Khongor Sand Dunes – Mongolia Travel Destinations

The Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes, also known as Duut Mankhan – the Singing Dunes. These are the largest sand dunes in the Mongolian Gobi Desert. However, they represent only 3-5% of the entire landmass of the Gobi Desert. They form part of the immense Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park – Mongolia’s largest national park.

Families who live alongside Khongoryn Els make their home close to the banks of the small but essential Khongoryn Gol. This small river creates a small unique microclimate and ecosystem allowing grasses, plants and edible berries to grow and for an environment suitable for insect and birdlife to flourish. Common birds found here are fork-tailed swifts, desert wheatears, northern lapwings and desert warblers.

The sand dunes stretch for about 180km long and 12km wide in a valley squeezed between the Bayan Tsagaan Mountains to the north and the Zoolon and Sevrey Mountains to the south. The highest dunes rise around 200m from the valley floor and occur near the north-western end of the dune field.

The dunes are aligned in the same direction as the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan and the Sevrey mountain range. The prevailing wind funnelling along the corridor made by the two chains seems to sweep lighter grains from the surrounding desert and pile them along the lowest section of the outwash plains into this great wall, with lower dunes behind it as if in a rain shadow.  The dunes are not a static feature – the constituent parts move whilst the form remains permanent.  Dig down and you will find dampness – for the dunes not to it not to dry out, the surface sand must be constantly renewed.

The sands mostly sing when the wind blows from the east to the west – when the grains of sand with a layer of silica is set moving by the wind, vibrating together to make a deep hum.

Naturally, the dunes attract high visitor numbers – especially at sunset. That’s why we recommend taking an extended camel trek so that you can explore the immense landscapes away from the crowds

Things to do in Khongoryn Els Dunes: 

• Camel trekking through dunes, and surrounding areas
• Visiting a camel breeder nomadic family to learn how they take care of their livestock animals, how they milk female camels and produce dairy products by camel’s milk and experience Gobi nomads’ traditions, cultures and lifestyle.
• Trekk to the Duun Mankhan dune to see the sunset in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. This is the highlight for many of our guests.
• Plant a tree(s) near our green lodge in the Gobi desert against desertification.

Thing(s) not to do when you are in Khongoryn Els:

• Sliding from dunes by sledge: Many tour agencies and travel organizers provide this type of activity for their travellers, but we don’t recommend this to our guests due to our anti-desertification policy.

How to visit Khongoryn Els:

You can drive south through Mandalgobi town and Dalanzadgad town from Ulaanbaatar. It usually takes 2 days to get there from Ulaanbaatar. Also, you can take a domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad, then rent a car from Dalanzadgad to Khongor sand dunes. The flight usually takes 3-4 hours, and the drive from Dalanzadgad to the sand dunes lasts for 4-5 hours.

 Besides, you can join in our small group journeys to the Gobi desert to explore not only Khongoryn els, but many other stunning places in the Gobi including Tsagaan Suvarga – White stupa, Yolyn am valley, Bayanzag – the flaming cliffs. Ongy monastery, Nemegt valley, Khermen Tsav- a Mongolian grand canyon and more places.

Here are our journeys to the Gobi 2022: 

http://mongoliantravelagency.com/tours/gobi-expedition-2022/

Mongolian Naadam Festival and Gobi Desert Tour 2024

http://mongoliantravelagency.com/tours/gobi-tours-2021/

Explore Mongolian Gobi Tour 2024

Mongolia Trip: Gobi & Terelj 2024

Orkhon Waterfall – Travel Destination Mongolia

Orkhon waterfall, also known as the Red River waterfall, is one of the best sights in central Mongolia. About 25m downstream from the waterfall you can climb down to the bottom of the gorge; 22m deep and dotted with pine trees. Approximately 20.000 years ago, the waterfall was formed due to an earthquake and merged from volcanic eruptions. However, the water doesn’t run all year and will only start to flow after the first good summer rain. Best time to see it in late July and August.

The waterfall can be reached in 4-5 hours from Kharkhorin (Karakorum) and in 2-3 hours from Tuvkhun temple. Travel routes from the Gobi Desert to Central Mongolia passes close by the waterfall. The road to the waterfall is not easily accessible, owing to the rocky surface of the area along the Orkhon river.

Orkhon River itself is the longest river in Mongolia with a length of 1124 kilometres (709 miles). It originates in Khangai Mountain Range and merges to Selenge River, eventually reaching Lake Baikal. The Orkhon has many species of fish like the pike, Siberian sturgeon, taimen, Asian common asp, Siberian grayling, roach etc. For its historical value related to Great Mongolian Empire, the Orkhon River Valley is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has been protected since 2006 as a National Park.

It’s a beautiful spot for pleasurable camping, horse riding, photography, fishing and cycling. You may also visit local nomad families here and have an opportunity to experience the nomadic way of life, culture and traditions. The path might be challenging to go through volcanic rocks by bump-like land but in the end, it’s all worth being there. It’s been a desired destination for both the locals and tourists.

Orkhon Valley – Mongolia Travel Destinations

Mongolia has launched eVisa for Travellers

Here is some good news for travellers who have been planning to visit or travel to Mongolia!

Mongolia has officially launched an Electronic Visa System for foreign nationalities. From the 1^st of October 2021, the system is issuing visas for the citizens of 36 countries including the UK, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Denmark, and France. The travellers of the countries on the e-Visa list can apply for their tourist visas online at evisa.mn.

The types of Mongolian tourist e-Visas issued online, and ministerial fees are as follows:

• Tourism (valid for 150 days for a 30-day single-entry stay): US$51.50
• Sports or cultural events (valid for 150 days for a stay of 30 days single entry): US$51.50
• Transit / Short stay (valid for 150 days for a stay of 10 days single entry): US$25.75

The announced delivery time of the e-Visa is 72 hours after submission and payment of a complete application online.

Moreover, the validity of Mongolian visas has now been extended to 150 days and brought them in line with international standards. The fees for passport visas have been reduced since October 1, 2021, the single-entry visa issued by the embassy now costs €38.23, instead of the €60.00 previously charged.

Besides, this change of e-visa launch does not affect the previous 24 visa-free countries for Mongolia including Germany, Canada, Hong Kong(CSRA), Japan, Singapore, and the USA – as those visa-free rules still apply.

Indeed, we, the Way To Nomads team is now available for Mongolia 2022 tours with a more safe and flexible booking policy due to the pandemic. Also, we are pleased to help travellers to get their eVisas or Passport visas.

Updated on November 2, 2021, by Way To Nomads.

The Tsenkher Hot Springs are a very welcome relief when you arrive. Tsenkher is a natural hot spring that flows from the ground, through the seasons, at a temperature of 85 Celsius. The spring is located in central Mongolia in a mountainous region, at an altitude of 1,860 meters above sea level. The spring is beneficial for health and there is a natural spa on-site which is ideal for the travel-tired. There are also plenty of walking opportunities in the surrounding forest. The water has high mineral content and containing everything from simple calcium, sodium to sulphuric. Folklore claimed medical value some of these springs have, they are often popular tourist destinations for Mongolian people. The spring produces water that is good for health reasons and water is effective for joints, nerve systems and is considered good for many other diseases. Sometimes, people drink water for diabetes and stomach ulcer and disabilities. The surrounding area is home to species of medicinal herbs.

The first thing to do in Tsenkher Hot Springs is to appreciate the scenery. Spend the morning hiking around the nearby hills (mountains) and go and visit the sources of the hot springs. Even if it is a cloudy day, it is a lovely and slightly challenging walk. There is also the chance to bale before the final peak and head back down if needed!

One of the most amazing things to do in Tsenkher Hot Springs is getting the chance to ride the local horses. These Mongolian horses are described as semi-wild, but they are easy to ride and very responsive. It was also a fantastic way to get out and about and spend more time in the mountains. On the way back the horses sensed they were heading home and picked up the pace. The best thing to do is let them be and enjoy the canter back.

Khuisiin Naiman Nuur literally means 8 lakes of Khuis, is the best destination for horse riding, and walking trails. The Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes) were formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago. The park is located at 2400 metres above sea level, between towering mountains of Khangai mountain range, the Eights Lakes are only reachable by horse or foot trekking. There are literally eight lakes in the distance of 500 m to 3 km from each other. Locals say all of them are connected underground.

The national park is located in a high mountains area comprising alpine meadows and forests of conifers (Siberian pines and Siberian larches). In the North of the protected area, we can see entire valleys strewn with volcanic stones. The peaks of the mountains are arid.

The place is very cool and there can be snowstorms in June or August. In the heart of Summer, temperatures rarely go until 20°C during the day. 400 to 500 millimetres (16 – 32 inches) of rain fall each year.
Inside the national park, we can see 50 species of birds, such as the black-throated loon, great cormorant, bar-headed goose, or whooper swan.

Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park is located in Tariat soum of Arkhangai province. Khorgo is an extinct volcano that lies on the east shore of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. The volcano erupted 8000 years ago and changed its surroundings once and for all. Today the area is covered by basalt rocks, siberian pine and larch forest. The Khorgo Crater can be found at the northern side of the Khorgo volcano. With 200m radius and 80m depth, the Khorgo Crater provides a rare view of an extinct volcano. The area is perfect for hiking.

As for Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, it was created when the Khorgo volcano erupted and the lake covers 61 square km. This freshwater lake has over 20 species of fish including pike, lenok, perch, common carp and sturgeon. There is a small island in the middle of the lake and migrating birds nest over there specially brant geese. The lake is great for fishing and bird watching.

Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park was established in 1965 to protect only the Khorgo volcano, but in 1995, the Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake was included in the protected area. In this remote location, you will have a chance to unwind and enjoy the attractive wildlife.

The Darkhad valley is a large valley in northwestern Khovsgol province, Mongolia. It is situated between the Ulaan Taiga and Khoridol Saridag ranges at an altitude of about 1600 m, about 160 km long and 40 km wide. The Khoridol Saridag mountains are a 90 km-long mountain range between Khovsgol Lake and the Darkhad valley. The highest peak is Delgerkhaan Uul (3093m). The view from the valley mountains are unique.

The Darkhad valley is divided between the Ulaan-Uul, Renchinlkhumbe, and Tsagaannuur sums. Inhabitants are mainly Darkhad (whom the valley”s name derives from), and also some Tsaatan. The area is 4270 km². It was transferred from the People”s the Republic of Tagna Tuva to the Mongolian People”s Republic in 1925 as a Soviet concession to the Mongolians, who had wanted to incorporate the territory of Tagna Uriankhai into their country.
The valley is rich in lakes and rivers, the biggest of which is Dood Tsagaan Lake “lower white lake” and Shishged River, respectively. The area is famous for its natural beauty, but relatively remote and inaccessible even by Mongolian standards.

Taiga is a mountain range located in Bayanzurkh soum and Ulaan-Uul soum of Khuvsgul province. Once covered in a continental ice sheet over two million years ago, Ulaan Taiga now is a beautiful land formation under a lush forest blanket with an exciting eco-system. The scenery of this untouched area is truly a sight to behold. Trees such as larch and Siberian pine dominate the forest, which is home to rare animals including argali sheep, Siberian ibex, brown bear, leopard, moose, reindeer, elk, mink, Altai snowcock, osprey and white-tailed eagle. Ulaan Taiga has a huge source of freshwater in form of rivers and small lakes. And because of that, the area has become a state-protected nature reserve.

The most scenic destination of Northern Mongolia, Khuvsgul Lake (Khovsgol Nuur, also spelled ‘Hovsgol’) is the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia by volume and second-largest by area holding 2% of the world’s freshwater. Located near the Russian border, at the foot of the eastern Sayan Mountains, it is nicknamed “Younger sister of the Sister Lakes (Lake Khuvsgul and Lake Baikal)”. The area of Khuvsgul Lake, raised well above sea level, is 2760ms. Its length is 136 km and width 36.5 km, and up to 260 m deep.
Khuvsgul is a land of thick forests, rushing rivers, sparkling lakes and rugged mountains. This stunning area was set aside as Lake Khuvsgul National Park (2500 hectares). In recent years, this spectacular landscape of water and mountains that is sacred to so many has become the destination of more and more travellers, from all around Mongolia and beyond. Heading through the endless pine trees and into the open valleys dotted with the white gers and grazing herds, you’ll be wondering if you haven’t set foot back in 19th century Montana.

The highlight of the area is the ethnic reindeers’ herders called Tsaatan. These ethnic groups of Turkic origin related to the Tuvans are the most exotic and mystical people with small numbers, inhabit in the amazing beautiful taigas. Tsaatan people worship “the Eternal Blue Sky and Mother Earth” and retained an ancient, unusual culture based on shamanistic rituals and forest-based reindeer-herding. Shamanism, rather than Buddhism, is the religion of choice in these parts.

By Mongolian standards, Khuvsgul Lake is touristy, but this ensures good facilities, and once you get a day’s travel from the main town you’ll likely have the place all to yourself.
If you love fishing (a fishing permit is required), then you’ll get excited about Khuvsgul. The lake is full of fish, such as lenok, salmon and sturgeon, and the area is home to argali sheep, ibex, bear, sable, moose and a few near-sighted wolverines. It also has more than 200 species of bird, including the Baikal teal, bar-headed goose, black stork and Altai snowcock.
This is a place in Mongolia where one can get a sense of total unspoiled wilderness. The area is a paradise for outdoor travellers and there is plenty of room for activities like hiking, birding, fishing, horseback travel and kayaking.

Nomadism, the way of life of Mongolians for centuries, and we are known as the world’s last surviving nomadic culture throughout the world.

Mongolia has 3 million people and around 40% of Mongols are real traditional nomads who live in remoted yet beautiful landscapes, moving from pasture to pasture at least 4 times a year, in great partnership with their livestock and with nature.

Most of the travellers who explored Mongolia tells that “travelling through Mongolia is an eye-opening experience”. Yes, it’s true for many of us. Regarding geography, Mongolia has a diverse vast open landscape of 4 distinctive natural zones including the Gobi desert, the great plain steppes, snow-capped sumptuous mountain areas, and a mysterious yet beautiful dense forest zone.

Each of the nomadic families owns 5 species of animals including cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and camels [2 humped Bactrian’s camel] as their livestock, and has approximately 400 – 1000 livestock. Their everyday life is relevant for their livestock animals, rounding their animals to fertile pasture land, breeding baby animals, producing dairy products, producing raw products of cashmere, wool, and more…

Mongolian nomadic families live in a “ger”, a traditional portable dwelling suitable for their vagrancy lifestyle in many ways including its simplicity for dismantling, ease to build, environment friendliness, stability and safety and more…

Nomadic lifestyle varies in Mongolia depending on which part of Mongolia they live in. We would like to offer you to witness the life of Eagle trainers for hunting who residue in the western part of Mongolia, and Tsaatan tribe of reindeer herders who live in the northern part of Mongolia, and camel breeders who residue in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. Each of these families or ethnicities would show you different stories and different vibes.