Sweet Gobi belongs to the Out of Nowhere brand, a new generation of ecological geolodges that has emerged in Mongolia in recent years. The camp stands 260 km from Ulaanbaatar, facing the Khögnö Khan National Park, in the Bayan Gobi region — nicknamed the Little Gobi of Central Mongolia.

Why choose Sweet Gobi

The lodge combines around fifteen to twenty yurts installed at the foot of the Elsen Tasarhai dunes, with a deliberately limited capacity: a maximum of two people per yurt (compared to three or four in most Mongolian camps), for a total capacity of 50 guests. The idea is to preserve intimacy and service quality in an environment where running water doesn't exist, yet where every daily gesture is designed to remain comfortable.

• Ecological geolodge by Out of Nowhere
• Yurts equipped with king-size beds or two single beds, silk duvets
• STEP & SPA service and "Hair Cocoon" yurt dedicated to hair washing
• Swarovski telescope available for observing wildlife
• Bactrian camel trekking in the heart of the dunes

Atmosphere and setting

The golden dunes of Elsen Tasarhai form the immediate horizon of the camp. Traditional décor inside the yurts: furniture painted in warm colours, felt carpets on the floor, Mongolian objects. The surrounding steppe remains almost empty, punctuated only by herds from neighbouring nomadic families and the silhouettes of Khögnö Khan park in the background. The experience owes as much to the isolation as to the care taken with details.

The yurts

Each yurt welcomes a maximum of two people. The layout includes a king-size bed or two separate single beds, silk duvets, hand-painted furniture and felt carpets. A space defined by a screen houses a water point (small reservoir) for morning ablutions. With no running water on the site, the lodge offers a service of four warm towels scented with essential oils, brought twice daily (three on request).

Dry toilets are installed in tents around the camp: wooden seat and lid, bucket of sawdust and ladle ensure healthy and odour-free use.

Services

• STEP & SPA: therapeutic and ecological warm towel service, complemented by massages under the yurt by reservation, provided by professionals.
• Hair Cocoon: a dedicated yurt where a hostess in traditional dress washes hair "teapot-style". The service includes shampoo, scalp massage and blow-dry (haircut is charged separately).
• Restaurant: lamb and mutton meats cooked with aromatic herbs, in traditional or reinterpreted versions by the chef. Buffet breakfast in French or English style served from 6 am to 11 am, with Mongolian specialities such as boortsog (substantial cake) and tarag (cow's milk yoghurt with a slightly acidic taste).
• Wildlife observation: a Swarovski telescope is available to scan the sky and steppe.

Location

Sweet Gobi is located in the Bayan Gobi region, 260 km west of Ulaanbaatar, opposite Khögnö Khan National Park. Allow approximately half a day's drive from the capital. The camp is situated directly at the foot of the Elsen Tasarhai dunes, a transition point between central steppe and semi-desert areas.

When to visit

Like most Mongolian yurt camps, Sweet Gobi operates seasonally, from late spring to early autumn. The months of June to September offer the mildest temperatures for enjoying outdoor activities and nights under the yurt. Outside this period, the continental climate makes the experience considerably more challenging.

What to do nearby

• Hiking and wildlife observation around Lake Taraa and in the Batkhan Uul reserve, which is home to black grouse, Steller's sea eagle, red deer, monk vulture and demoiselle crane.
• Bactrian camel trekking, an endemic species of the Gobi, amid the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes.
• Horse riding in the dunes and visits to nomadic families raising camels.
• Excursion to the Erdene Khamba monastery and the Khogno Khan site.

To incorporate Sweet Gobi into an itinerary combining steppe, dunes and nomadic culture, consult our journeys in Mongolia.