Golden eagle festival

OVERVIEW

Western Mongolia is dominated by massive snow capped Altai Mountain ranges physically and culturally and the Altai Mountains have functioned for thousands of years as a homeland for the nomadic cultures of Mongolians including the Kazakhs – Mongolia’s largest ethnic minority group. Hunting with eagles is a form of falconry traditionally found throughout the Eurasian steppe. In 2011 UNESCO added to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as an example of living human heritage.

GALLERY

    Explore great places

    ITINERARY

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    At the arrival meet guide and transfer to the hotel**** to check in. Visit National Museum of Mongolia for an excellent overview of country’s history and culture and religion and explore Sukhbaatar square situated right heart of the city. In the evening traditional folk concert will be arranged as an entertainment. Overnight at hotel****. (D)

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    Early morning domestic flight to Ulgii, the capital town of the western most province of the country. Visit to Kazakh nomad family homestead for the cultural awareness and wish success to their trained eagle for next days festival competition. Overnight local hotel**. (B+L+D)

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    In the festival eagle training kazakh nomads celebrate their heritage and compete to catch small animals such as foxes and hares with specially trained golden eagles, showing off the skills both of the birds and their trainers. Prizes are awarded for speed, agility and accuracy, as well as for the best traditional dress and groomed horses. The festival incorporate an opening ceremony, parade, cultural exhibitions, demonstrations and handcrafts at the venue. Horse racing, Uriankhai archery and the highly entertaining Bushkashi – goat skin tug of war on horseback. Folk Kazakh performance will be held at the venue. Overnight in local hotel**. (B+L+D)

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    Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and drive to the largest equestrian monument in the world, visit 2 section museums and traditional costume try on experience for the photo taking can be organized. Back to Ulaanbaatar city and excursing to Zaisan hill for the city panoramic view and continues to shopping Mongolian cashmere. Overnight at hotel****. (B+L+D)

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    Transfer to the airport. (B)

    Services included

    • Hotel **** in Ulaanbaatar
    • Local hotel** in countryside town
    • All meals mentioned in the itinerary
    • All transportation
    • Domestic flights
    • All entrance fees and taxes and tickets
    • Picturing fees at the festival venue
    • Travel drinking 1L bottled water per day

    Services not included

    • International transportation
    • Personal travel equipment
    • Extra activity outside itinerary
    • Alcoholic beverages canned soda
    • Single supplement occupancies
    • International travel insurance
    • Photography and video making taxes in the museum
    • Covid-19 related tests and services and quarantine and face mask costs when necessary
    Mongolian map

    Tour map

    FAQ

    If you would like to book this trip, please send us your request. A deposit of 20% of the total tour price is required to book and confirm this trip. The balance must be paid at least 30 days prior to departure.

    Deposit:

    We accept online payments with Master/Visa/AMEX cards only as a deposit to confirm the trip.

    Balance payment:

    You should pay the balance to us by wire transfer. Usually it takes 2-3 working days until payment reach in our account. Western Union is the fastest way to pay us. We can get your payment in a few minutes once you send the money. Cash payment is only accepted in exceptional cases.

    You will stay in a good 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar. An upgrade is possible on request! During the excursion in the countryside, you will stay in Tourist Ger camps. Tourist Camp is a kind of hotel that serves customers with Ger (Yurt) instead of a hotel room and always located at the best viewing spot. It’s the most popular accommodation type for a countryside trip in Mongolia that consists of 30-40 Gers (Mongolian traditional yurt), a restaurant and some entertainment facilities. Most visitors happy to stay in Ger, which provide an authentic taste of Mongolian culture and adventure, their most enjoyable experience in Mongolia. More information and pictures: What is the Tourist camp?

    During your trip in Mongolia, you will be served mainly European dishes and sometimes authentic Mongolian foods. Lunch and dinner consist of 3-4 courses (soup and/or salad, main course, dessert) and bottled water. If you require special meals due to religious, medical limitation and vegetarian food, please inform us so that arrangements can be made in advance.

    Car: A good car is an important part of your comfort trip in Mongolia. There will be a good 4×4 car for this trip based on the number of people in your group.

    Road: The asphalted roads are 40% and the unpaved roads are 60%. During the trip, it takes approximately 2-6 hours driving (80-280km) from one to next destination depending on road and weather condition on each driving day. But it is not nonstop drive! We can take a short stop frequently everywhere along the road for photographs, toilets, stretch and meet with local nomads.

    1st best months: June, July and August. 2nd best months: May and September. More information: The Best time to visit Mongolia

    Hiking boots and sandals, waterproof jacket, raincoat, umbrella, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, comfortable shoe, insect repellent, sunscreen, and prescription medication (if required). Gear: Camera, binoculars, flashlight and travel lamp. Some Tourist camps do not have 24-hour electricity. It is therefore recommended to bring your own travel lamp!

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