OUR TEAM · ÖLGII, BAYAN-ÖLGII
Meet the local team behind Vacations Mongolia
A family-run Kazakh team from Bayan-Ölgii: founders Jansaya Tegeshil and Seilbek Shaimardan, and guides Adya Shaimardan and Khydyrbek Maulen.
FOUNDERS
GUIDES
BASE
REGION
RATING
Jansaya & Seilbek
Adya & Khydyrbek
Ölgii town
Altai, Bayan-Ölgii
5.0 on Tripadvisor
THE TEAM AT A GLANCE
Our guides were born in Bayan-Ölgii — near Dayan Lake and in Sagsai — and grew up with Kazakh nomad culture.
OUR TEAM
The people behind your trip
Vacations Mongolia is run by a family team of Kazakhs from Bayan-Ölgii, western Mongolia. Owner and founder Jansaya Tegeshil and CEO and founder Seilbek Shaimardan run the company from Ölgii, and local guides Adya Shaimardan and Khydyrbek Maulen lead the tours in the Altai Mountains.
FOUNDER
Jansaya Tegeshil
Owner and founder of Vacations Mongolia, with long experience in travel and service in Western Mongolia.
Owner & founder
Western Mongolia
Co-founder, Sunny Med Hospital
Background
Owner and founder of Vacations Mongolia
Long experience in the travel and service industry, especially in Western Mongolia
Co-founder of Sunny Med Hospital
Trained at the Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King’s College Hospital (UK)
Studied at the National Centre for Maternal and Child Health and the Health Sciences University of Mongolia
CEO
Seilbek Shaimardan
CEO and founder of Vacations Mongolia, a tourism company built on ESG principles.
CEO & founder
14+ years in IT & business
Background
Leads the company with a focus on authentic, sustainable and personalised tours
More than 14 years in information technology, business analysis and digital transformation
Master’s in International Business and Management, Liverpool John Moores University (2022)
Master’s in Management Information Systems, University of the Humanities (2012)
Studying for a Master of Laws (LLM) at the University of East London (2023–2026)
GUIDE
Adya Shaimardan
Tour guide born near Dayan Lake in Bayan-Ölgii, with hospitality experience in London.
Tour guide
English-speaking
Background
Born near Dayan Lake in Bayan-Ölgii
Worked three years at The Golden Hind Restaurant in London
Knows what Western travellers expect in comfort, safety, food and service
Explains local culture clearly and in an engaging way in English
Patient and flexible — adapts itineraries to guests’ interests
GUIDE
Khydyrbek Maulen
Guide from Sagsai in the Altai Mountains, guiding international travellers since 2023.
Tour guide
Guiding since 2023
Background
Born in Sagsai village, Bayan-Ölgii, in the heart of the Altai Mountains
Experienced in horse riding, mountain hiking, eagle training and Kazakh cooking
Plays and sings on the dombra, the Kazakh lute, around the campfire
Deep knowledge of local customs, history and Kazakh culture
PERSONAL
Small groups, real contact
Flexible plans and a team that answers on WhatsApp before and during your trip.
RESPONSIBLE
Fair, low-impact travel
Local guides, drivers, cooks and horse handlers, fair wages and Leave No Trace on every tour.
WHY A LOCAL TEAM
Why travel with a local team
LOCAL
Born in Bayan-Ölgii
Our guides grew up near Dayan Lake and in Sagsai and share their own Kazakh culture.
FAQ
Questions about our team
Who owns Vacations Mongolia?
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Vacations Mongolia LLC was founded by Jansaya Tegeshil, its owner, and Seilbek Shaimardan, its CEO. Both are part of the family-run team in Bayan-Ölgii.
Where is the team based?
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In Ölgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii province in western Mongolia. Our office is at Flat 606, Happy Town 3, Bayan-Ölgii 18700.
Who will guide my tour?
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A local English-speaking guide from Bayan-Ölgii, such as Adya Shaimardan or Khydyrbek Maulen, together with experienced local drivers, cooks and horse handlers.
Are the guides local?
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Yes. Adya was born near Dayan Lake and Khydyrbek in Sagsai village, both in Bayan-Ölgii. They know the Altai, the nomad families and Kazakh traditions first-hand.
Do your guides speak English?
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Yes. Our guides speak English; Adya worked for three years in London and knows what Western travellers expect.
What do travellers say about the team?
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Vacations Mongolia is rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor. Guests mention well-organised trips, flexible planning by Seilbek and helpful, safety-minded guides and drivers.
How can I contact the team?
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WhatsApp or Viber +976 9990 8111, WhatsApp +976 9904 9307, or email vacations.mgl@gmail.com.
Written by the Vacations Mongolia team · Updated October 2026