Passing Merkinė, river Nemunas curves around Pastraujas island and continues on its way further west. To its right lies village Maksimonys and opposite it Jonionys. At this area the banks of the river hide an underlying glacial period workings, huge sand dunes and among them various rock formations.
These dunes can be observed on both sides of the river, some covered with vegetation, others exposed, they offer a unique perspective to once was a home for early tribes of hunters and gatherers.