Narrow gorges and deep canyons in the heart of the desert – this is the Valley of the Eagles. Yoliin Am is famous for its stunning scenery of eternal snow and ice and is one of the most popular natural landmarks of Mongolia. It was declared a natural reserve in 1965. Yol Valley is in fact a deep and narrow ravine flanked by vertical rocks reaching 2,815 m above sea level. The gorge was formed as a result of a powerful earthquake which divided the Gurvan Saikhan Mountain. Boisterous mountain streams form waterfalls tearing down over the edge of the abyss.

Even in the height of summer the valley is covered in snow and ice which never melts. Despite this ice field the fauna is rich and varied – the area is a nesting spot for several rare bird species. The Gurvan Saikhan National Park boasts thousands of fossilized dinosaur skeletons.

photo: wikipedia.org