Ultimate camping holiday: US$1,600 a night to sleep in a tent, but oh, what a tent – a ger on the Mongolian steppe

Where in the world are we? In a luxury ger in the middle of pretty much nowhere, four hours’ drive west of the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator. There is no other build­ing – or indeed, at night, light – visible as far as the eye can see towards the mountains and sand dunes on the distant horizons.

Remind me, what’s a ger? A nomadic tent, Mongolia’s traditional accommodation, that can be dismantled, moved and reassem­bled without leaving a trace, and whose cir­cular design encour­ages genuine connec­tion and commu­nity. Oh, and don’t call it a yurt – that’s the Russian word for these unique homes.

What makes this one special? Staying in any ger is a remarkable experience, but this one – well, two, as you get a bedroom and a bathroom, joined by an internal door – takes things to a new level. Your ger will be 50 metres or so from a nomadic family, allowing you to learn about their culture first-hand. If you wish, you can help milk their animals on the vast, beautiful plains, collect wood for the fire or assist in ferment­ing mare’s milk and making cheese.

The location of the ger will depend on where the nomadic hosts happen to be when you visit. However, there is the option of booking a bespoke Mandala ger in any location of your choosing.

You don’t get all that at a Holiday Inn. Quite. It’s a humbling experience watching these nomads lead their lives with dozens of horses, herds of cattle, sheep and goats. Although they now have solar panels and rudimentary technology, these people have essentially lived this way for centuries, relocating their entire homes four times a year.

The families Mandala Mongolia, the company that runs the camps, works with both benefit from, and embrace the opportunity to have, a sustainable string to their bow. They are paid a monthly care­taking salary and their seasonal settings, personalities and enthusiasm are all key.