The Offbeat Goat Collection
Genghis Khan Retreat
Orkhon Valley, Mongolia
Mongolia / Orkhon Valley /Genghis Khan Retreat
A taste of nomadic life and understated conscious luxury in the Orkhon Valley
Pitched in the far reaches of the Orkhon Valley along the banks of the Orkhon River, this stylishly designed luxury camp of felt-clad gers offers travelers an experience of a lifetime in what feels like the end of the world. Long used as an exclusive camp for eccentric owner Christopher Gierke and friends, the yurts are now open to travelers seeking immersive nomadic experiences in style.
Do not expect conventional luxury, but there is no shortage of comfort, intimacy, and untouched nature at this unique adventure camp.
“Beautiful, diverse, untouched – there aren’t many destinations like this left in the world. We searched the globe to bring you a unique, authentic travel experience full of cultural immersion.”
- The Pavilions Mongolia (Exclusive partner with Genghis Khan Retreat)
the look.
Set in the grasslands of the Orkhon Valley, each spacious yurt is tastefully decorated in the Mongolian Buddhist tradition, featuring pinewood floors, ornately painted doors, and colorful latticework supporting the circular structures.
The interiors exude coziness and intimacy, equipped with tiny wood-burning stoves, sheep wool rugs, hand-painted furniture in creamy orange and turquoise shades, and sturdy wooden beds adorned with fluffy duvets and soft cashmere blankets. The bathrooms are clean and tastefully designed, boasting colorful washstands, wood-fire heated bathtubs, and enclosed outdoor gravity showers.
the experience.
plenty to explore
Venture out for a proper gallop on one of the camp’s sturdy grassland ponies. Trek to one of the oldest monasteries in the country, Tuvkhun Monastery. Feeling adventurous? Grab your packed picnic lunch and head out on a mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, or hiking expedition with local guides eager to uncover hidden offbeat places.
detox
Lazily sink into high-sided wooden soaking tubs with epic views over the vast grassy plains. Indulge in Mongolian spa treatments or a healing massage with a resident Shaman. Try your downward dog Vinyasa style with an expansive view over the rolling green steppes. Cozy up around little iron wood-burning stoves in traditional candle-lit gers and slumber away with a hot water bottle under soft cashmere blankets, only to be awakened by the aroma of a delicious Himalayan brew.
remote
Enjoy the thrill of being whisked away in a convoy of 4x4 vehicles through Mongolia’s vast pasturelands to your end destination, a 6-hour drive away. Be sure to watch the sunset over the desert steppe from the camp’s expansive verandah.
sense of community
With an aperitif in hand, relish in mingling with fellow guests as you're treated to communal home-cooked meals and evening performances of traditional music, dance, and contortionism. Be sure to engage in conversation with hotelier Christopher Giercke; he has quite the life story and a wealth of information on Mongolian history.
polo
Visit the Genghis Khan polo school, where much of the hotel’s earnings support local Mongolian children to learn the sport.
Genghis Khan Retreat also partners with the It Must Be Now, a leadership platform and facilitator that exists to help hospitality companies, tourism facilities, and educational establishments to advance sustainability and achieve Climate Positive with accountability and transparency.
the impact.
Eco-design
Low-impact yurt camps, using minimal materials to construct.
Community-focused
30% of annual earnings are donated to polo training and educational support programs for Mongolian children. Most of the staff are raised in the valley.
Culinary sustainability
All meals are sourced locally.
Waste, water, and energy management
Camp is entirely off-grid.
at a glance.
$$$-$$$$
Good to know
Minimum 5-night stay. Guest numbers are limited to 20-25. All gers have private bathrooms and 24-hour solar-generated electricity. The camp is all-inclusive and includes all meals, activities, guided tours, classes, and massage treatments. The camp is also known as Pavilions Mongolia (part of the Pavilions Hotels).
Location
Orkhon River in the UNESCO-protected national park of Orkhon Valley National Park (200 miles west of Ulaanbaatar, 5-hour drive). The transfer charge is $350 each way.
Photos courtesy of: Genghis Khan Retreat/ Pavilions Mongolia.
Stays and Experiences in Mongolia
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