More than just a stay: Discover the personal story behind Altai

Hello! My name is Saran, and I would like to welcome you to Altai. Together with my husband Rowan and our children (and our dog, chickens, pigs 🐕🐓🐖), we run this special place in beautiful Westerwolde. For me, the yurt, also called “ger” in Mongolia, is not just an accommodation, but an important part of my culture and my childhood. I was born in Bayandelger, a small village amidst the vast Mongolian plains, where I grew up in a traditional yurt with my mother, brother and elder sister. For me, the yurt has always been a symbol of home, warmth and simplicity. The yurt is minimalistic — back to basic. Small but nice, but with everything you need in daily life. I would like to share that feeling with you now.

Grew up in a yurt in the Heart of Mongolia

My childhood in Bayandelger was simple but full of valuable experiences that I now cherish. I remember the cold winters, where we stayed warm with a fire in the middle of the yurt, and the Mongolian New Year, when our yurt was full of family and friends. In the summers, the door was open to the beautiful steppes, which let in lovely fresh air. Our yurt was on the edge of the village, and I went to a small primary school in the village center. A river flowed between our house and the village center, which I literally had to jump over every day to get to school! By the way, this river was also crucial; this is where we got our drinking water and water to wash. My life was closely linked to the countryside and the nomadic life that was so natural in my childhood — something I would like to share with you in the Netherlands.

When you stay with us, I hope you not only experience the unique experience of sleeping in a yurt, but also a sense of belonging to this wonderful tradition. I'm proud to share my Mongolian heritage here and show you what living in a yurt really is like, based on my own experiences in Mongolia.

Authentic Mongolian hospitality

Bee Altai Yurt Bed & Breakfast I want you to feel as at home as I've ever felt in our yurt in my hometown. That's why I'd like to offer you a piece of real Mongolian hospitality that Mongolian nomads are famous for. Our breakfast is inspired by the dishes my mother used to make, influenced by the simple but deliciously creative meals that nomads have always eaten. And if you're in the mood for something special, I invite you to enjoy a traditional Mongolian dinner 🍽️, preparing a variety of dishes.

But what I might like even more is cooking with you guys. I give with love cooking workshops where I teach you how to cook Mongolian dishes like buuz (steamed dumplings) or you can make a delicious noodle stew. They are basically simple dishes but full of flavour and perfect for a fun evening with family or friends. By cooking together, I hope you not only discover Mongolia's cuisine, but also a bit of the culture and stories that come with it.

Why Altai Yurt Bed & Breakfast is so special

I believe that our Yurt Bed & Breakfast is truly unique. Not only because it is a beautiful property in the middle of Westerwolde, but mainly because it is rooted in my own experiences and the traditions I grew up with. There are many places where you can sleep in a yurt these days, but here at Altai, it's more than a trend — it's a way of life that I'd love to share with you. By the way, we also rent our farm guesthouse, whether or not in combination with the yurt.

I hope that while staying with us, you will not only relax but also learn about my culture and the beautiful Mongolian traditions. Rowan and I look forward to welcoming you and making you feel at home, just like I've always experienced in our yurt in Mongolia.

Come by and experience a part of Mongolia, here in the Netherlands!