The yellow dunes
Sand among the steppe.
Elsen Tasarkhai is a section of the Mongol Els sand dunes in central Mongolia, which many people call the «Mini Gobi». It offers a chance to see dunes and camels without travelling to the far south, since it lies close to the road to Kharkhorin. The sand stretches here between green steppe and mountains in an unusual contrast. The dunes run for about 80 km and are about 5 km wide, reaching 10 km at their broadest. The area is not actually part of the Gobi Desert, though it resembles it. Herders with camels and horses live around it, and ger camps have grown up nearby to welcome travellers between the capital and the Orkhon Valley. You walk on yellow sand framed by green shrubs and a few trees, with pasture and dark mountains behind. Here you can ride two-humped camels or horses, visit herding families and photograph the lines of sand as the light drops. Sunset is the finest time, when the wind settles and shadows sharpen. It is about 66 km in a straight line from Kharkhorin and about 250 to 280 km west of Ulaanbaatar, or 5 to 6 hours. It works as a stop on the way or a night in a camp. Bring a hat and water, ask the price of a camel ride before you mount, and treat herders and animals with respect.
Sand among the steppe.
Two-humped, close to the road.
Strong shadows on the sand.
Ulaanbaatar to Kharkhorin road, central Mongolia
No. These are dunes in central Mongolia that resemble it, hence the name «Mini Gobi».
The drive takes 5 to 6 hours, so it is better to stay in a camp or stop on the way to Kharkhorin.