Glamping in Mongolia? Is that even a thing? Mongolia land of blue skies, rugged horse riders and bandits who eat marmots and get the plague. Glamping here? You can enjoy a wonderful glamping and ecologically friendly experience in the Mongolia wilderness. Whilst I was out conquering mountains (and her fear of heights ) and learning Kazakh James took a short break from his usual extreme camping and ventured into the world of glamping with Nomadic Journeys at Jalman Meadows.
Glamping:
NounA form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.
Nomadic Journeys are a small eco tour operator in Mongolia. With over 20 years of experience we knew James was going to be in great care. The company offers a variety of tours to suit every kind of traveller. Think horseback, yak and camel supported treks, Jeep expeditions as well as more leisurely activities like fishing and snow leopard expeditions. The company operates three Ger camps across Mongolia. If you so fancy you can even arrange transport, vehicle or horse back, in between the camps.
One of the great things about Nomadic Journeys is the reassurance that their years of experience mean you get excellent service from the first enquiry to delivery back to your hotel in UB.
The company excels in mobile luxury camping. Meaning that they set up amazing camps in remote and restricted areas and leave the areas as they found them.
So other than an amazing location, great customer service and an interesting website why did we choose this company against the plethora of competitors? Well above and beyond the aforementioned Nomadic Journeys were the only company who would accept a solo traveller. We had originally booked James in with two other companies to complete a hiking and jeep tour. At the last minute both companies advised that we would need to find another 3 passenger’s to join James before they would commit. The booking process was exceptionally easy via email, with an online payment system.
Self Guided Journey-
Nomadic Journeys offers an itinerary free experience also known as a self guided journey. As a guest you are free to relax in the library ger, take a stroll amongst the mountain and pretty much do whatever you fancy. It’s really a choose your own adventure kind of holiday.
Activities on offer:
Horse riding, yak rafting, hiking, mountain biking, fishing etc. Every night during dinner service a member of staff takes the time to talk to each guest and arrange the next day’s activity and any special requests. Such as having a fire lit in your ger in the morning.
James run down on an average day in the camp.
- 07:00 wake up to a fire already roaring in your ger.
- 07:30 breakfast in the restaurant ger.
- 09:00 morning activities-
- 13:00 lunch time in the restaurant ger.
- 14:00 Afternoon activities
- 18:00 dinner and beer o’clock whilst you plan the next days activities.
Ger, Sweet Ger.
Each ger is set up to host two guests. James was fortunate enough to have a ger all to himself.
A ger is a traditional Mongolian home. Is there any difference between a yurt and a ger? Absolutely non except the spelling and regional dialect. Both words translate roughly to house/home and relate to a collapsible mobile home.
Let’s talk about price.
So you’re off for a luxury eco trip and think it’s time to start harvesting the money tree? Rest assured the pricing from Nomadic Journeys is as pleasant a surprise as is the camp itself. Prices start at $290US per person for a minimum 2 night stay. Each additional day is $125 US.
The price includes collection from one of the many main hotels in Ulaanbaatar, transport to the camp, accommodation AND 3x meals a day. Activities, beer and a few other international luxuries are extra.
We opted to book directly. Nomadic Journeys does currently have partnerships with several tour companies across several countries. However the Australian agent was charging $1090 AU for a 3day/4night self guided journey.
Where is Jalman Meadows?
In the uppermost parts of the Tuul River Valley, just a one day ride from the watershed of Asia, is Jalman Mountain and Jalman Meadows, a huge meadow along the Tuul River with a lot of wildflowers in the summer. It is located within the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, which is Mongolia’s only true wilderness area, extending all the way up to the Russian-Siberian frontier. Terelj National Park is the southernmost extension of that same wilderness area. In Terelj conventional tourism has been allowed to develop. Nomadic Journeys’ low impact ger camp, Jalman Meadows Ger Camp, is located next to the Tuul River and Jalman Meadows.
Nomadic Journeys is committed to the principles of Ecotourism and have entered into a concession agreement with Erdene Soum and The Khan Khentii Protected Area administration to bring additional jobs into the area based on traditional livelihoods. These involve the provision of yak carts, pack horses, riding horses and labor. The camp has a maximum capacity of 30 guests in double occupancy gers and vehicles are parked away from the camp. The entire ger camp is fully collapsible, and do not have shower nor WC blocks. The toilets are long drop style allowing for natural decomposition. Showers are provided in a small ger with hot water using portable showers. All trash is separated. The camp can be relocated leaving no more impact on the area than a herdsman family would. Solar panels and windmills generate some electricity for refrigerator and kitchen use. Jalman Meadows Ger Camp is indeed a fully collapsible hotel.- Extract taken from Nomadic Journeys.
As per usual all our views, opinions and silly photos are our own. We did not receive any special treatment, monetary contribution or anything like that. James really did enjoy his time here and I for one was grateful of their excellent communication and organisational skills.
Jeanette
Founder, Principal Blogger & Coffee Drinker
Coffee Lover | Travel Blogger | Horse Rider | Adventure Racer | Donut Dame. Generally nice lady-enjoys wine, indie movies & random dance parties in my tent.
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I really appreciate the care Nomadic Journeys takes in every aspect of their glamping experience. From solar and wind powered electricity to the activities they offer, it sounds like an incredible experience with very little impact on the environment. What part of Mongolia do they operate in?
This is the first time that I encountered the word ‘glamping’. I like it! This is the kind of adventure that I would like to do in the future. I have not been to Mongolia and am curious to know how people take a trip there. Nomadic Journeys sounds like the perfect tour company. I like the activities that they offer. The price is quite reasonable too. The ger looks comfortable and nicely decorated.
Ger camping in Mongolia seems like a great alternative to camping in the woods. I love that Nomadic Journeys are taking steps towards Ecotourism and helping to support responsible tourism. It’s nice for is to view the world with leaving fewer footprints.
Thanks for the definition. I din’t even know the word glamping… lol
As far as Mongolia is concerned, I am prepared to do glamping, clamping, or even sleeping under the open sky if I can make it to that country. It is just that sort of a place that attracts me.
It’s a pretty amazing place!
I was as surprised as you were hearing about Glamping in Mongolia. Still trying to get my head around it considering how rustic and somewhat rural the idea of Mongolia is. But, I’m glad you’re breaking the myth and it’s such a wonderful way to enjoy not to mention the mobile part of the camps along with them being careful about leaving the sites as they found them. I’ve been wanting to go Glamping for a while now so who knows maybe it’ll be in Mongolia.
I have had Mongolia on my bucket list for ages but I have moved it up the list even more now after I know you can go glamping there. I love camping but I have wanted to try glamping for a while, what a great place to do it and experience. I am definitely going to pin this, as i like to come back to this post when I get to Mongolia
Ger glamping sounds like a great way of nature camping. And the fact that they are committed to Ecotourism and that they use solar panels and other eco friendly ways of camping is a great way to foster responsible tourism. Definitely gonna try this out when in Mongolia.
Definitely that was my first reaction – Glamping in Mongolia?!!! The Ger looks absolutely spectacular. Right, it did remind me of a Yurt! The whole concept of it being in the middle of nowhere is just awesome!!!
Off late I have been hearing a lot about Glamping. The option you have mentioned is quite affordable. Recently I met the marketing manager of a company who run super expensive Glamping company in Thiksey, Ladakh, India. They said it costs $1000 a night. Phew!