Khongoryn Els (sand dunes in the Gobi)

Khongoryn Els (els is mongolian for sand dunes) are some of the biggest sand dunes in the Gobi and a must for every real gobi-traveller. they are also called "singing dunes" (duut mankhan), for the sound they make when the wind whistles across them and moves them further on.

the biggest dunes are up to 300 metres high. though they are only about 6-12 km wide (they are contained by a mountain range just behind them). they reach a length of about 100 km, thus covering a total area of roughly 900 square meters.

at the foot of the dunes is a little stream, the Khongoryn Gol, which contributes to the great scenery: a green, flat area in the first line, the sand dunes in the second line and a mountain range in the third line.

you can climb up some of these sand dunes, though you should be warned: it can be extremely exhausting to climb up a sand dune! you go one step forward and half a step backward at the same time... but: if you do manage to get all the way to the top, you'll be greatly rewarded for the fantastic view across the dunes around you, the plain before you and the mountains behind you! the way down, however, is almost the best of it all: you could slide down if you take a plastic bag, or you can just half-slide, half-run or almost half-fly down the dune again. we did a little dance on our way down...

the three layers of green, sand and mountains.













the view from our ger in the evening.



and the view in the morning.





Gobi sand...



trying to climb up one of the highest dunes.



the view about half-way up.











the view from the top, across the other side.