Mongolia, One Change of Plans at a Time

We've been in Mongolia for six days now.

After landing in Ulaanbaatar, we headed east. The first kilometres rolled by on smooth tarmac, but it didn't take long before the asphalt disappeared beneath our wheels. Suddenly, we found ourselves riding through a huge open valley, choosing between countless singletracks stretching across the landscape.

That first day ended with one of those moments that makes travelling unforgettable. A local Mongolian family invited us to spend the night at their home. They welcomed us with a traditional bowl of milk filled with pieces of sheep. Safe to say it's not something we'd usually eat back in Europe, but experiences like these are exactly why we travel.

The following day, we crossed several mountain passes on our way to Terelj. It's remarkable how quickly Mongolia makes you feel completely remote. Within just a few kilometres of leaving the capital behind, the crowds disappear and you're surrounded by endless landscapes.

Originally, our plan was simple: ride from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing, spending only a few days in Mongolia before continuing south towards the desert. That plan lasted about as long as the first stretch of tarmac.

It quickly became clear that northern Mongolia deserved far more than a quick visit. Instead of rushing through, we've decided to spend the entire month exploring the country before heading west into the Khangai Mountains.

What has surprised us most, though, hasn't just been the scenery.

It's the people.

Once you're outside the capital, Mongolians are incredibly welcoming and endlessly curious about our journey. A few years ago, we spent a month riding across Iran, and I remember thinking I'd never meet people more hospitable than the Iranians. Mongolia is proving me wrong. The kindness we've experienced here has been just as memorable.