I used to cary my brother too in my bike with ice cream in hand!!!

(Two brothers returning from school in Dalanzadgad)

… and this is just to go to the city (Dalanzadgad) to avail of certain city facilities like fixing tires and getting internet connection!! 🙂

We got to the area where the sand dune was the highest in the area. And started climbing it. At first it was easy. Then it became difficult. And then it kept on getting very difficult. It was incredibly steep. The sand was giving in so much that with every step we were progressing no more than six to nine inches. Roger and I set a particular set of bush as our target. We took a lot of breaks. Finally reached the spot. I was running out of breath quickly. Had to lay down and rest it out for some time.

The views were spectacular from there. Took a shot from where we were sitting. You can see our vehicle way down there. Also look at the surface to our left to realize how vertically we were climbing…

First time ever for me on a two humped camel.

After taking a little rest, we headed towards the Sand Dunes. No lens can do justice to the sense of awe you get from the sheer magnitude of this pile of sand. I understand it runs 180 km in length (more than 110 miles) and varies in height from 320 feet to 990 feet (about 30 stories tall to 100 stories tall)

I am still a little confused about how a very long and huge sand dune gets formed with no other sand dunes around it. I will need to find this out.

We reached a high spot and could see the Hongor Sand Dunes for the first time. The road below was endless and it eventually would take us to our camp for the night but the dunes were impressive to watch.

Since yesterday, we had all been looking for an Ibex. We found none up and down Yol valley. Our driver – who is the best spotter among us all – was trying his best. He slowed down once we reached some big mountains and kept constantly scanning the mountains. Like I said, he is an incredible spotter. Suddenly he said something in Mongol and stopped the car.

We all got out and looked where he was pointing. Indeed, there was an Ibex on top of the mountains. Then two more came along. Got a good shot of them even though they were very far because of the position. Against the mountainside, they would be difficult to spot. But against the sky, they were easy to capture.