Buyantogtokh Munkhbayar, the General Manager of the Three Camel Lodge, shares the latest updates on our continued efforts to be a good host for our people, the planet, and our eco-travel guests who travel gently to visit our beautiful lodge in the heart of the Gobi Desert. As pioneers of sustainable travel and destinations, we strive year in and year out to further our mission, following three pillars of sustainable tourism. Three Camel Lodge has remained deeply integrated with our Gobi community, providing full-time employment, training, and promotion, while spearheading conservation initiatives protecting both our environment and our culture. Emerging from COVID, we now look forward to a return to travel this Summer as our country reopens for tourism.
Sustainable Shopping in Mongolia
We at the Three Camel Lodge are frequently asked for recommendations of the best shopping in Mongolia, which is renowned for its wool garments, hand-woven textiles, and traditional handcrafts.
Our store at the lodge makes available a full assortment of products produced by Mongolian vendors, whom we select based upon the quality of their products, and the extent to which their business benefits local communities.
Geology of the Gobi Desert
What surprises people the most about the Gobi Desert is that it is not all sand. The term desert conjures images of vast rolling dunes—and the Gobi certainly has these—yet this splendidly tranquil ecosystem covering more than half-a-million square miles contains fertile tracts as well. Perhaps more surprising still is that this arid landscape was covered in conifer forests and lush with lakes and streams about 80 million years ago. Read more “Geology of the Gobi Desert”
Wildlife of the Gobi
One of Earth’s largest landscapes undisturbed by mankind, the Gobi Desert harbors some of the most unique species of animals. Read more “Wildlife of the Gobi”
Three Camel Lodge Expands Partnership with Bankhar Project
Three Camel Lodge, an award-winning, sustainable-minded luxury lodge in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, has expanded its partnership with the Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project to begin breeding at the Lodge. Read more “Three Camel Lodge Expands Partnership with Bankhar Project”
10 Must-See Places in Ulaanbaatar
For the first-time traveler to Mongolia, spending a couple days in the capital of Ulaanbaatar prior to visiting the Gobi allows you to first appreciate the history of Mongolia through visiting its rich cultural centers and museums. Within a brief drive of the capital there are also opportunities to get a glimpse of the broader natural beauty of the country. Read more “10 Must-See Places in Ulaanbaatar”
Camels of the Gobi
The temperature in the Gobi in the south of Mongolia reaches −40 °F in the winter, and as high as 113 °F in the summer, making this one of the most forbidding lands in the world. Yet Bactrian camels have thrived here for millennia, supplying the nomadic herders with valuable wool for textiles, milk for sustenance, and transportation throughout the region. Read more “Camels of the Gobi”
10 Surprising Facts About The Ger
The ger (pronounced ‘gaire’) presents a lovely window into the history and culture of Mongolia’s nomadic people. Ger is the Mongolian name for the portable, round tent dwelling used by distinct nomadic groups in the steppes of Central Asia. Also called a yurt (from the Turkic lnaguages), ger are traditionally constructed of a supported crown (roof ring), roof poles, wood latticework walls, and covered with felt—the dome skylight is open, with a woodstove chimney, and the door faces south. A marvel of ingenuity, the ger heartily withstands harsh winter winds, and radiates warmth within its insulation. The following facts about the ger are yet more intriguing. Read more “10 Surprising Facts About The Ger”
A Tradition of Conservation
For Mongolians, the concept of “environmental protection” is not merely a name for protecting nature from external influences, nor is it a name for seeking ways to rehabilitate nature after it has deteriorated. Instead it is the values of taking the necessary measures to adapt and protect nature wisely to prevent that potential degradation. It is a culture of respecting the earth, treating it with humanity, loving its animals and plants, and preserving its resources with high ecological ethics. Read more “A Tradition of Conservation”
Mongolian Dumpling (Buuz) Recipe
Mongolian dumplings, known as buuz, are a beloved staple of the country’s cuisine and a highlight of family gatherings and festivals. These steamed dumplings are typically filled with seasoned minced mutton or beef, sometimes enriched with onion, garlic, or herbs, and are carefully hand-pinched to create their signature top knot. Prepared in large batches during the Lunar New Year celebration of Tsagaan Sar, buuz symbolize hospitality and abundance, carrying forward centuries of culinary tradition from Mongolia’s nomadic culture.