Tour Golden Week - Golden Eagle

Transport

Our vehicle of choice on this tour is the UAZ. These beasts of the east were born for the wilds of Mongolia. Fun, functional & practical, they feature a high wheelbase, large surround windows, ample luggage space, and a flexible sociable layout. Our guests fall in love with these indomitable vehicles and our fantastic team of drivers.

Meals

Please let us know your dietary requirements at the time of booking. The meals will be a mix of Mongolian and a mix of western cuisines. At the festival, the meals will be served by our professional cooks in the dining tent. The dinners will be at the local eatery. When you visit the Kazakh family, their traditional meals will be served.

Others

Domestic flights - Surface transportation - Road taxes - Accommodation as specified - Sightseeing and activities as specified - Museum & park entrance fees - Meals as specified

Flights

Flights to Ulgii/Khovd/ and back to Ulaanbaatar are included.

Accommodation

During your journey to the West, you will be staying in ger alongside a Kazakh family in Sagsai/Tolbo soum and a local hotel in Ulgii town. Gers are equipped with beds, linen, a stove, table, and chairs and have electric lighting. Bathrooms and showers are only available at the hotel, with homestay facilities being the natural basis. Local hotels are not fancy or luxurious. If you prefer to upgrade to a 3-star hotel in Ulgii, it will be available but not include the tour price.

Guide

At Tour Mongolia, we believe that a good guide is essential to the enjoyment of any trip. Your guide will be English-speaking and hand-picked by us to suit your itinerary and requirements. We personally brief them on all elements of the trip. You will be sent guide details in the confirmation document prior to your tour.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

Others

International flights - Tips - Laundry - Bar bills - Items of a personal nature - Visas - Photography/filming charges at e.g. museums and monasteries

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Flight To Ulgii - Local Museum - Bazaar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Flight To Ulgii - Local Museum - Bazaar

Meet for transfer to Ulaanbaatar airport for a morning flight (2.5 hours) to Ulgii, capital of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s westernmost province. If time permits, we will visit Ulgii town to explore the local market. Ulgii (or Ölgii) sits at an altitude of about 1,700 meters (5,600 ft), nested in the spectacular Altai Mountains, and has a population of about 29,000. The town has heavy Kazakh influence and the majority of the population are ethnic Kazakhs. Upon arrival, our local guide will meet you at the airport, and visit first the local museum and the local Bazaar (market).

Stay overnight in a local hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 2 Eagle Hunter Family
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Eagle Hunter Family

Today we’ll be staying near an Eagle hunter family in a community ger. Here we’ll interact with them and experience their daily life. Kazakh gers are slightly larger than Mongolian gers and are decorated with brightly coloured rugs. We will enjoy their hospitality and friendliness and learn more in-depth about their culture, specifically how Kazakh men train their eagles for hunting purposes. In the evening, we will taste traditionally prepared “bisparmak”, a real Kazakh dish prepared for respected guests.

Stay overnight in a community ger next to the Kazakh eagle hunter. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 3 Eagle Hunter Family
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Eagle Hunter Family

Today we’ll travel to the nearest mountain and will have a private eagle hunting experience. The hunters will show us eagle calls drag the animal skin on the ground and show off the skills of their eagles. In the afternoon, we can dress up in traditional Kazakh clothing and hold the eagles for pictures!

Stay overnight in a community ger next to the Kazakh eagle hunter. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 4 Hiking - Ulgii
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiking - Ulgii

Today we’ll travel to Khatuu Valley. This is a gorgeous valley to hike and if you’re fit enough, you can climb up to the top. Others can shorten the hike. Here we can explore petroglyphs and have lunch outside or can visit a nearby family of herders and have lunch with them. The lunch will be prepared by our cook. We will return to Ulgii town for our accommodation.

Stay overnight in a local hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 5 Eagle Festival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Eagle Festival

In the morning we’ll enjoy the opening ceremony of the Golden Eagle Festival as the participants join the parade on horses with their eagles. The competition begins with each Kazakh displaying his hunting outfit and accessories. The most elaborate and beautiful clothing and accessories are given the highest points. In the afternoon, the Golden Eagles will be evaluated for their speed and agility. Drive back to Ulgii. In the evening we’ll watch a Kazakh concert consisting of traditional songs and dances.

Stay overnight in a local hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 6 Eagle Festival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Eagle Festival

Prepare for some exciting action today! The Golden Eagles will be released from a cliff to attack fox skins that will be dragged by their owner on horseback. The eagles will be judged on their success in grabbing the “fox”, their speed, and their “gripping” technique. As the points for the competitions are being tallied, the Kazakhs will compete in their traditional game called “kekbar”- passing goat skin which tests one’s horse-riding skills, strength, and agility. In the late afternoon, the winners of the festival will be announced at the awards ceremony. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a celebration dinner.

Stay overnight in a local hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 7 Flight Back To Ulaanbaatar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Flight Back To Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, we will visit the local market and then transfer to the local airport for our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to our hotel. Breakfast included.

7 days tour

Golden Week - Golden Eagle

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Golden Week - Golden Eagle

Flight To Ulgii - Local Museum - Bazaar

Eagle Hunter Family

Eagle Hunter Family

Hiking - Ulgii

Eagle Festival

Eagle Festival

Flight Back To Ulaanbaatar

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