heymongolia
Deserts & dunes

Elsen Tasarkhai (Mini Gobi)

An 80 km strip of sand dunes in the middle of green steppe, the easiest dunes to reach from Ulaanbaatar.

Called the 'Mini Gobi', Elsen Tasarkhai is a long ribbon of sand between grassy hills, about 280 km west of Ulaanbaatar. It is the classic place for a first camel ride and sunset on the dunes on the way to Kharkhorin, without the long drive to the real Gobi.

  • Region: Central Mongolia (Bulgan / Övörkhangai)
  • Best time: May–October
  • Time needed: 1 night

Tours that visit Elsen Tasarkhai (Mini Gobi)

  • Essence of Mongolia – 7 Days (7 days · Several regions · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $1,560)
    A 7-day 4WD circuit of central Mongolia from Ulaanbaatar, with hot springs, the Orkhon Valley and Karakorum, nomad family stays, and horse and camel riding.
  • Essence of Mongolia – 5 Days (5 days · Several regions · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $1,140)
    A 5-day 4WD trip from Ulaanbaatar to Karakorum and back via sand dunes and Hustai park, mixing nomad family stays with horse and camel riding.
  • Essence of Mongolia – 4 Days (4 days · Several regions · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $885)
    A 4-day 4WD trip west of Ulaanbaatar with two nights in guest gers beside nomadic families, camel and horse riding, and a night at Hustai National Park.
  • Essence of Mongolia – 3 Days (3 days · Several regions · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $630)
    A short 3-day 4WD outing from Ulaanbaatar with two nights in guest gers next to herding families, plus camel and horse riding and a stop at Hustai park.
  • Taste of Mongolia Tour (8 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $1,228)
    An 8-day van tour from Ulaanbaatar through Terelj, Hustai, Ugii Lake, Karakorum and the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, with horse and camel rides and a nomad family visit.
  • Experiencing Nomadic Life Tour (8 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $1,235)
    An 8-day van tour west of Ulaanbaatar focused on herding life, with visits to camel, horse and yak herders, Karakorum and Hustai, and some nights with nomad families.
  • Orkhon Valley & Karakorum (5 days · Central Mongolia · Nomadic Journeys · from $1,350)
    A 5-day jeep or minibus trip from Ulaanbaatar to Hustai, the Orkhon Valley and Karakorum, with a hike to Tuvkhun Monastery and ger camp stays.
  • Central Mongolia & Orkhon Valley (7 days · Central Mongolia · Steppe Riders · from $2,500)
    A 7-day guided off-road motorcycle tour from Ulaanbaatar through central Mongolia and the Orkhon Valley, with a support vehicle and ger camp nights.

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