GOBI "A" NATIONAL PARK - BAYANKHONGOR & GOBI ALTAI PROVINCE

HOW TO GET: by jeep 900 km and 26 hours driving on earth road, by plane 3 hours

Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area

Great Gobi Strictly protected area is located in the south-west of Mongolia at the border with the People’s Republic of China and it takes 1/4 of gobi desert territory in Mongolia. The park covers 5.3 million hectares and firstly became the protected area in 1976, then later in 1995 it is registered as an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations. The park is loated in remote from urban areas and very difficult to reach, so it brings extreme and scaring news for visitors but excellent for the fragile flora and fauna. All part of this park is almost completely uninhabited by humans, the park helps to protect about 50 Gobi bears and some wild camels, as well as the desert environment and scarce water sources for the animals.

The park is still home for some wild animals: Bactrian Camel, Asiatic Wild Ass or Khulan, Przewalski Horse or Takhi, Black-tailed Gazelle, Agali Sheep, Gobi Bear, Snow Leopard, Gobi Gecko, Ibex, Lynx, Wolf, Fox, Elk and Tatar Sand Boa. The park is famous for its oasises, springs and some unique formations of rock mountains and sandy hills.

Eej Khairkhan Uul Mountain Nature Reserve

Eej Khairkhan Natural Reserve area is located in about 150 km from Altai town and just in the north of Great Gobi national park. The mountain (2275 m) is attractive with it's own unique formation of 8 rock pools in different levels and some caves nearyby it. Also there you can explore the ancient rock paintings of mountain goats, horseman and archers. The area is good for hiking, walking and adventure seeking.

Takhiin Shar Tal - Scientific & Experimental Center for Wild Horses Takhi

There are 2 places in Mongolia, which is homing for wild horses Takhi and becoming the research center and re-acclimatizing area for this specy of wild horses. The Center is located in Altai Ovor gobi region, Taskiin Shar Tal- Takhi's yellow steppe in Bugat village area. Biologists have divided the eastern gobi into 3 regions, which are field deserted, real desert, and well dry desert, and they consider to be inhabited 54 types, 226 species and 572 items of plants in this region.

The takhi research center was established in 1991 and launched its activity in Przewalskii horse habitat in 1992 under the project with Mongolian- Holland Nature Ministry. The biologists and students make research and inspection and protection in 1190 hectares and help more than 100 wild horses-takhis to survive in this field on their ownselves like how the nature made it before. Wild horse- przevalski horse habitat is succefully carried out with the support of International Przewalskii horse protection group and Mongolian National Commission of Endangered Species Protection.

Altain Ovor gobi is the unique destination for travelers, who are seeking the real adventures and less touristy places. 34 species of mammals such as wild sheep, ibex, wild horse, wild bear, and snow leopard, and 61 species of two habitats and 43 species of reptiles are inhabited in the land of Altai Uvur Gobi.

Historical Remains

Altai Mountains and other part of Altai-Gobi province are quite rich with historical unique sights such as ancient people's remains - neolith age's sheltering sites, stone age's blacksmith's sites, mausoleum, monuments with deer carvings, human shaped stones, rock paintings and some small town's ruins are kept on and under the ground of this area. Those historic memories have deeply reflected to Mongolians outlook, beliefs, philosophy, artistic thinking, imagination, religion, national handicraft, language, culture, tradition and custom.