The Gobi - Mongolia - page 377

( 9909 1258; www.gobitourcamp.com ; GPS: N 44°07.367', E 103°43.793'; with/without meals
US$50/20) The closest camp to the cliffs, this friendly place is on the up side of the cliffs
and you can see them clearly, 2km away. Good facilities. Good food (meals US$15).
Camel rides available (per hour/day US$7/20).
Mongolia Gobi TOURIST GER CAMP$$$
( 9150 5550; GPS: N 44°07.818', E 103°42.101'; with/without meals US$45/25) Close to the
cliffs (about 2.5km), and on the up-side this well-designed camp is run by Temuulen,
who speaks English.
DON'T MISS
BULGAN CAMEL FESTIVAL
For 363 days of the year, the dusty, ramshackle village of Bulgan doesn't register
on the tourist radar. But for two days in March (usually the 6th and 7th) visitors
from around the country and beyond descend on the village for its annual camel
festival (Temeeni Uraldaani Bayar). It's well worth making a detour to if you're
around at the time. You'll see camel polo, camel shearing and camel races as well
as demonstrations of how nomads look after their herds.
During the event, temporary ger camps pop up to house tourists. Year-round you
can stay at Ankhsan Cooperative Guesthouse ( 9898 2829; [e-mail] ; GPS:
N 44°05.631', E 103°32.556'; per person T8000-10,000, meals T3500-5000) , a simple family home
that has a couple of guest gers, patchy internet access, a rudimentary sun-heated
shower and a long-drop outhouse. Poli, the owner, doesn't speak English, but is
used to hosting foreign guests.
Bulgan is around 95km northwest of Dalazadgad, and only a short drive from
Bayanzag.
BAYANKHONGOR
POP 77,800 / AREA 116,000 SQ KM
One of the most diverse aimags in the Gobi, Bayankhongor has mountains in the north,
deserts in the south, a handful of lakes and rivers, hot springs and a real oasis in the far
south of the province.
Bayankhongor, which means 'rich chestnut' (named after the colour of horses), is
home to wild camels and asses and the extremely rare Gobi bear.
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