We proudly refer to ourselves as ‘manaikhan’—a term signifying ‘ours’ or ‘our people’ in Mongolian, akin to the concept of family. Mongolia isn’t just a destination for us; it’s our home—a place we know intimately and hold deep affection for.
In Mongolia, many women face barriers to opportunity — especially those balancing family responsibilities with economic pressures. With half the population living in underserved rural areas and around 60% of Ulaanbaatar’s residents in ger districts, access to education and career development can be limited.
While Mongolia offers formal guide training, not everyone has the time, funds, life structure, or family support to attend. That’s why we created our own informal training scheme for women — flexible, responsive, and built around real lives. From this, our team has grown.
Our female trip assistants come from a wide range of backgrounds — from young women starting their careers to experienced teachers and mothers — each using the opportunity to learn, earn, grow, and experience a taste of freedom. We wholeheartedly recognise the immense value every one of them brings to the team and to the journeys we create together.
Our journey commenced with a focus on employing female guides, reflecting our commitment to gender equality. However, it’s essential to recognise that Mongolia’s traditional culture views the roles of men and women as distinct yet equal. Therefore, we have consistently endeavoured to elevate the prominence of men within our company, fostering a culture of unity and collaboration among all team members.
We maintain personal relationships with each of our drivers and their families. While they may embody the archetype of the traditional “strong and silent” type, their value to our team goes beyond mere stereotypes. Taking the time to connect with them reveals why we entrust them with our guests. In addition to navigating the challenges of Mongolia’s roads and crafting Mongolian barbecues, they possess a remarkable talent for “mongolchlokh”—the art of improvisation in the Mongolian tradition. Witnessing their mastery of this skill is truly a delight. They are exceptional individuals, embodying the essence of Mongolian pride and competence in all they do. We consider ourselves immensely fortunate to have them as part of our team.
When we first began working in western Mongolia, rather than partnering through a local agent, Jess and Turuu made the 1,700 km journey from Ulaanbaatar several times to build connections and friendships directly with Kazakh families interested in working with us. One of those families was Jako and Bouka — a young couple with four children — who we were eager to support and who have since become an integral part of the EL family, serving as our Kazakh fixers.
Their home in Ölgii is a warm and welcoming haven for all our EL guests and team members. Over time, it has also become a gathering place for the wider Kazakh families we collaborate with — especially their sons and daughters studying in Ölgii. You never quite know who might drop by for a chat or a meal, which only adds to the sense of community and hospitality that defines their home.
Our two management roles were created with the clear intention of empowering and supporting our female workforce. In Mongolia — a rapidly evolving middle-income country where daily life can be unpredictable — our workplace policy prioritizes flexibility for both Tuya and Miigaa.
Tuya keeps everything running with warmth. As our manager, she coordinates logistics and team dynamics, balancing calm professionalism with quiet humour. Dedicated, hardworking, and loyal, she truly embodies the heart of Eternal Landscapes. When asked about her goals, Tuya’s answer says it all: she wants to be a good person and a role model — for her young family, the school children she teaches, and the newer members of the EL team.
Miigaa, our account handler, works quietly behind the scenes managing tour funds and keeping our financial systems running smoothly. Though travellers rarely meet her in person, her role is vital — she keeps the financial heartbeat of EL steady and strong. Her birthday in July has also become our unofficial summer tradition — an annual excuse for the whole team to gather for karaoke, cake, and a well-earned beer.
Our journey began in 2006, when Jess and Turuu first met while working together in Mongolia — Jess as a tour leader and Turuu as a driver. Over the next four years, we built a strong working partnership and friendship — often arguing our way around Mongolia while exploring its vast landscapes for a UK-based adventure company.
With the inception of Eternal Landscapes in 2010, and despite having no business experience or financial backing, we slowly — and sometimes painfully — bootstrapped our way up. In the early days, Jess balanced her day job as a teaching assistant (to help fund the business) with the demands of building EL. We sustained ourselves on instant ramen, and Jess lived in a US$6-a-night dorm in Ulaanbaatar, sharing the room with five others. The joy of finally having enough to rent her own room will never be forgotten.
As time went on, Jess honed her blogging skills while Turuu mastered the art of small talk. Together, fueled by perseverance and determination, we’ve built Eternal Landscapes from the ground up — turning a shared vision into reality. It hasn’t always been easy, but we believe deeply in what we do.
An informal look at our thoughts and achievements as a team
