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.
Bolorchimeg Soronzonbold
Director of Operations for Mongolia Experiences
Bolorchimeg is the Director of Operations for Mongolia Experiences 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.
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.
Khaliun “Hali” Dashtumur
Product Development and Guide Manager
Born in Ulaanbaatar, Khaliun is a dedicated and engaging professional known for her enthusiasm, precision, and easygoing nature. With an academic background in Biology and Chemistry, she brings a strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy to every aspect of her work, approaching each task with both care and curiosity.
Fluent in Russian and English, Khaliun naturally bridges cultures, communicating ideas, traditions, and histories with clarity and sensitivity. As Product Development and Guide Manager for Nomadic Expeditions, she combines her passion for history and paleontology with rigorous research to develop thoughtful itineraries and oversee guide excellence. Through her work, she ensures each journey reflects Mongolia’s rich heritage and offers guests meaningful context, depth, and insight.
Sameh Samaan
Expeditions Specialist
Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Sameh developed a strong passion for travel from an early age. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hotel Management and is a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) from The Travel Institute in the United States, combining solid academic foundations with internationally recognized professional credentials.
Sameh began his career in the travel and tourism industry in 2002, gaining extensive hands-on experience in tour operations, ground services, and tour leadership. In 2008, he relocated to Kuwait, where he spent 14 years further expanding his expertise to include flight ticketing, cruise reservations, and complex multi-destination travel planning. His career spans more than two decades of continuous industry involvement.
Having traveled extensively across North America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Sameh brings firsthand destination knowledge to every journey he designs. With a client-focused approach and deep industry insight, he is committed to delivering seamless, meaningful travel experiences.
Christina Caracappa
Expeditions Specialist
Christina is a graduate of Temple University’s Fox School of Business, where she earned a degree in Business Marketing. With a strong foundation in strategic planning, client relations, and storytelling, she brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to crafting exceptional travel experiences. As an Expedition Specialist at Nomadic Expeditions, Christina is passionate about designing journeys that are immersive, seamless, and deeply connected to place, culture, and people.
Outside of work, Christina leads an active lifestyle through strength training and running, and finds balance and inspiration by spending time at the beach. She is an avid student of the Italian language and frequently travels with her husband and three children, creating culinary-centered journeys focused on regional cuisine, local specialties, and meaningful cultural discovery. Through these travels, she continues to explore and celebrate her family’s Italian heritage—an experience that fuels her appreciation for authentic, experiential travel and informs the care she brings to every expedition she helps plan.
Jamie Van Cleave
Expeditions Coordinator
Supporting the Nomadic Expeditions team, Jamie blends a love of travel, a talent for clear communication and a strong commitment to the environment into helping travelers plan their unforgettable journeys to beautiful and remote destinations. Reflecting the company’s values, Jamie brings enthusiasm, care, and a genuine sense of purpose to the role. She is passionate about protecting the natural world and empowering local communities in the destinations where Nomadic Expeditions operates. Jamie also has an appreciation for Himalayan art and a strong interest in Buddhism, meditation and yoga. In her free time, she enjoys being out in nature including environmental cleanups, hiking and kayaking.
Being part of Nomadic Expeditions is a source of true pride and excitement for Jamie, and she is eager to help travelers embark on meaningful adventures that foster the spirit of exploration and deepen their understanding of Asia and its cultures.
Grace Loftus
Marketing Coordinator
Grace is the Marketing Coordinator for Nomadic Expeditions and Three Camel Lodge, overseeing marketing campaigns and communications for both. She joined Nomadic Expeditions after graduating from Roanoke College with a B.A. in Sociology, bringing her understanding of people and social behavior into her approach to storytelling.
Her love of travel began early, with family trips across the U.S. that sparked her curiosity for different landscapes and cultures. Since then, she has visited nearly all 50 states, trekked through many U.S. national parks, and explored countries across Europe. Her weekends are often spent hiking, bird-watching, or discovering new corners of the natural world. Grace is always eager to experience regional cultures, local traditions, and new adventures, and she channels that curiosity into sharing the stories of Nomadic Expeditions and Three Camel Lodge.
Layal Haykal
Accountant
Born in Lebanon, Layal Haykal is an accountant at Nomadic Expeditions with more than ten years of experience in finance and accounting. She holds a degree in finance and plays a key role in supporting the organization’s financial operations through accuracy, structure, and consistency. Trilingual and culturally aware, Layal brings a disciplined and global perspective to her work supporting a travel company dedicated to meaningful and culturally immersive experiences.
Her professional approach is complemented by a genuine interest in culture and diversity, shaped by personal travel experiences across Europe. Outside of her professional role, Layal enjoys arts and crafts, reflecting her appreciation for creativity and thoughtful process.
