Jalsa Urubshurow
CEO & FOUNDER
Jalsa Urubshurow’s journey began in 1952 when his parents fled Stalinist persecution in Russia, immigrating to the U.S. in search of safety. Raised in the U.S., Jalsa grew up speaking Mongolian, a language he learned from his father, who shared vivid tales of Mongolia’s legends.
In 1991, Mongolia transitioned to democracy, marking a pivotal moment for Jalsa. One year after establishing his framing business, Nomad Framing, Jalsa’s lifelong dream of exploring his ancestral homeland became a reality. His explorations of Mongolia’s breathtaking landscapes caught the attention of Mongolia’s first democratically elected Prime Minister, His Excellency Dash Byambasuren, who sought Jalsa’s expertise in expanding accessibility for Western travelers.
This collaboration led to the founding of Nomadic Expeditions in 1992, marking the beginning of Jalsa’s journey as a leader in sustainable tourism. Over nearly three decades, Nomadic Expeditions has evolved into the premier tour operator in the region, known for its commitment to conservation and community engagement.
Undraa Buyannemekh
PRESIDENT
Undraa Buyannemekh, leading Nomadic Expeditions and Three Camel Lodge, is deeply rooted in her Mongolian heritage. Her upbringing, split between Ulaanbaatar and her nomadic grandparents, profoundly influenced her grasp of nomadic culture. Educated in Russia and the U.S., she holds a graduate degree in International Relations from California State University, Sacramento. Initially leaning towards a career in NGOs, Undraa’s path veered towards sustainable tourism when she joined Nomadic Expeditions and Three Camel Lodge in 2005. By 2015, she had risen to the role of President, steering the organizations towards innovative and sustainable tourism practices. She has been instrumental in developing unique travel experiences, facilitating in-depth exploration for prominent organizations and individual travelers. Her commitment extends beyond tourism; she is focused on nurturing the Nomadic Foundation, with the aim of amplifying its positive, sustainable impact in the realm of non-profit initiatives.
Sanjay Saxena
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Sanjay Saxena was born in New Delhi, India. The son of a Brigadier General in the Indian Army, Sanjay has lived all over India and traveled extensively across Asia. During the span of his career, Sanjay has led countless groups trekking, climbing, touring, and on safaris to Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Venezuela, Peru, Iran, and of course throughout his home country of India. Sanjay’s deep insider knowledge of his homeland, together with his talent for creating unique itineraries to traditional and remote destinations, makes him one of the travel world’s top-ranked India and Tibet specialists. Since 2003, he has received Condé Nast Traveler’s “Top Travel Specialist” award for his exemplary work in India, Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan (the Himalaya). Sanjay was also chosen to be on the “WOW” List by WendyPerrin.com. Not one to be tied to his desk, you will often find Sanjay leading trips to many of our destinations.
Buyandelger Ganbaatar
IN-COUNTRY DIRECTOR
Buyandelger was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and grew up in the Uvurkhangai province of Central Mongolia. Raised by his grandparents, he was accustomed to a life of herding sheep and cattle and riding horses, integral parts of his early nomadic lifestyle. This upbringing influenced his interest in the travel industry. Pursuing his passion, Buya studied Tourism Management at the Mongolian University of Humanities. His first significant role in the hospitality sector was at the Three Camel Lodge. Over time, he became an integral member of our team in Mongolia, contributing to the planning and execution of various expeditions for Nomadic Expeditions. In addition to his work in tourism, Buya has collaborated with Mongolian and international paleontologists on expeditions to paleontological sites in the Gobi Desert. His interests also include ornithology, photography, archaeology, and biology. Committed to wildlife conservation, he serves on the board of the Kazakh Falconry Association, an NGO focused on the conservation of golden eagles.
Anand Munkhuu
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
A native Mongolian fluent in English and Korean, Anand attended high school in Manhattan while his father worked at the Mongolian Mission to the United Nations. He returned to Ulaanbaatar for university and earned a Bachelor of Accounting from the Institute of Finance and Economics and a Bachelor of Arts from Ulaanbaatar University. He specialized in teaching and interpreting the Korean language during his studies at Ulaanbaatar University. His professional expertise encompasses over 15 years in the Mongolian tourism industry. As Program Director, he designs and often leads trips focused on paleontological, archaeological, and historical themes, as well as adventure-minded trips that include kayaking, eagle hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and camel riding. In his spare time, Anand enjoys martial arts, soccer, judo, running, and practicing yoga.
Nikhita Ambre
EXPEDITION MANAGER
Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Nikhita studied Hotel Management & Catering Technology and has since spent 10 years in the travel and tourism industry, focusing on leisure trips, international trade fairs, and luxury train travel in India, South Africa, and Spain. Her travel adventures began at the young age of 7 with a journey to northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir, where she experienced sleeping on a houseboat and riding a shikara—a type of gondola colorfully decorated with fresh flower petals and large open-air seating quarters. Having traveled extensively throughout India, New Zealand, North America, Hawaii, Scotland, and Mongolia, Nikhita is always eager to learn new things about different cultures, people, food, and history. She is excited to continue her travels, explore new destinations, and help others plan their dream vacations.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Bolorchimeg is the operations manager in our Ulaanbaatar office. She began working for Nomadic Expeditions in 2014 after graduating from the University of Humanities with a degree in tourism and hotel management. She is fluent in French and also spent a year at Sejong University studying Korean. Travel is a particular passion for Bolorchimeg, who hopes to travel around the world. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading and playing the piano.