Khongoryn Els

Khongoryn Els is a band of sand dunes running roughly a hundred and eighty kilometres along the northern foot of the Gobi Altai, up to several kilometres wide, with the highest crests reaching something over two hundred metres above the plain. They are called the singing dunes because sand sliding down the steep faces produces a low booming note in dry conditions. A stream runs along the northern edge, so the dune foot has green meadow, willows and camel herds against the sand, which is the contrast most photographs show. The standard visit is the climb to the crest, a steep hour in soft sand, for the view along the ridge line at sunset. Camel riding at the base is offered by herder families. Ger camps sit along the northern side.

What you actually see

• The high crests - dunes rising over two hundred metres above the plain.
• Green at the foot - stream, meadow and willows against the sand.
• Camel herds - Bactrian camels grazing at the dune base.
• The singing sand - the booming note from sliding sand on the steep faces.

When to go

May to September; late afternoon for the climb and sunset from the crest. Midday heat on the sand is punishing. Wind can blow sand hard enough to make the climb unpleasant, and spring is the windiest season.

Honest expectations

The climb is genuinely hard work in soft sand and takes most people an hour. Sand gets into cameras and everything else. The northern side has a row of ger camps and can be busy in August. Camel rides vary in quality and the animals should be judged before riding.

Nearby

Yolyn Am gorge lies east; Bayanzag is northeast.