Golden Eagle Festival tour 2024 /12 days/

SHORT DESCRIPTION

During the communist period in Kazakhstan, many Kazakhs fled for Mongolia,settling down in Bayan Ulgii, an area that has been designated for the Kazakhs of Mongolia today. Kazakhs (Altaic Kazakhs or Altai-Kazakhs) living in Bayan-Ölgii Province of Mongolia continue to hunt with eagles today. There are an estimated 250 eagle hunters in the Western Mongolian province. Their falconry custom, so-called ‘horse-riding eagle falconry’, is unique in practice only with trained Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos daphanea) on horseback. Their hunting target is almost limited to Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) or Corsac Fox (Vulpes corsac). In the first week of October, 70 eagle hunters gather for the annual Golden Eagle Festival of Mongolia They use eagles to hunt foxes and hare during the cold winter months when it is easier to see the gold colored foxes against the snow. Many Kazakh traditions have been preserved by the Kazakhs in Mongolia, eagle hunting being amongst them. Although the Kazakh government has made efforts to lure the practitioners of these Kazakh traditions back to Kazakhstan, most Kazakhs have remained in Mongolia.

The Golden Eagle Festival has been the largest gathering of eagle hunters and their eagles in the world since it started in 1999 with 70 eagle hunters participating in this event. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Event. The festival starts with display of eagles and hunters, and then goes into the events of eagles displaying their talents. The first event is the eagle catching fox skin dragged behind a horse, returning to their owner from a distance on command, as well as a camel race and Kazakh games of Tiyn Teru (a race to pick up a coin on the ground while on horseback), Kyz Kuar (“girl chase,” a man and woman race on horseback while the woman whips the man), and Kokpar (tug of war over a goat carcass while on horseback). On the evening of the first night is a concert of traditional Kazakh music at the theatre included in the price of a ticket.

CATEGORY: EVENT AND FESTIVAL TOURS
AVAILABLE: OCTOBER
DURATION: 12 DAYS, 11 NIGTHS
DESTINATION: WESTERN MONGOLIA

ESSENTIALS

GUIDE
A Chinese, English or Russian speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

TRANSPORT
This trip you have a two choice. First one is a highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. And second choice is Russian 4x4 Van. Also with 20 years’ experience drives.

MEALS
In Mongolia, you will be dining at fine American, European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from our cook.

PERSONAL THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a rain jacket, gloves and hiking booth. Don’t forgot first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you). All your camera equipment.

TOUR PACKAGE PRICE

Group size	Package Price/Pax
3 to 10 pax	2400USD

Start	1st of October
End	12th of October

No	Include service	Exclude service	Include service of Meals
1	Vehicle with a driver.	Items of personal nature	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2	English speaking guide	Beverages, alcoholic drinks, bar bills, laundry	Per day 3 bottle water for per person /1,5 liter/
3	Accommodation/Ger camps and Hotel/	Travel and insurance	One time Mongolian traditional food /lamb with vegetables/
4	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner	International transportation
5	All cooking and camping gears.	Taxi
6	Airport shuttle	Optional activities
7	National park and border office permits (area you will go is close to China and Russia border)	Single supplement /For hotel or Ger camp/
8	Domestic flight tickets	Gratuity for the tour team

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 - Ulaanbaatar city capital of Mongolia

Arrive Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, welcomed by Travel to Mongolia’s staff at UB airport. Drive to Hotel. After the lunch at restaurant, we will see Natural museum. In the evening we will visit Mongolian last king Bogdkhaans palace . Drive back to Hotel after the dinner.

Distance	Route	Drive time	Accommodation	Food
n/a	n/a	n/a	Grand Hill Hotel	Dinner

Day 2 - Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii province

Fly from UB to Ulgii. Arrive in Ulgii. That day you will see local museum, visit souvenir shops. Same day start driving to Sagsai village where a famous eagle hunter lives, you will be welcomed in his family. Have a welcome party, prepare sheep for you and nomadic neighbors. Everyone will have a Bes Barmak (five fingers) big dinner. Overnight in his family.

Distance	Route	Drive time	Accommodation	Food
1280km	Air Route	2 hours	Local Hotel	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Eagle hunter family, Sagsai village

Performers session on this day in the morning, how to ride a horse with a golden eagle on Eagle hunters arm to be ready to hunt wild animals (such as fox, rabbit, pallas cat etc) on the Altay mountains. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Altay mountains with golden eagle.You will have a lot of information and experience exchanges with them. Have a enjoy photography with Eagle hunters.

Distance	Route	Drive time	Accommodation	Food
40km	Off-Road	1 hours	Eagle Hunter family	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii province

Drive to Ulgii, on the way back, you will stop by a Uriankhai (Uriankhai is a small Mongolian ethnic minority) throat singer to listen to his throat singing. Arrive in Ulgii.

Distance	Route	Drive time	Accommodation	Food
70km	Off-Road	2 hours	Local Hotel	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Golden Eagle festival

Start attending the Eagle Festival:

Registration and credential of Eagle Hunters
Opening ceremony of Annual Golden Eagle Festival
Competition of best Kazakh costume eagle and horse harness
Horse race
Competition of how eagles adapted to hanters
“Tenge Ily” competition(Traditional coin grabbing game while ride a horse)
Urainkhai archery competition
Competition of the best Kazakh costume of couples
Folk concert in local theatre at Ulgii city

Distance	Route	Drive time	Accommodation	Food
10km	Off-Road	10 minute	Local Hotel	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Golden Eagle festival

Attend the eagle festival:

Competition of how eagles adapted to hunters “Shyrga tartu”(eagles will be qualified how fast and smoothly catch a lure that made of rabbit or fox skin)
Camel race, “Khyz khuar” game show(Traditional horse back riding fan game for youth, boys whipped by girls if they reached by them)
Continuation game “Kukhbar” competition (Traditional horse back riding game fight over for goat skin)
Award ceremony for winners of festival Closing ceremony

Distance	Route	Drive time	Accommodation	Food
10km	Off-Road	10 minute	Local Hotel	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Ranger station, Altai Tavan Bogd mountain

Early morning we will start driving towards Tavan bogd mountain, Ranger station area. Where many Kazakh nomads spend their summer. On your way you will stop to see Balbal Stones and ancient Tomb.

Distance	Route	Drive time	Accommodation	Food
200km	Off-Road	4 hours	Local Family	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Potanin glacier, Altai Tavan Bogd mountain

Today we will do half day of driving and reach 20KM long Potaniin glacier which is biggest glacier in Mongolia. After lunch drive back to Ranger station. There are many glaciers in Mongolia on Altai range. Biggest glacier in Mongolia is Potanin Glacier on Altai Tavan Bogd national park. It’s 20 km long, and it hase huge ice rivers on it. Activities with glacier are: You can walk on the glacier with expert tour guide, take photos and evening drive back to the campsaide/Local family/

Distance	Route	Drive time	Accommodation	Food
20km	Off-Road	4 hours	Local Family	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Khoton lake, Altai Tavan Bogd national park

Embark on a scenic drive from the Ranger station, venturing towards the enchanting Khoton Khurgan lakes area—a haven where Kazakh nomads seek refuge during the summer months. Along the way, pause to explore the captivating Snake River valley, where ancient burial mounds, petroglyphs, and deer stones narrate tales of bygone eras. The landscape unfolds like a living museum, each element revealing the rich tapestry of history etched into the Altai region. Continuing your journey, the pristine beauty of the lakes area unfolds—where trees sway in the breeze, snow-capped mountains stand sentinel, and crystal-clear lakes mirror the azure sky. As you arrive at the Kazakh nomadic family's dwelling, settle into the rhythmic embrace of nomadic life. The traditional yurt becomes your abode, a gateway to an immersive experience that transcends time. Over the next few days, camp beside the Kazakh yurt, surrounded by the elements that define nomadic existence. The air is imbued with the scent of adventure, and the landscape becomes a canvas for shared moments. Today's highlight is the symbolic act of slaughtering a sheep—a cherished Kazakh tradition reserved for honoring esteemed guests. This gesture marks the commencement of a "Five Fingers" feast, a celebration of camaraderie and cultural exchange. The evening comes alive with the harmonies of song and laughter, echoing through the vastness of the Altai. Engage in the festivities alongside your Kazakh hosts, forging connections that transcend language and customs. As the night unfolds, under the vast Mongolian sky, you'll find a sense of belonging in the heart of the nomadic way of life—an experience that transcends the ordinary and resonates deep within the soul.