Expedition in the footsteps of Bonvalot in Altyn Tagh

The program is rated moderate physical level, meaning 4 to 7 hours of walking per day with a 10–15 kg pack over varied terrain, tracks, scree, sand, occasional snow, at an average elevation of around 4000 m, with several passes above 5000 m. A progressive fitness programme over several months is expected beforehand, including regular loaded mountain hiking.

Prior experience trekking above 3500 m and camping under canvas for several consecutive weeks is strongly recommended. No technical mountaineering skills are required: the itinerary involves no cramponing, rope work or glacier crossing. What matters most is the ability to live in austere conditions over several weeks, manage effort at altitude and sustain performance on demanding days.

A mandatory preparatory meeting is held in Lyon before departure (Day 0), covering the itinerary, equipment and logistics in detail. A personalised equipment list is provided to each participant at that meeting. Reading Bonvalot's original account ('À travers le Tibet inconnu', 1892) is recommended to understand the historical and geographical context of the programme.

The ascent is progressive: starting at 3000 m (Golmud, Day 3), first bivouacs at 4100 m (Day 5), then three weeks on a high plateau averaging 4000–4500 m. The highest passes, Fongchenkou (5073 m) and Karamiran (5200 m), come mid-programme, once the body is well adapted. There are no rotations to altitude camps: acclimatisation relies on the linear progression of the route and a daily pace that the lead guide adjusts to the group's condition.

The programme unfolds in three stages: a connection and altitude-gain phase from Xining to Golmud (Days 1-5); 17 to 18 days of immersion inside the Altyn-Tagh Reserve (Days 6-23), crossing the Prjevalski and Arkatagh ranges and approaching Ulugh Muztagh (6973 m); then a return through Xinjiang (Ruoqiang, Korla, Urumqi) over 4 to 6 days. The reserve itinerary follows the geographical order of Bonvalot's 1889 expedition, reconstructed from original accounts and satellite data.

The lead guide has full authority to modify or interrupt the program according to weather, the group's physical condition or safety requirements. Buffer days are built into the schedule, notably in Urumqi, to absorb delays without compromising return flights. The small group size (2 to 4 participants) makes real-time adjustments straightforward.

The terrain alternates between 4×4 tracks, unmarked paths, stream crossings, sandy plateaux, moraines and scree slopes. The most demanding sections are the high passes, Fongchenkou (5073 m) and Karamiran (5200 m), as well as long stages on the 4200–4400 m plateau exposed to wind and sub-zero night temperatures. No section requires technical equipment such as crampons, rope or ice axe.

The route reconstructs the exact path taken by Gabriel Bonvalot, Pierre-Gabriel Capus and Prince Henri of Orléans in 1889, cross-referenced between the original account and contemporary satellite data. The Altyn-Tagh Reserve, strictly regulated and home to only two permanent nomadic families, is one of the most remote areas of Central Asia accessible to accompanied travellers. This makes the programme a genuine geographical world-first exploration.

Bruno Paulet, with over 30 years of High Asia experience, leads the expedition. He is accompanied by a Chinese francophone guide specialising in this area and two drivers, one of whom handles high-altitude bivouac cooking. The local team's command of Chinese is essential in a zone with numerous official checkpoints. The group is capped at 4 participants, ensuring a high guide-to-participant ratio.

A satellite phone and GPS are carried throughout the expedition, providing emergency communication and position tracking in areas without network coverage. The 4×4 vehicles accompany the group during trekking phases, enabling rapid evacuation if needed. The permanent presence of the driving team maintains a logistical link to support points in case of an incident.

All collective bivouac equipment is provided: high-altitude tents (NorthFace VE25 type), sleeping mats, stoves and fuel. Individual equipment (high-altitude clothing, trekking boots, a sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures, a backpack) remains each participant's responsibility. A personalised list is provided at the preparatory meeting and adjusted to the expected seasonal conditions.

Meals are based on fresh local produce at the start and end of the program. During the 17 to 18 days in the reserve, food consists of pre-prepared freeze-dried rations optimised for caloric density and weight. One of the drivers specialises in high-altitude bivouac cooking. No resupply is possible once inside the reserve, so all food logistics are planned in full before entering the protected zone.

The historical and scientific exploration dimension sets this programme apart from the majority of high-altitude treks in Central Asia: it follows no established trail but reconstructs a 19th-century traverse through a near-inaccessible reserve. The abundant wildlife (Tibetan antelope, kiang, wild yaks) and extreme isolation give each stage the character of a genuine expedition in the fullest sense, well beyond a standard high-altitude trek.

This program is designed as the first phase of a two-stage exploration project: a second expedition aims to complete the full traverse to Lhasa, following the entirety of Bonvalot's 1889 route. For participants wishing to progress towards more technical alpine objectives, EU expeditions to 6000–7000 m summits in Central Asia (Pamir, Tian Shan) offer a natural progression, combining higher altitude with increasing technical demands.