Golden Eagle Festival Tour (4 days)
Overview
Kazakh people have traditions of hunting small animals with the aid of birds of prey such as falcons, hawks, and eagles. For centuries in the central asian steppe, falconry was a royal game of the Khans and nobles. An ancient custom has survived among Kazakhs who live in the Altai Mountain of Mongolia.
This unforgettable festival displays the best Kazakh hunters’ supreme skills and therefore you can witness an art of the man and bird friendship at the same time.
We present you a golden opportunity to take photographs of Kazakh traditional eagle hunting to fill up your treasure chest with the rare photographs of an exotic nomadic culture.
Schedule 2024 & 2025
Price based on pax
- Get to see the Kazakh people and their Golden Eagles which they use for hunting. You will meet them up close and candid.
- See how the Kazakh people use their Golden Eagles to hunt the prey for food and sport.
- Watch over 500 Eagle hunters display their expertise and get to see who the best is.
- Be amazed at the majestic panorama of the Altai Mountain Range, where the hunting festival is held in the Bayan Olgii Province
- Explore the gorgeous landscapes of the Altai Mountains. See the majestic glaciers and awesome rock paintings.
- Shared accommodation at Ger camp
- Private transfers
- Internal air tickets - free luggage allowance is 15 kg
- English speaking guide
- All meals as listed
- All entrance fee
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Camera fee for museum & monastery
- Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
Itinerary
Meet our driver in the hotel lobby and be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ulgii town. Ulgii’s population is mostly Kazakhs (93%), descendants of kok-turk nomads of central asia. We differ a lot although Mongols and Kazakhs stand united under Mongolian flag. Enjoy the town’s marketplace.
Overnight in a local hotel. (B+L+D)
Meet the Kazakh Eagle hunters. Eagles can be athletes too. The rodeo of eagle hunters. A fantastic opportunity for photographers and adventurers to see these magnificent birds of prey up close. There are approx. 200 eagle hunters in Bayan-Ulgii province. Almost all of them will gather together to test their finely trained birds in singular contests of speed and agility.
Overnight in a local hotel. (B+L+D)
During the festival, we also see some Kazakh Traditional Horse Games like “Bush Kushi" (fight for the goat skin on horseback), Try to "Kiss woman on horseback" while lady is beating the man with horse whip, "Pick up flowers from the land on horseback" etc.
In the evening we enjoy the Kazakh Concert with some traditional songs and music.
Overnight in a local hotel (B+L+D)
After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for the flight to UB. (B)
Good to know
- Guide:
An English speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.
- The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
- Accommodation:
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
- Meals:
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
- Transport:
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
- Personal things to bring with you:
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
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