my travel blog: Mongolia - Gobi

After the first appetizer of the desert, we detour to the deep canyon called Yolin Am which is know for its remaining ice crust even over summer. While we are sweating in our Russian van - only the front and one back window can be opened - the ice canyon in the middle of summer with 30 degree plus is a nice surprise.

Our journey continues to the major highlight of the Gobi, Khongoryn Els in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, also called the Singing Sand Dunes. A range more than 100km long and up to 300m high. The way to the dune is done on the back of a smelly beast, the Bactrian Camel - this time of the year acually not that hairy at it lost its winter fur. Then it is quite a treck up there but rewarded with best views. While running, sliding and racing down the 45 degree slope you can hear the dune singing when the sand from above fills up your footsteps (slide tracks) below - quite surreal.

A stay at a local family ger under a heavy storm concludes our Gobi experience and we are on the way to Central Mongolia for more scenery.

more images here

On the way to Yolin Am, a deep and...

...cold canyon which even contains ice in summer.

How thick is the ice here in winter when temperatures
plunge to below -30 to -40 degree?

If he gets through we should get through?

...just made it. Nothing can stop a Russian minivan.

Not a bad camp site

On the way just a quick stop to help the locals build their ger:
Put up the frame, erect the centre piece, connect with the spokes, cover with a layer of felt, then with a layer of sheep wool and finally with a layer of canvas. Finished is the house party.