Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park

- Hongor Sands -

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Hongoriyn Els or the Hongor Sands is a giant sand dune in the South Gobi. This journey will bring us to both desert steppe and mountain areas of the Gobi. We will also be able to visit the famous Yol Valley, which actually is a ravine, which mostly is covered by permanent snow and ice. The Gurvansaikhan Mountains is an extension into the Gobi of the Altais. Here we may be able to spot Argali Sheep and likely sighting of Siberian Ibex. The Snow Leopard is certainly present, but this elusive animal is near to impossible to get to see. In the desert steppe we will probably be able to see Black-tailed Gazelles and Fox.

Brief Outline Itinerary

We will fly back and forward to Dalanzadgad airport or Bulagtai airstrip in the South Gobi, from where vehicles will be hired. This is a journey in relative comfort where we make use of the best ger camps available around this large national park. No camping is involved and provisions will be extended from the three different ger camps.

Day 1, Tue. To Bayanzag

A.m. Pick up at your hotel in Ulaanbaatar, and transfer to the airport for 1½ hour flight to South Gobi. South Gobi (Ömnögobi) is the least populated province in all Mongolia. Drive west and check in at the stylish Three Camels Lodge. It is one of the most extra-ordinary ger camps in Mongolia. In the late afternoon, visit Bayanzag – the famous Flaming Cliffs – at sunset. Roy Chapman Andrews, the famous explorer of the American Museum of Natural History in New York when his expedition unearthed the first ever fossilized dinosaur eggs here, in the 1920s.

Day 2, Wed. To Gurvansaikhan Mts

A.m. drive over the desert steppe to the Gurvansaikhan Mountains, where we will hike around the area and have our picnic lunch. Late afternoon we will try to see some wildlife on the ridges. With luck we will spot Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica) and Argali Sheep (Ovis ammon), both which are prey species to the elusive Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia). Some of the mountain areas of the South Gobi are the densest Snow Leopard habitat in the world.

Day 3, Thu. To Hongor Sands

We will continue our drive further west to the famous Hongor Sands, a giant sand dune stretching lengthwise some 180 km away in the distance. Sometimes it is just a couple of hundred meters wide, sometimes as wide as 7-20 km.

We will check in at one of the two ger camps located here. These are just ordinary camps, but with an excellent location. Almost next to this giant sand dune. It is high and has a small stream following the leeward side of the sand dune. Herdsmen also live nearby the sand dune. On this stretch of grass that resembles a lawn a kilometer or two between them separates the families.

Day 4, Fri. Hongor Sands

We will explore some length of the Hongor Sands and go to a point where the sand reaches some 4-500 meters into the sky, and we will climb it for a superb view around the desert steppes. We are also likely to come across herdsmen who breed camels, and we will no doubt be invited into their gers. We will use their riding camels for a couple of hours, and go for an extended ride along the Hongor Sands.

Day 5, Sat. Zöölön Mts & Dungenee

We will start our day with a short drive through the Hongor Sands where on the south side Asiatic Wild Ass (Hemionus hemionus)) is sometimes seen occasionally. It is called Khulan by the Mongols. We will then make our way through Zöölön Mountains on a jeep track that brings us right through these mountains until the eastern part of Hongor Sands. We continue the drive easterly on the south side of the Gurvansaikhan Mountains. We stop at the narrow gorge of Dungenee. After a long day arrive at Dungenee Ger Camp, just a few km away from the far end of the Yol Valley.

Day 6, Sun. Rest day

Today we will use the full day for rest. You may opt for a hike in the nearby Gurvansaikhan Mountains.  For parts of the day or for the full day.

Day 7, Mon. Yol Valley

A short ride brings us into the core of the Gurvansaikhan Mountains and the Yol Valley itself.  We will explore this famous ravine, sometimes with permanent ice and snow.  Lammergeier nest here, and we are guaranteed to see them flying over the ravine. Another rare bird, the Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria) is also quite easy to see at close range.  There are also some four species of Rose Finches around the junipers and we may hear the call of the Altai Snowcock (Tetraogallus altaicus) from the ridges to the west.

On the way out from the mountains we can visit the local Nature Museum partly set up by our host in the area.  When the ice and snow is solid or completely thawed, it is possible to take a long hike back to camp, through the entire length of the Yol Valley. Overnight in gers.

Day 8 Tue: Fly to Ulaanbaatar

After an early breakfast drive back to the airfield and catch the flight (1½hrs) back to the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar.  Transfer into your hotel.

Practicalities

Nomadic Journeys have introduced a concept of practical and desirable ways of travel in Mongolia, which is the synergy of Western and Mongolian ideas brought about after many years experience in the country. We emphasize the quality of human contacts and encounters with local people.

Transport: This journey is supported by a jeep or minibus on the Gobi road tracks. 

Staff: A Mongolian English speaking local guide will accompany the group at all times. Plus one driver.

Meals: Meals will be prepared as breakfasts and dinners in the best ger camps that there is in Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt with both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips. There are always vegetables available, and we have no problem accommodating vegetarians.

Overnights:  The gers (yurts) are double occupancy throughout, however we can cater for triples as well. The gers are furnished with beds, stools and a table.

PRICE ex Ulaanbaatar

USD 1155 per person (2/5 members)
Group discounts available on request

Includes:  Leadership, breakfast every day, and all meals outside Ulaanbaatar. All overnights in gers. Hotels and all local transport.  Transfers in Ulaanbaatar.

Excludes: Imported drinks, airport tax on departure from Ulaanbaatar (approx. USD 13 p.p. but as of 2005 no usually included in the airfare), laundry.  The checked in luggage allowance is 15 kg, and above that overweight must be paid. Visa fee. Additional hotel night in Ulaanbaatar is USD 100 per double room per night, or USD 70 in single. This rate includes taxes and breakfast.

DATES ex Ulaanbaatar: 

Daily in season, approx June to September.

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