Jolaush Travel — Western Mongolia
Your Altai Adventure
in Western Mongolia Awaits
Affordable, personalized journeys through the breathtaking landscapes of Western Mongolia with your expert guide, Sabit.
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Passenger Travel
Connecting you with
Western Mongolia
Since 2007, Sabit and Jolaush Travel have been guiding travelers through the remote beauty of Western Mongolia. With nearly 20 years of experience — from glacier treks and eagle hunters to ancient petroglyphs and nomadic family stays — every trip is designed around you.
Meet Your Guide
Adventures
Altai National Park
Glacier treks, mountain climbs, and pristine high-altitude lakes
Culture
Eagle Hunters
Stay with Kazakh nomadic families and witness ancient hunting traditions
Festivals
Eagle Festival
Experience the legendary Kazakh eagle hunting festival each October
TripAdvisor
What Travelers Are Saying
Jolaush Travel has earned 60+ reviews on TripAdvisor.
★★★★★
"Traveling through the enchanting landscapes of Western Mongolia with Sabit was nothing short of extraordinary. His efforts to reach into his network allowed me to engage in activities that even native Western Mongolians might seldom pursue. I cannot recommend Sabit and Jolaush Travel enough."
— TripAdvisor Reviewer
★★★★★
"Sabit is professional, knowledgeable, and courteous at all times. He has perfect English and is a gracious host of Mongolia. Travelers will have a SAFE, comfortable and memorable trip through Jolaush Travel."
— Peace Corps Volunteer, TripAdvisor
★★★★★
"Sabit has a large network of nomadic families that provide a genuine home stay experience. Each day was an adventure, and it was hard to leave. If you are looking for the Mongolia you've seen in movies — venture out to Bayan-Olgii, and let Jolaush arrange an incredible trip!"
— TripAdvisor Reviewer
"Not simply a company designed to profit off tourists — but a family endeavor that seeks the promotion of cultural exchange and understanding."
Reviews
Rated on TripAdvisor
Jolaush Travel is listed on TripAdvisor with reviews from past travelers. Read what others say about their experience with Sabit and the team.
Excellent
TripAdvisor Rating
Personalized & Affordable
Your trip, your terms,
your budget
Every itinerary is built around your group, your schedule, and what you want from Mongolia. Our smaller size gives you access no large operator can match.
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About Jolaush Travel
Meet Sabit,
Your Personal Guide
We have been guiding travelers through the western regions of Mongolia since 2007 — nearly 20 years of experience in the field. For two decades we have focused on providing competitive service and organized travel while maintaining affordable prices that consistently beat other companies in the region.
Our smaller size, along with family connections within local communities, allows you to create your own experience — putting you in the driver's seat of your personal Altai Adventure.
Sabit is currently an English and Russian teacher in Bayan-Olgii, fluent in 5 languages (Kazakh, Turkish, Mongolian, English, and Russian). He has worked with the United States Peace Corps for four years, hosted two different volunteers, and gained personal insight into the preferences of western travelers.
His wife of 5 years, Nurgul, is also an English teacher in the city. Sabit puts his family first — one which you can stay with to lower your housing costs while traveling.
Book Your Adventure
"Sabit and Jolaush Travel is not simply a company designed to profit off tourists, but a family endeavor that seeks the promotion of cultural exchange and understanding."
Our Team
The People Behind
Your Journey
Sabit Nurgaiv
Founder & Personal Guide
English, Kazakh, Turkish, Mongolian, and Russian speaker. Teacher, guide, and your host throughout Western Mongolia.
Nurgul & Gulmira
Sabit's Family
Nurgul is an English teacher with superior language abilities. Their daughter Gulmira will win your heart from the first encounter.
Nurbek
Professional Chef & Guide
Over 15 years of experience in Kazakh, Mongolian, American, French, Korean, and Chinese cuisine. Also a knowledgeable travel guide with expertise in Mongolian history and artifacts.
Nurbek Zeinelkhan
Ulaanbaatar Representative
Sabit and Nurbek have been friends since kindergarten. Now living in Ulaanbaatar, Nurbek is an aeronautical engineer specializing in motors for MIAT, fluent in five languages including English and Russian. He will help you in the capital — airport pickup, city tours, the best restaurants and attractions, hotel reservations, translation, and connecting you with his family and their eagle hunters.
Dalaikhan
Horse Guide
Working with tourists for over 22 years as a local horse guide and a renowned eagle hunter who routinely places in the top 3 at the yearly eagle festival. While most Mongolian horses are too wild for foreigners, Dalaikhan has nearly 10 well-trained horses suitable for countryside trips. He lives in Altai soum, about 4 hours from Olgii city, with his eagle and family.
National Park
Altai Tavan Bogd
The highest point in Mongolia, complete with 3 lakes, 5 peaks, and a glacier. A day's drive from the city leads to the Ranger Base Camp — the furthest vehicles can reach.
From there, a 5-hour hike reaches the Glacier Base Camp, with days available to explore the glacier itself, the White River, or climb over 4,000 m with breathtaking views of Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan simultaneously.
Summit
Climbing Malchin Mountain
4,050 m (13,287 ft). From the Glacier Base Camp, a 3–4 hour climb brings you to one of the highest accessible points in Mongolia. No ropes or climbing gear required.
The views of the full Altai Tavan Bogd mountain range are unmatched — easily one of the top highlights in all of Mongolia. Simply add an extra camping day to achieve this.
Lakes
Khurgan & Khoton Nuur
The two largest lakes of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. South of the glacier, about a 5-hour drive — these lakes offer fishing, Kazakh family visits, herding, petroglyphs, stone men, rock paintings, and other countryside activities.
Several archaeological sites make this one of the best destinations in all of Western Mongolia. Ancient paintings and rock sculptures dating back thousands of years.
Cultural Immersion
Eagle Hunter Families
Get out of the city and into the countryside to experience the nomadic lifestyle of Kazakh herder families. The addition of golden eagles used for hunting foxes makes these nomadic Kazakhs the most unique in all of Mongolia.
Stay with local families, chat over milk tea and baursak, join daily activities like herding, harvesting cashmere, milking goats, and making fires.
Annual Festival
Eagle Festival
Celebrated in early October, the Bayan-Olgii Eagle Festival is the peak of tourism in Western Mongolia. Kazakh golden eagle hunters from all over the region demonstrate their eagles' skills through various competitions over two days — from an opening ceremony parade to an actual live wolf hunt.
A smaller, more intimate eagle festival also takes place in Sagsai Village, a 30-minute drive from Olgii, usually in late September, offering greater access to the hunters and their families.
Traditional Game
Kokpar — Kazakh Tug-of-War
This Kazakh traditional game starts with a goat's hide. Two contestants on horseback each hold onto the hide, trying to take full possession from the other. It is a very exciting and dangerous festival game — both rider and horse must be extremely strong to compete. A local favorite, Kokpar creates an electric atmosphere that always delivers action and drama.
Traditional Game
Tiyn Ilu — Horse Racing with a Twist
More than a simple horse race, Tiyn Ilu is a race against the clock. Riders compete for the fastest times while picking up objects from the ground at full gallop. Traditionally coins, now often scarves or other items in modern competitions.
The rider must have the strength and courage to hang off either side of the horse at full speed — and must have trained their horse not to buck. Fast-paced and often ends with a rider or two on the ground.
Crafts & Shopping
Kazakh Embroidery & Crafts
Available at the Eagle Festivals or at various locations in Olgii, Kazakh embroideries are among the most colorful and unique handmade crafts in the world. Techniques and designs are handed down from generation to generation and remain in high demand from locals and tourists alike.
From large wall hangings to smaller items like handbags and wallets, your friends and family will love these traditional works. Eagle hunting merchandise and clothing — including authentic fox fur hunter hats — are also available.
Western Mongolian Festival
Nauryz — Kazakh New Year
Falling in late March (usually around the 22nd or 23rd), Nauryz celebrates the Kazakh New Year at the Spring Equinox, when night and day are equal. The holiday features the year's largest parade in the center of Olgii, followed by visiting families in their homes while eating traditional Kazakh meat plates and drinking Koje (a broth-based soup with rice or wheat).
Unlike Tsagaan Sar (celebrated in the rest of Buddhist Mongolia), Nauryz is a Muslim cultural festival celebrated only in Western Mongolia and in Kazakh families. Traditional Kazakh games are also on display.
Western Mongolian Festival
Naadam — Mongolian Sports Festival
Taking place in mid-July (often around the 11th), Naadam is celebrated all over Mongolia as a summer sports festival. The three "manly sports" — horse racing, wrestling, and archery — are carried out over 2 days in Olgii. It is also possible to travel to smaller Naadam festivities in villages around Western Mongolia.
Spend time in the warm summer weather watching the games and drinking koumis (fermented mare's milk with slight alcohol). Uniquely in Western Mongolia, you can also see Kazakh traditional games like Tiyn Ilu, Kokpar, and eagle demonstrations alongside the Mongolian sports.
Additional Activities
Add to Any Trip
Camel & Horseback Riding
Stone Men & Rock Paintings
Glacier & White River
Kokpar
Tiyn Ilu
Kazakh Embroidery & Crafts
Nauryz Festival
Naadam Festival
Traditional Food
Horse & Camel Racing
Eagle Hunter Family Visits
Mongolian Fishing
Ulaanbaatar City Tours
Pricing
Flexible & Transparent
Jolaush Travel is dedicated to providing personalized itineraries on your own budget. These are sample packages — every trip is flexible and customizable. Prices are based on the total cost of the trip; divide by your group size to find the per-person rate.
Glacier Trip
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
Hike to the glacier, climb Malchin Mountain, ride horses, walk on ice to the White River, or trek across the park. One of the premier adventures in all of Mongolia.
4-day adventure$1,000 / group
5-day adventure$1,200 / group
6-day adventure$1,300 / group
*Divide total by group size for per-person cost. A group of 5 on a 4-day trip = ~$200/person.
Khurgan & Khoton Nuur
National Park Lakes
Explore the two beautiful lakes, ancient rock paintings, stone men, petroglyphs, stone ruins, and excellent fishing. A must-see archaeological destination.
4-day adventure$1,000 / group
5-day adventure$1,150 / group
6-day adventure$1,250 / group
*A group of 4 on a 5-day trip = ~$287/person.
Eagle Festival
Kazakh Traditional Festival — Early October
Includes lodging, food, transportation, guides, translators, and full festival entry. Witness golden eagle hunting and traditional Kazakh games unique to Western Mongolia.
4-day experience$630 / person
5-day experience$700 / person
*Per-person pricing. All-inclusive.
Eagle Hunter Family Visit
Countryside Stay
Visit traditional Kazakh eagle hunters in the countryside. Can be an individual adventure or added to the beginning or end of any park trip.
1 night with a family$20 add-on
1-night trip from Olgii$180 / person
2-night trip from Olgii$250 / person
*Festival + family visit combined (4 days min): ~$300/person.
Combined Park Adventure
Glacier + Lakes Together
See both the glacier and the lakes in one unforgettable journey through Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Recommended minimum of 6 days.
~$1,400 per person
Inquire Now
*All prices subject to change based on petrol/gasoline costs.
"
Our trip to western Mongolia would not have been the same without Sabit's help and guidance! He helped us enjoy the annual Naadam sporting festival in Olgii complete with wrestling, horse racing, archery, fermented mare's milk, and Kazakh sausage and kebabs. He provided cultural and historical insight into our travels and his humorous anecdotes and stories made for an ever-entertaining experience! Sabit was always professional and his vehicle is world's ahead of the standard Mongolian transport in functionality and cleanliness.
— Conrad Addison, Montana
"
Sabit demonstrated expertise navigating our journey to Tavan Bogd glacier and a rich knowledge of western Mongolia, which he shared with us during our trip to Bayan Olgii in June of 2011. His ability to communicate fluently in English and friendliness made the trip even more enjoyable. He is reliable, skilled and personable — I would recommend that anyone interested in exploring western Mongolia do so with Sabit!
— Mandy Moran, Michigan
"
Pam & I had a terrific time with Sabit both in Olgii itself where, with his guidance, we had a wonderful experience of the local Naadam Festival, & on tour in the Khoton Nuur (lakes district in the far North West). His vehicle, while basic, was perfect for the conditions, & his knowledge of the area & its history was most helpful for us. Sabit is a very kind & gentle man who takes his responsibilities as a guide seriously. Sabit certainly went beyond his strict "job description" helping us out with accommodation, with access to money in town, & with advice with shopping. The time we spent with his family out in the country was one of the highlights of our time in Mongolia. We would have no hesitation in recommending him as a guide in this region that he has grown up in & knows so well.
— Jim and Pam Cowan, Australia
"
Hunter and I both had an amazing time traveling from Olgii to Tavan Bogd with Sabit as our guide. He not only drove us to our destination and back but was happy to show us interesting spots along the way, including some especially beautiful areas in the countryside. Sabit is very friendly, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and quite skilled at maneuvering the back roads of rugged western Mongolia. We highly recommend him for any travels to western Mongolia, Tavan Bogd, and Bayan-Olgii!
— Hunter Causey and Caitlin Bruggeman, Colorado
"
I took a trip to Bayan Ulgii in the summer of 2011 and was interested in visiting the legendary Tavan Bogd Glacier. I was introduced to Sabit and he agreed to take me and my friends for a very reasonable price. Sabit is the kind of tour guide you dream of. He was very kind, well experienced and his English is stellar. He took care of all necessary equipment, obtained all the permits and helped navigate us quickly and hassle free through the various guard checks. My trip to the glacier was one of the best experiences of my life, due in large part to my new friend Sabit.
— Brian Yunt, Arizona
"
Over five times I have had the pleasure of staying with Sabit and his family. Sabit's honesty and dependability make him an exceptional friend. Throughout our friendship, he has demonstrated his accommodating nature and expertise. He never fails to surprise me with his strong hold on comical English idioms, and always shows me a good time. With Sabit, you will have a fun, individualized, and traditional Bayan Olgii experience with a trustworthy and reliable guide!
— Suzanne Cunningham, Indiana
"
Sabit is a fantastic tour guide, has a great sense of humor and knows Mongolia like the back of his hand. He's fluent in multiple languages and has an unparalleled understanding of what westerners want. Sabit takes great pride in customer service and is an honest and genuine individual. Do not travel in Mongolia without Sabit!
— Cameron Asam, Michigan
"
Traveling to Bayan-Olgii is quite expensive. After searching around for an affordable tour guide I found Sabit. Not only were Sabit's services very reasonable but he is also a very delightful man. Some nights we would stay up late swapping stories. I learned a lot about the Mongolian culture from Sabit. I wouldn't have had such a memorable experience had it not been for him. I highly recommend him.
— Daniel Morris, Missouri
"
Travelling around in Bayan-Olgii has been one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences. I will never forget the eagle hunters and the magnificent nature and landscapes. Thanks to Sabit, who introduced us to local families and always put our wishes on top of the list, the trip became special and one of a kind. His highly professional guiding skills, his kindness and care for his guests go beyond any other tour guide I have travelled with. With Sabit we all felt safe and in very good hands!
— Louise Boo Jespersen, Denmark
"
Traveling with Sabit out to Tavan Bogd was an amazing experience! We got a first class driver, a tour guide, and also a friend! Sabit was quick to help with all the work camping and to fill us in on any history of the surrounding area! I would ask Sabit to take me anywhere and I know it would be an enjoyable trip.
— Laura Godfrey, Florida
"
Sabit was a wonderful tour-guide. Reliable and honest, he was very intuitive about our interests, making the trip completely stress-free and truly enjoyable.
— Sarah Bassett, Michigan
"
Sabit was a great tour guide and real easy going. I highly recommend using his services while travelling in western Mongolia.
— Danny Wolf, Nevada
