At Horseback Mongolia, we love adventure as much as you do. That's why this year, we're heading on a scouting expedition into the Kharkiraa massif, a rarely explored region of Mongolia. Join us and Gregory Rohart, founder of the I-trekkings site, for a unique itinerary from June 8 to 21, discovering wild and nomadic Mongolia.

The mysterious Kharkiraa massif

Located in southwestern Mongolia, the Kharkiraa massif is an ideal destination for nature lovers. This wild region is beautifully preserved and far removed from any tourist trails. Yet it is one of Mongolia's most stunning regions, boasting towering mountains exceeding 4,000 meters in elevation, numerous glaciers, and vast Siberian forests.

It was precisely this remoteness that captivated Gregory Rohart: "What particularly interests me about this journey is the genuine sense of discovery. It's an area off the beaten path, and that's what I love—exploring trails that aren't trampled by everyone else," he says. Gregory has already completed impressive treks across all continents, but this will be his first time in Mongolia.

Located near the city of Ulaangom, the massif is part of the Altai mountain range. It is home to many rare animals, including the snow leopard and the argali. The region is also inhabited by the nomadic "Khoton" people and their herds of yaks, horses, and sheep.

The highest peak in the range is Tsagaan Shuvuut, standing at 4,037 meters. In fact, weather permitting, we'll attempt to summit it!

Nine days of trekking

To explore this region at its best, venture deep into nature, and meet herders, we're offering a challenging 9-day trek. This will allow us to discover the Kharkiraa massif thoroughly and enjoy landscapes otherwise hidden from tourists. We plan for approximately 6-7 hours of hiking per day, but for comfort, your packs will be carried by camels.

"Trekking teaches humility. When you're in the middle of a mountain massif, you feel small, even though humanity is generally all-powerful. It puts things in perspective," explains Gregory, who dedicates his life and career to trekking. "And generally, you have much more sincere and authentic exchanges with local people when you arrive on foot."

A scouting expedition

How does it work? We're inviting you to join us on a scouting expedition into the Kharkiraa massif, a region we ourselves are exploring for the first time! We guarantee an authentic adventure, but the itinerary isn't fixed since you'll be, alongside us, among the first explorers of this zone. This allows you to enjoy an unbeatable rate, €1,400 per person: we take no margin on this journey.

This expedition will be accompanied by a guide from our agency, as well as local guides and cooks who know their lands intimately. And as Gregory Rohart says, "a local guide is the greatest added value on any journey". "They bring their knowledge of the terrain and culture, and better still, they enable us to meet local people."

Marion Biremon