Our Mission
Three Camel Lodge was created to share the landscapes and traditions of Mongolia with guests while supporting the people who call the Gobi home. Our approach includes working with Mongolian artisans, employing a Mongolian team, managing resources at the Lodge, and partnering on cultural and conservation projects.
Each guest learns about the nomadic way of life, as well as its traditions and customs, through visits with nomadic families. The gers and furniture is all authentic and created by local Mongolian artisans. Ingredients for the restaurant’s gourmet meals is grown and sourced locally. Most importantly, Three Camel Lodge was built entirely by locals and continues to be staffed entirely by native Mongolians.
Three Camel Lodge isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a state of mind.
Once asked why he climbed Mt. Everest, adventurer George Mallory quipped, “because it’s there.” The reason for creating Three Camel Lodge was precisely because of what wasn’t.
Jalsa Urubshurow, CEO of Nomadic Expeditions and founder of Three Camel Lodge, had been sharing the undisturbed beauty of Mongolia with travelers since the country reopened in 1990, yet he was unable to find desirable accommodations for his guests.
After careful consideration for the preservation of the region’s environment, culture and people, he opened Three Camel Lodge in 2002.
In 2002, Jalsa Urubshurow opened Three Camel Lodge, a luxury lodge in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert designed around traditional Mongolian architecture.
Our unique constellation of gers rests in the heart of the starkly beautiful Gobi Desert. These 40 traditional felt and canvas tents used by Mongolian nomads are modeled after traditional Buddhist temples, adhering to strict Mongolian Buddhist canons of “soum style.”
Built by and staffed by locals, Three Camel Lodge isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a state of mind.
Three Camel Lodge is a founding member of Beyond Green, a portfolio of hotels, resorts, and lodges with a focus on environmental practices, cultural heritage, and local communities. At the Lodge, that work includes our solar PV system, refillable water stations, waste management, and partnerships in the South Gobi.
Jalsa Urubshurow
Jalsa Urubshurow founded Nomadic Expeditions in 1992 and opened Three Camel Lodge in 2002. His work in Mongolia has included supporting cultural initiatives, wildlife research, and opportunities for local guides and hospitality professionals, Jalsa Urubshurow’s story began in 1952 when his parents immigrated to the US after a seemingly endless search for safe haven from Stalinist persecution in Russia. Born on the other side of the world from his ancestral heritage, Jalsa grew up speaking Mongolian and listening to the legends his father recited to him. One year after the establishment of his framing business, Nomad Framing, Mongolia transitioned to democracy and Jalsa’s dream of visiting his father’s homeland became a reality. During his first exploration of Mongolia’s astounding beauty, the nation’s first democratically elected Prime Minister, His Excellency Dash Byambasuren, recruited him to advise on expanding accessibility to Western travelers. Jalsa eagerly took up the challenge, and Nomadic Expeditions became a full-fledged operation in 1992. In almost the three decades since its inauguration, Nomadic Expeditions has developed into the premier tour operator for the region and a strong force within the sustainable tourism sector.
The company has replicated Mr. Urubshurow’s experiences exploring Mongolia’s ecology and culture for thousands of adventurers, including custom expeditions for the American Museum of Natural History, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Tibet House, the Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund, as well as university groups such as Harvard and Stanford. Mr. Urubshurow is recognized as the “World’s Top Travel Specialist” for Mongolia by Condé Nast Traveler and he is also on the “WOW” List by WendyPerrin.com for several consecutive years. He also serves on the board for The Arts Council of Mongolia, The Peregrine Fund, and The Captain Planet Foundation and continues to support numerous charities and nonprofits around the world.
THREE CAMEL LODGE TEAM
Undraa
Buyannemekh
Buyantogtokh
Munkhbayar
Munkhtsetseg
Nasanbat
Bayarmaa
Namjil
Gansukh
Tumurpurev
Munkhzaya
Munkhbayar
Chimedtseren Ganbaatar
Naranbuyan Tserentogtokh
Tuvshin
Batchuluun
Ariunbat
Bazarjaw
Aruinzul "Erika" Amarkhuu
Nandin-Erdene Bayarkhuu
A WORLD RENOWNED DESTINATION
- Environmental Stewardship
- Natural and Cultural Preservation
- Community Empowerment
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- Environmental Stewardship
- Natural and Cultural Preservation
- Community Empowerment
LEARN MORE
- Environmental Stewardship
- Natural and Cultural Preservation
- Community Empowerment
LEARN MORE