07 July Amsterdam - Moscow
11 July Moscow - Altai
09 September Altai - Novosibirsk
13 September Novosibirsk - Moscow
15 September Moscow - Amsterdam

Arita Baaijens, biologist, explorer and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, will travel on horseback in the remote Golden Mountains of the Altai in Russia, Kazachstan, China and Mongolia to search for the mythical kingdom Shambala. And en route she will explore nature and the properties of time, space and reality. 

North of the Himalayas the wind blows across the Tibetan plateau before it gets lost in a maze of mountain ranges. Somewhere in those mountains in Inner Asia, surrounded by icy peaks, glaciers and frozen rivers, lies the mythical kingdom Shambala.

The existence of Shambala was mentioned in ancient Tibetan Buddhism scriptures. Some believe this Pure Land only represents a spiritual place, yet others—such as the Dalai Lama—believe the kingdom has a geographical location and can be found by enlightened souls.

Buddhists, spiritual seekers, explorers and adventurers alike have tried to find the fabulous kingdom. Of the ones who did come back from the dangerous journey, only a handful claimed to have found the kingdom. Alas, nobody could remember the route (although ancient guidebooks exist).