A solar-powered lodge of pine-forest rooms and geodesic domes on the Khentii steppe, built beside the Onon river in the historic homeland of Chinggis Khaan.
Location: Nine Pines Lodge sits in Bayan-Ovoo, Dadal Soum, in Khentii Province, close to the Onon river and the monuments marking the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan. Reaching it means a scenic 593 kilometre drive from Ulaanbaatar, an 80 minute flight, or a helicopter transfer arranged directly with the lodge.
Rooms: Twenty rooms are split between the main clubhouse and a run of geodesic domes on the open steppe. Lodge Rooms and the Lodge Suite sit in the clubhouse, while Standard and Loft Domes reinterpret the traditional Mongolian ger, each with its own bathroom and, in the Loft Dome, a wood-burning stove beneath a skylight.
Amenities: A wood-burning sauna and an outdoor hot tub sit on a deck overlooking the steppe, alongside a pickleball court, a volleyball court and guided bicycle tours. The Deluun Boldog Restaurant and The Bar serve Mongolian dishes such as Khuushuur and Tsuivan alongside international menus, with buffet and chef's table options available by pre-order.
Activities: The Onon-Balj river basin gives Nine Pines its own dedicated fishing package, and horses are saddled for rides across the pine forest and open steppe. Guests can also walk to the Deluun Boldog monument marking the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan, or arrange a private, guided cultural tour of Dadal Soum.
Sustainability: Rooftop solar panels with battery storage reduce the lodge's reliance on grid electricity, cutting an estimated 4.86 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Waste is sorted into plastic, organic and general streams under Dadal soum's own rules, and wastewater is treated on site through an anti-bacterial system before it reaches the surrounding land.
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