SAND MOUNTAIN DESTINATIONS EXPEDITIONS INTO THE BIGGEST SAND DESERT

The Sand Mountain Destinations range is a grand landmark in the north-western parts of Mongolia and the surrounding region is known as Western Mongolian Sands and Ulaagchinii Khar Lake National Parks. These destinations are actually part of Western Mongolian Gobi and this range constitutes a large part of the park. The other main feature is the immense valley of the Sand Dune river which is a large Gobi river that flows through sand dunes – this valley contains a massive sand dune plateau, the Sand mountains. The whole park has a varied unique ecosystem and you can look at boundless sand dunes that meet turquoise Sand Dune Lakes and high mountains where study wildlife in the forests or plains. Sand mountain destinations offer a range of hiking, horse riding opportunities, and scenic drives. 

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OVERVIEW

Located in Zavkhan province north of Uliastai town, Mongol Sands and "Ulaagchinii Khar" Lake National Parks feature approximately 800 miles. It is comprised of mountains, sand dunes, lakes, rainforests, and colorful desert landscapes.

From Ulaanbaatar city / 1075km
From Songino village (from the paved road) 80 km / 5 hours drive

CLICK HERE TO ENJOY THE DESTINATION GALLERY!

The Sand Mountain Destinations range is a grand landmark in the north-western parts of Mongolia and the surrounding region is known as Western Mongolian Sands and Ulaagchinii Khar Lake National Parks. These destinations are actually part of Western Mongolian Gobi and this range constitutes a large part of the park. 

SAND MOUNTAIN DESTINATIONS EXPEDITIONS INTO THE BIGGEST SAND DESERT

The other main feature is the immense valley of the Sand Dune river which is a large Gobi river that flows through sand dunes – this valley contains a massive sand dune plateau, the Sand mountains. The whole park has a varied unique ecosystem and you can look at boundless sand dunes that meet turquoise Sand Dune Lakes and high mountains where study wildlife in the forests or plains. Sand mountain destinations offer a range of hiking, horse riding opportunities, and scenic drives. 
_________
OVERVIEW

Located in Zavkhan province north of Uliastai town, Mongol Sands and "Ulaagchinii Khar" Lake National Parks feature approximately 800 miles. It is comprised of mountains, sand dunes, lakes, rainforests, and colorful desert landscapes.

From Ulaanbaatar city / 1075 km
From Songono village (from the paved road) 80 km / 5 hours drive

CLICK HERE TO ENJOY THE DESTINATION GALLERY!

1st landing place: SAND DUNE RIVER
Local name: "Galuut" River

1st landing place: SAND DUNE RIVER
Local name: "Galuut" River

Galuutiin Gol (Goose River) is one of the many treasures of the Great Mongol Sand Dunes located to the far West of the country. At about 993km (617miles) west of the Mongolian capital city Ulaanbaatar, you will need to drive another 45km (27miles) - about 3 hours - on the dirt road starting from "Songino" village to reach your final destination and our ideal place to camp. Here the beautiful and wavy shape of the river takes its source from the "Tudevtei" mountain. It flows for about sixty kilometers (37,49 miles) along the sand dunes and forms an interesting green oasis feeding in the process of two connected lakes. The mountain is the source of a few rivers, themselves nourishing the gorgeous main dune lakes named Little Dune Lake and Sand Dune Lake of the 'Ulaagchinii Khar" Lake National Park. What is even more incredible here, is this entire area is absent of any touristic activity, with only a few nomad families settled during the summertime along the river. They move back to the sand dunes as the winter is coming. Gobi Mountain Lake specifically chose this amazing place to host the Sand Dune River Camping with a direct view of the unique landscape and its wilderness. The Camping is literally located at the edge of the sand dunes facing the river. It is an ideal starting point for untamed horse riding journeys along with the river, and trying adventurous driving around the Great Mongol Sand Dunes. 
Some of the highlights of your stay here undoubtedly are having breakfast with the sunrise piercing over the dune, practicing yoga surrounded by the waves of the river shape, riding beautiful Mongolian horses between the sand and the water, and stargazing over this unique panorama.

2nd landing place: THE SNOW LEOPARD MOUNTAINS
Local name: "Daagan Del" Mountain

2nd landing place: THE SNOW LEOPARD MOUNTAINS
Local name: "Daagan Del" Mountain

The Snow Leopard Mountain is yet another unique location, that can easily make the highlight of your trip to the Mongolian West. From our Sand Dune River Outpost location, we shall drive 36km to the South in order to reach for rocky formation. What is original with this mountain, is that it gives an amazing vantage point over the Little Dune Lake and the "Ulaagchinii Khar" lake, and their amazing sand dunes and ecosystem. The mountain is a wonderful start for many activities taking you on hikes, observing wildlife around, horse riding trips on the sand dunes and around the lakes. We can see from the summit the entire region, the lakes, and the dunes that we can cross using our vehicle for a more adventurous drive.

3rd landing place: LITTLE DUNE LAKE 
Local name: "Baga" Lake

3rd landing place: LITTLE DUNE LAKE
Local name: "Baga" Lake

The Little Dune Lake is an awe-inspiring tranquil lake that is separated from the "Ulaagchinii Khar" Lake by only a couple of kilometers (1 mile) of a landscape made of beautiful sand dunes. It is located approximately 1100 km (683 miles) west of the capital city Ulaanbaatar. The Lake is 24 meters (157.48 feet) deep, and stretches as far as 6.3 kilometers (3.9 miles) long, and is 1,7 kilometers (1 mile) wide. At its North, you shall find the Snow Leopard mountain, and its south the "Bor Khyar" sand dunes and Deer mountain with an altitude of 2533,6 meters, a great view including forests that are unique in this region. Their mammals such as deer, roe deer, fox, wolf, corsac, Pallas cat, and birds including golden eagle, vulture, and falcon are thriving. From here, we can easily go on a relaxing hike to the Snow Leopard mountain and discover a scenic view over this beautiful two sister lakes and the boundless sand dunes of the Great Mongol Sand Dunes. Both Sunrise and sunset walk along the shoreline of the lake are incredibly relieving. Those who love photography will definitely be delighted to glance at the freely grazing herds of yaks or horses near the shore as well. All around the lake, we will find the summer pastures of the local nomad families. They move caravans of camels every year to move back to their winter camp, as far as 80km distances for centuries. On the lake, there is quite an active amount of birds such as whooper swan, greylag goose, shell duck, cranes, and water smart-weeds that will be a pleasure to observe. This truly untouched part of the  "Mongol Els" and "Ulaagchnii Khar" Lake National Park awakens charming adventures.

4th landing place: SAND DUNE LAKE
Local name: "Ulaagchinii Khar"  Lake

4th landing place: SAND DUNE LAKE
Local name: "Ulaagchinii Khar" Lake

Sand Dune Lake is located west of the Khangai range, 1980 meters above sea level. This turquoise-blue lake offers an astonishing spectacle as it has an incredible natural combination of Gobi and Khangai landscapes. It's one side surrounded by the sand dunes of "Bor Khyar" that literally dive into its waters. Lake is 48 meters (157.48 feet) deep, it stretches 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) long and 5 to 10 kilometers (3,11 - 6,22 miles) wide. In the middle of the lake, there are 2 islands. Those islands are a quiet sandy and suitable place for the roe-deer to giving birth to the offspring in springs, they inhabit near to the mountain in autumn. The south shoreline of the lake is rocky and has a lot of different peninsulas and bays that penetrate into the lake water. On the bottom of the lake, there are sand and mud, and gravel and some water plants occur in the shallow parts of the lake. The clarity of the lake is 8m/315 inches and colors are seen as green and blue emerald. The lake is rich in omul, or white fish, while thirteen endemic bird species come every year including whooper swan, greylag goose, duck, and other mammals such as deer, roe deer, fox, wolf, corsac, manul cat (Pallas cat), and marmot are seen near to the lake. 

5th landing place: GREAT DUNE RIVER
Local name: "Mukhart" River

5th landing place: SAND DUNE RIVER
Local name: "Mukhart" River

Mukhart River, whose name means no-through road, is part of the Great Mongol Sand Dunes. It's the unique formation, a small river flowing on twenty kilometers (12,43 miles) along the sand dunes, forming a lovely oasis in which poplars and sea buckthorns grow. The source of this river is really magical because it literally gushes from the magnificent Great Mongol Sand Dunes. As it spontaneously springs, it also disappears afterward in the dunes.

6th landing place: GATE ROCK 
Local name: "Senjit" Rock

6th landing place: GATE ROCK
Local name: "Senjit" Rock

The rock formations of Gate Rock towers on the top of a mountain among the Gobi desert and mountainous steppes. The Gate Rock is a 1 km long rock with a 6 m wide and 3.5 m tall arch, formed by the Gobi desert wind. A rough road goes through the arch. The surrounding area vista is amazing when seeing from the Senjit Rock as we locals named.

7th landing place: WESTERN ROCKIES
Local name: Rocky Mountains

7th landing place: WESTERN ROCKIES
Local name: Western Rockies

The mysterious Rockies of the Western Gobi is a high lime rocky mountain with ancient seabed where locates at "Erdenekhairkhan" sum, western Gobi desert. The cliff mountain is covered 108 caves 10-15 meters long and ranges with a variety of woody shrubs, many species of wildlife, and truly preserved their native nature. Locals have come to worship this mountain by calling it Manzushir's Land, the Golden Troll Mountain. Among the 108 caves, the largest caves are called Mother's, Namjir's, and Little Caves. The mother's cave is 137 meters long, and a large pile of chimneys is erected at the entrance to the cave. After entering, the cave is divided into 2 meters from 3 meters. The magnificent mountain is a warm home to the local nomads during the harsh winter. 

SAND MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE GALLERY

Photos by Enguerran Zandonai

SAND MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE GALLERY
Photos by Enguerran Zandonai

Anyone in an average physical condition can make these stunning sand mountain expeditions