Riding on ice by sidecar: the expedition of the year
Riding across a frozen lake in the heart of the Mongolian winter aboard a Royal Enfield sidecar: this is the extraordinary expedition we offer with The Ride of the Great Cold. An eight-day motorcycle tour in Mongolia created for riders who want to venture where very few travellers ever go.
Following Sylvain Tesson’s tracks on Lake Khövsgöl
A few years ago, Sylvain Tesson set out across legendary Lake Khövsgöl in the heart of Mongolia. For several days, he rode over the ice through an endless white landscape, with temperatures approaching -30°C. That adventure inspired a book, a film and a true modern myth.
Today, we invite you to experience that same expedition spirit. The highlight of this Mongolia winter motorcycle raid is a ride of more than 130 kilometres across the ice of Lake Khövsgöl, where snow and sky seem to merge at the horizon.
Two riders, one Royal Enfield sidecar
Each sidecar is shared by two riders, who regularly alternate between the handlebars and the sidecar. This rhythm lets you share the experience and better handle the extreme conditions of the Mongolian winter. Leading the expedition is Ismaël, our Royal Enfield motorcycle travel expert, carrying on the spirit of the original adventure with one clear mission: taking you where few travellers dare to go.
- Ride across the ice of legendary Lake Khövsgöl
- Experience the magic of the Mongolian winter
- Meet the nomads of the steppes
Much more than a frozen-lake crossing
The journey also takes you through Ulaanbaatar, the Tsenkher hot springs, Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongol Empire, and the dunes of Khogno Khan. In winter, camels cross a desert covered in snow—an extraordinary scene that is entirely real. You can also explore our other motorcycle tours in Mongolia.
Next departure: January 3, 2027
The next departure is scheduled for January 3, 2027. Pull on your warmest gloves and get ready for an adventure unlike any other. Discover The Ride of the Great Cold with Planet Ride.