Top 10 Mountain Biking Vacations - Asia/Far East

With enough backpackers and thrill seekers to fill the Sahara, Asia's biking routes are constantly redefining itself to cash in on the demands of visitors. Here you will find not only the highest mountains in the world, but isolated tribal regions, lush jungles, and dense forests. Culture and crowds are in your face at every turn, so head off into the wilderness where some of the most raw, rugged terrain in the world is waiting.

1. Celestial Mountains to Kirghizstan, Kazakhstan

   This spectacular journey under 22,965 foot peaks, through vast open steppes filled home to nomadic horsemen, would make even Borat proud.

2. Hindu Kush, Pakistan

   Glaciers line the Hunza Valley in Northern Pakistan where you'll ride a rugged route across dirt roads and jeep tracks.

3. Paro to the Eastern Border, Bhutan

   This route along high Himalayan passes is one of the most challenging, and desolate, routes in the world.

4. Gobi Desert - Khangai Range, Mongolia

   Riding across the Gobi desert and Khangai Mountains in northern Mongolia is as far away from civilization as you can get, unless you count grazing horses and yaks.

5. Tiger Leaping Gorge, China

   China's Yunnan province, home to spectacular mountains and nearly half of the countries wildlife species, is the setting for one of the country's top mountain biking trips. Here you will traverse Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.

6. Borneo, Malayasia

   Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia's highest peak, is only part of what you will find in this wild island, you'll also encounter orangutans, lush jungle, hot springs, and craggy volcanic terrain.

7. Lhasa to Katmandu, Tibet

   The Everest Base camp and the Rongbuk Monastery are among the extraordinary stops on this incredibly challenging bike route that only the advanced cyclists should attempt.

8. Laos

   Laos' rugged northernmost regions are chock full of riding trails. You'll find limestone mountains, H'mong villages, waterfalls, and rice fields, as well as the beautiful city of Luang Prabang.

9. Silk Road, China

   This trip across Western China was once part of the Spice route to Rome, now the stunning deserts and mountains, along with Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors, rarely see westerners.

10. The Golden Triangle, Thailand

    The lawless border area near Laos and Burma is home to Hill Tribes like the Karen and Akha, as well as village paths and elephant trails perfect for some fat tire riding.