Motorbike Tour in Mongolia: Exploring the Eastern Steppes on a Suzuki

Terrain

Mongolia is largely characterized by its sweeping, undulating landscapes and the grass-covered plains that seem to go on forever. While most of this motorcycle tour takes place on fairly smooth terrain, there are more challenging elements that feature rocky outcrops, river crossings, and sandy tracks. And yes, you’ll be able to test your off-road riding skills extensively, but you’ll also get opportunities to open up your Suzuki on a series of dirt and gravel roads.

Climate

This is a relatively dry region of the world, but you should still prepare for sudden — and potentially heavy — rain showers. Our tour takes place in the middle of summer, so the days should be warm, but the nights may get a little chilly. And while temperatures range from 15C to 30C at this time of year, the severity of the showers can still lead to large areas of muddy ground.

Wildlife

If you’re lucky, you’ll encounter some of Mongolia’s wildlife as you traverse the stunning country. While-tailed gazelles, marmots, and wolves may make an appearance. And don’t be surprised if eagles, vultures, and cranes circle overhead from time to time. Just make sure you always have a camera ready to go. You never know when you’ll get the opportunity to capture some of the region’s rich wildlife for posterity.

Culture

This tour covers plenty of history alongside the miles, and we’ve shaped the route so the culture arrives as regularly as the scenery.

Nomadic herders still live in traditional gers across the steppe, and you’ll pass their camps along the way. A ger can come down in an hour or less, which is handy when your whole home moves with the seasons. You’ll also get the chance to experience the nomadic lifestyle firsthand, which manifests in the form of horse and yak herding.

Out on the grasslands, you’ll find deer stones, carved slabs that Bronze Age nomads raised roughly 3,000 years ago. The carvings show reindeer flying through the sky, and standing beside them makes your Suzuki feel very new.

Ovoos, the sacred stone cairns that dot the landscape, call for a small ritual. Walk around one three times, clockwise, and add a stone to the pile to wish yourself a safe journey. If you’re short on time, a quick honk of the horn does the job.

Traces of Genghis Khan’s legacy turn up along the way too, and our guides will happily tell you the stories behind them.

A Machine for a Memorable Mongolian Motorbike Tour

Typically, we offer two high-performance, exceptionally robust motorbikes for your Mongolian motorcycle tour:

Suzuki DRZ 400

The DRZ 400 is the lighter of our two bikes, weighing 132 kg dry. This makes it agile, a great handler, and easy to maneuver when the track turns muddy. Its 398cc liquid-cooled engine pulls smoothly, and the five-speed gearbox keeps gear changes simple. With around 29 centimetres of suspension travel, it soaks up rocky outcrops and bumpy tracks with ease.

Suzuki DR 650

Our DR 650 is the bigger-hearted bike, with a 644cc air-cooled engine that delivers around 43 horsepower and plenty of pull for climbing hills. About 26 centimetres of suspension travel at both ends keeps the ride steady over rough ground. With a kerb weight of 166 kg, it feels planted on long stretches of open dirt road.

Your Accommodation: A Touch of Outdoor Luxury

After a long day in the saddle, you’ll want somewhere comfortable yet authentic to rest your head for the night. Our well-established ger camps give you exactly that, in the same round felt homes Mongolian herders have lived in for centuries.

Inside a traditional ger, thick felt walls keep the heat in, and a central stove takes the edge off the chilly summer nights. Even the door follows tradition and faces south.

On one of your nights with us, we’ll trade tradition for indulgence and put you up in a glamping camp. You get a rare taste of luxury in the middle of the wilderness. And after all those miles, you’ll definitely have earned it!