heymongolia
Deserts & dunes

Khongoryn Els

Mongolia's largest sand dunes, about 100 km long and up to 300 m high, at the foot of the Gobi Altai mountains.

Known as the 'singing dunes' because the sand hums when it slides in the wind, Khongoryn Els is the highlight of most Gobi trips. Ger camps sit along the northern edge, next to a green strip fed by the Khongor river, so you get dunes, oasis and mountains in one view.

Climb the dunes for sunset (allow an hour; it is steep and soft), ride a Bactrian camel with a local herding family, and spend a night under some of the darkest skies in Asia.

  • Region: Gobi Desert (Ömnögovi)
  • Best time: May–September
  • Time needed: 1–2 nights
  • Entry: Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park fee

Tips

  • Bring a scarf and sunglasses: wind-blown sand gets everywhere.
  • Climb in the late afternoon; the sand is very hot at midday in summer.

Tours that visit Khongoryn Els

  • Treasures of Mongolia (12 days · Several regions · Tour Mongolia (Active & Adventure Tours Mongolia) · from $2,480)
    A 12-day minivan loop from Ulaanbaatar through the Gobi and central Mongolia, staying in ger camps and with herding families, with camel and horse riding along the way.
  • Discover Mongolia Tour (14 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $2,596)
    A 14-day tour combining the South Gobi, central Mongolia and Khuvsgul Lake, using domestic flights and vans, with ger camp nights and a nomad family stay.
  • Beauty of Mongolia Tour (11 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $1,930)
    An 11-day tour from Ulaanbaatar covering Terelj, Hustai, Karakorum and the South Gobi, travelling by van with a flight back, staying in ger camps and one night with a nomad family.
  • Beauty of Mongolia Tour and Local Naadam Festival (13 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $2,477)
    A 13-day July tour timed for the local Naadam in Kharkhorin, continuing south through Ongi and the South Gobi before flying back to Ulaanbaatar.
  • Discover Mongolia Tour and Local Naadam Kharkhorin (16 days · Central Mongolia · Discover Mongolia · from $3,082)
    A 16-day July tour joining the Kharkhorin local Naadam with the South Gobi, central lakes and hot springs, and Khuvsgul Lake, using two domestic flights.
  • Ultimate Gobi (10 days · Gobi Desert · Nomadic Expeditions · from $10,650)
    A 10-day active Gobi trip from Ulaanbaatar, flying south and basing at a desert lodge for hiking, camel and horse riding, mountain biking and visits to fossil sites.
  • Gobi Desert Tour – 6 Days (6 days · Gobi Desert · Stone Horse Mongolia · from $2,250)
    A 6-day driver-guided Gobi tour from Ulaanbaatar through Tsagaan Suvarga, Yolyn Am, Khongoryn Els and the Flaming Cliffs, with ger camps and a herder homestay.
  • Mongolian Gobi Camel Festival Tour (10 days · Gobi Desert · Stone Horse Mongolia · from $3,500)
    A 10-day winter road trip from Ulaanbaatar to the South Gobi timed for the camel festival, returning via Ongi and Kharkhorin, with hotel, ger and heated tent nights.

Nearby places