Three Camel Lodge
Lodge · Bulgan
Havsgait Bag, Ömnögovi, Mongolia
Highlights
Luxury ger camp with excursions, spa, and fine dining
Luxury ger camp with excursions, spa, and fine dining
"Why book? Born from traditional Mongolian accommodations that resemble what most Westerners would think of as “glamping,” Three Camel Lodge blends bespoke excursions with luxury amenities that honor the nation's ancient customs and history. Set the scene In the middle of nowhere—but somewhere for the nomadic herders that call the Gobi Desert home—Three Camel Lodge has a Mongolian-style ger (commonly known as yurts to most of the world) to rest your head. The lodge’s whiskey collection at Thirsty Camel Bar is a point of pride—it’s one of the most remote of its kind in the world. Here you’ll find the most intrepid of travelers laden in safari-style clothing and Indiana Jones hats sharing stories of faraway journeys. The Dino Hall, to which the Thirsty Camel Bar compliments, is designed to echo a traditional Mongolian temple and is a gathering place to play games, watch entertainment, and share stories. Each group is outfitted with private guides that expertly lead daily excursions to the Gobi’s best attractions that are often shared with no other guests, so there is always a discussion point for strangers to bond over at the bar. The backstory Mongolian-American founder Jalsa Urubshurow first founded Nomadic Expeditions with the intention of sharing the treasures of Mongolia with the world three decades ago after the fall of communism. “I wanted travelers to experience its soul-stirring landscape and rich culture, and while Mongolia had plenty to offer, it was missing one thing: a truly memorable place to stay,” says Jalsa. In 2002, Three Camel Lodge opened its doors and still to this day, is unmatched by any other lodge in the country. The property was constructed with intention—Jalsa didn’t want to build “just any place to stay”. He wanted this to be one that embodies the best of the Gobi from inside and out. The main lodge is built to resemble a Buddhist temple, and 40 traditional gers—or—nomadic dwellings—make up the accommodations. In the world’s northernmost desert amongst a boundless expanse, the location of Three Camel Lodge is also one that was decided with the utmost intention and environmental and cultural consideration. On the edge of the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park in the heart of the southern Gobi bordering northern China, Three Camel Lodge is situated in close proximity to the region's greatest assets and adventures such as Yol Valley National Park, Flaming Cliffs fossil site, and Moltsog Els Sand Dunes. The rooms Traditional gers with a smaller attached bathroom fixed with a brass rain shower and custom stone finishings create a time-honored Mongolian atmosphere with modern amenities. Comfortable double and king-sized beds are surrounded by a ring-shaped wood structure tied together with fabric canvas surrounding the outside and roof, just as the nomadic herding family gers are built. For the colder months, a wood-burning fireplace keeps the ger warm but in the summer, this isn’t a concern. Gers have been used for thousands of years for a reason—they’re cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Rates start at $3,755 for a two-night package. Food and drink Meals are served in the Bulagtai Restaurant, a large hall decorated with Mongolian art and pastime photography. At dinner, travelers exchange adventure clothing for more suitable attire to enjoy gourmet cuisine ranging from Western favorites to Mongolian classics, fine wine, and sometimes traditional Mongolian entertainment. All fruit and vegetables are sourced locally from farmers and all dairy products are purchased from nomadic families and pasteurized on-site. In the Thirsty Camel Bar, signature cocktails using imported spirits and famous Mongolian vodka stir up the perfect post-excursion reward after a hot day in the desert sun. The spa At the Arshaan Spa housed under the main building, traditional Eastern therapies as well as Western-style massage treatments, cupping, body wraps, and moxibustion are on the menu. Couples can book in for a treatment side-by-side or singles treatments are available as well. Masseuses are trained off-site and are incredibly professional in all treatments given how remote the lodge is. The neighborhood/area With a backdrop of the Gobi Altai Mountains and an endless view that teases even the most coherent with water-like mirages, sunsets and sunrises are unbeatable. The Altai’s are best enjoyed from the lodge’s viewpoint hut where dinners and sundowners are often served. The “neighbors” are nomadic families who also call these lands home, depending on the migrations of animals and where food and water are for their herds. Three Camel Lodge has a great relationship with many of the region's nomadic families and incorporates visits to better familiarize guests with the traditional ways of life that are still very much thriving in Mongolia. The service Nomadic families of Mongolia are renowned for their hospitality, and this place elevates that reputation with lavish amenities, outstanding guides, and impeccable service that is comparable to the finest African safaris. For families With setups that have two separate bedrooms linked together by a bathroom, horseback riding, electric scooters, mountain bikes, archery, and endless boardgames in the Dino Hall, Three Camel Lodge caters to families on the property perfectly. When family holidays are equally about bonding as they are about growing and educating the kids, both are blended organically with the many morning and afternoon excursions. Eco effort Three Camel Lodge is part of the Beyond Green portfolio, a collection of the world’s most sustainable properties that prioritize community, culture, and conservation, with values guided by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and 50 sustainability indicators. Three Camel Lodge has undergone extensive evaluation in the subjects of environmentally friendly practices, protection of natural and cultural heritage, and social and economic well-being of local people and is listed among many other successfully evaluated properties. Beyond Green recently partnered with Nomadic Expeditions, Three Camel Lodge’s parent company, to create sustainable itineraries throughout Asia that include the lodge. Sustainability was never an afterthought for the lodge. From the beginning, the vision was to build the most inspiring and sustainable eco-lodge in Mongolia. Their commitment to sustainability is guided by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to support the conservation of nature and preservation of cultural traditions. They are the first lodge in Mongolia to successfully eliminate all single-use plastic while creating their own diversion and recycling system to help eliminate landfill waste. They use solar power for all lodge and room lighting, and they actively reduce their carbon footprint by sourcing at least 50 percent of goods from within 50 miles. Three Camel Lodge is dedicated to natural and cultural preservation by protecting the region's princess dinosaur fossils from illegal extraction through forming a first-of-its-kind cooperative agreement between local stakeholders and national park authorities. They host and support paleontology programs and support local school programs that empower students to become future stewards of the Gobi’s natural heritage. They have a scholarship program and recently sponsored five students to continue studies at university in music and performing arts. Additionally, they sponsor English classes and sports teams for nearby schools. Their onsite well supplies water for thousands of herders and animals and the lodge provides full-time, year-round employment (as opposed to other lodges that hire for a three-month season) so they can deliver continuing education through offsite training, English lessons, and trips abroad to learn about global best practices. (It’s also worth noting that Three Camel Lodge didn’t lay anyone off during the pandemic, even though there were no guests at the lodge). Accessibility Three Camel Lodge is not accessible by ramps or elevators. Guests should be physically active and be able to tolerate hiking, heat, and rugged conditions." - Jonny Bierman
"In Mongolia’s Gobi Altai, this lodge comprises 40 luxury ger tents furnished with wool carpets, camel-hair blankets, wood stoves, and en suite bathrooms built from local stone. Guests take 4x4 excursions to the Khongoryn Els 'Singing Sands' and dine alfresco at the Flaming Cliffs after sundowners; the property is also part of an international portfolio that emphasizes support for local nature, culture, and community." - Jennifer Flowers
"A remote outpost in the heart of Mongolia's Gobi Desert where guests sleep in cozy traditional gers with sparse cell service and no Wi‑Fi, meet nomads watering flocks at nearby wells, enjoy performances of khoomei (throat singing) and morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), visit an Altai Mountain eagle hunter, and—often via a partnering expedition company—attend cultural gatherings such as the Naadam Festival, a midsummer competition of archery, wrestling, and horseback riding." - AFAR Editors
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