dish? Mama can teach you.
Or maybe you just want to pack a picnic and head out to the sand dunes and spend the day with the semi-wild horses in this stunning landscapes.
Today is our last day out on the steppe, which means it’s now or never to do those things you’ve been dreaming of doing here.
Overnight at camp.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 8 : Ride Back to Ulaanbaatar
On our last day, we’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar, where – trust us – you’ll be excited to see your old friend, Mr Hot Shower.
You’ll say goodbye to your bike and be free to sleep or head out for a night on the town in Ulaanbaatar – we’ll point you to all the best spots.
Included: Breakfast and lunch.
About Your Hosts
This trip will be escorted by a full fledged team of experienced explorers: Breanna, Erik and Dougie.
Breanna is an adventurer, journalist, photographer, and all around curious human. Her adventures in Mongolia started three years ago when she joined one of Erik’s insane expeditions and she’s been spending as much time as possible in the country ever since.
Breanna’s fascination with the nomadic culture and the people who call Mongolia home has translated into tours and a website about traveling in Mongolia. She can’t wait to show you this incredible part of the world.
This epic adventure will be co-led by the man, the Mongol, the legend, Mr. Erik Cooper himself.
Erik’s passion for exploring Mongolia started when he raced the ‘World’s Longest & Toughest’ horse race, The Mongol Derby. Erik now calls Mongolia home every summer and his knack for exploring and cultivating friendships with nomads throughout the country has led him to create other expeditions that include visiting the Tsaatan Tribe and Kazakh Eagle Hunters.
Meet Dougie AKA Mr. Boujee. He hails from Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbataar, and knows a thing or two about adventure. He knows Mongolia and its capital inside and out, from the best restaurants and Black Market hustles to the country’s rich history and culture. He’s worked in tourism and the event industry for the past 9 years and has worked alongside Erik for several years now – there’s no one we trust in the country more.
Inclusions
✔️ Arrival & Departure Transfers
✔️ 7 night camping with host family
✔️ Full Board Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner except for days 1 and 8
✔️ Your own vintage Russian Ural motorbike (2 guests per bike)
✔️ Support crew: mechanic, translator and support vehicle
✔️ All activities in the itinerary
✔️ Fuel and spare parts
Exclusions
✘ Flights to Mongolia
✘ Visa costs if applicable, see FAQs
✘ Travel & Medical Insurance that covers international evacuation and cost of participation (Required)
✘ COVID Vaccinations Pre Arrival (Required) or any other COVID requirements (negative tests, etc.)
✘ Motorcycle license (Required)
✘ Riding gear (Required)
✘ Snacks, we recommend you bring your favorite
✘ Sleeping bag and pad as well as your own utensils and personal items. See FAQs
✘ Tips for Drivers and Guides (At your discretion)
✘ Souvenirs
Payment Info
$3,500 USD
Only 10 Spots Available
Payment Plan:
$200 USD to reserve your spot
50% ($1,550 USD per person) non-refundable deposit due by Jan 4th, 2022
50% ($1,750 USD per person) final balance due by Mar 4th, 2022
*The initial $200 deposit is refundable if the minimum number of guests is not reached. The rest of the payments are non refundable unless the trip is canceled because of travel restrictions in Mongolia. By joining our trips you agree to our T&C.
Note: All participants will be required to sign an accident and release of liability waiver upon landing in Ulaanbaatar.
Reach Out to Book One of 10 Spots
Interested in joining us in Mongolia?
- Reach out to us via email at [email protected] OR
- Book a slot to talk to Breanna directly here OR
- Fill in the form on the right and we will reach out to you. If you don’t hear from us in 48h please check your spam folder
We are keeping the group to 10 guests maximum so don’t wait and reach out to us today.
Note: Please do not book any flights until the trip is confirmed latest January 4th, 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a trip of a lifetime and we know there are many things you’d like to know more about.
We care deeply about the wellbeing of our guests and our trip follows all local regulations. We require our guests to be fully vaccinated to join the tour so that we ensure the safety of everyone on the trip and this is also the requirement to enter Mongolia at the moment.
Once the 50% down payment is made, the trip is non refundable unless there are travel restrictions imposed by the Government of Mongolia that force the cancellation of the trip. We require all guests to purchase travel insurance that covers unforeseen circumstances which would prevent them from traveling, and this is how you would recover your costs from needing to cancel.
Citizens from the following countries are able to enter Mongolia without the need for a visa:
– Stays up to 90 days, no visa required: Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Serbia, Ukraine, United States
– Stays up to 30 days, no visa required: Canada, Cuba, Germany, Israel, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, Thailand, Uruguay
– Stays up to 21 days, no visa required: Philippines
– Stays up to 14 days, no visa required: Hong Kong
Visas are required for 30 days of travel for citizens of the following countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Arab Emirates.
To apply for a visa, please contact our local visa partner Zaya Travel. You can read about their visa services here.
Please let us know if you plan to stay in Mongolia for more than 30 days, in which case you are required to register with the Immigration Office in Ulaanbaatar. This Mongolia travel guide covers this process and more.
This is an all inclusive trip without any optional paid activities. All activities and visits quoted in the itinerary are included as well as all meals and drinks (including alcohol). The vintage Ural bikes as well as fuel and all of the repairs or spare parts (should they be required) are also included. We recommend you bring snacks with you since food on the trip will be limited to what the host families cook and provide and the trip is physically demanding.
Not included in the trip are the visa, COVID vaccine (required) and travel & medical insurance, your riding gear and your motorbike driving license. Any exploration in Ulaanbaatar or additional accommodation is not included.
All costs above are considered on a sharing basis with two guests per room in twin bedding in Ulaanbaatar; we will pair you with another solo female traveler on the trip. If you wish to have your own room, a single supplement will apply, reach out to us to find out more.
Accommodation in the camps is basic and shared with all the rest of the guests. You are expected to bring your own sleeping bad and a blowup sleeping pad as beds may not have mattresses. If you need a pillow, bring it too.
This is a female-only small group trip specifically designed for women traveling on their own. If you wish to travel with a female friend, family member, etc. they are absolutely welcome, however we are not able to book male travelers on this trip.
How wonderful! If your daughter is above the age of 18, we will be glad to have her with us.
Yes, this trip will be co-hosted by Breanna (US), alongside her male team Erik (US) and Dougie (Mongolian).
My Tribe LLC pays fair rates to the host families, herders, mechanics, drivers, and translators that they work with. By supporting them with fair wages, and working with families that exclusively host our tour groups, they are able to provide a more authentic and unique experience in less trafficked, but equally fantastic, parts of the country.
As part of the trip, the company also teams up with a local, female-led, Mongolia-based NGO to provide medical kits, veterinarian supplies, and other hard to attain necessities that we will deliver to our host herders and their neighbors along the route. This gives us a chance to meet new families and learn even more about life on the steppe through our conversations and interactions.
As part of the trip, we will be bringing supplies for the families we visit along the way. These need to be practical and suited to the location and their needs (ie. items with batteries that aren’t easily replaced are not useful).
If you want to bring supplies with you, medical kits are always welcome and if there are enough guests in the group who want to contribute but can’t bring supplies in their suitcase, the group may stop at a veterinarian shop before leaving the city to get supplies for the herders that are hard or expensive for them to normally get (de-worming shots, antibacterial sprays, etc).
You should make an appointment with your doctor to confirm any travel inoculations and other medications that you may need to take before and during the trip. You can check the CDC website for more details.
For this trip we try to be as environmentally friendly and self-sufficient as possible as we will be staying with local families and not in tourism business or guesthouses.
That means sleeping in gers (yurts) and summer houses (depending on where the herders are during this time) in accommodations that are separate from the families, and exclusive to us, for privacy reasons. It’s important to note that gers may not have mattress pads or cots so we advise packing inflatable sleeping pads.
You should also bring your own camping utensils, thermos, mug, etc. and riding gear including helmets, buffs and sunglasses. More details on the packing list will be provide once the trip is confirmed.
The prospect of getting sick while alone in a foreign country is daunting, and this is why we require all our guests have comprehensive travel and medical insurance that includes international evacuation. Should you fall sick, the team will help you get to the nearest medical facility or back to Ulaanbaatar.
Travel insurance is required to join this trip and we recommend you get the most comprehensive travel and medical insurance that would cover you in the event that you need to be evacuated. We recommend Travel Guard from AIG as a good and affordable travel and medical insurance that covers you for Mongolia.
Our payment plan includes 3 instalments: a $200 USD deposit to book a spot, a 50% deposit by the 4 January 2022 and the remaining 50% 90 days before the trip. If you wish to make more payments between those dates reach out to us.
We offer the option to pay via bank transfer or using Paypal (which allows for credit card payments). Please note that bank fees are your responsibility and that we need to receive the net amount.
There is no WiFi, running water or electricity in the camps and mobile signal is limited, consider this an opportunity to disconnect from daily life and be immersed in nature and Mongolian culture. For electricity, you may bring your own solar powered charger.
We will be relying on the local host families to provide meals and food in the steppe is limited. That means we will be eating a lot of meat and dairy because those two form the basis of the Mongolian nomad diet. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, those need to be discussed ahead of time and vegetarians will unfortunately have limited options. The team will be bringing snacks and you should too.