Golden Eagle Festival and Altai Mountain Tour 2024/2025

Transfer to the hotel. Unpack and rest in the hotel. Short city tour with Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, which represents Mongolian Culture starting from Stone Age to the 21st century and Buddhism, and Sukhbaatar Square (also known as Chingis Khaan Square). In Gandan you can take local prayers, monks, the biggest standing indoor Buddha statue and temples own figure. Prepare for the trip. (B/L/D)

Take a flight to Khovd. Then dive to Ulgii town - the central town of Bayan-Ulgii province where 90% of the population is Kazakhs who have their own language and unique culture. Kazakhs are famous for their Eagle hunting game tradition. Meet our vehicle and the local team. Visit the local museum to know more about Bayan-Ulgii province and its majority ethnic group - Kazakhs. Drive to Sagsay River to meet eagle hunter's family. In the evening, we come back to Ulgii town to stay overnight in a local hotel or ger camp (B/L/D)

Today we head to the Altai Mountains and enter the high mountain area of 2500-3000 meters. Stop at Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain to discover the UNESCO Heritage Site with over 10,000 petroglyphs and ancient statues. Uncover the transition from ancient hunters to nomadic societies through vivid rock art expressions. Arrive at the entrance gate of the Altai Tavan Bogd NP and visit the Kazakh family to explore their lives as well as rent horses for our further trip. Prepare our luggage for the next trek to the Altai peaks. Stay overnight in the ger/yurt at the entrance gate. (B/L/D)

Embark on a memorable trek to the towering Altai Tavan Bogd peaks, soaring between 4100-4374m above sea level. Leave our vehicle behind as our luggage is loaded onto horses for the journey ahead. Take in the breathtaking scenery of the high mountains and enjoy riding through Western Mongolia's rocky, snow-capped landscapes. Stop at the revered "President Ovoo," a sacred site for locals set against the holy Altai peaks. Continue our trek to the base camp nestled at the foot of the towering peaks. Stay overnight in the tent camp. (B/L/D)

Head to Tsagaan Gol to change our horses or relax if you trek. Tsagaan Gol, or White river, owes its color to glacial milk, the suspended powder of rock eroded by the high glaciers. Here you have a chance to photograph both landscape and people. Tent near nomad family. Talking with nomads and sharing our experiences. (B/L/D)

Drive back to Ulgii town for the Golden Eagle Festival. On the way, we will take plenty of Landscape photos and families. During this time most of the Kazakh people moved to the winter house. Arrive in Ulgii and stay overnight at a local hotel or ger camp. (B/L/D)

The first day of the Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival is to experience the culture and lifestyle of nomadic eagle hunters. Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia have been living in both pastoral and eagle falconer ways. Pastoral living is summertime, and eagle falconry is living in the wintertime. This lifestyle makes them true nomadic eagle falconers and heritage keepers in this modern world. Today we will learn all about their life and culture. The procedure of assembly of Kazak Ger (yurt) and the Migration of nomadic families will be the highlights of the first day of the festival. (B/L/D)

The second day of the Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival starts with its opening parades and competitions for costuming and hunting techniques. This is the day of eagle hunting competitions. The eagle hunters try to land their eagles on their hands, eagles are released from the top of the mountain, and points are given for their speed and gripping ability. The eagle chases fox skins dragged by their masters on horseback. Other events, such as Tenge-Ilu (Coin grabbing while riding a horse), the best costume competition, Kokbar (Thug of War), and Kizkhuar (Traditional Khazak Couples Game) take place. Festival winners are announced at the closing ceremony. Stay overnight in a Tourist camp. (B/L/D)

Take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar and relax at the hotel. Option to go shopping for souvenirs and cashmere products. Farewell dinner together. (B/L/D)

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