Hogy.

Hogy is very professional and caring guide. She is also very knowledgeable guide - shared with us a lot of interesting information about Mongolian culture and history. We sincerely recommend Hogy!

I have many concerns about my experience, which was not best one as my first time with indy guide. I can summarize my experience as follows: - I paid for the guide because I see saw the review, but the guide did not come he delegated another guide. I was not informed about this. - There was no flexibility in the price reduction, I had to cancel one day but the guide discounted only 20 USD out of 630. - There is not precautions was provided for the situation in Mongolia in general. For example, the toilet in the countryside are not clean and it is only a hole in the ground. I was not aware of that. - The guide and the team come with me are nice, but they were smokers where I don’t smoke. - In the beginning, I had a shared Ger, but after I talked to the guide, I was provided with private one. - The main guide never asked me if I am doing ok or enjoyed the visit. I only saw her when she collected the money and disappeared after that. - The route was not the best, we had to travel 300 km west of the capital in day one, then travel 400 km to go to the east side of the capital so I spend all of my trip in the road which is bad planning.

Mohammad

September 2022

The tour was nice, very nice to be hosted by a nomad family, the guide cooked well for us, and the reliable driver, we didn`t like the little goby desert tour, we imagined a very exciting tour, we had agreed for 1 hour, instead we rode the camels for 10 minutes, and we were tied to each other, not free.

We had an amazing time in Mongolia. And this is because of Hogy and her team! From Altai to the sandy dunes of Gobi and the beautiful Khuvsgul Lake to a 3 day horse riding trip to Terelj. Hogy and her team arranged our 21 day trip to Mongolia with an itinerary that was packed with adventure. Thank you to our guide Bopi and driver Aidan in the Altai mountains for showing us their Kazakhs culture and traditions and our guide Erde and driver Amra for taking care of us in the southern, central and northern Mongolia. We had an amazing time with our horseman Bambaa in the Terelj NP on our 3 day horseback riding trip which allowed us to live like nomads. So many great memories, adventures, and new friendships! Thank you Hogy and your team! We will contact you on our future trip to Mongolia again! This time it will be 15 day horseback riding trip to Khenti NP :) Marketa, Pavlina (sisters), Eva & Ivo (parents) From Czech Republic & California

I am very happy with my experience with Hogy and her team. From the very beginning, Hogy was always responsive and helpful as I tried to figure out rates and plans. The trip itself was great -- well paced, authentic experience (we stayed with nomadic families rather than super touristy camps), and our guide (Tuya) was always cheerful, helpful, entertaining, and happy to change the plans around a bit to suit our tastes. I definitely recommend booking with Hogy, and will do so again for any plans in the future.

Our six day tour to the Gobi desert seemed like a challenging journey but thanks to Hogy, our guide, Billy, and our driver it couldn’t have been easier or more fun! Hogy even arranged for airport pick ups and drop offs for us even though we were staying at another company’s guest house. The driving was excellent and although the roads were windy and uneven, it never felt dangerous or too uncomfortable. Billy was an excellent guide who made us feel at home and cooked great meals for us even with special dietary requirements. There are so many highlights that it was hard to choose just one photo to share. We definitely hope to come back to see more of Mongolia and will go to Hogy’s team first when we do.

We had a unique and personalised experience and we greatly appreciate the effort made by Hogy and team to accommodate our plans. Our guide Tosma had reasonably good English and provided useful insight into the Mongolian culture. There were a few aspects that made us uncomfortable. We spent a bit of time picking up bikes from a third party and were placed in a difficult position of having to leave one of our passports with the third party. One of the bikes was tied on the top of the van and we were concerned most of the trip that something would go wrong. The driving at times was a bit rough and ready. We also found a lack of communication about what to expect as the days progressed. All in all an interesting and unique experience with varied home cooked food and individual experience that could be improved with better communication and organisation.

Hogy was very helpful and made sure we get the best from our trip. The driver and the guides were friendly and knowledgeable. It was a great experience, and it went well because of Hogy and her team.

Had 2 tours, to Terelj National Park and other tour to Kharkhorin area. Distances are long, but there were stops enough and interesting things to see. Good service!

Hogy and friends exceeded our expectations during 3 weeks we spent touring, and staying at her guesthouse. Hogy arranged two custom tours for us, including the ice festival, dog and horse sledding, and horse and camel riding. We stayed with nomad families, and with yak, camel and sheep and goat herders, and attended a shaman ceremony. We enjoyed the interactions with the families we stayed with far more than with just a good driver. Our driver Lhagvaa got us from place to place on roads, tracks, and cross country, annd our guide Bayasa fed us much better than we expected from what we`d read about Mongolia. Thoroughly recommended for anyone who wants a truly memorable experience in gers with locals, eating, drinking, and learning more about each others` cultures.

The 5 days spent in the Gobi was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Our guide and driver couldn`t have done more for us and they made the tour informative, comfortable and fun. The food was great, they made sure our fire was always going and the van was always working (quite a challenge!) I hope to go back and see west Mongolia would definitely use the same team. I highly recommend this team to anyone planning a trip in Mongolia.

Many thanks to Hogy and team for arranging my trip. It was an experience of a lifetime and will have a special place in my heart. Gerelee was my guide and Ankhaa was my driver. We stayed at a nomadic host family`s ger and it was surreal to say the least. In the middle of vast grasslands with quiet winds blowing sporadically adds to the serenity and calmness of the area. The night sky in the steppes are nothing short of magical...you literally see the heavens with your naked eyes. Gerelee, Ankhaa and the host family were awesome and it was because of their companionship that the trip was extra special.

Our trip to Mongolia was a very enjoyable experience thanks to Hogy and her team. First, during our trip planning, Hogy provided all necessary information that helped us to prepare our trip. Our driver Ankha is a handsome young man, but mature enough to deal with all kinds of situations. Our guide Togosmaa was always ready to answer our questions and to walk with us to all places that we wanted to take a look. In addition, she cooks well with mix of meat and vegetables, which is not easy in steppe. We definitely recommend Hogy`s team.

I connected with Hogy here, and researched further on TripAdvisor. The reviews were all good and gave me confidence to proceed without thinking twice. Everything went according to plan, with some unexpected extras – a cultural performance, snow in September and Sand Dunes Festival in Khongor. We are extremely happy with the warmth and service extended by the team of Hogy, Lhagvaa and Eku during our 13-day trip. Communications with Hogy & Eku was easy, as they speak good English with hardly any local accent. Hogy – Host & owner From my first contact with Hogy, who is very accommodating and always courteous, the entire trip (itinerary, budget, etc) was finalised via email. We were met and picked up from the airport, and taken to the Guesthouse. On our 10-day central Mongolia & Gobi Desert tour, Hogy patiently answered our questions and what to expect at various spots. Hogy single-handedly manages all the administrative part of our trip, as well as accommodation in UB, and prepared delicious breakfasts for us. Airport transfers, accommodation & breakfast is included when you sign up for a tour package! The guesthouse is in immaculate condition, with complimentary hot drinks and is nearby to restaurants, shop and State Dept store. Simply Perfect! I totally agree with their vision for Gobi Attraction, to provide excellent service with a personal touch to ensure guests get the full Mongolian experience. GER stays with nomad families are preferred, and trips can be customised according to individual needs. Lhagvaa – Driver A first rate driver with a fantastic memory and GPS in his head. He unerringly navigated us safely covering 2,100km in 10 days. Much of Mongolia is vast open grasslands / steppe, with limited landmarks, no road names or directional signs. Many a time we went off-road, and followed track marks. I am still flummoxed as to how Lhagvaa knows which track to follow where there’s a spilt. Lhagvaa is also very in-tune with his Russian van, able to ‘hear’ when something is not right, stopping immediately. Over the course of the trip, the trusty `Bukhanka` (Russian: `loaf of bread`) had rear drivetrain mini-overhaul, 2x fanbelt changes, a leaf-spring band-aid fix, carburettor unclogging and a tyre change, with basically zero impact to the itinerary. Testament as much to the hardcore keep-it-simple&rugged Russian engineering as to the mechanical brilliance and ingenuity of our driver Lhagvaa Samdanbazar. Lhagvaa is also blessed with sharp eyes with superb long range vision. At Khutsai National Park, though the area was blanketed in snow, he managed to spot Takhi wild horses high up on a distant cliff. His persistence and effort to deliver this once-in-a lifetime experience is most commendable. He was careful not to disappoint us, which is truly appreciated. After the first sighting, he continued looking out and were rewarded with a 2nd group at much closer range. Eku - Guide A young man with an ‘old soul’, Eku totally loves romantic oldies from the 50s & 60s, much to our surprise and delight. Well-versed beyond his age, he can converse over a wide range of topics, in addition to showing and sharing the history and culture of his beautiful country. He looked after us very well, cooking our breakfasts & dinners, entertaining us with interesting stories after dinner over drinks. Eku is a responsible, conscientious guide who is committed to ensure our comfort at all times. While on the road trip, he would arrange for a stove in our GER on cold nights. Before turning in for the night, he makes sure there is enough firewood and pops in again the next morning to get the fire going, for a more comfortable temperature when we wake up. He has a great sense of humour, infinite patience and is a fun person to be with. I totally recommend Gobi Attraction and would definitely go with them again!

After 4 1/2 days on a train, the 3 of us were met by Horol, our driver Amaraa and our cook/guide/translator Togosmaa, taken into the station for some food and COFFEE then to her own house for a religious experience, a SHOWER !!! Everything we arranged over the previous 2 months was exactly as promised including last minute changes by us that moved and extended our tour. Horol handled us with courtesy and sincerity. We gave her the parameters of what we wanted and she filled our time perfectly, it would have been impossible for us to have a better time. Huge kudos to our wonderful, experienced driver Amaraa and his well maintained Russian van and to our lovely, patient and talented guide Togosmaa who cooked up fabulous meals out in the Gobi and taught us about her homeland. What an experience! We struck gold when picking Horol and believe anyone else would be too.

On the last day of our trip, Horol met us at our hotel and requested that we give a good review. Well, I figured that a good review is an honest one. I contacted a few tour guides here on Indy Guide and after some questions, we decided to go with Horol mainly because she was very responsive and her price was competitive. Together with my sister, mum and dad who are in their early sixties, we wanted to visit Mongolia and experience the nomadic lifestyle. We made it clear in our correspondence before arrival that we wanted Horol to bring us around for the whole 12-day tour to which she agreed. Horol greeted us at the airport, and when we loaded our luggage and hopped onto the van, a young 22-year-old chap came on with us while Horol was still standing outside. When asked if she was going to join us, she curtly replied, “He’s your tour guide today. I’m busy today,” and promptly closed the van door. Shortly after, we found out from the young chap that Horol contacted him through a platform to ask for a tour guide. He had to ask for an extended leave from his University professor in order to bring us around. To our shock, he didn’t even know who I was referring to when I said “Horol”. Apparently, he doesn’t know her name… I wouldn’t call this young guy a tour guide. He was merely an undergrad who can speak English and was in no way equipped to bring us around Mongolia. He made no initiative to tell us about Mongolia even when prompted many times, and couldn’t answer many of our questions. After all, we were visitors to this amazingly unique country and we were eager to learn more about it. This mismatch of what we agreed upon and the shock of finding out how the young tour guide assigned to accompany us hardly knew Horol was immensely disappointing, to say the least. We returned to the city after the first day’s tour and met Horol again, and we expressed our disappointment at what happened. She didn’t tell us that she got the young guy to be our tour guide for the next 11 days until we confronted her. She claimed that her father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer at the last minute so she had no way to inform us of what happened. We were brought to a small rundown hotel that wasn’t the one we agreed on staying. Again, she claimed the original hotel was fully booked but for this, we just let it pass because you’ve gotta choose your battle. We asked for another experienced tour guide to bring us to the countryside in the next 11 days. I had no peace thinking that an inexperienced, young English speaking undergrad who has lived all his life in the city should bring us and my parents out there. I highly doubt he’d be able to handle emergency situations if they do arise. The good thing is that Horol didn’t disappear on us and got a friend who is an experienced tour guide. Horol seemed apologetic and did everything she could to rectify the situation - to our surprise actually. I wondered if she would have done the same if we didn’t express our unhappiness at the whole situation. We asked to meet the experienced tour guide she got us that very same night before we depart for the countryside, and Horol arranged for that. This friend whose name is Padma did a great job as a tour guide. She cooked for us and was knowledgeable so she could answer our questions about the nomadic way of life and she also watched out for our safety especially when we were near the livestocks. The livestocks are generally very mild and tame but you don’t want to startle them. There were some small hiccups in the tour like we were brought to a nomadic home to stay for a night when our itinerary states that we should be staying in a tourist camp (where there is a shower). We pointed it out to Padma and she quickly solved the problem. Another thing is how we were told we could watch the wild horses in Khustai but there was simply not enough time to do that in a day unless we want to arrive at the camp at 12 midnight. We forgo watching the wild horses. The whole tour wasn’t that bad, and we are glad Horol rectified the whole problem, but it definitely put a bad aftertaste in our mouths - like how you’d feel when you are misled by the one person who promised to be your good host in a foreign country you have absolutely no friends in. In hindsight, would we have gone to Mongolia? Yes. Chosen the same guide? No.

Hogi organised the trip exactly how we wanted. Baysa, the guide, and Ganba, the driver took very good care of us. And you could tell that both of them are very experienced in what they do. Ganba was taking such good care of his car. He cleaned it every day and replaced parts when necessary. And Baysa cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner for us and made sure we saw everything we wanted. We would definately book with Hogi again.

It was very lucky to be in Hogy`s tour group. All went well, pick up from the airport, meeting with the other group memebers, and tour itself. But the things I enjoyed the most were her people. Literally loved our guide TsaTsa, who did her best to make everything went well, and we could feel her hospitality at every seconds which made our tour unforgettable even. Our driver was also very skillful on the off road, and I was really impressed with his professionalism. Overall very positive experience for me, and I`m sure I`ll be travelling with them next time too.

Horol (Hogy) service was very effcient ! All organizer, driver and guide were perfect! strongly suggested!!

Everything went fine. Great tour and great guide.

I spent some extraordinary days in Mongolia thanks to Horol and his team. Hoggie offered me a tour that perfectly suited my interests and possibilities, my guide Tuya was a sweet company during the trip and the Munghoo driver is a connoisseur of the territories he travels. Both are excellent professionals and better people. I recommend that you contract with Horol for your trip in Mongolia

Trip went well according to our itinerary and plans. Can recommend Horol and her team.

Being very late with my booking of a private driver she provided a more or less possible itinerary and was always reachable by phone during my trip. The main issue was that she sayed the driver speaks "little english" which was in fact "not one word of english". Accordingly, the 11 days on the road were quite an adventure for me and the driver.

our guide is so good that he seems to know everything about Mongolia. Horol is nice and easy-going that let us change our schedule for multiple times. Thanks so much

Everything went very smoothly! I went on a 6 day tour of the Gobi Desert. She arranged my trip very well, and I would go with Hogy again, for my next Mongolia Trip.

Horol is the best guide ever! My mother and I really enjoyed exploring Mongolia. If we have a chance to go to Mongolia again, we will definitely choose Horol to be our guide every time!

The tour went well, as we were able to cover all the planned sightseeing destinations despite the long drives between each destinations. I took up the all-inclusive tour package, and also stayed at Horol`s guesthouse. As such, communications were kept smooth. We were taken care of and very well-fed throughout the trip. Overall, we are satisfied with Horol`s professionalism.

Everything went alright. We were very happy with our short trip and would reccomend to other fellow travellers.