Gobi Desert Adventure at Mongolia’s Three Camel Lodge

Built in the heart of the Gobi region, Three Camel Lodge sits at the base of a natural rock outcropping and offers views of the desolate yet beautiful plain stretching off into the horizon

We travel because we crave adventure. It’s really that simple. But sometimes that craving to explore something new and exciting is stronger than usual and only something truly different will satisfy it. The next time that happens, consider getting off the beaten path by going to Mongolia and booking a stay at the eco-friendly Three Camel Lodge.

Built in the heart of the Gobi region, Three Camel Lodge sits at the base of a natural rock outcropping and offers views of the desolate yet beautiful plain stretching off into the horizon. The Lodge is comprised of a mix of modern luxuries and Mongolian tradition, beginning with the guest accommodations. 20 felt tents, known as gers, dot the property. They’re made of latticed wood by local artisans who used no nails during construction of the canvas and felt roofs in keeping with the canons of Mongolian Buddhist architecture. Inside the gers are king-sized beds with hand-painted frames and furnishings, private bathrooms, Mongolian-style bathrobes and locally produced toiletries.

The heart of Three Camel Lodge is the Dino House where guests gather in the evenings to listen to music, watch dance performances, browse the library and play games. Meals are served at the Bulagtai Restaurant, which features local dishes made with organic fruits and vegetables and meat from free-range livestock. Below the restaurant in a naturally geo-cooled room is the Thirsty Camel Bar where beers, wines and cocktails as well as non-alcoholic beverages are poured.

Part of what makes Three Camel Lodge unique is their work to preserve the environment. Not only does the Lodge serve as a base for research and wildlife monitoring but they also fight against poaching and the illegal removal of dinosaur fossils from paleontological sites. The Lodge itself relies heavily on solar power and wind energy. Buildings were constructed using unprocessed natural stone. Drainage fields were made extra large to allow more water to be reused. These measures are further proof that quality travel and economic sustainability can go hand in hand.

Photos courtesy of Three Camel Lodge