The Gobi - Mongolia - page 393

Gobi A (Southern Altai Gobi) 'A'
The majority of this 4.4-million-hectare national park lies in southern Gov-Altai. Estab-
lished more than 25 years ago, the area has been nominated as an International Biosphere
Reserve by the UN.
Gobi A is the last remaining area in Mongolia where you can find khavtgai (wild Bact-
rian camels), and the Wild Camel Breeding Centre ( 9915 6556; www.wildcamels.com )
has been set up at Zakhyn-Us for their protection. The park is remote and very difficult to
reach, which is bad news for visitors but excellent news for the fragile flora and fauna.
To explore the park, start at Biger, turn southwest on the trail to Tsogt, and head south on
any jeep trail you can find.
Gobi B (Dzungarian Gobi) 'B'
Although the majority of this 881,000-hectare park lies in neighbouring Khovd aimag,
the Gov-Altai side contains the Takhiin Tal Research Station ( 9983 6979; GPS: N
45°32.197', E 93°39.055'; per person T10,000) , which has been set up to protect the reintro-
duced takhi (Przewalski's horse). Most of the takhi now run free, although a few still live
in enclosures near the research station, which is about 15km southwest of Bij village.
However, it should be noted that casual tourists are not welcome to visit.
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Eej Khairkhan Nature Reserve
Near the base of the Eej Khairkhan Uul (2275m), part of the Eej Khairkhan Nature
Reserve just north of 'Gobi A' National Park, you can camp at some delightful rock
pools and explore the nearby caves . You will need a guide to show you around. Almost
no suitable drinking water is available in the area, so take your own.
About 30 minutes' walk west of the rock pools are some spectacular ancient rock
paintings of ibexes, horsemen and archers. The mountain, which is a pilgrimage destina-
tion for some Mongolians, is about 150km south of Altai.