3 Days Independent Bicycle Adventure to Terelj National Park

Being the third largest protected area in Mongolia, Terelj National Park is the nearest place to the city for outdoor adventures, a perfect place to experience the natural scenery of Mongolia and view the beautiful grasslands and forests in the valley. Although it is 44 kilometers away from Ulaanbaatar, the road distance is about 70 kilometers. Two ways to get there, one is to hire a taxi for hour and the other is to take the public bus for two hours.

There are two bus stops you can go, they are not far away from Sukhbaatar Square: 
• The opposite of Nrantu Hotel, the bus is available at around 11:00 every day.  
• Durven Zam on Peace Avenue, in the west of the Sukhbaatar Square, the bus leaves at 16:00 with daily departure.

The buses will stop at the village in the south of the National Park. Once you are there, find a place where you can stay tonight. There are many hotel lodges and tourist camps, and the local yurt families also provide accommodation, horse riding and dining services, just pick one that you feel comfortable with. If time permits, you can ride to the Turtle Rock, the Aryabal Monastery and then visit them. The riding distance is about 5 kilometers for a single way. Once back to the yurt, walk around to find a shooting place and enjoy the local food.

Fresh up the whole day by the breakfast and the local tea with milk. Today your will follow the bike trails 30km for a round trip to Princess Temple Remains, the journey will be a little challengeable by passing a few streams, puddles with mud. Have your lunch here and then ride back the same way after exploring the ruins and its surroundings. Find a perfect location for shooting the stars under the darkness. The pure night sky has no pollution is also a good chance for meditation.

Tonight you can continue to stay at the local yurt where you stayed the day before. Or, just choose a new one with your personal belongs packed before leave.

Get up in the morning, walk around the yurt or ride a horse to admire the park bathed in morning light. There are still too many things to visit and to feel in this national park. If you are interested in the local life, you can help with the hostess to milk the cows, and help feeding the other livestock, or do other routines like they do in generations. Some tips to the host is welcome. After lunch, you can get to the place where you get off the bus, and then take bus back to Ulaanbaatar.