Elsen Tasarkhai is the first place we were able to visit outside of Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar. And wow, my eyes lit up when I saw it! Imagine seeing golden sand dunes after hours and hours of seeing only vast lush, green steppes. It was such an interesting sight, and probably the most remarkable one I’ve seen in our visit.

Also called Mini Gobi as it resembles the Gobi Desert in the southern part of the country, Elsen Tasarkhai stretches for over 70 km albeit only forming a narrow landscape between Khogno Khan Mountains and the seemingly endless steppes of Central Mongolia. Other travelers think Elsen Tasarkhai is a part of Mongol Els, but the truth is, the two are one and the same. 

If you’re pressed for time when you visit Mongolia yet you still want to experience its beautiful sand dunes, going to Elsen Tasarkahi is definitely a smart choice. This place offers visitors a chance to experience the country’s most diverse geography in one place: desert, steppe, and mountains. The nomadic culture is a plus, as the area is home to many nomadic families. If you prefer to go to Gobi Desert, allot at least 5 days for that trip, which means you have to stay longer in Mongolia.

WHAT TO DO IN ELSEN TASARKHAI

• Ride the Bactrian camels.

Also known as the Mongolian camels, the Bactrian camels are native to East and Central Asia. Their most distinctive feature is their two humps, which sets them apart from their Arabian counterparts, the dromedary camels, which only have one hump. Now you know why there are two camel emojis!

Don’t hesitate to ask your guide to take pictures or even videos of you while you ride the camel. I can honestly say riding the Bactrian camels is one of the most unique experiences you can have in Mongolia, so make the most of it!

• Visit a GER, the traditional Mongolian home

Visiting the ger is one of the most authentic ways to experience Mongolia’s nomadic culture. A ger is a circular felt tent specifically designed for mobility and harsh weather conditions. Its round shape protects against strong winds, while thick felt layers provide warmth in winter and cooling in summer. And unlike permanent houses, a ger can be packed, transported, and rebuilt within a few hours, which is an essential feature for nomadic herders who move across the grassland seasonally.

Each area of the ger has a specific purpose and a cultural meaning. It follows a set layout that has been passed down through generations. It has three main areas, namely the western side (left from the door), eastern side (right side), and khoimor (the side opposite the door). The western side typically stores men’s belongings, including horse equipment, fermented mare’s milk (airag), and traditional vodka (arkhi), as well as tools and musical instruments. The eastern side stores women’s belongings, kitchen utensils and cooking equipment, food storage, family items, and children’s belongings. Lastly, the northern area called khoimor holds the Buddhist shrine or family altar, displays family photographs and valuable objects, and serves as the seating area for honored guests as a sign of respect and hospitality.

There was a special greeting that we did after we settled inside the ger. We used the khuurug or a traditional stuff box. The family member offered it to us, and we had to receive it using our right hand, smell it, and return it using our right hand as well.  

This visit is also a chance to ask the local Mongolians! While some of them do not know how to speak in English, your guides will translate what you ask and what they answer. By the way, remember to be respectful when you’re inside the ger!

It would have been a great experience to eat meals with a Mongolian family! Actually, I was expecting it to happen as it was what was included in the itinerary. Changes have been made by our guide, though, and we were only able to stay in the ger for about 10 to 15 minutes. Nevertheless, we were able to see the unique components of the ger.

We were also able to eat aaruul, a traditional Mongolian nomadic snack. It looks like a candy, but it’s not particularly sweet. This snack is made from boiled yogurt or sour milk that is strained, pressed, and sun-dried into hard chunks.

• Take pictures of the spectacular landscape!

As mentioned earlier, Elsen Tasarkhai has such a spectacular landscape. The area combines desert, grassland and mountain! While I was only able to take a few pictures of the landscape as I was riding the camel for most of our time in Elsen Tasarkhai, the experience of witnessing what was around was fulfilling enough.

I hope I get to give the place justice with these shots that I was able to capture!

WHO TO CONTACT

            While there are many travel agencies who offer a trip to Elsen Tasarkhai, it’s best to study which agency offers the itinerary you want to experience. Of course, also factor in your budget, and if it fits what you can spend, then go for the one offering the best one you can avail. There are a lot of travel agencies in Mongolia itself, but we availed ours via Agoda.

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I hope I was able to pique your interest to visit Elsen Tasarkhai! Our experience here is honestly one of the best ones we’ve had in Mongolia! So I hope you find time to go here when you visit in this country!