How to get started?

Even the greatest explorers and adventurers have started off from somewhere – there is always a ‘first’ expedition, a first step into the unknown. We shouldn’t regard those people as part of an elite circle. In reality the first steps into a microexpedition are quite simple. All you need is the urge/itch to begin. Courage, luck and experience are not that important at the beginning. What you need is passion, faith, will and curiosity.

What do we need to know before embarking on an expedition?

An expedition is not only about reaching a specific goal – we need to be aware of its deeper meaning and our real motives for undertaking it. We need to make the distinction between what we are and how we act. Only then can we set about packing our backpack.
Once we arrive at our designated starting point, everything we do will have an effect on others, both people and places, so we shouldn’t forget that we are visitors in someone else’s community or country.
A good rule of thumb is to show respect to everyone you meet and take the time and effort to explain what you are doing there and why. Learn at least a handful of words in the local language. This is one of the shortest paths toward overcoming cultural barriers.
Many tour operators offer cheap holidays by cutting the pay of local service providers. They treat local people unfairly in order to boost their own profits. Bear in mind that the recent boom in adventure tourism has brought on significant damage and that what we do when travelling will always have certain negative consequences. For example, each flight we take belches forth tonnes of greenhouse gases, each ride on a 300 horsepower motorboat speeding amid the fragile Amazonian ecosystem will disturb the harmony and delicate balance of nature. What I am saying is that our impact is not only environmental, but also social. Exploitation of locals and the gradual extinction of wild plants and animals is a very real problem in developing countries – precisely where the abundance of natural beauty will most probably draw us.
I for one invest a lot of time and dreams in doing what I do. I would never pretend to have covered the entire route to the North Pole where in fact I have only travelled the last 100 kilometres. Not that I am making light of this type of expedition, but I cannot imagine being part of such a format.
For me an expedition is endowed with its own awareness; it is the visceral fusion of everything I know and feel, a reduced-scale version of the eternal theme of Man within Nature.

A journey along abandoned roads is an expedition with a peculiar attitude. A concept which has grown with and within us, has carried us over the ridges of life until one day we set off together, in the same direction, and slowly begin to develop certain feelings toward ourselves, toward others and the world. This is my definition of a shared expedition.

What are the types expeditions along the abandoned roads of our planet?

	Level 1: Travel expedition Off road expeditions involving all-terrain / high-mobility vehicles, horseback riding, camel caravans and trekking. This type allows a glimpse into nomadic mentality (life on the road) and serves as training level for beginners. It draws us into the world of adventure.
	Level 2: Adventure expedition Self-propelled expeditions – cycling expeditions, canoeing (rafting) expeditions, trekking or mountaineering, sleeping in the open and many other varieties. This level requires us to employ basic skills, such as orientation skills, survival skills and camping in an all-natural, extreme environment.
	Level 3: Extreme expedition Tailored (private) expeditions backed with logistic support and assistance, guidance and suggestions for your personal projects.
	Level 4: Solo expedition Solo expeditions by Philip Lhamsuren.
	Private expedition & Projects Tailored (private) expeditions backed with logistic support and assistance, guidance and suggestions for your personal projects.

What to look for in a good expedition?

Interesting destination – Experiencing exciting new places and cultures is what makes expeditioning such a feast for the soul. Your goal does not have to be on the other side of the world nor does it have to top the charts of exotic destinations. There are plenty of untamed territories to investigate. Avoid opting for the most attractive option – nowadays everything has been reduced to an easy-to-purchase tourist package. The sheer effort of getting somewhere delivers far greater satisfaction because there are no clear paths and no expectations to be met, because we have chosen to take the plunge into the unknown and to see what it has to offer.
Every journey that we undertake is either the result of or the preparation for a new expedition into the world of solo adventure. In such places my heart seems to beat stronger. Places where I immerse myself using nothing but my own strength; old or future routes which will bring both ecstasy and adversity.

Safety  – With proper preparation even the most extreme of expeditions could involve very little risk. To this end all participants must undergo a medical test and be completely honest regarding any previous traumas or surgeries. Never downplay details that may appear negligible but may turn into huge liabilities.

Team – Meeting everyone for the first time at the airport would mean that we are leaving things to chance. A closely-knit group is essential. A well-organised expedition relies on a carefully selected team members and experienced local staff, as well as a sophisticated on-the-spot support system.

I was bitten by the adventure bug early on. Each step I have ever made has been supported by somebody’s positive thoughts. Your faith in my dreams makes their fulfilment easier and smoother. This energy is very real. I can feel it. It truly exists.