Meet Alex
Purpose-driven entrepreneur, experience designer, photographer
I'm a travel entrepreneur, passionate about purposeful business and regenerative tourism
Meet Alex
Purpose-driven entrepreneur, experience designer, photographer
I'm a travel entrepreneur, passionate about purposeful business and regenerative tourism
I've been a travel entrepreneur for 20+ years
Short summary: I was born and raised in the Altai mountains in Siberia, visited around 100 countries and 500+ cities, and organized expeditions & adventure tours in 40+ countries since 2003.
I was named the Best guide of Russia in ecotourism, but shut down all operations in Russia after they started the war in Ukraine, and moved away. Now I live between Estonia and Mexico, doing everything I can to support a better future.
Besides travel, I also work with IT startups in traveltech, edtech, IT HR, and other sectors.
I was named the Best guide of Russia in ecotourism, but shut down all operations in Russia after they started the war in Ukraine, and moved away. Now I live between Estonia and Mexico, doing everything I can to support a better future.
Besides travel, I also work with IT startups in traveltech, edtech, IT HR, and other sectors.
I have 40+ countries in my travel designer portfolio.
Most often I create tours and expeditions to Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe), South America (Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador), Asia (Mongolia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, UAE, Jordan, Israel, Uzbekistan, Georgia), Australia and New Zealand, and Europe (Scandinavia, the Alps, Estonia and the Baltic states). Here's the map of my favorite places that I work with as a travel organizer.
Yucatan, Sian Ka'an and Belize Reef, Mexico & Belize
Baja California, Mexico
Sierra Madre & Volcanic Belt, Mexico
Mayaland, Guatemala
Nazca, Altiplano & Amazon, Peru
Atacama, Chile
Altiplano, Uyuni, and Amazon, Bolivia
Iguazu and Misiones, Argentina & Brazil
Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Atlantic Forests & Rota Verde Azul, Brazil
Roraima, Venezuela & Brazil
Cape Region & Garden Route, South Africa
Drakensberg, South Africa & Lesotho
Kalahari & Namib, Namibia
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe & Zambia
Okavango & Makgadikgadi – Botswana
Rapa Nui / Easter Island, Chile
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Kruger & Limpopo – South Africa
Pantanal, Brazil
Lakes Ounianga & the Tibesti mountains – Chad
Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro – Kenya & Tanzania
Omo Valley – Ethiopia
Arabian Desert – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman
Cappadocia – Turkey
The Alps – France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany
Petra & Wadi Rum – Jordan
The Tien Shan Mountains – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan
The Great Silk Way – Uzbekistan
Mangystau – Kazakhstan
The Pamir Mountains – Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
The Altai Mountains – Mongolia, Kazakhstan, China
The Gobi Desert – Mongolia & China
Lahemaa, Soomaa, Saaremaa – Estonia
Cape North, Lofoten, Vesterålen – Norway
Svalbard – Norway
Geiranger, Nærøy & Southern Fjords – Norway
Tibet – China
Taklamakan Desert – China
The Himalayas – Nepal, India, China
Karakoram – Pakistan & China
Baliem, New Guinea – Indonesia
Sulawesi, Tana Toraja – Indonesia
Uluru & Kata Tjuta – Australia
Great Barrier Reef – Australia
Tasmania – Australia
Te Wahipounamu / Fiordland – New Zealand
Tongariro & Geyserland – New Zealand
Sichuan – China
Xian – China
Swipe right >>
Now, I'm working on two interconnected projects
Travelhood is a community for purpose-driven travel entrepreneurs. We help each other to grow with a positive impact on our places.
Neo-Expeditions is a "travel company for the future". We design neo-expeditions – adventures with a deeper meaning to amazing places, connecting people and nature.
Major dates: a resume of my life experience
I'm Siberian, I was born and raised there.
My father is from Lake Baikal, and I spent my childhood in the Altai, a beautiful Siberian land near the borders with Mongolia and China.
My grandfather was a passionate amateur photographer and we spent a lot of time in the darkroom.
I got my first camera from him – it was a Smena 8M, thanks to which I took my first steps in photography.
Lovely memories ❤️ even though my childhood essentially happened during the collapse of the empire, and it wasn’t an easy time.
My father is from Lake Baikal, and I spent my childhood in the Altai, a beautiful Siberian land near the borders with Mongolia and China.
My grandfather was a passionate amateur photographer and we spent a lot of time in the darkroom.
I got my first camera from him – it was a Smena 8M, thanks to which I took my first steps in photography.
Lovely memories ❤️ even though my childhood essentially happened during the collapse of the empire, and it wasn’t an easy time.
Born in Siberia/USSR
1986
I learned to read at the age of 3 and spent a big part of my childhood doing just that
That's my grandma, I spent a lot of time in their village. She died from covid, wtf.
I was 8 years old when I went on my first hike in the Altai mountains.
It was an impressive route Aktru — Maashei — Shavla lakes. These names may tell you nothing, but these are insanely beautiful places.
In two weeks, we hiked about 200 kilometers through stunningly beautiful places. This trip impressed me for the rest of my life.
The following year I visited Lake Baikal for the first time, and this trip only fueled my wanderlust.
Since then, I was hooked ⛰️🏃.
It was an impressive route Aktru — Maashei — Shavla lakes. These names may tell you nothing, but these are insanely beautiful places.
In two weeks, we hiked about 200 kilometers through stunningly beautiful places. This trip impressed me for the rest of my life.
The following year I visited Lake Baikal for the first time, and this trip only fueled my wanderlust.
Since then, I was hooked ⛰️🏃.
First hike to the mountains
1995
First hike in the mountains. Remember this mountain behind us - you'll see it again
Lake Shavlo, an insanely powerful place that takes 2 days of hiking to get there
Another bright memory from my Siberian childhood is riding the Trans-Siberian to Baikal, my father's homeland
In 2004, I created my first serious project – the website "The Altai Mountains" that worked till 2010.
During this time, I got my first serious experience with tour guiding.
First, I was a guide assistant and then became a guide and tour leader on hiking, mountain climbing, 4x4 tours, and white-water rafting.
Also, when I turned 18, I was finally able to join the Barnaul climbers club ❤️⛰️🏃
During this time, I got my first serious experience with tour guiding.
First, I was a guide assistant and then became a guide and tour leader on hiking, mountain climbing, 4x4 tours, and white-water rafting.
Also, when I turned 18, I was finally able to join the Barnaul climbers club ❤️⛰️🏃
Tourism website "The Altai Mountains"
2004
When I graduated from high school, I was sure that my future will be connected with tourism.
But I was unemployable.
So, I started creating the first trip itineraries by myself, made my first website about tourism in Altai (using Microsoft Word as an HTML editor, omg 🤦), and then entered the Altai Academy of Arts to study Culture & Tourism Management (best choice ever!).
But I was unemployable.
So, I started creating the first trip itineraries by myself, made my first website about tourism in Altai (using Microsoft Word as an HTML editor, omg 🤦), and then entered the Altai Academy of Arts to study Culture & Tourism Management (best choice ever!).
First job in tourism
2003
2005, Altai, Little Aktru glacier
One of the first field trips in the university and the very first digital picture (back then I was only using film camera)
2005, Altai, climbing expedition
Expedition of the Barnaul climbing club to lake Shavlo
2006, Altai, Sibiryak summit
One of the first summits that I was guiding – Sibiryak (Siberian) mountain in the Altai mountains
2006, Mongolia
First trip to Mongolia, visiting the Golden Eagle Festival, and my first digital camera – Nikon D50
The Altai mountains are located in 4 countries: Russia, Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan, and I was always keen to go to Mongolia and China.
In 2006, I visited the famous Golden Eagle Festival in Western Mongolia for the first time.
Mongolia was my first foreign country to visit – not many people can say that:)
In 2007 I helped to organize a large expedition from Moscow to Shanghai via Kazakhstan and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. That was an epic experience.
During these years I also participated in a few mountain climbing expeditions, visiting some awesome mountain peaks.
In 2006, I visited the famous Golden Eagle Festival in Western Mongolia for the first time.
Mongolia was my first foreign country to visit – not many people can say that:)
In 2007 I helped to organize a large expedition from Moscow to Shanghai via Kazakhstan and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. That was an epic experience.
During these years I also participated in a few mountain climbing expeditions, visiting some awesome mountain peaks.
First expeditions in Central Asia: Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan
2006-2007
A photo with Mir submersible (they filmed Titanic with James Cameron) visiting their expedition at Lake Baikal
Khongoryn Els – Singing sands in the Gobi desert
In 2008, I founded my first official business, Russian Expeditions, aiming to run more ambitious and interesting expedition projects.
Our first project was a 60,000-kilometer-long expedition "West-East", which passed through Altai, Baikal, the Gobi Desert, and Tibet in two years.
Russian Expeditions partnered with National Geographic Russia, the World Wildlife Fund, the Russian Geographical Society, and many other amazing companies and people.
We also ran tours in Altai, Baikal, and Mongolia, and built our first adventure camp in the Altai mountains.
Our first project was a 60,000-kilometer-long expedition "West-East", which passed through Altai, Baikal, the Gobi Desert, and Tibet in two years.
Russian Expeditions partnered with National Geographic Russia, the World Wildlife Fund, the Russian Geographical Society, and many other amazing companies and people.
We also ran tours in Altai, Baikal, and Mongolia, and built our first adventure camp in the Altai mountains.
Starting "Russian Expeditions" and the first big expedition: "West-East"
2008-2009
Press conference for the West-East expedition together with National Geographic Russia, BASK and Auto@Mail.ru
Group photo next to the Yolyn Am canyon
Group photo in the Singing Sands of Gobi
Since 2011, I significantly expanded my geography, creating tours and expeditions across different continents.
During these years, we:
At the same time, I organized private tours and expeditions: for example, we traveled through Central Asia and the South Caucasus with a large family expedition of 40 people.
During these years, we:
- had a fantastic drive from Victoria Falls to the Cape of Good Hope in Africa,
- went hiking in the wild mountains of New Guinea,
- visited majestic and shocking Tana Toraja on the island of Sulawesi,
- crossed breath-taking New Zealand from north to south,
- walked the kora around the sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet,
- drove through Argentina and Brazil from Patagonia to Rio de Janeiro.
At the same time, I organized private tours and expeditions: for example, we traveled through Central Asia and the South Caucasus with a large family expedition of 40 people.
New expeditions: Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America
2011-2013
Packing our stuff before crossing the border of Russia and Mongolia
Rafting the Zambezi River, an unforgettable adventure even for experienced rafters
From the autumn'13 to the summer'14, I went on my first trip around the world, during which we visited South America, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Scandinavia.
I organized a few tours to Argentina, Peru, New Zealand, and Australia, and scouted new regions on the way.
I designed a one-of-a-kind road journey through Norway from the North Cape to the Southern Fjords and a spectacular mountain drive around Mont Blanc in Switzerland, France, and Italy.
I also got an insane experience of private tour guiding to my portfolio: for example, I ran an unforgettable tour to Cappadocia, Jerusalem, and Petra: it took a month to organize, but the tour itself lasted only 4 days.
I organized a few tours to Argentina, Peru, New Zealand, and Australia, and scouted new regions on the way.
I designed a one-of-a-kind road journey through Norway from the North Cape to the Southern Fjords and a spectacular mountain drive around Mont Blanc in Switzerland, France, and Italy.
I also got an insane experience of private tour guiding to my portfolio: for example, I ran an unforgettable tour to Cappadocia, Jerusalem, and Petra: it took a month to organize, but the tour itself lasted only 4 days.
First journey around the world
2013-2014
My first visit to the Iguazu Falls, such a powerful place!
Capturing the timeless beauty of the Namib
South Island of New Zealand: following the Lord of the Rings filming locations
2011, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Visiting National Geographic Explorer on their voyage back from Franz Joseph Land
2013, Iguazu Falls, Argentina
My first visit to the Iguazu Falls, which instantly became one of my favorite places
2014, Namibia
Walking around Deadvlei with my fellow outdoor fashionista Dawid:)
2014, Jordan, Petra
Petra is hard to describe. I spent countless days here, walking around the ancient city, and never get enough of it
2011, South Africa, Cape of Good Hope
Finishing the 5000 km long drive from Victoria Falls to the Cape of Good Hope by our epic overland Kwagga
2013, Armenia, Mount Ararat view
Guiding a family expedition around Southern Caucasus to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia
2014, Peru, Ica
People have fun riding a buggy in the sand dunes of the Ica desert in Southern Peru, and I have fun taking pictures
2016, the Altai mountains
I spent my 30th birthday digging the car out of the dirt
Sadly, good times are left behind.
Russia annexed Crimea and started the war in Eastern Ukraine, cracking the very core of the Russian-speaking travel market.
It was a big challenge. To that day, my company had sales reps in both Moscow and Kyiv. People from both Russia and Ukraine were always traveling together, but after the war had started, we saw the first conflicts in groups.
I remember a man from Donetsk calling our office, he wanted to join one of the tours to Africa, but he was waiting for the conflict to be over. The conflict has never ended since then.
So I took a break from organizing trips, put Russian Expeditions on pause, moved to Estonia, and enrolled in an MBA at TalTech, the birthplace of Skype and the Estonian e-government program.
At TalTech, I dedicated my time to studying business processes and startups, and participated in several hackathons and IT conferences, learning about managing teams and new business models.
Russia annexed Crimea and started the war in Eastern Ukraine, cracking the very core of the Russian-speaking travel market.
It was a big challenge. To that day, my company had sales reps in both Moscow and Kyiv. People from both Russia and Ukraine were always traveling together, but after the war had started, we saw the first conflicts in groups.
I remember a man from Donetsk calling our office, he wanted to join one of the tours to Africa, but he was waiting for the conflict to be over. The conflict has never ended since then.
So I took a break from organizing trips, put Russian Expeditions on pause, moved to Estonia, and enrolled in an MBA at TalTech, the birthplace of Skype and the Estonian e-government program.
At TalTech, I dedicated my time to studying business processes and startups, and participated in several hackathons and IT conferences, learning about managing teams and new business models.
War in Ukraine, moving to Estonia, MBA in TalTech
2014-2016
Flying upside down in a pilotage legend Yak-52
An article about the photography tours in the Estonian magazine Director
After studying at TalTech, I experimented with new business models and startups, trying different things for travel and other industries. That's when I started to understand that business needs to be driven by mission, and travel needs purpose.
I started working in the events sector, co-organized conferences for IT professionals in the travel sector – Travel Tech Conference Russia and MITT Digital, and participated in Phocuswright Europe in Amsterdam and the first Arival in Berlin.
From time to time, I was still guiding, creating a few tours in South America and Oceania.
In 2019, I even became the first runner-up in the "The Best Guide of Russia" competition by the Russian Geographical Society.
I started working in the events sector, co-organized conferences for IT professionals in the travel sector – Travel Tech Conference Russia and MITT Digital, and participated in Phocuswright Europe in Amsterdam and the first Arival in Berlin.
From time to time, I was still guiding, creating a few tours in South America and Oceania.
In 2019, I even became the first runner-up in the "The Best Guide of Russia" competition by the Russian Geographical Society.
Startups, IT conferences, and the first Best Guide of Russia award
2017-2019
One day I bought an old Soviet UAZ, which became my friend for a decade
Pitching photography tours in the University of Tartu
An advantage of being a photography guide - you get nice pictures!
2017, Estonia
Talking about travels and photography tours on the Estonian TV
2019, Altai
One of my favorite places in the highlands – an ancient stone warrior of the Bronze Age
2019, Altai
Working in the mountains - my office in the middle of nowhere
2018, Altai
Self-portrait over the meander of Chuya River and Northern Chuya mountain ridge.
2019, Altai
Another self-portrait – one of the most beautiful sunrises I've seen at the altitude of 3000 meters above sea level
2019, Altai
I drove my old van to the highest place you can reach by car in Altai. Crazy mountain road with amazing views.
2018, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
We caught up with my friend Jury, who's also from Siberia, in Rio de Janeiro, and took pictures with the Buenos Aires cafe sign. Don't ask why:)
2018, Argentina, ruins of San Ingacio Miní
Studying the Jesuit missions in Northern Argentina – UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2020, Moscow
A lecture about photography travels and large format photography masterclass. A couple of days after everything went on the lockdown.
2020 was supposed to be a great year 😅
We had a plan to go to Mongolia, on a first winter expedition to visit Golden Eagle hunters.
We had the MITT Digital conference lined up.
Russia was about to go visa-free for 50+ countries, we have been waiting for it since the dawn of time.
Instead, we've got covid lockdown.
MITT Digital was canceled one day before the start.
I got stuck in Russia, my then-a-girlfriend-now-a-wife was in Estonia. We spent 7 months apart.
Being unable to cross borders and go home to Estonia, I have been running tours to the mountains.
After the borders got a bit "unlocked" and I could sneak through, we got together with my girlfriend, went straight to the city council and got married, and we also bought a van on the way to convert it into the camper.
We had a plan to go to Mongolia, on a first winter expedition to visit Golden Eagle hunters.
We had the MITT Digital conference lined up.
Russia was about to go visa-free for 50+ countries, we have been waiting for it since the dawn of time.
Instead, we've got covid lockdown.
MITT Digital was canceled one day before the start.
I got stuck in Russia, my then-a-girlfriend-now-a-wife was in Estonia. We spent 7 months apart.
Being unable to cross borders and go home to Estonia, I have been running tours to the mountains.
After the borders got a bit "unlocked" and I could sneak through, we got together with my girlfriend, went straight to the city council and got married, and we also bought a van on the way to convert it into the camper.
The lockdown and a new website Alex.travel
2020
Escaping the lockdown in the middle of nowhere in Siberia, getting stuck in the snow
While the borders are locked, I've got stuck in Siberia; but at least I could participate in first online hackathons
So we spent the end of 2020, converting our van into a campervan, then we quickly got married and went off on our honeymoon trip.
Actually, it wasn't a honeymoon – I just ran out of my visa time and had to leave the EU.
The only thing is that all the borders were locked, so we haven't had better options than to drive from Estonia to Siberia. I wanted to try travelling around winter Siberia (normally we don't do that, we stay at home) and see if it has a potential for running tours.
So we did it, came back to Estonia, had a couple of months of rest, and then we drove to Siberia again – this time for summer and autumn tours, which went great. We researched a lot of new places, connected with great people, and spent beautiful days organizing journeys in the mountains.
As a result, I received The Best Guide of Russia award in ecotourism, organized by the Russian Geographical Society.
Actually, it wasn't a honeymoon – I just ran out of my visa time and had to leave the EU.
The only thing is that all the borders were locked, so we haven't had better options than to drive from Estonia to Siberia. I wanted to try travelling around winter Siberia (normally we don't do that, we stay at home) and see if it has a potential for running tours.
So we did it, came back to Estonia, had a couple of months of rest, and then we drove to Siberia again – this time for summer and autumn tours, which went great. We researched a lot of new places, connected with great people, and spent beautiful days organizing journeys in the mountains.
As a result, I received The Best Guide of Russia award in ecotourism, organized by the Russian Geographical Society.
From Estonia to Siberia and back. Twice.
2021
Driving our campervan Aurora toward th Mongolian border
Filming extraordinary stories of ordinary rocks for The Best Guide of Russia award
Our source of good coffee in Gorno-Altaysk
2020, Altai
Running adventure tours in some of the most remote corners of Siberia: no lockdowns in the mountains
2020, Altai
A picnic with a view in the middle of nowhere
2020, Altai
September in Siberia can get quite cold!
2020, Estonia
Building our campervan Aurora from zero
2021, Saint Petersburg
The Tiger: a historic Scythian tattoo that was worn by a chief in the Altai mountains 2500-years ago
2021, Aktru, Altai
One of my places of power that I first time visited when I was 8 years old
2022 was supposed to be a great year 😅🤦
In January, I received the Best Guide of Russia award 🏆
In early February, we ran our first international tour after the pandemic – a trip for a startup team to Dubai. We also visited friends in winter Cappadocia.
Everything went great and we got our hopes high about the recovery of the market.
What could go wrong?
On February 24, Russia started the invasion in Ukraine. Not just some regional conflict, but this dirty crazy full-scale war.
You may think covid was hard, but the war is incomparably harder.
As a sign of protest, I closed all tours in Russia. We haven't been there since Dec 2021.
After being depressed and lost for a few months, we took our campervan and shipped her across the ocean, ending up in Mexico. Our son was born in Mexico on Nov 30, so we literally started a new life.
In January, I received the Best Guide of Russia award 🏆
In early February, we ran our first international tour after the pandemic – a trip for a startup team to Dubai. We also visited friends in winter Cappadocia.
Everything went great and we got our hopes high about the recovery of the market.
What could go wrong?
On February 24, Russia started the invasion in Ukraine. Not just some regional conflict, but this dirty crazy full-scale war.
You may think covid was hard, but the war is incomparably harder.
As a sign of protest, I closed all tours in Russia. We haven't been there since Dec 2021.
After being depressed and lost for a few months, we took our campervan and shipped her across the ocean, ending up in Mexico. Our son was born in Mexico on Nov 30, so we literally started a new life.
2022. First international tour after the pandemic, the escalation of war in Ukraine, and moving to Mexico
2022
Making people jump and have fun while on a desert tour in Dubai
Heading to the coral reef on the border of UAE and Oman
2022, Coatepec, Mexico
The first family picture with our newborn son in Mexico.
These were very interesting, challenging years! Having a child in a new country that speaks Spanish, driving around in a campervan, doing residency paperwork, and figuring out what to do in business and life — quite a storm!
We’ve been to 13 states of Mexico, from Veracruz to Chiapas, then to Michoacan and Guanajuato, and then down to Mexican Caribbean.
Because I work on a new business, I asked myself a question “what is really sustainable in tourism”? That’s not an easy question! I spent endless hours at study courses and webinars, learning about emissions, offsets, climate crisis, polycrisis, metacrisis, permacrisis, collapse, doomers, solarpunk, permaculture, regeneration, etc.
Plus, these are post-ChatGPT years, when everyone got excited about AI! Tech revolution is obvious, including tourism — that’s how I ended up in this interesting situation, where in business planning I had to to consider political reality, family, polycrisis, and tech disruption.
I am still in the process of figuring out many details of the answer, but I have developed a few things in response:
Travelhood — the community for positive-impact tourism professionals who uses tech and tourism economy for nature restoration and community development.
Neo-expeditions — “travel company for the future”, where we design meaningful adventures, connecting people and nature.
We live in the era of huge changes, and more things will come. Let’s keep in touch!
We’ve been to 13 states of Mexico, from Veracruz to Chiapas, then to Michoacan and Guanajuato, and then down to Mexican Caribbean.
Because I work on a new business, I asked myself a question “what is really sustainable in tourism”? That’s not an easy question! I spent endless hours at study courses and webinars, learning about emissions, offsets, climate crisis, polycrisis, metacrisis, permacrisis, collapse, doomers, solarpunk, permaculture, regeneration, etc.
Plus, these are post-ChatGPT years, when everyone got excited about AI! Tech revolution is obvious, including tourism — that’s how I ended up in this interesting situation, where in business planning I had to to consider political reality, family, polycrisis, and tech disruption.
I am still in the process of figuring out many details of the answer, but I have developed a few things in response:
Travelhood — the community for positive-impact tourism professionals who uses tech and tourism economy for nature restoration and community development.
Neo-expeditions — “travel company for the future”, where we design meaningful adventures, connecting people and nature.
We live in the era of huge changes, and more things will come. Let’s keep in touch!
Getting to know Mexico and reimagining what tourism can do for the world
2023-2024
Me and Kai walking along the Pacific coast, Huatulco
Camper trip in the mountains of Michoacan
Swimming with Kai in beautiful rivers of Chiapas
Family portrait in the Tulum jungle
To be continued...
Awards
I constantly look for innovations in tourism and other sectors, that's why I enjoy participating in hackathons and study programs. If you know an interesting event to participate in, or would like to invite me as a mentor, feel free to message me in the Contacts section
TravelScrum (global tourism hackathon) — Best Design/Business Model award, 2020
The Global Hack (global hackathon) — first runner-up in Media and Entertainment, 2020
48 for the Future (global hackathon) — special prize from Visit Estonia, 2021
Best Guide of Russia (a competition by the Russian Geographic Society) — winner of the Best Ecotourism Guide award in 2021, first runner-up in 2019.
Golden Compass Travel Film Festival (Moscow)
— winner in Portrait and Landscape photography nominations, Audience award in photography, first runner-up in Travel short films nomination, 2010
Baltic Startup Passion (Finland/Estonia/Latvia) — winner, 2018
Loomehakk (creative industries hackathon, Estonia) — first runner-up, 2018
Garage48 Grodno (IT hackathon, Estonia/Belarus) — first runner-up, 2016
I'm also an alumnus or participant of TalTech MBA,
USG Alumni Mentoring Program, American Councils RBL 2021, Phocuswright Young Leaders 2019, Garage48 Tourism Pärnu, EU:Africa Journey 2021, EdHack 2022, University of Tartu Startup Lab, Sustainable Tourism Destination Management by Cornell University, Travel4Impact by IE University & Amadeus, Diplomado de Guias de Naturaleza by Colegio de Guias Responsables, and other programs
The Global Hack (global hackathon) — first runner-up in Media and Entertainment, 2020
48 for the Future (global hackathon) — special prize from Visit Estonia, 2021
Best Guide of Russia (a competition by the Russian Geographic Society) — winner of the Best Ecotourism Guide award in 2021, first runner-up in 2019.
Golden Compass Travel Film Festival (Moscow)
— winner in Portrait and Landscape photography nominations, Audience award in photography, first runner-up in Travel short films nomination, 2010
Baltic Startup Passion (Finland/Estonia/Latvia) — winner, 2018
Loomehakk (creative industries hackathon, Estonia) — first runner-up, 2018
Garage48 Grodno (IT hackathon, Estonia/Belarus) — first runner-up, 2016
I'm also an alumnus or participant of TalTech MBA,
USG Alumni Mentoring Program, American Councils RBL 2021, Phocuswright Young Leaders 2019, Garage48 Tourism Pärnu, EU:Africa Journey 2021, EdHack 2022, University of Tartu Startup Lab, Sustainable Tourism Destination Management by Cornell University, Travel4Impact by IE University & Amadeus, Diplomado de Guias de Naturaleza by Colegio de Guias Responsables, and other programs
Pitching photography tours in the University of Tartu
UT Startup Lab
Just fun facts
I bought my hat in Australia in 2013 and since then I've been always taking it on tours and tourism events. One day I forgot it in a taxi in Peru — fortunately, a month later I was flying to Australia and I bought the same one. UPD. The second hat was consumed by the forest mold in Tulum in 2024.
I had a crazy drive from the Andes to the Amazon in Peru, when I was stopped by locals with a Kalashnikov. I found nothing better to say than to ask if there was any accommodation around, and they showed me the way to the nearest hotel (which took a couple of hours to reach).
I intentionally studied all the ways of taxi fraud I could find in Buenos Aires so I could help tourists to travel safely.
My mother tongue is Russian, in the family we speak English, and I also Spanish and some Estonian. Because I come from the Altai mountains, I have a basic understanding of Altaian, Mongolian, and Turkic languages. And my family believes our ancestors came from Scotland! Latha math!
One of my favorite activities is to study common traces in different languages. For example, the word safari came to English from Swahili, but to Swahili it came from Arabic, where safar simply means "travel".
I had a crazy drive from the Andes to the Amazon in Peru, when I was stopped by locals with a Kalashnikov. I found nothing better to say than to ask if there was any accommodation around, and they showed me the way to the nearest hotel (which took a couple of hours to reach).
I intentionally studied all the ways of taxi fraud I could find in Buenos Aires so I could help tourists to travel safely.
My mother tongue is Russian, in the family we speak English, and I also Spanish and some Estonian. Because I come from the Altai mountains, I have a basic understanding of Altaian, Mongolian, and Turkic languages. And my family believes our ancestors came from Scotland! Latha math!
One of my favorite activities is to study common traces in different languages. For example, the word safari came to English from Swahili, but to Swahili it came from Arabic, where safar simply means "travel".
Iguazu Falls
2018, Argentina
Photography portfolio
Together with designing travel experiences, I am also a passionate travel and landscape photographer.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from recent years. Click on the picture to open a full-screen gallery!
Here are some of my favorite pictures from recent years. Click on the picture to open a full-screen gallery!
Feel free to reach me if you want to talk about business or travel
Message me, where it is convenient:
Telegram: @alexfarlander,
Instagram @alexfarlander,
E-mail alex@alex.travel.
Telegram: @alexfarlander,
Instagram @alexfarlander,
E-mail alex@alex.travel.
Alex Farlander
I am always on the road (after all, I am a full-time nomad), but I keep an eye on messengers and email
My social networks:
LinkedIn: /in/alexfarlander
Facebook: fb.com/alexfarlander
Instagram: @alexfarlander
LinkedIn: /in/alexfarlander
Facebook: fb.com/alexfarlander
Instagram: @alexfarlander
The best way to connect is to have zoom coffee, please pick up the time on Calendly: https://calendly.com/alex_travel/hi
Encore: do you rememer this mountain from 1995?
Check this out (best on a big screen):
with 💚 to 🌍