Khongoryn Els
Khongoryn Els
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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sd JAZZ i SŁONIE
Skierniewice, Poland14,548 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
The Gobi Desert is more like endless steppes than a classic sandy desert. However, at the southern end of the Gobi there is a huge strip of sand dunes covering an area of over 965 square kilometers. This is the area of the Gurvan Suikhan National Park and one of the major tourist attractions of Mongolia. "singing dunes" form sandy waves, reach a height of up to 300 meters and change their color depending on the sunlight. It is an ideal place to watch sunrises and especially sunsets, but also to go sledding. The arduous climb up the dunes is almost Sisyphean work, but watching the sunset in good weather is worth the sacrifice.
Written 23 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HENRI H
Languedoc-Roussillon, France2,922 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
It's quite unexpected to find 180 km of dunes in this place, so when you come off a fairly flat track, you can see them in the distance. We cross them to reach the camp via a small parade. When we are at their feet we realize that they are very high and that we are going to try climbing. The last part is very steep, you have to go there on all fours, but when you are at the top, the view is breathtaking. Very beautiful moment, especially since there is hardly anyone other than us.
Written 14 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pahari
Mumbai1,466 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
A long cross-country drive, then through a pass in the Altai Mountains and we see a horizontal golden line in the distance. These are the Khongor sand dunes in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park over 100 kilometers in length and at a point reaching a height of almost 900 feet.
The Dunes are a spectacular sight. We visit them early evening. First we drive to the part where the area jest below the dunes is green-an oasis where water spouts from under the ground in a few places. The grasses are tall here and the greenery with the stark dunes in the background makes for stunning scenery.
We then take a camel ride to the part that many attempt to climb...the highest point here. Climbing takes some perseverance, for the legs sink into the sand at every step one takes. Reaching the top is exhilarating.
This is unspoiled territory and the immense-ness of the landscape is quite something. The sunlight falling on the dunes gives them a magical quality.
The Dunes are a spectacular sight. We visit them early evening. First we drive to the part where the area jest below the dunes is green-an oasis where water spouts from under the ground in a few places. The grasses are tall here and the greenery with the stark dunes in the background makes for stunning scenery.
We then take a camel ride to the part that many attempt to climb...the highest point here. Climbing takes some perseverance, for the legs sink into the sand at every step one takes. Reaching the top is exhilarating.
This is unspoiled territory and the immense-ness of the landscape is quite something. The sunlight falling on the dunes gives them a magical quality.
Written 30 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie N
58 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Stayed at a ger camp at the base of the sand dunes and climbed to the top of one sand dune in the afternoon. Not sure how big the sand dune was, but it was high! The view from the top revealed even more sand dunes and was beautiful. The Khongoryn Els are also known as the singing sand dunes, and they do sing when the wind picks up (and there was plenty of that at the top). At one stage I was expecting a helicopter to come over the top of the sand dune, that was the noise coming from the sand dune, it also vibrates which is a strange experience.
Also did a camel ride back at the ger camp, that was lots of fun.
Also did a camel ride back at the ger camp, that was lots of fun.
Written 28 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
photoguy66degrees
Huntington Beach, CA7,431 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
I visited this locale which runs some 60 miles along the Gobi Altai Mountains. I stayed one night in the nearby Erdene Ger Camp (wooden cottage and gers) and rode for approximately two miles on a Bactrian camel (two humps rather than just one).
At the end of the ride, options included a hike up the sand dunes which reach up to 600 feet high, a hike along the edge of the dunes or a hike back to the camel base. Supposedly the sand sings with the wind but there was no wind when we were there.
Ask the camel operator to let you visit his Ger; completely carpeted, television and some furniture where he and his wife live. The camels are approximately three miles away from the Erdene Ger Camp.
At the end of the ride, options included a hike up the sand dunes which reach up to 600 feet high, a hike along the edge of the dunes or a hike back to the camel base. Supposedly the sand sings with the wind but there was no wind when we were there.
Ask the camel operator to let you visit his Ger; completely carpeted, television and some furniture where he and his wife live. The camels are approximately three miles away from the Erdene Ger Camp.
Written 18 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Weak Knee Traveler
Singapore, Singapore12,833 contributions
Jun 2019
Came here in the morning to climb and also in the evening to see the sunset which was beautiful. The sand is so soft and more comfortable to visit in the early evening before the sunset. The sand can be hot during the day.
Written 31 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CristinaSoares63
Macau, China59 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Amazing sand dunes. They are so perfect they appear fake. The blue sky above the lines of the sand dunes is spectacular. Arrived at sunset but it was rather cold and windy so went back the next morning and climbed the huge dune in the warm morning sun. Quite tough specially towards the end as it gets steep and your feet bury easily in the sand. But what a view from the top plus a great feeling of mission accomplished. Go for it!
Written 4 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reisiger1223
Leonberg, Germany546 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
It's interesting to see the dunes from a distance and daunting when you get up close. For those coming from sea level, manage your expectations regarding an easy climb to the top, as it is quite challenging. For those who make it to the top (or close to the top) you will be rewarded with views that go on for miles! If you can swing it, take a camel ride in.
Written 8 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sa-i44
San Diego, CA5,515 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
This morning, after breakfast, we grabbed a small bag for one night at the Khongoryn Els sand dunes. It was about a three hour drive, so our caravan set off again, across the desert. We finally arrived at the Gobi Erdene, the only ger camp near the sand dunes and the place everyone stays (see review on it). We were here to see the Khongoryn Els, some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. These sand dunes are also called the Singing Dunes (Duut Mankhan) because when the wind blows or collapses in small avalanches, it sounds like the dunes are singing.
We first got to ride Bactrian camels. At the foot of the sand dunes lives a nomad family that owns hundreds of camels and they rent them out to tourists like us. Now, we rode camels in Egypt, around the pyramids. And we rode camels up and down the sand dunes in Morocco. But here, we rode the camels for about 15 minutes away from the nomad’s ger, and 15 minutes back. It felt like a Disneyland ride. We broke into two groups, and while one rode the other visited the family. And then we switched. And while we did all this, our drivers used the time to take naps.
The family, like all nomads as far as I can tell, were very generous. We were offered us some aaruul, (this is a Mongolian delicacy made of curdled milk that is dehydrated and thoroughly dried in the air and sun). The grandmother sat and talked with us (via our guide translating) about the nomadic life. Much of their income comes from their camels, but of course they have sheep and goats and horses as well. Two of her grandchildren were there, but they mostly wanted to run outside, ride their bikes and play as all little children would do. Her son was a former wrestling champion and his medal hung in the ger.
That evening we came back to photograph the sunset on the dunes. We took off our shoes and started climbing. The sand was like silk between our toes. And it was hard which made it easier to climb. Until we got close to the top at which point the sand became soft and slippery and stopped me in my tracks. We didn't make it to the top. And the top is high! The sand dunes are up to 984 feet high, 7.5 miles wide and 62 miles long.
And the shapes and the colors – oh my. The dunes have curves which end in a sharp edge, making them look like ocean waves. Or in this case, a ying yang. And as the sun set, the colors changed from white to pink to orange. It was breathtakingly beautiful. We stood there a long time watching the colors. Watching the shapes change. Playing with our shadows. Until it was getting hard to see and we had to head back.
The next morning some of us again got up before the crack of dawn and raced the sun to make it back to the sand dunes. We drove through gulleys and over dirt mounds covered in green and looking like small gers. Good thing we had 4 wheel-drive. We came to a river and drove through it. Basically it was like getting a morning massage.
Our guide had arranged for our nomad family to bring some of the camels this morning so we could stage them on the sand dunes. Tripods were set up, people chose their spots, and the camels began their trek up the sand dunes. And then down again. And then up again. This continued over and over again until the sun had risen and we all felt we had gotten our best shots.
Standing there in the quiet, watching the camels and the colors and the shapes was magical, even if you weren’t a photographer. It didn’t matter that we staged the camels. Camels and desert and sand dunes all go together and it felt very natural. We could see the sand being thrown into the air by the camels’ feet. We watched their shadows on the sand as the sun moved higher and higher into the sky. And the grass and flowers glistened like raindrops. Magical.
We first got to ride Bactrian camels. At the foot of the sand dunes lives a nomad family that owns hundreds of camels and they rent them out to tourists like us. Now, we rode camels in Egypt, around the pyramids. And we rode camels up and down the sand dunes in Morocco. But here, we rode the camels for about 15 minutes away from the nomad’s ger, and 15 minutes back. It felt like a Disneyland ride. We broke into two groups, and while one rode the other visited the family. And then we switched. And while we did all this, our drivers used the time to take naps.
The family, like all nomads as far as I can tell, were very generous. We were offered us some aaruul, (this is a Mongolian delicacy made of curdled milk that is dehydrated and thoroughly dried in the air and sun). The grandmother sat and talked with us (via our guide translating) about the nomadic life. Much of their income comes from their camels, but of course they have sheep and goats and horses as well. Two of her grandchildren were there, but they mostly wanted to run outside, ride their bikes and play as all little children would do. Her son was a former wrestling champion and his medal hung in the ger.
That evening we came back to photograph the sunset on the dunes. We took off our shoes and started climbing. The sand was like silk between our toes. And it was hard which made it easier to climb. Until we got close to the top at which point the sand became soft and slippery and stopped me in my tracks. We didn't make it to the top. And the top is high! The sand dunes are up to 984 feet high, 7.5 miles wide and 62 miles long.
And the shapes and the colors – oh my. The dunes have curves which end in a sharp edge, making them look like ocean waves. Or in this case, a ying yang. And as the sun set, the colors changed from white to pink to orange. It was breathtakingly beautiful. We stood there a long time watching the colors. Watching the shapes change. Playing with our shadows. Until it was getting hard to see and we had to head back.
The next morning some of us again got up before the crack of dawn and raced the sun to make it back to the sand dunes. We drove through gulleys and over dirt mounds covered in green and looking like small gers. Good thing we had 4 wheel-drive. We came to a river and drove through it. Basically it was like getting a morning massage.
Our guide had arranged for our nomad family to bring some of the camels this morning so we could stage them on the sand dunes. Tripods were set up, people chose their spots, and the camels began their trek up the sand dunes. And then down again. And then up again. This continued over and over again until the sun had risen and we all felt we had gotten our best shots.
Standing there in the quiet, watching the camels and the colors and the shapes was magical, even if you weren’t a photographer. It didn’t matter that we staged the camels. Camels and desert and sand dunes all go together and it felt very natural. We could see the sand being thrown into the air by the camels’ feet. We watched their shadows on the sand as the sun moved higher and higher into the sky. And the grass and flowers glistened like raindrops. Magical.
Written 2 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geminican
San Jose, CA2,102 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
You feel liberated and so small when you stood on this vast desert in the middle of nowhere. The weather can be very hot, so stay hydrated. The scenery is spectacular, you couldn't get more original than this.
There are herds and water wells along the way, you may take pictures.
Do go with a guide and an experienced driver, or else you would get lost.
The road and drive is bumpy but it's Mongolia, that's what it's supposed to be.
Be prepared, get sunblock, wear a hat, stay hydrated and enjoy your trip.
There are herds and water wells along the way, you may take pictures.
Do go with a guide and an experienced driver, or else you would get lost.
The road and drive is bumpy but it's Mongolia, that's what it's supposed to be.
Be prepared, get sunblock, wear a hat, stay hydrated and enjoy your trip.
Written 26 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am planning to visit Mongolia next year during the Naadam Festival. I want to see the really high dunes of the Gobi, where is this? Is this close to Dalanzadgad. Is this also close to the place where the Singing Dunes & Flaming Cliffs are? I read that the drive from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad takes a long time so I am thinking of flying there instead. What do you think?
I am thinking if a trip to Karakorum is worth it if I am not planning NOT to stay that long preferring to travel in comfort as much as I could.
Any advise you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Written 18 June 2017
Sorry I posted my question before proofing. I meant I do not plan to stay that long in Mongolia. I would like to limit it to 8 days or less but be able to see the important sights. Thank you.
Written 18 June 2017
I would like to book a tour. Can anyone verify that NOMADIC VOYAGES are a reliable tour company from America offering this tour.
Noreen-AUSTRALIA
Written 8 February 2015
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