Wondering through the Mongolian Desert +++ Part 1

It was January 1999 when I spent weeks of planning for my journey to the Gobi desert in Mongolia. Trying to set challenging objectives and stuff to explore in a far and cold land was not that easy, I could imagine the vast landscapes of the Gobi, the snowcapped mountains of Bayan-Ölgi and the dramatic gorges and sparkling lakes of Khövsgöl and the cry of an eagle sprinkled in the felt homes of the nomad .

Buddhist temples, mysterious ruins, abundant wildlife and legendary hospitality top it all off with a conqueror who started with nothing and ended up changing history.

Asia’s coldest desert (Gobi) covers parts of northern and northwestern China, and of southern Mongolia. The desert basins of the Gobi are bounded by the Altai Mountains and the grasslands and steppes of Mongolia on the north, by the Hexi corridor and Tibetan Plateau to the southwest.

Deserts have always been my fondest places. In my childhood I enjoyed playing with sand a lot and being in empty and vast spaces, yet that was nothing in comparison to this fresh and real adventure!

Having read how bitterly cold the climate can be, I made sure that my big fur coat was packed first! I remembered that I also needed my waterproof jacket and a good walking boots, plus tons of thin layers of woollen clothing. I dreaded to look again in my guide book especially in the climate section where it said that average winter minimals are a frigid -40 °C, nevertheless that hasn’t changed my determination and passion to discover new places.

At that time, there were no direct flights to Mongolia, therefore I had to fly to Russia and catch the Trans-Mongolian train from Moscow, which makes it a particularly exhilarating entry into the country!

Dalanzadgad was my destination, where I was to carry on my journey on the back of a Mongolian Wild donkey to the next village, spend the night over at one of the Nomad Ger tent) which is made of Bactrian Camel’s skin, then heading to the desert the next day. I was so thrilled and impatient to do this incredible voyage!