Guided by Tradition, Committed to the Future
Long before sustainability became a global movement, it was simply a way of life in Mongolia. For centuries, nomadic communities lived in harmony with the land, moving with the seasons, respecting natural resources, welcoming travelers with generosity, and understanding that the well-being of people, wildlife, and the environment are inseparable.
These values continue to shape who we are today. Built using traditional Buddhist construction techniques and inspired by Mongolia’s nomadic heritage, Three Camel Lodge was created with the belief that exceptional hospitality and responsible stewardship belong together. Hospitality and stewardship have always gone hand in hand in Mongolia. Welcoming guests while respecting the land that sustains us remains central to our philosophy today.
Our sustainability philosophy is guided by three interconnected pillars: Environmental Stewardship, Natural and Cultural Preservation, and Community Empowerment. Together, they reflect our commitment to protecting the Gobi while creating meaningful experiences for our guests.
Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, every stay helps conserve Mongolia’s natural resources, preserve its cultural heritage, and strengthen the communities that call the Gobi home.
Environmental Stewardship
Responsible tourism begins with responsible operations.
Life in the Gobi has always depended on respecting finite resources. Inspired by the traditions of Mongolia’s nomadic communities, we continually seek practical ways to reduce our environmental footprint while protecting one of the world’s most remarkable landscapes. From renewable energy and waste reduction to local sourcing and water conservation, our goal is to operate thoughtfully so the Gobi remains healthy for generations to come.
- We were the first lodge in Mongolia to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles. Guests receive reusable stainless steel bottles that can be refilled throughout the property at purified water stations.
Our 73,000 kW solar array provides the Lodge’s primary source of electricity throughout the operating season, significantly reducing our reliance on conventional energy.
- In a region without formal recycling infrastructure, we developed a comprehensive waste management program that sorts recyclable materials for transport to recycling facilities while composting organic waste for use in our onsite greenhouse and repurposing materials that cannot yet be recycled whenever possible.
- We source more than half of our supplies, services, and ingredients within 50 miles of the Lodge when it is possible. Combined with produce grown in our greenhouse, this approach reduces transportation impacts while supporting local producers.
Community Empowerment
Strong communities are the foundation of sustainable tourism.
Tourism creates lasting impact when local people share in its benefits. By investing in education, employment, healthcare, and local enterprise, we strive to create opportunities that strengthen the South Gobi while helping preserve the traditions and livelihoods that define the region.
- Our onsite well provides water for thousands of animals belonging to neighboring nomadic herding families. During severe winters, we have also supplied emergency feed and hay to support local livelihoods.
We invest in education through English-language instruction, school partnerships, healthcare initiatives, and Nomadic Expeditions’ annual guide training program, helping prepare the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals across Mongolia.
- Three Camel Lodge proudly employs a 100% Mongolian staff, with more than half of our team coming from surrounding Gobi communities. Ongoing professional development, English-language instruction, and international learning opportunities help our employees build meaningful careers.
- Â Opportunity should be accessible to everyone. Many of our department managers are women who advanced from entry-level positions through training, mentorship, and experience, including our Head Chef, who began her career as a dishwasher.
- We prioritize local families, Gobi businesses, and Mongolian artisans through our purchasing and contracting practices. We also pay taxes within our local province, ensuring tourism contributes directly to local infrastructure and community development.
- Â
- Through our partnership with Pack for a Purpose, guests can support local schools and community organizations by bringing requested educational supplies.
Natural & Cultural Preservation
The landscapes and traditions of Mongolia are inseparable.
The Gobi is home to globally significant ecosystems, remarkable paleontological discoveries, and cultural traditions that have evolved over centuries. We believe protecting this heritage means investing in scientific research, education, architecture, music, and the arts, ensuring both the natural environment and Mongolia’s living culture continue to thrive.
- The Gobi is one of the world’s most important paleontological regions. Through partnerships with local stakeholders, national park authorities, and international researchers, Three Camel Lodge supports scientific expeditions, serves as a base for field research, and hosted the 4th Symposium on Asian Dinosaurs in 2019. Research supported through our wider organization also contributed to the discovery of Zaraapelta nomadis, a previously unknown ankylosaur named in honor of Nomadic Expeditions.
- Conservation begins with education. We support programs that introduce local students to the Gobi’s natural history while encouraging future careers in science, conservation, and paleontology through educational initiatives and scholarships.
- Since 2008, Three Camel Lodge has partnered with the Khankhongor Arts School to support traditional Mongolian music and dance through scholarships, musical instruments, educational resources, performances at the Lodge, and international cultural exchanges that help students share their heritage with the world.
- Three Camel Lodge was designed as a reflection of Mongolia’s nomadic heritage, demonstrating how traditional architecture and craftsmanship can continue to shape contemporary hospitality. Built using local materials and ancient Buddhist construction techniques, including a nail-free timber roof, the Lodge celebrates the country’s living cultural legacy through handcrafted furnishings, felt-covered guest gers, traditional artwork, and preserved petroglyphs that connect guests to the history and spirit of the Gobi.
- Culture continues to evolve through today’s artists. Developed in partnership with the Arts Council of Mongolia, the Avdar Artist Residency gives contemporary Mongolian artists time, space, and inspiration to create new work in the Gobi while sharing their creative process with guests through workshops, exhibitions, and conversations.
Our Projects
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the Lodge through long-term partnerships that reflect our belief that conservation begins with community. Each initiative supports a different aspect of Mongolia’s natural and cultural heritage while creating lasting impact across the Gobi.
Restoring Mongolia’s ancient livestock guardian breed to protect wildlife, strengthen nomadic livelihoods, and preserve centuries of traditional ecological knowledge.
Creating opportunities for the next generation of Mongolian musicians and dancers through education, scholarships, and cultural exchange.
Supporting Mongolia’s contemporary artists by providing time, space, and inspiration to create new work rooted in the landscapes and traditions of the Gobi.
