The story of
this expedition
Expedition Mongolia begins in Brussels. Via Ulaanbaatar you fly on to Ölgii, in the far west of Mongolia, where the country borders Russia and China. From there we drive along snow covered tracks to the foot of the mountains. That is where we are dropped off and carry on under our own power, without signal.
We travel on foot through the snow, over bare ridges and frozen lakes, and cross a glacier on crampons. There are no paths: the group finds its own way. Part of the route we cover on horseback through wide white valleys, the way the herders here do. Days usually stay below freezing and at night it can drop to minus twenty five. We sleep out in the wilderness, under a shelter, and melt snow for drinking water.
In March the Kazakh eagle hunters are in their winter camps. We pay them a visit, drink salted milk tea and watch how a hunter works with his golden eagle. Around 21 March the Kazakhs here celebrate Nauryz, their new year. That is why we chose these weeks: deep winter, with snow on the mountains and clear skies.
On foot
through snow without pathsThere are no paths and no waymarks. We travel on foot through snowy valleys and over bare ridges, finding our own way through uninhabited terrain. Where the ice allows, we cross frozen lakes rather than walk around them. Higher up, the crampons go on for a glacier crossing, with the X Guides in front. The days are long and quiet: all you hear is the wind and your own steps in the snow.
On horseback
with the herders through white valleysIn Mongolia children learn to ride at a very young age. Part of Expedition Mongolia we cover the way the herders do: on horseback, through wide valleys under snow. We ride with a local crew and their horses, at the pace the terrain allows. No riding experience is needed. You travel through the lands of nomads who stay in the mountains with their herds all winter.
Eagle hunters
a visit to their winter campIn the west of Mongolia lives a Kazakh minority that has hunted with golden eagles for centuries, mostly in winter. In March the hunters are in their winter camps, and that is where we pay them a visit. You drink their salted milk tea and see up close how a hunter works with his eagle. Around 21 March the Kazakhs celebrate Nauryz, their new year, right in the middle of Expedition Mongolia.
What makes this
expedition unique?
Dropped in the mountains
Off grid expedition, driven along snowy tracks and dropped at the foot of the mountains.
On foot and on horseback
Trekking through snow and mountains, and part of the route on horseback through white valleys.
Frozen lakes and a glacier
Crossing frozen lakes and a glacier on crampons.
With the eagle hunters
A visit to Kazakh hunters and their golden eagles, in the weeks of Nauryz.
In the cold, the difference lies in small things: dry socks, eating before you feel hungry, never putting your gloves down in the snow. If you practise that at home, you no longer have to think about it out there. That leaves your head free for the landscape, the silence and the people who live here all winter.Koen De LeeuwFounder and expedition leader, known from De Expeditie on PlayParacommando · Wilderness First Responder Meet Koen
De Expeditie
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Play MediaEverything about
Expedition Mongolia
Route, preparation, guidance, safety and price, together in one document.
Download the presentation PDF, straight to your device after leaving your email address.How we
work
Self-sufficient,
never alone
Once we are dropped off, we are off grid. We melt snow for drinking water, cook our own expedition food on the stove and sleep out in the wilderness, under a shelter.
You learn to navigate uninhabited terrain, to stay warm at minus twenty five and to cross a glacier on crampons, guided by an experienced X Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
Safety and
guidance
Safety is our top priority. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold a Wilderness First Responder certificate and have years of experience in extreme conditions.
The expedition leaders carry two separate means of satellite communication, and someone at our basecamp in Belgium can be reached day and night. We work with an evacuation plan, fixed safety procedures and local support in Mongolia.
Before departure we carry out a thorough risk analysis, which a team of experts reviews.
Preparation
of 3 to 6 months
The programme starts after you sign up with a kick off. Monthly group training sessions and a technical training follow, with a final check two weeks before departure.
Everything
at a glance
All prices are per person and exclude flights. We book flights together with you during the preparation programme.
- Departure
- 10/03 to 25/03/2028
- Duration
- 16 days
- Level
- Challenge4/5
- Group
- 6 to 12 participants
- Price
- €5,900 ppIncl. preparation programme
Included
- Full 3 to 6 month preparation programme
- Expedition leader Koen De Leeuw and professional X Guides
- Local crew and horses
- Survival equipment and sleeping setup, including backpack and sleeping bag
- Navigation, satellite communication and jetboils
- All overnight stays
- All meals during the expedition
- All local transport
- All local tips
Not included
- Flights
- Transport to and from the airport
- Personal clothing (top, bottom, footwear)
- Insurance (cancellation and search and rescue)
I felt in good hands from the very first moment. Our guides were calm, enthusiastic and knew exactly what they were doing. The nature was raw and the conditions were tough, but that is exactly what made it so intense. What stays with me most: how quickly a group of strangers became a real team. That alone makes this expedition unforgettable. I recommend it to everyone.
Frequently asked questions
See all questionsHow do I get to western Mongolia?
You fly from Brussels via Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii, the main town of Bayan Ölgii province in the far west of the country. From there we drive together along snow covered tracks to the starting point in the mountains. Local transport is included. Flights are not included: we book them with you during the preparation programme and invoice them separately.
How cold is Mongolia in March?
In the mountains of western Mongolia, days usually stay below freezing and nights can drop to minus twenty five degrees. There is snow on the ground, the lakes are frozen and the skies are often clear. Element X provides a backpack and a sleeping bag suited to this cold. We go through your layers of clothing together at the kick off.
When does Expedition Mongolia depart and what does it cost?
Expedition Mongolia runs from 10 to 25 March 2028, sixteen days in total. The price is €5,900 per person, excluding flights and including the 3 to 6 month preparation programme. We chose March because it is deep winter in the mountains: snow, frozen lakes and clear skies. The Kazakh eagle hunters are in their winter camps, and around 21 March they celebrate Nauryz, the Kazakh new year.
Can I visit the Kazakh eagle hunters?
Yes. During Expedition Mongolia we visit Kazakh eagle hunters in their winter camp. You drink salted milk tea and see up close how a hunter works with his golden eagle. It is a visit: we do not stay overnight with the hunters.
How demanding is Expedition Mongolia?
The level is Challenge (4/5). You spend long days outside in the cold, on foot through snow without paths and partly on horseback, with a glacier crossing on crampons. You do not need to be a top athlete or have experience with snow, glaciers or horse riding: navigation and moving on snow are covered in the technical training during the preparation programme.
Where do we sleep during the expedition?
Outside in the wilderness, under a shelter. Exactly where we spend the night depends on the weather and the terrain. Element X provides your backpack and sleeping bag, which you receive before departure. Your sleeping setup is covered in the technical training.
How safe is Expedition Mongolia?
Safety is our top priority. Our X Guides hold a Wilderness First Responder certificate, the expedition leaders carry two separate means of satellite communication and someone at our basecamp in Belgium can be reached day and night. We work with an evacuation plan, a risk analysis and local support in Mongolia. Weather and snow help decide how far we go.
Who leads Expedition Mongolia?
Koen De Leeuw, expedition leader at Element X and known from the TV programme De Expeditie. He leads the group together with an X Guide and a local crew.
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Your expedition to Mongolia
starts with a conversation
Your preparation is included and starts 3 to 6 months before departure.