Mongolia 2026: Yoga Wilderness Adventure with James Rafael
24 July - 3 August 2026
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28 reviews
Adventure deep in Mongolia’s wild landscapes
Off grid yurts in a vast wilderness
Yoga, meditation, yurt saunas & river plunges
Join James Rafael for a 10-day yoga adventure in Mongolia – from the vast horizons of the Gobi Desert to the wild beauty of the Khan Khentii wilderness. Live like nomads in two remote locations, sleeping in yurts and immersed in a way of life that has changed little for centuries. This is one of our most challenging and profoundly rewarding retreat experiences, designed for adventurous spirits ready to explore one of the most remote and remarkable places on earth.
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The details
About the yoga
What's included
Accommodation
What's extra
Food
Who is this trip for
Travel
Environmental Impact
"I cannot describe Mongolia better by saying it’s the most incredible visual poem. The skies, the colours, the swift change of weather, the fog circling around our yurts in the morning, the open space, the feeling of going back to what life’s about, the people. I can go on and on. All this combined with the most professional, heart warming, funny, gifted team you can wish for. Jools and the Mongolian crew make you feel at home at the other end of the world. If you’re looking for the retreat of all retreats this is it. Go, see, experience and enjoy the Mongolian silence! Just do it!" Sharon, July 2019
Retreat costs
Price range: £3,595.00 through £4,995.00
Aurelie Knecht –
I’m grateful for Jools and the team for taking us to very unique places to explore through yoga, local connections, spirituality, and great company.
Carina Wropson –
Leave the world behind and find peace and serenity in the wilderness.
Carolina Mueller –
My mind hasn’t felt this calm in a long time… it reminded me of self care strategies I had let go off.
Cairin Hofmann –
I even forgot I had a husband. I just was soooo present!
Hannah Hesford –
It’s hard to put into words the immensity of this retreat. The silence, the mountains, the moonlike landscapes… I came into this experience with a whirlwind of noise in my mind, and I’m returning home with a renewed sense of self, peace, and purpose. If you’re craving the space to feel free, be joyful and find inspiration in a spectacular location, you need to Reclaim Yourself. Can’t wait for the next one!
Jane Dunford –
I would highly recommend a Reclaim Yourself Retreat – it’s a different experience from other yoga retreats. Everything is so carefully planned – and it’s a proper adventure as well as a nurturing and inspiring retreat. The ethos and working to genuinely contribute to the local communities is an important aspect… it’s travel that really benefits both the traveller and the community.
Julian Miller –
It’s fun. It’s challenging.
I’m glad I came.
I’ll come again.
Niki Natarajan –
Mongolia was the perfect place to reconnect to the beauty of nature. The simplicity of life, and exchange joyful conversation with like-minded adventures. Reclaim Retreats are perfect for the solo trip, home working individuals.
Paula –
If you yearn to switch off refresh, rethink and rejuvenate, these are the trips for you.
Tracey O’brien –
Find the Reclaim Yourself adventure that speaks to your heart and know that you will be looked after in everything.
Tracy Jurgus –
Wonderful… magical… vast
Victoria –
With an open heart, and adventurous soul one can trust that a Reclaim Yourself Retreat will exceed expectations and live in your memory as a highlight of your life.
Tim –
Wow, wow, wow! What a trip! I had been thinking about travelling to Mongolia for a couple of years and I was so happy when it finally worked out. So my expectations where quite high. Well, in the end it was even better than expected! The country is so vast and unique. The landscapes are just stunning. The people are so beautiful. If you are interested in exploring Mongolia, don’t think too much and just go. Both camps we visited, the Gobi Desert and Khan Khentii, are very different from each other. I also liked Ulaanbaatar a lot. So even if we only saw a fraction of this huge country, we got a good insight into different kind of landscapes and we experienced how Mongolians live. As this was my second trip with Reclaim Your Self I knew that everything would be top-notch. Both camps are very well organized. The crew is most helpful at all times. You don’t need to worry about anything – really! – anything. Jools just knows how to read people and she constantly makes sure that everything works and that everybody is fine. Emma is one of the best teachers you can find out there. You will learn a lot in her classes. Bettina’s food was delicious and Elodie’s massage was most welcome after a long day of doing yoga and hiking. Unfortunately, I had to travel alone this time. However, it was great to meet so many interesting people from all over the world. In the end it was the whole group that rocked it for real! I had so much fun and laughed a lot. I’m actually thinking about booking this trip again so I cannot recommend it more highly.
Clare –
This was the most incredible experience – a breathtaking location, delicious & healthy food and truly enlightening yoga. Thank you Jools, Emma and Emma. I can’t recommend this enough – the retreat of a lifetime.
Anna –
The location was beautiful. I loved the range of activities offered during the day- horse riding, hikes, sauna, massage, etc. The yoga classes were a good balance of dynamic in the morning and more restorative in the evening (which was great after a full day of activities). The food was excellent quality and menu was well-thought out for each days activity. The group dynamics were very good and everybody was very friendly and open. The retreat was well-planned and organised and I felt taken care of the whole time! Well done to Jools, Emma, Bettina and the whole Mongolian team. A very special experience. I definitely recommend this retreat.
Ella –
If you are looking for something unique, wild and truly adventurous and a challenge in both yoga and terrain, then I highly recommend this once in a lifetime experience.
Beverly –
Practicing beautiful Jivamukti yoga with the environment of being in the soul of the Gobi Desert and the alpine haven of Khan Khentii symbiotically transcended the experience of this retreat – I positively and fully embrace! – Jools is a pioneer – it takes an amazing being to bring such a retreat to Mongolia, and she continues to realize her vision for the rest of us to experience. – I loved every moment of Emma’s teaching – from the meditation, chanting, understanding wisdom from yoga sanskrit teachings, to the yoga practice… – Having Chef Bettina who prepared three delicious vegan meals for us a day was pure luxury and genius to execute while being in the wilderness. – The Mongolian teams are beautiful beings and touched my heart. The contrast of both the Gobi Desert and Khan Khentii was a true gift to experience. Overall, a retreat unlike any other that I would highly recommend! (Please note – a sense of adventure and openness to embrace aspects of camping and being out in nature is helpful) Sincere and heartfelt thanks for a retreat-of-a-lifetime.
Fab & Vicky –
Not sure where to start … The experience has been so transformative that our hearts are still in our Mongolian camp 10 days after being back in London. Jools, Emma and Bettina are the Holy Trinity of retreats – each one striving and achieving being the best in their field. They were the glue that held all our wonderful experiences firmly together and gave us the opportunity to relax and be adventurous. That said, Mongolia is just the most beautiful country with the most wonderful, hospitable and inspiring people. We felt so privileged to be able to meet them and get to experience a less wasteful and gentler way of living. The scenery is remote and other-worldly – this combined with digital detox, Bettina’s incredible vegan menu and Emma’s daily enlightening classes were a gift which we will cherish forever. Thank you Jools for taking the less travelled path to offer us this opportunity.
Franchesca –
Wow! What an incredible 10 days – I loved this adventure, it truly exceeded my expectations. Experiencing the Gobi and Khan Kentii made me appreciate the vastness, difference and awesomeness of Mongolia. Jools is a fabulous host. I was a little anxious that the yoga experience would be dogmatic but Emma was delightful and really playful with it. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and my body feels so strong and in great shape. I loved getting to know the group and it felt like I have been away for months – testimony to the effectiveness of what you curated. A whole hearted thanks.
Caroline –
The yoga was outstanding. The food nourishing and the perfect support for the yoga. And there are not enough superlatives to describe Mongolia. What Jools and her team have created here is pure magic and something I will hold in my heart forever. Unforgettable.
Jenny –
This was such an incredible retreat full of adventure and amazing yoga with Emma. Jools was absolutely wonderful and looked after us all so well. The food was out of this world as was everything else. I couldn’t recommend this retreat more highly.
Louise –
I had the most incredible time in Mongolia. It’s an incredibly beautiful place and Jools and the team have nailed the details. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Catherine –
A well organised retreat in an incredible location. The unique accommodation was a wonderful accompaniment to the superb food and strong and challenging yoga classes. I felt I learned a lot in the yoga classes, and really enjoyed the retreat as a chance to conversely grow and relax. Highly recommended!
Elodie –
Such a wonderful adventure. It is camping like you have not seen before… We’re not talking Glamping here. We’re talking an actual bed, sinks, hot showers prepared by lovely people, stoves lit in the morning so that you wake up toasty. Your eyes are constantly being nourished with incredible views and open space. The yoga is still some of the best to be had. What makes this truly special is the people. From the organiser, to the teacher, to the chef, to the local team… every single one of them is one of the best in their field, and cares deeply for their guests / students, is genuinely interested in the world and people around them. A true ‘switch out and dive in’.
Sharon –
I cannot describe Mongolia better by saying it’s the most incredible visual poem. The skies, the colours, the swift change of weather, the fog circling around our yurts in the morning, the open space, the feeling of going back to what life’s about, the people. I can go on and on. All this combined with the most professional, heart warming, funny, gifted team you can wish for. Jools and the Mongolian crew make you feel at home at the other end of the world. If you’re looking for the retreat of all retreats this is it: strong and sweet yoga classes with one of the abdolute best Jivamukti teachers on earth, works of art on your plate to eat, heavenly massages and spending time with a global satsang of radiating fellow travellers. Go, see, experience and enjoy the Mongolian silence! Just do it!
Laurence –
Thanks Jools, Emma, Bettina, Rob for this wonderful experience and taking such good care of us !!! 🙂 One of a lifetime journey that I highly recommand to any openminded traveller seeking for new sensations, serenity and well-being! Not only the landscapes were outstanding but what an amazing human experience, so enriching! Look forward to attending some other retreats soon 🙂
Brenna –
This was an unforgettable experience had with incredible people. Jools, Emma, Bettina and Elodie took great care supporting us in Mongolia, while making us feel welcome and connected. I traveled to Mongolia alone but didn’t feel lonely at all on this trip and it’s credit to the wonderful people who put heart and soul organizing it. This country and the people in it are beautiful and so wonderful. I highly recommend it to all who love a good adventure and yoga! I learned so much.
Julie & Grace –
To anyone wavering about visiting Mongolia, get your names down while you can, it is such an amazing place. The endless skies and awesome landscapes are totally inspiring – as is the sense of quiet, space and freedom which affected us all. This was such a special trip. As ever, courageously and thoughtfully put together and attentively overseen by Jools. This time supported by her amazing team of Emma, Bettina and Elodie and a cast of beautiful spirited locals. Further assisted by very large yaks, camels, wild horses and their stylish horse whisperers or a fleet of jeeps. Much more than a great yoga holiday with a great teacher, it was a real adventure. Whether camel riding or hiking across ethereal Gobi landscapes, leaping over swollen rivers or riding through fluorescent meadows of wildflowers, whether enjoying hot saunas, fab massages or lovingly prepared food – we felt blessed. Not least because we were sleeping in cosy yurts beneath the stars, but because we were miles away from digital distraction, this felt like a proper retreat. Just wonderful. You deserve it too. Just go!