Award-winning luxury ger camp in the Gobi Desert offering authentic nomadic experience with five-star comfort. Eco-friendly design, gourmet dining featuring local ingredients, and expertly guided desert expeditions. Solar-powered with modern bathrooms.
Three Camel Lodge occupies a remote plateau in Bulgan Soum, Ömnögovi Province, in Mongolia's South Gobi region — one of the most geographically and visually distinct environments on Earth. The nearest major attraction, the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, is approximately 40 kilometres to the southwest; the Khongoryn Els singing sand dunes lie within a half-day drive. The lodge is accessed by a roughly 600-kilometre overland journey from Ulaanbaatar, either by private 4WD (taking two days with an overnight stop) or by domestic flight to Dalanzadgad followed by a 90-kilometre transfer. Remoteness is the point: the surrounding Gobi landscape offers near-total silence, extraordinary night skies, and wildlife including Bactrian camels, Gobi bears in the distant mountains, and gazelle herds.
The lodge has received international conservation and responsible tourism awards for its eco-friendly design. Power comes entirely from solar and wind generation. Water is carefully managed. The 35 traditional Mongolian gers are large by camp standards — each accommodates a king or twin configuration, has a private bathroom (toilet, sink, and hot shower) attached to the ger exterior, and is furnished with hand-painted wooden furniture, wool textiles, and wood-burning stoves for cold nights. The overall aesthetic is authentic nomadic craft elevated to five-star comfort.
Dining is a genuine highlight: the restaurant serves multi-course meals using Mongolian lamb, local dairy including fresh tarag (yoghurt), foraged plants, and vegetables from the camp's own garden where the short growing season allows. The wine list is selective but well-chosen. A well-stocked library of Mongolian natural history and culture titles occupies a dedicated ger. Spa treatments — deep tissue massage, herbal body wraps, and reflexology — are offered in a dedicated treatment ger by trained therapists.
The guided expedition programme is the lodge's core offering. Expert naturalist guides lead camel treks across the sand desert, archaeological walks at Bayanzag fossil beds, and sunrise hikes on the red-ochre cliffs. Evening programmes include traditional music performances by local Mongolian musicians and stargazing guided by staff knowledgeable in both astronomy and Mongolian celestial mythology. The lodge is internationally recognised as the benchmark for luxury responsible tourism in the Gobi Desert.
Amenities
- restaurant
- bar
- guided tours
- camel trekking
- cultural performances
- library
- spa treatments
Location
Bulgan Soum, Ömnögovi Province, South Gobi
43.5833, 104.4167 View on map
Highlights
- Internationally award-winning eco-luxury ger camp — solar and wind-powered in a pristine South Gobi location
- Private en-suite bathrooms attached to each ger — an exceptional standard for remote desert accommodation
- Expert naturalist guides leading camel treks, Bayanzag fossil walks, and Khongoryn Els dune excursions
- Restaurant serving multi-course meals with locally sourced Mongolian ingredients and garden produce
- Dedicated library ger and traditional music performances by local Mongolian musicians
Tips for visiting
- Arrive with at least three nights booked — two nights is the minimum to see the Flaming Cliffs and the singing dunes; three nights allows a camel trek and proper dawn exploration of the surrounding plateau.
- The best photography light on the Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag) is at sunrise and sunset; plan excursion timing with your guide rather than taking the default midday option.
- Pack layers for the night, even in July — Gobi plateau temperatures drop to near-freezing after midnight at this altitude and the ger stoves burn through their fuel supply by early morning.
- The spa books out quickly — schedule treatments within an hour of arriving and spread bookings across your stay rather than trying to fit everything into the last evening.
- The lodge's naturalist guides have strong English; request a specific focus area (birds, geology, archaeology, or flora) when briefing your guide on arrival to get the most from excursion time.
When to visit
May to June and September to October for the most comfortable temperatures; July–August for maximum daylight but extreme daytime heat.
Accessibility
The remote Gobi terrain and ger-to-facility pathways are unpaved and uneven. The property is not suitable for guests with significant mobility impairments. Private bathroom access requires stepping around the exterior of the ger.