About this Retreat
Claire des Longchamps is an experienced Iyengar yoga teacher with more than 35 years of teaching practice. Her approach is precise, grounded, and accessible, with special attention to alignment, breath, and individual adaptation. She teaches with clarity, depth, and kindness, creating a supportive space where both beginners and experienced practitioners can deepen their practice. Through this journey in Mongolia, she offers yoga as a path to presence, balance, and inner connection, in harmony with the rhythm of travel and nature.
Details of this retreat
Yoga Iyengar in Mongolia
June 28 – July 13, 2026
Join us for a unique yoga journey through Mongolia with Claire des Longchamps, a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. Throughout the trip, yoga will be practiced in the morning and/or evening depending on the day’s activities, the weather, and local conditions. The pace of the journey follows the rhythm of Mongolian nomadic life rather than a minute-by-minute schedule. 
This is an ethical, authentic, and solidarity-based journey: environmentally respectful accommodation, stays with nomadic families and committed camps, and a travel style far from mass tourism. The region of Arkhangai offers magnificent landscapes, sacred places, and a deep sense of inner freedom. 
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Day 1 — June 28, 2026
Departure for Ulaanbaatar
Round-trip international flights from Frankfurt are included in the package. The outbound flight to Mongolia departs Frankfurt at 2:30 PM on June 28, 2026, and the return flight is scheduled for 1:10 PM on July 13, 2026. Guests are advised to allow sufficient time for their connection in Frankfurt, as it is a very busy airport. 
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Day 2 — June 29, 2026
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s vibrant capital, you will be welcomed at the airport by our local team. You will then be transferred to a ger camp on the outskirts of the city, a peaceful place to rest and gently acclimatize after your journey. After a welcome breakfast and some time to recover, we will visit the great Gandan Monastery, the largest and most sacred Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. In the afternoon, there will be time to rest due to jet lag. In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Mongolian dinner in a ger restaurant before spending the night in a yurt. 
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Day 3 — June 30, 2026
Khogno Khan
After breakfast, we travel west toward the beautiful Arkhangai province, known for its breathtaking scenery. By late morning, we arrive at a monastery nestled in the mountains, where you will take part in a meditation session in a setting of silence and serenity. Afterwards, there will be time for a walk in the surrounding sacred landscape. In the evening, you will settle into traditional yurts with simple but authentic comfort and enjoy a traditional Mongolian dinner. 
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Day 4 — July 1, 2026
Ovgunt / Karakorum
After a peaceful night near the sculpted rocks of Khogno Khan, we continue to Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. Our first stop is Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest fixed Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, with its impressive white walls and stupas. You will have time to wander through the temples and absorb the calm wisdom of this sacred site. In the afternoon, we explore the lively local market and visit the museum to discover the fascinating history of Mongolia. 
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Day 5 — July 2, 2026
Karakorum / Natural Hot Springs
After about three hours of driving across the Mongolian steppe, we are welcomed by a nomadic family living in a beautiful valley dominated by the hot spring of Tsenkheriin Rashaan. This natural thermal site is known for its healing waters, rich in sulfur and sodium. You will have the chance to bathe in these soothing waters, surrounded by the tranquility of the steppe and the vast open sky. Accommodation is in traditional yurts rented from local herders, and dinner is prepared by your nomadic hosts. 
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Day 6 — July 3, 2026
Stay with the Nomads of Tsagaan Sum
This day offers sweeping views over the valley and an immersion into the daily life of Mongolian nomads. In the morning, you will observe their simple and skillful way of life, deeply connected to nature and the elements. After a short vehicle transfer, we reach the Tuvkhni mountain area, covered with larch forests and surrounded by pristine nature. In the afternoon, we enjoy a gentle three-hour hike to Tuvkhni Temple, a spiritual and serene place perched high in the mountains. After the visit, we return to our camp for the night in a traditional yurt. Dinner includes the famous Horhog, a beloved Mongolian dish of lamb cooked with hot stones and vegetables. 
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Days 7 to 9 — July 4 to 6, 2026
Days of Exchange and Deep Learning in the Orkhon Valley
During these three magical days, we immerse ourselves in the sacred beauty of a natural park in the Orkhon Valley. We stay in tents in the heart of nature, among rolling hills and wide plains, accompanied by wind and birdsong. This setting offers a unique opportunity to practice yoga and relax in the wild. Beyond yoga, these days are shaped by exchange and learning among participants and local people, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and shared discovery. 
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Days 10 to 11 — July 7 to 8, 2026
Peaceful Stay at Lake Ogui
Lake Ogui is a serene jewel in the heart of the Mongolian steppe. Its calm waters reflect the blue sky and create an almost dreamlike landscape, perfect for contemplation. This stay by the lake is designed as a peaceful pause for rest and reconnection. The lake is also a refuge for exceptional wildlife, including migratory birds and majestic birds of prey. You will stay in comfortable yurts and enjoy walks by the water, meditation in nature, and carefully prepared meals by local herders. It is a place where time seems to stand still. 
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Day 12 — July 9, 2026
Return to Ulaanbaatar
We leave the wild expanses of the steppe and head east toward the capital. As we drive, the landscape gradually changes, with greener steppes giving way to more arid vegetation and golden dunes appearing on the horizon. After several hours by 4x4, we arrive back in Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we share a final warm dinner in a yurt with the local team, a moment to reflect on the journey and celebrate the experience together before returning to city life. 
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Day 13 — July 10, 2026
Ulaanbaatar / Naadam Festival
From early morning, you will be immersed in the festive atmosphere of Naadam, Mongolia’s great national celebration. You will see Mongolians dressed in beautiful traditional deels and experience the excitement of the festivities. After free lunch at the festival grounds, you will go to the central stadium area to watch fascinating competitions such as ankle-bone shooting and archery. The day ends with a festive dinner in a warm yurt. 
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Day 14 — July 11, 2026
The Great Naadam Festival
In the morning, we drive to Khui Doloon Khudag, a beautiful valley about 25 km from Ulaanbaatar, to attend the famous Naadam horse race. Young Mongol riders in traditional clothing offer a thrilling spectacle of speed, mastery, and tradition. In the evening, after a convivial dinner in the city, you will attend the evening session of the opening ceremony, with songs, music, and Mongolian dances. The day closes with another unforgettable night in a yurt under the stars. This program is fully included in the package and offers a deep immersion into the festive spirit of Naadam. 
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Day 15 — July 12, 2026
Day of Integration and Freedom
After experiencing Mongolia in both stillness and celebration, this final full day is left open for personal choice. You may take a local bus into the city to continue enjoying the Naadam festival, or you may stay quietly at the ger camp to rest before your flight the next day. It is a free day for integration, rest, or further exploration. 
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Day 16 — July 13, 2026
Return Flight
Early in the morning, our driver will take you to the airport for your return flight. 
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Price
€3,580 TTC / incl. taxes from Frankfurt. 
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The price includes
• Airport / ger camp / airport transfers
• Round-trip international flight Frankfurt–Ulaanbaatar–Frankfurt with MIAT in economy class
• Nights planned at the ger camp in Ulaanbaatar on a full-board basis
• Full board during the excursion, including mineral water
• 3 nights in comfortable yurts with hot shower
• 1 night with a nomadic family
• 4x4 vehicle with driver
• Fuel
• English French-speaking interpreter
• Cooks
• Local guides for hikes
• Yoga classes
• Entrance fees to parks and museums mentioned in the program
• Traditional Mongolian show
• Basic equipment (beds, mattresses, blankets with host families; camping tables and chairs) 
The price does not include
• Visa requirements and visa fees if applicable
• Tips
• Drinks other than tea, coffee, and mineral water
• Any service not specifically mentioned in the program
• Flights from your home city to Frankfurt and back
• Repatriation insurance / cancellation insurance