Location: Near Gobi Bear. Temp about 20oC. Altitude ~2,000m.
Most who passed by would pick up a stone and add it to the pile. Some go further by leaving figurines, animal horns etc.
We passed two tourist vans. At this signboard we turned right and took the dirt track to Yolin-Am.
We were guided by the paper map we bought earlier at Ulaanbator. From the map, we saw a track that circles Yolin-Am.
We were guided by the paper map we bought earlier at Ulaanbator. From the map, we saw a track that circles Yolin-Am.
We decided to make a clock-wise circle around Yolin-Am by following this track.
We went through a couple of short but steep hill climb and saw some sheeps along the way.
At about 10.45am we stopped to prepare our lunch. It's fried rice today!
At 12.30pm, we continued driving.
We are getting nearer to Yolin-Am...
or so we thought...
Passing by a herd of cows grazing near Yolin-Am.
A short distance later, the dirt track meets an abrupt end. We could not pass through the gap. We decided to look around on foot.
or so we thought...
Passing by a herd of cows grazing near Yolin-Am.
A short distance later, the dirt track meets an abrupt end. We could not pass through the gap. We decided to look around on foot.
It turns out, rockfall had blocked the path and vehicles could not go further. The dirt track which was so clearly defined earlier is no longer visible. Since we are not sure how far in the Ice Fields are, we decided to make a u-turn and use the other track to Yolin-Am.
Meantime, we stopped briefly to eat our lunch.
Not too far away, a Mongolian family was also picnicking. Further down, a tour operator was busy packing up their picnic tables etc in their 4WD. They must have dropped off their tour group here and left them to walk to Yolin-Am before picking them up on the opposite side.
Not too far away, a Mongolian family was also picnicking. Further down, a tour operator was busy packing up their picnic tables etc in their 4WD. They must have dropped off their tour group here and left them to walk to Yolin-Am before picking them up on the opposite side.
Some photos of the plants that grow here.
We even managed to catch sight of two Chukar partridges walking up the hillslope.
We even managed to catch sight of two Chukar partridges walking up the hillslope.
Mongolian kids at Yolin-Am, off to fetch some water.
They left their bottles and two bicycles on the side.
They left their bottles and two bicycles on the side.
By the time we reach the main track again it was nearly 4pm. Instead of going down the other track to Yolin Am today, we decided to get back on the paved road and head to Dalanzadgad.
Dalanzadgad is the capital of Omnogovi Province. We drove around and came across Nomin wholesale market. We stocked up our drinking water supplies and bought some eggs as well.
The Prius is a favourite in Mongolia. Not difficult to see why.
Park in Dalanzadgad.
It's only 4.40pm... to early for dinner, but we decided to eat something anyway.. as the next few days, we will not be seeing anymore restaurants, at least not until we reach Arvaikheer city.
We ordered the Rice / Chips with BBQ chicken and and extra side dish of chips to go with some coke and a beer.
At 6.40pm, we left Dalanzadgad to head back to Yolin-Am. On the way, we fueled up.
It's only 4.40pm... to early for dinner, but we decided to eat something anyway.. as the next few days, we will not be seeing anymore restaurants, at least not until we reach Arvaikheer city.
We ordered the Rice / Chips with BBQ chicken and and extra side dish of chips to go with some coke and a beer.
At 6.40pm, we left Dalanzadgad to head back to Yolin-Am. On the way, we fueled up.
A temple in Dalanzadgad.
The junction to Yolin-Am.
We turned left and headed back to where we saw a ger camp and a a brick building earlier on.
The sheeps are making their way home too...
As it turns out, this brick building that we saw earlier was actually the Yolin-Am control post. The opening hours is 5am to 6pm. As it is nearly 8pm now, we parked our Sorento just further up the hill, away from the dirt track and slept for the night. We will get to the ice fields tomorrow...
We turned left and headed back to where we saw a ger camp and a a brick building earlier on.
The sheeps are making their way home too...
As it turns out, this brick building that we saw earlier was actually the Yolin-Am control post. The opening hours is 5am to 6pm. As it is nearly 8pm now, we parked our Sorento just further up the hill, away from the dirt track and slept for the night. We will get to the ice fields tomorrow...
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