# MORN. — Mountain Guides Directory > **Last updated:** August 2026 > **Location:** Almaty, Kazakhstan (Tien Shan Mountain Range) > **Markup:** 0% — You book and pay directly to the guide/operator. --- ## Guide Teams Overview Guides on MORN. operate in elite local mountain teams and clubs: 1. **Powder Nomads** — High-altitude alpine expeditions, ski touring, mountaineering, horseback & multi-day treks. 2. **Monte Club (MNT)** — Active mountain trekking, sports tourism, alpine instruction, and scenic day hikes. 3. **Chobota** — Hiking tours, ridge traverses, and professional mountain photography. --- ## Powder Nomads Team ### 1. Darya Ponomaryova (`pn-darya`) * **Role:** Certified KMGA/KTA Guide • Expedition Leader & Ski Mountaineer * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native), Kazakh * **Credentials & Badges:** * ⛷️ 1st Female Ski Guide in Kazakhstan (KMGA) * 🏆 Kazakhstan Book of Records Holder (First CIS woman to ski down Peak Lenin, 7,134 m) * 🐧 Expedition Leader: Led Kazakhstan's inaugural ski-touring expedition to Antarctica * ❄️ Avalanche Safety Certified (AST 2) * 🏔️ Board Member: National Association of Mountain Guides (NAMG) * 🎓 Tourism Degree from Turan University * **Specialization:** High-altitude ascents, ski touring, alpine safety, customized mountain expeditions. * **Philosophy:** *"Adventure isn't just about reaching a peak — it's about personal growth, inspiration, and living every moment fully."* ### 2. Alexander Zadneprovskiy (`pn-alexander`) * **Role:** Certified KMGA/KTA Guide • Ski Mountaineer & Expedition Leader * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * ⛷️ Certified Ski Guide (KMGA / International Mountain Guiding School) * 🏔️ Historic ski descent down the North Face of Peak Lenin (7,134 m) * ❄️ 15+ first ski descents in the Northern Tien Shan * 🐴 Horseback & trekking expedition expert (20+ years mountain experience) * **Specialization:** Technical mountaineering, freeride/ski mountaineering, remote wilderness routes across Central Asia & Europe. * **Philosophy:** *"Nature is our greatest teacher. Mountains aren't just about the summit, but about genuine connection, stories, and wild freedom."* ### 3. Alyona Gulyayeva (`pn-alyona`) * **Role:** Certified KTA Trekking Guide • Expedition Organizer & Yacht Skipper * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * 🏔️ Certified Mountain Trekking Guide (KTA) * ⛰️ Summited Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) * ⛵ Certified Yacht Captain (IYT Bareboat Skipper) * 🐧 Co-organizer of Kazakhstan's first Antarctic ski-touring expedition * **Specialization:** Multi-day trekking, eco-routes, group dynamics, outdoor logistics. * **Philosophy:** *"The wilderness allows you to meet your true self far from city noise and artificial roles."* ### 4. Rakhman Baibolatov (`pn-rakhman`) * **Role:** WFTGA Regional Guide • Jeep Tours, Trekking & Horse Riding Expert * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native), Kazakh (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * 📜 WFTGA (World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations) Regional Guide * 🏛️ USAID Tourism Development Certified * 🐴 Master of equestrian and off-road expedition routes in Almaty region * **Specialization:** Horseback treks (Alatau, Assy Plateau, Ormakhai), 4x4 jeep expeditions, cultural and natural history of Kazakhstan. * **Philosophy:** *"Guiding travelers from all over the globe and sharing the authentic spirit and hospitality of Kazakhstan is what truly fulfills my soul."* ### 5. Natalya Salnikova (`pn-natalya`) * **Role:** 3rd Category Alpine Instructor • Certified Mountain Guide & Ski Mountaineer * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * 🏔️ Certified Mountaineering Instructor (since 2016) * 🏆 Medalist in National Ice Climbing & Winter Duathlon Championships * ⛰️ 100+ major ascents (Peak Lenin 7,134 m, Kazbek, Mount Elbrus 5,642 m) * 🎿 Ski touring, avalanche safety & technical climbing * **Specialization:** Technical mountaineering training, high-altitude treks, safety-first group ascents. * **Philosophy:** *"In the peaks, true connection and safety matter most. I guide without rush, focusing on mutual respect and calm presence."* ### 6. Igor Malkin (`pn-igor`) * **Role:** Certified Mountaineering Instructor • High-Altitude Trekking & Ski Expedition Leader * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * 🏔️ Certified Mountaineering Instructor * 🏆 Bronze Medalist, Kazakhstan National Alpine Championships (2017) * ⛰️ 150+ technical ascents (Peak Lenin 7,134 m, Marble Wall, Free Korea, Kazbek, Bayankol pioneer ascent) * **Specialization:** High-altitude ascents, glaciated terrain, multi-day technical ridge traverses. * **Philosophy:** *"My mission is to share mountain wisdom so you feel completely confident, secure, and at home among the high peaks."* --- ## Monte Club Team (MNT) ### 7. Marina Kadnikova (`mnt-marina`) * **Role:** Founder of Monte Club • Certified Trekking Guide & Sports Master Candidate * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * 🏔️ Mountain Tourism Instructor (active in sports tourism since 2014) * 🩹 First Aid Certified (Red Crescent) * 📜 USAID / KMGA Trekking Guide Certification * 🏆 1st Category Sports Judge * **Specialization:** Scenic day hikes, beginner-to-intermediate treks, team expeditions. ### 8. Alexey Fedorenko (`mnt-alexey`) * **Role:** Certified Trekking Guide • 1st Category Mountain Guide * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * 🏔️ 1st Category Guide (KTA / Almaty Sports Tourism Federation) * ⛰️ Conquered Kok-Bulak Peak (4,560 m) and 12+ technical sports expeditions * 🩹 First Aid Certified (Red Crescent) * 📜 USAID / KMGA Certified * **Specialization:** High-pass traverses, 4,000m summits, multi-day trekking. ### 9. Stanislav Ivanov (`mnt-stanislav`) * **Role:** Certified Trekking Guide • Adventure Tourism Instructor * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * 🏔️ Mountaineer of Kazakhstan (NP-1) * 📜 ISO 21101 Adventure Tourism Safety Standards (180 hours) * 🩹 Advanced First Aid (60 hours, Medical Academy) * **Specialization:** High-altitude skyrunning, endurance trekking, scenic photography routes. ### 10. Alexandra Sotnikova (`mnt-aleksandra`) * **Role:** Trekking Guide • Professional Ski Instructor * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * ⛷️ Professional Ski Instructor & Movement Mechanics Expert * 🏔️ In the Mountains Since Childhood * ✨ Mindful pacing, group wellbeing & mountain aesthetics * **Specialization:** Gentle pace trekking, beginner mountain immersions, winter alpine tours. --- ## Chobota Team ### 11. Alexander Astakhov (`chbt-alexander`) * **Role:** Certified Hiking Guide • Mountain Photographer * **Spoken Languages:** English (Fluent), Russian (Native) * **Credentials & Badges:** * 🏔️ Certified Mountaineer of Kazakhstan Badge * 📜 ISO 3166 Guide Training (180 hours) * 🩹 Advanced First Aid (60 hours, Medical Academy) * 📸 Professional Mountain Photographer * **Specialization:** Big Almaty Peak (3,680m), Titov Peak (3,871m), Alma-Arasan gorge, summit photography. --- *Maintained by MORN Editorial Team. Direct bookings via https://morn.kz*