Achieving New Heights With Our Team Of Mongolian Female Guides
Proud Mongols With Our Trip Assistants
February 6, 2024Expeditions In Mongolia
February 16, 2024Last updated 10 months ago by Jessica Brooks | Published: February 6, 2024
Achieving New Heights With Our Team Of Mongolian Female Guides
As those who have traveled with us are aware, we are a small, registered Mongolian company and a business with a social conscience, driven by a set of ethics and values including making a tangible difference in the lives of the Mongolian women who work as our guides. Part of our mission is to demonstrate that everyone has immense potential, and we exemplify this through our free informal training and support programme for Mongolian women, which also leads to employment opportunities for them through the trips and experiences we offer to our international guests.
Our mission goes beyond just offering adventures; it’s about fostering confidence, independence, and empowerment among our female guides such as Pujee, Odnoo, and Unuruu. And here’s proof that it’s making a difference:
Meet Pujee
Pujee is originally from Khovd Province in western Mongolia, where she spent her formative years in the countryside with her grandmother until the age of 12. Pujee joined our team when she was based in Ulaanbaatar. Despite her initial lack of confidence, she has an adventurous spirit and Pujee joined our informal training program and discovered her passion for the outdoors.
‘I didn’t really have the confidence. But since working in tourism for EL I have had a lot of chances, opportunities and life experiences. Through working in tourism I have found my inner person and interests. Working in tourism has helped me to find who I am and has created a new Puujee. And that Pujee loves to trek.’
This image is of Pujee having just reached the peak of Khuiten – Mongolia’s highest mountain at 4356m. She has gone on to climb other of Mongolia’s highest mountains including Kharkhiraa (4037m) in the Mongol Altai, Asralt Khairkhan (2,799m), the highest mountain of Mongolia’s Khentii Mountain range) and Monkh Saridag (3491m) on the border of Siberia in Khovsgol Province.
Pujee is currently back in Khovd having returned to her home province to raise her young son. Despite her responsibilities of caring for her young son and her current employment in the mining sector, which grants her the flexibility to work remotely, Pujee remains committed to her love for trekking. Pujee knows that her role as a trip assistant at EL is always open for her return. Pujee understands that we will accommodate her availability, whether she can only commit to a single tour or more. This flexibility allows her to sustain her connection with nature and pursue her passion for the outdoors alongside her other commitments.
But, it’s not just Pujee; Odnoo, who hails from the middle Gobi, also found her passion for trekking. Growing up in an area with limited hiking or trekking opportunities, Odnoo’s active nature flourished as her confidence in guiding grew. With the chance to work on trekking trips provided by Eternal Landscapes, she discovered the therapeutic effect of Mongolia’s natural beauty.
“Nature has been a great support in my life, and when you are out in the beauty of Mongolia’s nature (on foot or by horseback), you can feel a peace of mind,” Odnoo expresses.
Unuruu’s story also highlights the transformative experience she had with Eternal Landscapes. Growing up in eastern Mongolia, which is predominantly flat and where trekking or hiking wasn’t a traditional activity, Unuruu initially had limited exposure to such adventures. However, after joining EL and participating as a guide in our active trips, she found herself drawn to the challenges and the tranquility of Mongolia’s wild landscapes.
“When I sit near the open fire or hike and ride in the deep wild forest, it is so peaceful,” Unuruu reflects, showcasing how her journey with EL opened up new horizons and allowed her to connect with nature in a profound way.
