The Mongol els sand dunes are in the north of the Gobi-Altai, stretching from Zawkhan Province in the east to Khowd Province in the west. They stretch for about 330 kilometers (205 miles) to their source in the Javkhan River Valley and covers an area of 2,724 square kilometers. From above, the Mongol Else dunes provide spectacular views of Lake Erin Noor, a body of marsh water that is dangerous to approach.
Mongol Els has been protected as a nature reserve since 2010 to maintain the balance of nature, protect flora and fauna. The dunes are partially overgrown with plants and worshiped by locals for providing emergency food for their animals in some of the dry summers.
