Golden Eagle Festival in Western Mongolia

Take an early breakfast at the hotel and you will be transferred to airport to take domestic flight to Ulgii city, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii province via MIAT airlines 0740AM – 08.40AM. The flight takes 2 hours via MIAT-Mongolian Airlines and on your arrival in Ulgii around 9:00 in the morning, friendly team will warmly receive you and have a breakfast at local tea place. Then attend to Eagle Festival Day 1: • Opening Ceremony: Introductions, history of eagle hunting, and a parade of participants. • Eagle Hunting Competitions: Eagles catch fox skins dragged behind their trainer's horse. • Traditional Games: Activities like Kyz Kuar (a race between a man and woman on horseback) and Bushkashi (tug of war on horseback with goatskin). • Cultural Performances: Ethno-Kazakh and Mongol concerts featuring traditional music and dance.

By celebrating this heritage, the Golden Eagle Festival not only keeps the ancient art of eagle hunting alive but also fosters a sense of pride and community among the Kazakh people. It has become a symbol of cultural resilience and an opportunity to share their traditions with the world. • Eagle Call: Hunters call their eagles from a distance, showcasing the bond between them. • Horseback Competitions: Riders grab flags or flowers from the ground while galloping. • Closing Ceremony: Awards and celebrations.

After breakfast, field tour starts with driving towards Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Traverse 180 kilometers of rugged terrain, approximately 5 hours on a dirt road, while enjoying delicious "road-trip snacks" along the way. Upon reaching the base camp, savor a freshly prepared dinner. Stay overnight in traditional Kazakh Yurts or nearby houses, nestled near the entrance to Tavan Bogd Mountain. While Driving length is about 180km / 6 hours.

4m) via vehicle on bumpy dirt road for about 17km. The Tavan Bogd (means Sacred Five Peaks) 5 peaks: Khuiten, Malchin, Naran, Burged, and Ulgii, meaning the 5 Sacred Kings it comprises of five neighboring peaks. You will capture all those 5 peaks including the Potanin glacier. Arrive at the vehicle stop point, hiking is available to te glacier as option. Take some time to relax and take photography, have coffee, tea and light snacks. Arrive in the camp in late afternoon and rest. Overnight in Kazakh Ger.

Today we will drive towards Khoton and Khurgan Lakes through Tsagaan Gol (Milk White River) where Kazakh nomadic herders stay for summer camp. Arriving at the beautiful lakes and have a relax time for the rest of the day. Meet herder families and eagle hunter. Explore Kazakh eagle hunter, families’ lifestyle, tradition, eagle training practices. Stay in Kazakh Ger/or tents. Driving length is about 160km/4 hours.

Today after breakfast, we will hike/horse ride up to Baga Turgen magnificent waterfall. Return to Khoton Khurgan lake and enjoy the surroundings with light picnic lunch. Arrive back in Ulgii town. Transfer to the hotel and rest. Driving length is about 180km / 6 hours.

After breakfast you will have a flight back to Ulaanbaatar and will transfer to hotel. After lunch take a city tour including a visit to the Chinggis Khan Museum and Bogd Khan Palace, a series of beautiful traditional buildings where the last religious King of Mongolia resided. Dinner at cuisine with Mongolian folk performance including throat singing. The most interesting performers are the throat singers, contortionists and Tsam dancers. Khoomii or throat singing is a musical art delivered with the help of a guttural voice and specific way of breathing. Night owls may want to sample the nightlife of Ulaanbaatar.