Naadam in Mongolia: The National Festival vs. the Countryside Festivals

What is the Naadam Festival?

Most travelers heading to Mongolia are intrigued by the annual Naadam Festival, the country’s traditional summer games. The games began more than 1,000 years ago and were created to ensure soldiers remained in shape during times of peace and consist of three events; wrestling, archery, and horse racing. The largest and most spectacular festival takes place in the capital of Ulaanbaatar on July 11 – 13. Over the summer, every province in Mongolia holds its own regional Naadam festivals.

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Gobi Daytrips

Suggested Gobi Itineraries: 3 Popular Gobi Daytrips

At the Three Camel Lodge, there is no shortage of adventures to savor. The lodge is the ideal base from which to explore the Gobi’s must-see destinations. You will encounter vastly different eco-systems, ancient petroglyphs or use indigenous wildlife, and the region’s most fascinating sites of historical and natural significance.

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Flora and Fauna of the Gobi

Flora and Fauna of the Gobi

While a desert by every definition, the Gobi is hardly a lifeless expanse, as its widespread ecosystems include Desert Steppe, Semi Desert and True Desert. There are vast sandscapes of rolling dunes and barren cliffs before horizons of stark limestone. There is also the vegetation of the grassland areas of the Eastern Gobi Desert Steppe. And despite the harsh extremes of climate, drought-adapted trees, shrubs and flowers persist. The various regions and differing soil types of the Gobi have given rise to surprising species, providing expanses of lush green and beautiful punctuations of color. Visitors here discover incredible terrains with an otherworldly quality and mesmerizing beauty that is never forgotten. Read more “Flora and Fauna of the Gobi”

Three Camel Lodge Sustainability Q&A

Q&A with General Manager Buyantogtokh Munkbayar

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.

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Flaming Cliffs

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”