Mongolia’s vast steppes and nomadic heritage make it one of the most authentic places on Earth to experience traditional yurt living. These circular felt tents, called “gers” by locals, have sheltered herding families for centuries across the windswept grasslands.
Today, a growing number of camps blend this ancient dwelling style with modern comforts, creating an experience that honors tradition while keeping you cozy after a day of horseback riding or eagle hunting. The country’s remote landscapes—from the Gobi Desert’s singing dunes to the forested mountains of the north—provide backdrops that few other destinations can match.
Here’s a list of 15 yurt glamping spots in Mongolia that offer genuine cultural immersion alongside unexpected luxuries.
Three Camel Lodge
This eco-lodge sits deep in the Gobi Desert near Dalanzadgad, with the towering Gurvan Saikhan Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop. The gers feature handcrafted lattice frames and hand-painted wooden doors that look traditional, though inside you get proper beds with quality linens and wood stoves for those cold desert nights.
Staff can arrange camel treks to nearby sand dunes, and you might visit nomadic families who still move their herds with the seasons.
Jalman Meadows
Operating only during summer months, this wilderness camp in Khovsgol Province appears when the northern grasslands turn bright green. It’s positioned along a river valley with larch forests all around, making it perfect for fly-fishing, hiking, and spotting wildlife.
The gers keep their authentic felt insulation but surprise you with comfortable furnishings and access to a bathhouse building that has hot showers.
Ikh Nart Nature Reserve Camp
A conservation nonprofit runs this camp in Dornogobi Province, working to protect endangered Argali sheep and snow leopards in the rocky outcrops nearby. Traditional gers scatter across a hillside, with solar panels bringing electricity for basic lighting.
Guided hikes take you through juniper-dotted canyons, and researchers stationed here sometimes give evening talks about the region’s ecology.
Terelj Hotel and Spa
Don’t let the name fool you—this property northeast of Ulaanbaatar centers around luxury gers rather than standard hotel rooms. Each one has polished wood furniture, heated floors, and private bathrooms, which is quite a step up from typical nomadic living.
The surrounding Terelj National Park offers excellent rock climbing and horseback riding, with the famous Turtle Rock formation close by.
Hustai Ger Camp
This mid-range option near Hustai National Park gets you close to the park’s Przewalski’s horses, which are the only never-domesticated wild horse species left. The gers are simpler than luxury versions, but keep their authenticity with traditional decorations and felt walls that actually insulate.
Early morning wildlife drives give you better odds of spotting these endangered animals, plus various deer species and birds of prey.
Secret of Ongi
Built next to ruins from a 17th-century monastery along the Ongi River, this camp in the central Gobi mixes history with natural beauty. The green river valley creates an oasis effect against the surrounding desert, which makes the contrast pretty dramatic.
Gers include wooden floors and decent bedding, while the restaurant serves both Mongolian staples and international options.
Ayanchin Four Seasons Camp
Operating all year in Arkhangai Province, this camp works for visitors who want Mongolia beyond just summer. The gers have extra insulation and bigger stoves for winter stays when temperatures drop way below zero.
Spring and autumn bring fewer tourists but equally stunning landscapes, especially when larch trees change color in September.
Gobi Erdene Ger Camp
Located near the “Flaming Cliffs” where paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews found the first dinosaur eggs back in the 1920s, this camp makes a good base for exploring paleontological sites. The gers stick with traditional construction using colorful interior fabrics and lattice walls.
Daily trips take you to the cliffs and the nearby Khongoryn Els sand dunes, which rank among the largest in Mongolia.
Mönkh Saridag Ger Camp
This remote camp near Khövsgöl Lake in the far north only operates during summer, once the region becomes accessible after spring thaw. The lake holds nearly 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and locals call it the “dark blue pearl.”
Gers here are basic but well-maintained, though the real attraction is pristine mountain scenery and chances for kayaking, fishing, and meeting reindeer herders in the area.
Ölgii Eagle Hunter’s Camp
Situated in far western Bayan-Ölgii Province, this camp immerses you in Kazakh culture instead of Mongolian traditions. Eagle hunters in this region train golden eagles to hunt foxes and hares, and they offer demonstrations plus hands-on experiences with these massive birds.
Gers reflect Kazakh decorative styles with brighter colors and different patterns than what you’d find elsewhere in Mongolia.
Khustain Nuruu Ger Camp
Another option near Hustai National Park, this camp sits closer to the park entrance than Hustai Ger Camp and offers slightly more upscale accommodations. The gers have better insulation and furnishings while keeping traditional aesthetics intact.
Staff arrange guided treks into protected zones where wild horses graze among granite outcroppings and rolling hills.
Erdene Ukhaa Tourist Camp
This family-run operation in Bulgan Province focuses on cultural experiences rather than luxury amenities. The gers are authentically simple, and the family hosts teach guests traditional crafts like felt-making and dairy processing.
Meals feature homemade yogurt, cheese, and the famous fermented mare’s milk called airag—it’s definitely an acquired taste but essential to the nomadic diet.
Dream Gobi Ger Camp
Positioned in the South Gobi near the Chinese border, this camp serves travelers heading to or from the border crossing. The gers offer mid-range comfort with decent beds and basic electricity from generators.
The location gives you access to lesser-known desert landscapes and local herding families who welcome visitors for tea and conversation through interpreters.
Orkhon Valley Ger Camp
Set along the Orkhon River in central Mongolia, this camp occupies a UNESCO World Heritage landscape that people have inhabited continuously for thousands of years. The valley contains ancient Turkish monuments, Buddhist temples, and the impressive Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall.
Gers here are comfortable without being fancy, letting the historical and natural surroundings do the talking.
Zavkhan Ger Camp
This lesser-known camp in Zavkhan Province attracts adventurous travelers who don’t mind rough roads for total isolation. The western region sees way fewer tourists compared to the Gobi or areas near Ulaanbaatar.
Gers maintain traditional construction and modest comfort levels, but the surrounding mountains, lakes, and untouched grasslands deliver unmatched solitude and authentic encounters with nomadic herders.
The steppe stays with you
Mongolia’s glamping scene does something interesting—it brings creature comforts to remote locations without washing away the raw, windswept character that makes the country worth visiting. Whether you’re watching eagles hunt in the west or tracking wild horses in the central plains, these gers provide shelter that nomads have trusted for generations.
The felt walls might now surround proper mattresses and reading lights, but step outside at dawn and you’re standing on the same endless grasslands that Genghis Khan once rode across. That blend of old and new is exactly what makes these camps worth the long journey.
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