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December 20, 2021
Mongolia's Middle Gobi

Wild Research Mongolia Expedition

Our Wild Research Mongolia expeditions offer a unique opportunity to explore and discover parts of the country that we know and want to understand better. This knowledge enriches our small group and tailor-made experiences. It’s also a chance for the local Mongolian people we work in local long-term community partnerships with to show us the hidden side of their homeland.

In each Mongolia experience we offer , we conduct our own research, drive the distances, engage with local communities, build contacts, design, and run the entire experience ourselves. We do not source our itineraries from other agents, nor do we rely on other agents to run our tour experiences. This is why we undertake our own research expeditions in Mongolia, and occasionally, we invite international guests to join us.

Over the years, we have led numerous research trips. We ask our guests to be completely flexible, as the route is not preplanned in minute detail. This flexibility allows us to adapt and tweak our plans based on what we learn from the locals and the places they wish to share with us.

We emphasise that experiencing Mongolia’s landscapes is a core part of our Mongolia research expeditions. Time spent exploring and simply being in these landscapes is uplifting and enlightening, and is an essential element of our research trips.

Our research trips are not tests of endurance or competitive races. While there may be some challenges, the focus is on seeing Mongolia from a different perspective, discovering new horizons, and enjoying the great outdoors. These are slower-paced, more immersive experiences.

Here are a few quotes from our previous research trips:

Sunset at Khar Nuur in Zavkhan Province

 

‘As we bounce our way down a particularly boulder-strewn gully we are suddenly confronted with a breathtaking vista. The bluest of blue lakes nestled snuggly amongst dark rocky crags and flanked by golden brown sand dunes. A herd of Bactrian camels stroll lazily across our path and a pair of brilliant white whooper swans cruise gracefully along the shoreline.

As we traverse the southern shoreline the colour of the lake changes constantly with the light – amethyst, jade, emerald, silver and turquoise, while from our campsite nestled between the lake and the dunes the soft  pastel pinks, blues and mauves of opal in the eastern sky at sunset are reflected in the mirror-like surface of the lake. The name of this gem is Khar, a very simple name for a simply beautiful place. We are lulled to sleep by the gentle lapping of small waves idling across the lake ahead of a gentle breeze.’

EL guest John Holman, Wild Treks Research Mongolia Expedition

‘Our reward is another spectacularly broad river valley flanked by peaks sporting some amazingly sculpted granite outcrops. Camp is set up on the bank of the Buyant Gol River. We soon discover that, from just a short distance downstream of the camp, we can catch a tantalising glimpse of our objective, Otgon Tenger, the most sacred mountain in Mongolia standing proudly at the head of an adjoining valley. While at 4021 metres it is not the tallest mountain in Mongolia it has a permanent mantle of snow and gives rise to the only glacier in this range. 

Next morning we are reminded, not only that winter is on the way but that camp is located at about 2500 metres for there is a generous layer of ice on the tents and even the edges of the fast flowing are sporting mantles of ice. The sun and the eternal blue sky soon brighten the day, however.’

EL guest John Holman, Wild Treks Research Mongolia Expedition

 

Protector Deity Ochirvan of Otgon Tenger Mountain during our wild research Mongolia expedition

Protector Deity Ochirvan of Otgon Tenger Mountain in Mongolia. Mongolians consider the mountain to be the mystical abode of Ochirvan – the fierce, dark blue protective deity of the Buddhist religion (traditional Mongolian beliefs have held that wrathful deities inhabit many of Mongolia’s sacred mountains).

 

Otgon Tenger Uul would have to be my most memorable cultural experience.  Seeing the reverence Turuu  showed to the mountain and lake, taking part in the lake water ritual, knowing, seeing and experiencing the significance of the area made it a very special day.’

EL guest Ross Briggs, Wild Treks Research Mongolia Expedition

‘The Gobi will make you question everything you thought you knew about the desert. It will strip the layers of expectation, familiarity and ‘seen it all before’ mentality from the harshest of critics. No longer will you compartmentalise landscapes into preconceived boxes. 

Barren rocky outcrops, glistening natural springs bordered by lush green trees, wind swept dunes and blazing sunsets amongst the ghosts of prehistoric creatures. From the furgon, the back of a camel and on foot I moved through these changing scenes like the sole actress on a deserted film set. 

Hours spent with eyes squinted, brow furrowed in concentration. How could I possibly describe in words the immense space that was in front of me? 

The remoteness lends itself to a sense of freedom and unconscious ownership. Just when you feel an element of power over the landscape, mother earth will remind you of your perilous position in the world.’ 

EL guest Megan Greentree, Wild Gobi Research Mongolia Expedition

The sandstone formations of Khermen Tsav in Mongolia's southern Gobi Desert during our Wild Research Mongolia Expedition

The sandstone formations of Khermen Tsav in Mongolia’s southern Gobi Desert during an EL Wild Research Mongolia Expedition

‘Six Mongolian Bactrian camels took us across the foothills of the mighty sand dunes of Khongoryn Els, led by Bagi, a local herder and, our guide.  

The dunes of Khongoryn Els sweep up against Zöölön Uul, a mountain range that is at the easterly reach of the Gobi Altai. You could say the dunes were a mountain range themselves. They are mammoth, the highest peak of sand being approximately 300m. They present the stereotypical beauty I think of in relation to a desert; sweeping lines and sharp contrasting forms lit by an unforgiving sun. There is certainly a beauty here, however, it is the gravel plains of the Gobi that stop my heart and leave my mind gaping in painful awe.‘

Sovay Berriman, Wild Gobi Research Mongolia Expedition

 

Wolf prints Mongolia Gobi Desert, wild research Mongolia expedition

Wolf prints outside our tent during the research expedition for our five-day camel trekking experience

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our Wild Research Mongolia Expeditions, get in touch with Jess for details. While we frequently conduct research, we don’t always open up the trips for guests—it depends on what we’re researching and the location. However, it’s always worth asking!

Jessica Brooks
Jessica Brooks
I'm Jess Brooks, the founder of Eternal Landscapes Mongolia and the voice behind EL's blog posts. For almost two decades, since 2006, I've been based in Mongolia, working closely with my beloved Mongolian team to advocate for a tourism approach that brings about positive change.. What sets our blog apart is our deep understanding of Mongolia—our home. Unlike content from influencers or creators, our posts prioritise authenticity and firsthand knowledge as guiding principles.