Mongolia Khongoryn Els

Khongoryn Els are some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Also known

• Togluulagch 11 player

as the Duut Mankhan (Singing Dunes – from the sound they make when the sand is moved by the wind or as it collapses in small avalanches), they are up to 300m high, 12km wide and about 100km long. The largest dunes are at the northwestern corner of the range. Getting to the top (45 minutes to one hour) is exhausting; every step forward is followed by a significant backslide, but the views of the desert from the sandy summit are wonderful.

The sand dunes are also a popular place for organising camel rides, (per hour/day T7000/25,000 plus the same again for the guide fee), and locals seem to appear from nowhere when a jeep full of tourists arrives. A mini naadam featuring horse racing and wrestling is held here on 15 August.

The dunes are about 180km from Dalanzadgad. There is no way to get here unless you charter a jeep or are part of a tour.

From Khongoryn Els it is possible to follow desert tracks 130km north to Bogd in Övörkhangai, or 215km northwest to Bayanlig in Bayankhongor. This is a remote and unforgiving area and you shouldn’t undertake either trip without an experienced driver and full stocks of food, water and fuel.