WHY MONGOLIA QUEST?

BADRAL Yondon

Badral, the President and co-founder of Mongolia Quest, has over 30 years experience of in designing, implementing, and guiding pioneering travel projects in Mongolia, Russia, Tibet, and Nepal. He helped to build Mongolia’s one of the top eco-lodges which was listed as one of the “Best 25 Eco-lodges of the World” by National Geographic. He presides over the company’s conservation and community-based tourism projects.

GERELTUV Dashdoorov

Gerel, the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Mongolia Quest, has over 25 years of experience in the travel industry. He started his career as a horseback riding guide and eventually made his posts through all ladders of a travel company, from an office manager to Director of Operations and overseas travel representative in North America. He is a Certified Interpreter Guide by the National Association for Interpretation (USA) and oversees the company’s day-to-day operations.

TSENGELMAA Bayar

Tsengee, is Director of Operations and has 11 years’ experience in operating and customer service in the tourism industry. She graduated from National University of Mongolia with specialization in Eco-tourism management. Tsengee defines, implements, and revises operational policies for the growth of the company. The best part of her job is making people happy and satisfied. She is Certified Interpreter Guide by the National Association for Interpretation.

ODONTUYA Adiya (Odno)

Program manager

“Born and raised in the rustic yet beautiful Batsumber village, surrounded by mountains, rivers, springs, and rich flora and fauna, I spent my childhood in a ger with my parents and grandparents in a picturesque valley herding animals. My only childhood friends and toys were baby cows, horses, sheep, and goats. I used to spend entire days with my grandpa, shepherding the sheep and hunting for wild berries, and medicinal plants, and producing dairy products with my grandma. We have a unique tradition that involves offering the first sip of tea to the sky and, first bite of the meal to the fire, as we believe in natural forces and every mountain, river, and specific area has a spirit in it.

Our family moved to the city when I started school, initiating my journey to learn English and discover the world. In 2018, I completed my MSc in Tourism Management from Budapest Business School in Hungary. With experience in journalism and project management, I joined Mongolia Quest as a guide. My ultimate goal is to develop community-based, sustainable tourism in Mongolia, showcasing the last nomadic traditions and culture that align with the laws of nature.”

OTGONTUGS Myagmardorj

Otgontugs(Otgo), is a Marketing Manager and also our youngest member, injects youthful energy and dynamic strategies into our team. With a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the National University of Mongolia, Otgo crafts compelling global narratives by merging cultures, languages, and design elements. He’s the creative force behind our team’s global reach and engagement, blending innovation with storytelling expertise.

MUNKHNASAN Inderee (Muugii)

Logistics & Technical Maintenance Lead

Born and raised in Umnugovi province, Muugii is the linchpin of our expedition & camp-style trips. With expertise in logistical operations and technical maintenance, he ensures seamless journeys. Muugii brings a wealth of experience, including mastery in driving various vehicles.

OYUDAI Yondon

Oyudai was educated in Saint Petersburg, is fluent in Russian and graduated from the Mongolian Art Colleague as a professional artist. He designs our marketing materials, maintains our equipment and coordinates transportation.

Philip Currie

Dr. Philip John Currie is a Canadian paleontologist and museum curator who helped found theRoyal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Drumheller, Alberta and is now a professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Together with his wife Eva, Phil has been to Mongolia since 1998 almost every year, leading both scientific and citizen-science programs, while working closely with the Mongolian Institution of Paleontology.

Naranzaya Bayasgalan

Naraa was born in Ulaanbaatar and studied International Relations at the National University of Mongolia. She has 12 years of experience in client services and administration including project coordination, managing complex schedules, organizing events, preparing briefing books and packages, hosting international programs, and training. She is fluent in Russian and English, and currently works as the Vice President of Children International Summer Village’s National Association of Mongolia.

Orna Tsultem

Renowned scholar of Mongolian art and culture. She was born and raised in Mongolia and obtained her PhD degree in Art History from the University of California, Berkeley, where she continues to teach courses in Mongolian and Tibetan arts. She has curated Mongolian art exhibitions internationally in Asia, Europe and the US, with her most recent shows being in Hong Kong and Venice, Italy.

Erdenebaatar Dimaajav

Professor of History, Dean of faculty of Humanities and head of the department of Archaeology at the Ulaanbaatar University. He is the author of several Mongolian books and has co-authored many publications, including the history of Mongolia and the Treasures of Xiongnu. He is most known for leading a discovery of the largest known tomb site of Xiongnu period at the location known as Gol Mod-II.

Leahy Chris

Holds the Gerard A. Bertrand Chair of Natural History and field Ornithology at Mass Audubon. He has been a professional conservationist for more than thirty years and served as a Director of Mass Audubon’s Center for Biological Conservation. Author of the Birdwatchers Companion to the North American Birdlife and Birds of Mongolia books. 

Tsogtbaatar Khishigjav

He began his career as a research staff member at the Institute of Geology of Mongolian Academy of Sciences and currently is the director of Mongolia’s Institute of Paleontology and Geology. Dr. Tsogtbaatar is one of the leading field experts of Mongolian paleontology, having began his work in 1980s.

Atwood Christopher

Professor of Mongolian History and Chair of the East Asian Department at the University of Pennsylvania. His dissertation and first book Young Mongols and Vigilantes in Inner Mongolia’s Interregnum Decades 1911-1931, examined the nationalist movement in Inner Mongolia. He has appeared on numerous television shows about the Mongol world empire and is author of the Encyclopedia of Mongolia and Mongol empire.

Gankhuyag Purevochir

Head of the Mongolian Bird Conservation center, one of the leading representatives of the new generation of Mongolian ornithologists. He has worked with raptors of Central Mongolia and Gobi desert for the last decade plus. His research spreads all over Mongolia with more focus on eastern and central parts, as well as most parts of the Gobi.