Yolyn Am - The Deep, Narrow Gorge that Hosts Vultures

A rich natural grey rocky cliff that changes hue as the sun touches its almost blue sheet of ice was initially deemed as bird conservation region in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains. Yolyn Am is a national park and Umnugovi province included this spectacular part of nature in its list of nine wonders. A part of the Zuun Saikhan Nuruu range, Yolyn Am, is 46 km west of Dalanzadgad and within the Gobi Desert.

See more about Top 3 Beautiful Mountains in Mongolia
 

Yolyn Am Hiking

Surrounded by tall shady gorges, a narrow stream with freezing water that turns to ice during winter flows through the ravine. By mid-July, the ice melts and tourists enjoy walks on the half-frozen stream under the glaring rays of the summer sun as they explore the riches.
 

It is a 10 km (6.2miles) walk and each side takes about 2-3 hours of your time. So, if you doubt your physical fitness you can also ride on horses. The service has to be availed at the entrance of the valley (per person T12, 000). Some find the hiking level to be intimidating as a few slopes are steep. If you want to view the complete glacier, then a 2 km walk has to be covered as the horse will not take you that far. On the whole, the terrain trails are manageable and if you are a diehard nature lover then this one is most certainly for you.
 

A green speck that is home to mammals and birds that include the Yol vultures or bearded vultures with a tuft of white feathers around the neck are the oldest inhabitants of the high mountain ranges of Gurvan Saikhan National Park.
 

A paradise for bird lovers you can easily spot Altai’s snowcock, a little shy bird that deftly clings to the barren mountain walls. If you are lucky you may spot ibexes and wild sheep. They blend with the camouflage and are hard to spot if you are not a keen observer. Snow leopards too are part of this magnificent ecosystem but are extremely difficult to spot as they shy away from human attention. Pallas pika is a curious naughty lot that keeps running around and is on the lookout for food dropped by visitors.
 

At the entrance to the Yolyn Am valley, you could visit the museum of Natural history that helps you to recognize the birds and animals that you plan to see. Stuffed replicas help you to catch the plumage color easily spot the birds in the wild. Don't forget to carry water to last at least two hours. But try to keep your hands free as you would need them while conquering the course.
 

The best time for a visit is late May to early June. There is a possibility of spotting ice in the gorges. The advent of spring in this part is refreshing. But autumn too is a good season. During September though, hot but interim rains cool down the temperature. You may not find the ice in the stream.

​See more about Best Time to Visit Mongolia
 

Mongolia Yolyn Am

 You can avail return taxi from Dalanzadgad to Yolyn am for T100, 000, and will take one to two hours. Taxi drivers charge according to discretion and 40 - 50 USD per day is an amount you should be prepared with. It could be less.
 

The distance between Yolyn Am and Ulaanbaatar is 537 km (333.7 miles). The road distance is 621.6 km (386.2 miles). It takes approximately 9h 13m to drive from Yolyn Am to Ulaanbaatar.
 

The road to Yolyn Am from Dalabzadgad is covered with asphalt so the journey is smooth. Don’t plan your bus trip at the last minute. You have to book your journey the night before, from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad.

There is a huge rush during the top tourist season so getting a bus may be difficult. Bus drive will take approximately 10-12 hours. So, if you start around 9.00 AM, and spend an hour or two at Yolyn Am, you can return easily to Dalanzadgad by 1.00 PM.
 

If you want, you can also squeeze a trip to the Flaming Cliffs in Bayanzag on the same day and be back to Dalanzadgad before sunset.
 

There are many foreign tourists who are also looking to save money while completing a fulfilling trip. It isn’t a bad idea to team up and share the expenses. The cost for a 4WD Jeep with driver will be anything between T230, 000 to T250, 000 for two persons.
 

If you plan to stay the Ger camps that provide good accommodation meals in a restaurant, hot shower, and clean beds in private Gers there are plenty in the nearby area and will charge near 50,000 MNT.
 

Mongolia is all about nature and some places are more in its core than the other. So, bask in the glory of natural beauty and take pictures but capture real memories that energize your mind and enliven your heart before you get back to your mundane daily. Have a great trip!