Experience Mongolia’s Nomadic Lifestyle with Three Camel Lodge in the Remote Gobi Desert
As the sun rises over the extensive desert landscape in the Gobi, the Three Camel Lodge offers an isolated wilderness experience aiming to give visitors an up-close look at Mongolia’s traditional nomadic lifestyle in one of the most remote places on Earth. This eco-resort consists of 24 gers providing simple but luxurious accommodation, complete with private bathrooms, powered by solar energy.
Founded by Mongolian-American businessman Jalsa Urubshurow, the Three Camel Lodge was inspired by the dramatic landscapes of Mongolia that he envisioned from his childhood, thanks to his father’s colorful stories. Jalsa’s venture into the Gobi aimed to establish a permanent venue to cater to international tourists curious about this mysterious and secluded destination.
Not far from the lodge, travelers can explore the Flaming Cliffs, renowned for its ancient dinosaur fossil sites, and the Moltsog Els sand dunes. The area also offers greenery in the form of birdlife conservation areas, rich with biodiversity. Other experiences at the lodge include nomadic archery sessions, stargazing, cycling, and cooking classes.
Considered a pioneer in sustainable tourism, the Three Camel Lodge follows the principles of sustainable stewardship, preservation, and community empowerment, eliminating single-use plastic bottles and diverting garbage from landfills through a waste management system. The lodge’s commitment to sustainability is based around hiring locally and investing in the wider Gobi community.
Heading to the Three Camel Lodge isn’t for the travel-weary as it involves a seven to eight-hour drive or flights that tend to depart in the middle of the night and arrive at Dalanzadgad Airport. However, despite the logistical challenges and the remote location, the experience of exploring the Gobi and experiencing Mongolia’s traditional nomadic lifestyle is worth the effort.
Open for business from May until November, the Three Camel Lodge hopes to receive more support from the government to improve logistics and expand the annual tourism season, at least for a little longer. Jalsa Urubshurow emphasizes that tourism in Mongolia is essential, suggesting that the government should subsidize air travel domestically and make a concerted effort to embrace the tourism industry.
