Philip Lhamsuren

A passionate adventurer, writer and explorer, Philip Lhamsuren has been roaming the ‘abandoned roads’ of the world since 1997. His first major journey is a return to his Mongolian roots. Having spent years in a refugee camp as a child, trained in the French Foreign Legion, he sets off on a journey of discovery in the vast territories of Central Asia and Southern Siberia. Travelling by foot, in a rickety boat, on horse or camelback he grows up on these journeys and discovers his true self by spending time in Nature. There, surrounded by mountains, silence and the shadows of the campfire he comes up with the idea of expeditions powered by human force alone.

***

‘The human body is the most honest means of transport; physical effort encourages our spirit to soar and makes us better people’.

***

His exploration into the limits of body and mind has taken him to dozens of the remotest parts of the world – from Chechnya and the deserts of Asia all the way to the Amazon jungle. Philip believes that we humans should push ourselves not only in pursuit of an active lifestyle but also in order to transcend beyond the boundaries of our own stereotypes.

” Reaching a destination means nothing unless you reach out to yourself

2016

Danube river

sporting competition

Philip participated in the ‘Dunav Ultra – River monsters’. A 48-hour marathon along his favourite river – the Danube, which covers 682 km of running and cycling. The idea of this challenge is to promote tourism in the area and to attract attention to the beauties of the river.

2015

Amazonia

almost shot

Once again on his own, carried forward by the strength of his muscles, Philip embarked on his next expedition by bike from an Ecuadorian fishing village on the Pacific coast. He crossed the Andes and summited the highest point traversed by the Equator – Cayambe (5,790 m). Entering the Amazon jungle he ditched the bicycle for an inflatable boat and purchased an Indian dugout. He survived on fish, spending nights on the banks of the river. His survival was put to the test in an accident on the river in which he lost a large portion of his equipment; he was also robbed and targeted in a shooting. After almost three toilsome months on the river, his journey was brought to an abrupt end at the

Colombo-Brazilian border. He succeeded in covering only about 40% of the intended route.

This mission awaits its completion.

2014

Aquatic Horizons

670km x 2 kayak + bike

In preparation for his next project in the Amazon, Philip took to the waters of the largest river in Europe – the Danube. He travelled the entire length of its Bulgarian portion by kayak and then again by bike (670 km).

2013

Rodhope to Pamir

10 000km by bike

Philip set off alone, by bike, with minimum equipment. This expedition later received the name “Abandoned roads“.

He started off from the Rhodope Mountain, following the southern coast of the Black Sea into Turkey and from then on cycled through Georgia and the Russian republics in the Caucasus where radical Islam and Russian military units render the region a dangerous zone. Next he journeyed through several steppes and deserts in Kalmykia and Uzbekistan, crossing the dry bottom of Aral Sea. At significant elevation in the Pamir, at the border between Tadzhikistan and Afghanistan, Philip was struck down by a severe bout of dysentery but despite this predicament managed, after 157 gruelling days, to reach his final destination – the Tian Shan Mountain.

The travel notes from this journey were published in a book entitled ‘The Abandoned Roads’. It went through several editions, becoming one of the bestselling titles in Bulgaria for which, in 2014, Philip was nominated for the prestigious award ‘Enlightener of the Year’, presented by Radio FM+.

2012

Bulgaria

children camps Beglika

Over the summer months Philip began working with children at Beglika forest camp in the western parts of the Rhodopi mountains. For four years he made it his mission to inspire and educate children through direct contact with nature.

2011

India

Hymalayas

Over the course of several months, Philip flirted with the Himalayas in Northern India, trekking from Dharamshala to Kullu and scaled his first major peaks.

2009

Bulgaria

documentary by bike

A year later, he directed a documentary in which he follows his own journey by bike across Bulgaria.

2009

Mongolia

below – 45º

Philip spent one of the coldest winters at below -45°С temperatures in a northern Mongolian province. More than eight million domestic animals perished in the severe “zud”. Philip survived by hunting in the taiga and filled several travel logs with notes on his experiences which later made their way into his first book – ‘The Soul of Man’ – published in 2011. The book won the special prize at the Southern Spring National Competition for Debut Literature.

2008

Panama

Suvivor
reality show

Philip participated in the ‘SURVIVOR – PEARL ISLANDS’ TV format, shot in Panama. The show was broadcast by one of the leading Bulgarian televisions and climbed to the position of top-rated show of the year. Philip was the general darling of the audience.

2001-2007

France

military affair

At 20, Philip received Bulgarian citizenship. He completed his military service after which, over a brief period of time, he mastered several professions – blacksmith, chef, gardener, assistant-jeweller. He decided to leave for France where he served in the French Foreign Legion. In the army he acquired significant experience, undergoing several types of training, but the everyday life of a soldier and loss of faith in the cause he was serving prompted him to become a pacifist. He left the army in 2007.

1997 – 1999

Mongolia

maturing

At 17, Philip turned his back on Europe for more than two years, in order to return to his roots and strengthen his blood ties with Mongolia. In the course of this adventure he discovered the peculiar state in which man becomes one with land and nature. He spent his time hunting and traversing the steppes on horseback.