Mountain Bike Tours
Get off the pavement and hit some epic single & double tracks on these fantastic mountain bike tours! Touring by mountain bike opens up an entirely new world of exploration. Travel through terrain that’s inaccessible to road bikes and cover more ground than you could if you were traveling by foot!
With endless possibilities for riding remote trails in places like Nepal, around Mount Kilimanjaro, and through the Andes, you’ll find tours for everyone. These mountain biking tours, whether guided or self-guided, are planned by professionals who will outfit you with the best gear. See what’s waiting for you!
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- Cycle through the rural scenery of the renowned Peruvian Andes
- Discover historical Machu Picchu—a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Stay in hotels, homestays, hostels, and spend nights camping
- Explore the incredible Atlas Mountains by mountain bike
- Take in the gorgeous sights at Ouirgane National Park
- Experience a traditional way of life in Berber villages
- Cycle between picturesque coastal towns like Rab and Zadar
- Ride exciting gravel trails through incredible Croatian scenery
- Visit stunning beaches and quiet coves along your bike route
- Take in the bustle of Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar
- Experience a different lifestyle in small villages and settlements
- Ride through the rugged and picturesque Mongolian landscape
- Follow the shorelines of two gorgeous lakes in the Balkans
- Experience local culture in small villages around the lakes
- Ride through untouched nature in national parks and reserves
Types of Mountain Bike Tours
You’ll find various types of mountain bike tours all over the world. Some are fully guided group tours, others are private guided tours, and still others are self-guided tours in some locations. Lodging accommodations run the range from rustic shelters to comfortable hotels. Got time? You can also find mountain bike tours of different lengths, from just a few days to over a few weeks.
These are the reasons why mountain bike tours are so popular among adventure travelers. There are so many combinations of tours available to suit different styles. And we haven’t even started talking about the breathtaking scenery yet!
Guided Mountain Bike Tours
Guided mountain bike tours are the way to go if you’re looking at participating in this sport during your holiday. Having a guide is beneficial for several outstanding reasons. There’s the distinct advantage that your guide will show you the way and teach you about everything you’ll see on your tour, also serving as an interpreter when needed.
But then there are the advantages of guided mountain bike tours that not many people consider at first. Mountain biking is inherently risky, especially when you’re in remote areas of foreign countries. Guides are your lifeline when the weather turns foul or you take a spill. They’re the most experienced at reading trail conditions, the sky, and rider fatigue. They’ll help speed up any repairs that might be necessary, and when it’s beyond repair, the guides are your way out.
Most guided mountain bike tours are organized as group tours, especially the more economical options. This is a great way to make new friends and save some money, but be aware that you’ll be traveling at the pace of the group. Some tour operators can organize private guided tours if going in groups isn’t your style.
Self-Guided Mountain Bike Tours
Self-guided mountain bike tours are for the ultimate adventure travelers. They’re not for the timid or the inexperienced, as the demands significantly increase when you’re without a guide.
On a self-guided mountain bike tour, the tour operator still completes most of the logistics, planning, and outfitting for you. But once you start your journey, you’ll be on your own from start to finish! This is often seen as one of the main benefits of a self-guided tour. You have the freedom to get to your destination on your own schedule, not bound by the pace of the rest of the group. And for many, the great outdoors is best enjoyed with a small, tight group of friends.
The most important consideration for a self-guided mountain bike tour is that everyone you travel with should be both skilled and self-sufficient. Without a guide, you’re on your own for reading the trail, understanding weather, making repairs, and getting yourself out of trouble in the rare event you find yourself there.
Benefits of Mountain Bike Tours
The benefits of mountain bike tours run the gamut from stress-free planning to new friendships to airline luggage fee savings. Because when you sign up for a mountain bike tour, either guided or unguided, the tour operators take care of everything for you. They’ll have an itinerary, the gear, logistical assistance, and a guide. Why should you have to worry about any of this? Let the pros do it and enjoy yourself!
On a mountain bike tour, you’ll get access to the scenery that is out of this world! You’ll be able to see natural treasures that other types of tourists will only see in photos. Whether you’re bombing down singletrack in the volcanic and glacier-covered Ecuadorian Andes, following old trails under the shadow of Everest in Nepal, or riding old dirt roads in Bulgaria’s Rhodope mountains, you can guarantee that the scenery will leave an imprint in your memory forever.
Mountain bike tours are also physically and mentally challenging. You’ll really be able to test yourself and expand both your physical and mental limits. Return home not only in better physical shape but also with mental strength that you never knew you had. This will bring immeasurable worth for the rest of your life.
Mountain Bike Tour Requirements
There aren’t a lot of requirements for mountain bike tours, and that’s one of the best things about them. Your tour operator will outfit you with the most critical gear, especially a quality mountain bike. They may also provide other pieces of equipment like saddle bags, water bottles, and GPS units, but you’ll have to check with them before packing for your trip.
The primary consideration when signing up for a mountain bike tour is the physical and technical requirements. Some mountain bike tours follow gently rolling hills on wide double track trails, while other tours have steep ascents and descents on rock-filled switchbacks. Your tour operator will be able to provide you with detailed requirements for how physically demanding the trip will be, and the type of technical skills required. But even if you’re not an expert rider, you’ll still be able to find a memorable tour matching your skills on every continent!
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