A dramatic national park of granite outcrops, rolling meadows, and enormous skies just outside Ulaanbaatar, where you can sleep in a traditional Mongolian ger.
Terelj National Park is only about an hour and a half from Ulaanbaatar, but it feels like another world. The landscape is a mix of meadows, forests, and dramatic rock outcrops, the most famous being Turtle Rock. It's an easy first stop for a Mongolia trip and a great place to try ger camping without committing to a multi-day drive into the countryside.
The park is one of the most accessible corners of the Mongolian steppe. You can hike, horseback ride, visit a local nomadic family, or simply sit outside and watch the light move across the grassland. The skies are enormous, the silence is real, and the pace slows down the moment you arrive.
Terelj Lodge Ger Camp combines traditional Mongolian gers with modern comforts in an eco-oriented setup. The gers are furnished with proper beds and heating, the camp has a restaurant and shared washrooms, and the setting puts you right among the hills and big skies.
Trip highlights
- Sleeping in a traditional Mongolian ger
- Turtle Rock and the surrounding granite formations
- Horseback riding and hiking in the steppe
- Visiting local nomadic families
- Only an hour and a half from Ulaanbaatar
Where to stay
- Terelj Lodge Ger Camp — Terelj National Park, Mongolia
An eco-oriented ger camp near Turtle Rock, combining traditional Mongolian gers with modern comforts — proper beds, heating, a restaurant, and shared facilities — just a short drive from Ulaanbaatar.