Mongolian Golden Eagle Festival

6-day Trip

Overview:

The Eagle Festival or Golden Eagle Festival is a traditional annual festival held in Bayan-Ulgii province in Mongolia. At the eagle festival, Kazakh eagle hunters (Burkitshi) celebrate their heritage and compete in catching small animals, such as foxes and hares, with specially trained golden eagles; thus showing off the skills of both the birds and their trainers. Dressed in full eagle hunting regalia and mounted on decorated groomed horses, the entrants compete for the awards of Best Turned out Eagle and Owner, Best Eagle at Hunting Prey, and Best Eagle at Locating Its Owner from a Distance. Other sporting activities include horse racing, archery, and the highly entertaining Bushkashi - goatskin tug of war on horseback.

Sustainability: Through tourism we help local nomadic people to preserve and portray their culture and lifestyle, while protecting nature and the environment. We help our tourists and visitors create a friendship with the local nomadic communities. Since New Milestone Tours was founded, we have been a benefactor economically and educationally for many communities in the remote regions. Your purchase of this trip not only enriches you but you become a patron in helping youth in this province by providing school kits that include things such as: uniforms, backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, etc. The local communities not only benefit from the income they derive from tourism but also from the exchange of cultures by learning from you about your country.

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights

Trip type: Cultural and Soft-Adventure

Difficulty level: Moderate

Best season: Autumn

Activities: Overland tour, Watching the Eagle Festival, Visiting local Kazakh family, Hiking

Meals: Local and basic

Transportation: 4WD vehicle

Accommodation: 2 nights Kazakh nomadic homestay, 2 nights local guest house, 1 night guest ger

Cost: Starting from $2,316 per passenger

 DAY 1: Flight to Ulgii and then drive to Altsantsogts county

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at the airport where you will fly to Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii Province. When you arrive in Ulgii you’ll meet with your new local guide and driver. We will drive to Altantsogts rock painting which is the largest and most famous rock painting in Mongolia. As with most of western Mongolia, Altantsogts is the homeland of ethnic Kazakhs.

After, we will take a short hike to the Tsambagarav mountain. This is Western Mongolia’s second highest mountain and it is permanently snow-capped. After these activities, we will drive to a Kazakh nomadic family’s home for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

DAY 2: Drive to Altai county and visit Eagle Hunter families

It’s only Day 2, but get ready for a very special day! Drive to Altai county where we will visit a Kazakh Eagle Hunter's family and have the opportunity to learn about Kazakh Eagle hunting skills. It is a great way to see Kazak’s in their regular daily life and experience their amazing hospitality.

On the way to the Kazak Eagle Hunter's family, we will stop by Tolbo Lake, which is about 50km south of Ulgii. This saltwater lake is quite high at 2080m. The shoreline is treeless and the water is clean. It is a great place for scenic photos.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Accommodation: Eagle hunter family homestay

Day 3: Around Altai county and hiking to Nutsgent lake

We will explore more of this scenic region and drive to Nutsgent Lake which is one of the highest lakes in western Mongolia. Here, we will do a short hike before continuing our drive to the Uriankhai family to learn about their culture and lifestyle.

We will learn archery in both the Mongolian and Uriankhai styles. Dinner will be traditional fare with the Urainkhai family and we will then return to our guest house for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: Guest ger

Day 4: Eagle Festival Day

Ready for THE highlight of the trip?! Today we will drive to the Eagle Festival (also called the Golden Eagle Festival). This is an annual traditional festival organized in the Bayan-Ulgii province of Mongolia. At the festival, Kazakh eagle hunters celebrate their heritage and compete to catch small animals, such as foxes and hares with specially trained golden eagles, showing off the skills of both the birds and their trainers.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: Local guest house

Day 5: Eagle Festival and Ulgii city tour

We will continue our stay at the Eagle Festival today and then drive to Ulgii city. In Ulgii, we will visit the following places:

- Muslim mosque

- Local museum

- Flea-market

- “Peace peak” for Ulgii city viewpoint

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: Local guest house

Day 6: Ulgii to Ulaanbaatar

Unfortunately, today is our last day together, but it will be another memorable one.

After breakfast, we will take you to the local airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Once you arrive in Ulaanbaatar, if time allows, we will visit the following places:

• Sukhbaatar Square – Central point of Ulaanbaatar, government building, and Genghis Khan's Memorial.

• Gandan Monastery – One of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia and a main destination for pilgrims and monks.

• National History Museum of Mongolia – Great place to be introduced to Mongolian history, culture, and ethnic groups.

• Zaisan Hill – This peak provides a panoramic view of the capital city

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Unfortunately, now it’s time for you to leave Mongolia to return home or continue on to other destinations.

Safe travels!