Eagle Hunting Festival and Golden Gobi-2023 Tour

12 days from $3100 Next Departure Date Sep.22nd 2023

Discover Mongolian Gobi Desert and nomadic culture before heading to the Altai Mountains to attend a celebration of traditional Golden Eagle Festival. For last few years, Kazakhs of the Bayan Ulgii province are held in early October the Eagle Hunting Festival, a colorful and picturesque event attracting the best hunters and birds, and an important celebration for the local community.

The highlight of the trip takes place in the remote capital of Bayan-Ulgii. Ninety percent of the population here is Kazakh, a group that is renowned for its hunter’s extraordinary skills in using golden eagles to hunt for small prey animals. Wonderful discovery to Mongolian Gobi will be the wonderful surprise with warm desert sun and golden sand dunes

Highlights

  • Golden Eagle Hunting Festival
  • Gobi Desert: golden sand dunes, dinosaur sites, camel breeding family
  • Terelj National Park - alpine scenery with interesting rock formations
  • Visit Kazakh family, family stay in their colorful gers
  • Meeting with Eagle Hunters

Key Info

Physical level: Moderate Physical level: Moderate
Overlanding & Discovering Overlanding & Discovering

Tour Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1.

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

(22 Sep) Transfer to the hotel and relax. City tour including the Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, which represents Mongolian Culture starting from the Stone Age to the 21st century, and Buddhism, Sukhbaatar Square (also known as Chingis Khaan Square). In Gandan Monastery, you can take local prayers, monks, the biggest standing indoor Buddha statue, and temples' own figure. (L/D)

in the hotel

Day 2.

Drive to South Gobi

(23 Sep) Drive to Dalanzagdad, the central town of South Gobi province. Lunch at Mandalgovi, the central town of Middle Gobi province. Scenery changes from steppe to desert on the way. (B/L/D)

in the camp

Day 3-4

Yoliin Am Valley & Khongor Sand Dunes

(24-25 Sep) Discover beautiful Yoliin Am Valley or Yol Valley (translates to Lammergeier Valley), which is formatted by two high rock walls a big glacier on the ground kept frozen during hot summer days. It has breathtaking dramatic scenery and without a doubt is one of the beautiful places in the country. 

The Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park is rich in fauna. There are mountain sheep, goats, leopards, black-tailed marten of cliffs, lynx, wildcats, squirrels, white gazelles, and other mammal animals. Hiking around the national park to explore its beauty. Visit the natural museum of localities. (B/L/D)

Then drive to Khongor Sand Dunes - the largest and most spectacular Sand dunes in Mongolia. They are up to 800 m high, 12 km wide, and about 100km long. The largest sand dune is known as Duut Mankhan /singing dunes/. Hiking on the Sand dunes is an amazing activity. Visit camel breeding family and experience short camel riding. (B/L/D)

in the camp 3-4 hours

Day 5.

Bayanzag - Flaming Cliffs

(26 Sep) Today we will drive to Bayanzag, (known as a Flaming Cliffs where the first nest of dinosaur eggs ever discovered was found in 1922.) a site famous for the remains of dinosaurs which lived here 60 million years ago. You can walk around where dinosaurs once roamed and see saksaul trees and other classic desert vegetation. (B/L/D)

in the camp 1-2 hours

Day 6.

Baga Gazriin Chuluu Mountain Area

(27 Sep) Drive to Baga Gazriin Chuluu in Dundgobi province. It is another granite rock formation in the middle of the steppe plains. Five km away, the highest peak of 1768 meters in the area; Baga Gazariin Uul mountain will take about 4-5 hours to climb. Leisure time for rock climbing and hiking activities. (B/L/D)

in the camp 2-3 hours

Day 7.

Drive Back to Ulaanbaatar

(28 Sep) Head back to Ulaanbaatar and rest at the hotel before your adventure in Western Mongolia. (B/L/D)

in the hotel

Day 8.

Fly to Western Mongolia

(29 Sep) Take a flight to Ulgii town, the center of Bayan-Ulgii province where 90% of the population is Kazakhs who have their own language and unique culture. Meet the local team and have a visit to the Kazakh family. This is a day of cultural exploration: local women decorate their gers in a dazzling array of colors handcrafted felt carpets line the floor and delicately-embroidered tapestries adorn the walls, with each design unique to a particular family. Stay overnight at a local hotel or ger camp. (B/L/D)

in the camp

Day 9-10.

The Golden Eagle Festival

(30 Sep - 01 Oct) The Golden Eagle Festival starts with its parades and competitions for costuming and hunting techniques. This festival has been celebrated since 2000 and now attracts many travelers. Each year the number of eagle hunters participating in the festival is increasing which makes the festival more colorful and spectacular. Eagles chase fox skins dragged by their owners on horseback. Points are given for their speed and gripping ability. Festival winners are announced at the closing ceremony. (B/L/D)

eagle festival tour mongolia

in the camp

Day 11.

Fly Back to Ulaanbaatar

(02 Oct) Take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar from Ulgii airport. Relaxing hours at the hotel. Farewell dinner together. (B/L/D)

 

in the hotel

Day 12.

Departure Day

(03 Oct) Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport or Train station and depart Mongolia. (B)

Prices & Inclusions

Prices & Inclusions
Group size Price/Per person
2 PAX 3780$
3-4 pax 3550$
5-8 PAX 3420$

Includes

Accommodation: Hotel****,* ger camp
Guiding and interpreting service
Full board meals
Transport: 4x4 vehicle or minivan
Domestic round-trip flights (Ulaanbaatar-Ulgii-Ulaanbaatar)
Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
Museums and cultural performance
Festival tax
Camel riding

Not Includes

International airfare 
Personal equipment
Optional activity cost 
Excess baggage charges
Single room supplement 
Alcoholic drinks 
Travel Insurance
The extra cost for photography in museums
Tip for a tour guide, driver, etc

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