• The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
  • The Empire of the Steppes
Mongolia

The Empire of the Steppes

Réf : AMONGDX

In summary

  • Sports
    Hiking / Trekking
  • Duration
    23 days
  • Level
    Intermediate

    Levels

    Hiking / Trekking
    Beginner
    For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
    Intermediate
    For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
    Confirmed
    For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
    Advanced
    For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and an elevation gain of 700 to 1,200 meters, off-trail or over rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports several times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.
    Expert
    For those who want a challenging hike of 7 to 8 hours per day with over 1200 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years, and you are training for this event.
  • Destination
    Asia / Mongolia
  • Age
    From the age of 18
  • CO₂-Emissions
    4431.62 kg CO2
  • Type of stay
    This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.
    Type of stay
    In a group
  • Languages
    French
    English

In a few words

A grand discovery of Mongolia in 3 weeks, from Lake Khovsgol to the "singing dunes" of the Gobi, passing through the steppes and mountains of the Khangai and the magnificent Orkhon Valley! Our first immersion is in the Siberian atmosphere of Lake Khovsgol, just a few kilometers from the Russian border. We admire the mountains and forest bordering the lake's western shore. A few yurt camps dot the lake's edges. We then depart for Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, a beautiful lake nestled in a wide volcanic valley, bordered by an ancient volcano, "Khorgo," which offers an ideal setting for hiking. We continue our journey towards the steppes and mountains of the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the wild "Eight Lakes" region on foot and stay with local families, a unique experience with nomads. Upon arriving in the Gobi Desert, we were met with a complete change of scenery. The verdant valleys gave way to dunes, in one of the world's largest arid landscapes. We discovered the mythical world of this desert by hiking on its "singing dunes." Throughout our journey, we continued to meet the nomads, renowned for their hospitality.

The highlights

  • An overview of all Mongolian landscapes: steppe, mountains, taiga, desert...
  • Complete exploration of Mongolia, from Lake Khövsgöl to the Gobi dunes
  • Nights spent in yurt camps for a comfortable immersion
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Photos

Sport

Level

Hiking / Trekking

Intermediate

Levels

Hiking / Trekking
Beginner
For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
Intermediate
For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
Confirmed
For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
Advanced
For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and an elevation gain of 700 to 1,200 meters, off-trail or over rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports several times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.
Expert
For those who want a challenging hike of 7 to 8 hours per day with over 1200 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years, and you are training for this event.
For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.

The expert's opinion

Some easy walks with minimal elevation gain, alternating with vehicle journeys. 3 days of moderate trekking, traveling with a caravan of horses.

Varied terrain without difficulty, alternating between dunes and open plains, ideal for beautiful hikes.

Good physical condition and experience with multi-day hikes are preferred. To fully enjoy the trip, it is best to engage in some endurance activity (walking or cycling) 1 to 2 times per week during the months leading up to departure.

Note that Mongolia is a "continent-country": distances by vehicle can be long, sometimes on dirt tracks, which can make the stay a little more demanding (see section "Travel").

In figures

Hiking

  • Average duration/day: 2h30
  • Average daily elevation gain: 49 m
  • Average daily descent: 39 m
  • Maximum altitude: 2300 m

Management

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages ​​spoken:
French
English
Supervisor

Your stay is supervised by a French-speaking Mongolian tour leader. In Mongolia, the terms "interpreter" or "tour leader" are more accurate than "guide": the seasonal nature of the work and the lack of formal training often lead these professionals to hold down another job for part of the year (finance, sports, translation, etc.). Nevertheless, they remain highly proficient in French with extensive field experience.

Your guide ensures your safety, the smooth running of the trip, and the quality of services. Walking and transfer times are approximate. Depending on weather conditions, logistical constraints, or the group's pace, the guide reserves the right to modify the itinerary as needed.

Program

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
  • map

    Flight to Ulaanbaatar

    • Transportation Plane - 13h - 7000km
    • Breakfast included
    • Lunch not included
    • Dinner not included
    Regular flight with a stopover to Ulaanbaatar.
    Day 1

Note

Walking and travel times are approximate. They may vary depending on the group, weather conditions, and operational requirements. The guide reserves the right to modify the program if necessary.

Accommodation

During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
🏨 2-star hotel - Day 2 and 22
🏠 Yurt - Days 3 to 21

Access

Departure
Ulaanbatar
Day 1 : 00h00
End of stay
Ulaanbatar
Day 23 - 23h59

TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY:

Private minibuses are available for our groups. These vehicles are robust and durable enough to handle the Gobi Desert tracks, and are easily repaired in case of breakdown. However, please note that the roads can be in poor condition, which may affect comfort during the journey; this is a challenging aspect of the trip.


Travel times are approximate and may vary depending on weather conditions, road conditions, and other operational circumstances. Break times (meals, restrooms, photos, etc.) are not included in the program times.

Go to the starting point

Access by plane
The nearest airport isUBN - ULAANBATAR

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT:

For flights to Mongolia, we use scheduled flights departing from Paris, primarily with Turkish Airlines or MIAT Mongolian Airlines. Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we may also offer flights with other airlines.

There are no direct flights to Mongolia, so a stopover is necessary. Flights are usually overnight on the outbound journey, arriving the following day. Return flights are often during the day.

Departures from other provincial cities are possible, subject to an additional charge.

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Price details

The price includes

  • Flights Paris / Ulaanbaatar / Paris and airport taxes.
  • Local road transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Full board, except for meals and drinks in Ulaanbaatar
  • Guided by a French-speaking Mongolian guide/interpreter
  • Breakfasts and meals as detailed in each day's itinerary
  • The evening show in Ulaanbaatar
  • Horse or camel ride

The price does not include

  1. Lunches and dinners in Ulaanbaatar (approximately 10 euros per meal)
  2. Drinks
  3. Personal expenses.
  4. Tips

Options

  1. Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities

Specifics

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).


In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.


ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

Equipment

Equipment to bring

  • Sleeping bag (comfort temperature of 0/5°C in June and September, and 10/15°C in July and August)
  • Telescopic hiking poles
  • A sleeping mat or inflatable hiking mattress (optional, to improve sleeping comfort)
  • Headlamp and spare batteries
  • One 1.5 litre water bottle or two equivalent ones (camel bag or rigid water bottles)
  • Water filter or tablets to treat the water before drinking it
  • Toiletries (preferably biodegradable products)
  • Quick-drying towel
  • Biodegradable cleaning wipes
  • Sunglasses with a high protection rating
  • High protection sunscreen
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Mosquito repellent spray
  • Tissues
  • Toilet paper
  • Books, card games... to keep busy at the end of the day
  • Plastic bags to protect your belongings from the rain

Bring a container to collect your hazardous waste (batteries, aerosols, tubes of ointment, film canisters, etc.) so you can take it back to France, where recycling is well-organized and efficient. A tip: try to avoid bringing packaging from any equipment or supplies you may have purchased before leaving. That's one less thing to bring back to France.

Clothing to bring

Recommended equipment for this trip, to be adapted according to the time of year. Note that the weather can change very quickly throughout the day. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing.


  • Cap or hat
  • Hat and gloves (June and September)
  • Neck warmer (buff) or scarf to protect oneself from the sun
  • T-shirt or shirt made of synthetic material (quick-drying)
  • Thermal underwear (t-shirt and tights) for the night
  • Warm fleece jacket
  • Waterproof and breathable windproof jacket with hood
  • Rain cape
  • Puffer jacket for breaks or in the evening
  • Comfortable walking pants
  • Walking socks
  • Waterproof and sturdy walking shoes with a grippy sole
  • Light shoes or sandals for evenings and travel days
  • A swimsuit might be useful
The Paulin team
Decathlon Travel Partner

The Paulin team

4.4/5 (1436 reviews) • 448 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
Discover their team and their trips
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