Travel to Hustai took about 5 hours, with a short break at the Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune. It was another road trip on dirt roads and through the expanse of steppe. When we arrived to the Hustai National Park, we first stopped at the Ger camp for a delicious lunch. Then the weather started to get grey but luckily we were in the car going through the national park. The cute, chubby marmottes were easy to spot in the grass. They are larger than the marmottes that I’ve seen in France. Later, we learned this is because they have to get very fat to survive the long, harsh winters.
We found some park rangers and could see the magnificant Takhi (Prezwalski wild horses) in the hills. They are the last truly wild horses on earth, and sadly they needed to be introduced in Mongolia after becoming extinct. We also saw deer in the hills. On the way back to the camp, we made a small stop and ran up the hill to see the horses close up. We got chased down by a ranger on a motorbike and our guide had to apologise for us going off the path. Oops, we didn’t realise that was forbidden! However, we did have some lovely views and we were able to watch two groups of Takhi fight over the territory. Nature is fascinating!
In the Ger camp, we had an exciting night because a big rainstorm came and the winds were very strong. The staff climbed on our ger and removed the stove chimney and put it inside. Then they put a flap over the hole at the top. Unfortunately, the flap came off later and it was quite chilly and drafty. The next morning, I still got up early for a walk around the hills. It was great to see some horses grazing and walking around the basketball court.
Highlights
- On the way, Elsen Tasarkhai (Sand Dune Mini Gobi)
- Hustai National Park
- Conference and education centre with films
- Mongolian marmottes
- Prezwalski wild horses (Takhis)
- Piece of the US space rocket Delta-2 from 2010
- Souvenir shop- I got the cutest ankle bone and wool board checkers set
Before you go
- There are very few cash machines in the Gobi, so ensure to get your cash in Ulaanbaatar
- Weather can be warm during the day and cold at night; also it can get stormy and rainy
- Mobile data is sporadic but there is wi-fi near the dining room
- It is safe to wander around the area on foot
- Within the national park, you are not allowed to stray off of the paths
Transport
- For travel around the rural areas, you must go with a driver who knows the area. We booked via Agate Travel which then used a local company called Amicus Travel. Luckily, we had an excellent guide and driver!
Accommodation
- We stayed at Hustai National Park Ger Camp, at the entrance to the park
- It was a medium comfort camp, and very cold! We had a stove but could not use it as the chimney had to come down in the wind/rain
- Since there are few websites reviewing Ger camps, I wrote my own Mongolia Ger Reviews.
Hustai National Park Ger Camp vegetarian plate
Food
Our meals were at the dining hall of the Hustai National Park Ger Camp. Lunch and breakfast were buffet style, and dinner was served to us.
For lunch, we had pumpkin soup followed by a selection of foods. I had a fried meat patty, vegetables, potatoes, rice, and cake and cherries for dessert.
Later, for dinner, we were served pesto pasta, mashed potatoes, broad beans and then either a mutton stew or for me, sauteed red cabbage. Dessert was ice cream with cherries. Lots of food again!
In the morning, our breakfast was a buffet with the usual foods including eggs, bread, vegetables, sausages and more. Plenty of food to start our day and then head out back to the city of Ulaanbaatar.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: Yes, you need a driver and preferably a guide to reach this area and see the nature. Also to drive around the National Park
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Most people at the Ger camps speak a little English, but we relied a lot on our guide
Q: Is it a walkable area?
A: It is not walkable to get to the area, however you can walk around the hills surrounding the camp
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