Overview

Western regions of Mongolia is home to the real wilderness; nomadic Kazakh herders training their eagles for hunting, elusive snow leopards hovering through the majestic snow-capped mountains, a young nomadic man singing and galloping through the shores of crystal blue lakes under the eternal blue sky of nomadic Mongolia.  This is a view you will see when you are travelling through the western regions of Mongolia, and it’s where the spectacular Golden Eagle Festival takes place. 

For this 12-day solo adventure to the west of Mongolia, firstly, we will explore the nomadic modern-day capital – Ulaanbaatar city, then fly off to the Ulgiy, a place where the eagle hunters live. Amongst the traditional tribal lands of the Kazakhs, we will discover a cherishing tradition of eagle trainers and a wealth of natural and cultural treasures that can trace their origins back millennia. Spending our nights in ger encampments, our adventure culminates with a two-day visit to the colourful eagle trainer family, where we will experience one of the last great nomadic spectacles.

A journey to inspire and captivate, each day offers up a glimpse of a legacy and a landscape that is as timeless as it is transient.

Hunter eagles and eagle trainers Mongolia

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar city, our driver and English-speaking guide meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in downtown. Today  we visit some of famous places in Ulaanbaatar city including Chinggis Khaan museum, Sukhbaatar Square, Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khan Palace Museum and if time permits, we will visit Zaisan Hill Memorial Statue. Overnight in hotel.

  • Transfer to Hotel from Ulaanbaatar New International Airport, about 35 km, and Ulaanbaatar City tour
  • Meal(s): Lunch + Dinner 
  • Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located hotel – Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar hotel or similar. Today’s accommodation is twin-based.
Day 2: Fly to Ulgiy, West of Mongoliai and visit to an eagle hunter family in Sagsai soum

After breakfast at the hotel, our team will pick you up from your hotel, and afford you to the airport for a domestic flight to Ulgii, a provincial town of Western Mongolia. After your arrival in Ulgii, our local driver will pick you up from Ulgii airport with his guaranteed 4WD vehicle and drive to nomadic Kazakh family in Sagsai soum of Bayan-Ulgii province. Once we reach the home of nomadic Kazakh family, you have an opportunity to learn about their lifestyle including how they train their Golden eagles for hunting, how they take care of their herds in the vast pasture land, and also you will get a chance to try what nomadic people do in their daily life. Overnight in a ger with nomadic Kazakh family.

  • Travel: We take a domestic flight of 2-3 hours to the western province. Then head to local eagle trainer nomadic family, approx 70-80km drive on a dirt road from the town.
  • Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
  • Accommodation: Stay in a local nomadic eagle trainer family, one of our long term cooperative families The family does not have additional ger for guests to stay in so you are invited to sleep in the family’s ger. However, if you prefer privacy, we always provide tents for each guest and these can be put up next to the family’s home. Asian style outside long-drop toilet. No shower
Day 3: Head to Shiveet Khairkhan: a snow-capped mountain

Today we wake up at same time with the eagle hunters nomadic family, and be involved in their daily morning routes including milking their cows and producing dairy products. After having breakfast with the eagle hunters family, we pack up and drive up  to snow-capped sacred mountain Shiveet Khairkhan. The mountain has an altitude of 3000m and is surrounded by archaeological monuments extending in time from the Bronze Age through the Turkic Period (sixth to ninth centuries CE). The mountain is the closest place to Altai Tavan Bogd peaks reachable by car. Once we arrive in the foot of Shiveet Khairkhan mountain, we will set up our tent, and you have time to explore the mountain until dinner. In the evening, we will prepare our luggage for the next 2 days of trekking to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Overnight in a tent.

  • Travel time: From the nomadic eagle trainer family to the snow-capped mountain, approximately 180 km on a dirt road. Average of 5-6 hours of driving on the dirt road.
  • Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
  • Accommodation: We will stay in a local nomadic eagle trainer family, another one of our long term cooperative families. The family does not have additional ger for guests to stay in so you are invited to sleep in the family’s ger. However, if you prefer privacy, we always provide tents for each guest and these can be put up next to the family’s home. Asian style outside long-drop toilet. No shower
Day 4: Trek to the base camp of Tavan Bogd Peak

After having breakfast at the foot of the sumptuous snow-capped mountain, we will load our luggage on horseback, leave our vehicle and trek toward Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. After approximately 3 to 4 hours of horseback riding, we will reach the base camp of Tavan Bogd peaks. The name Tavan Bogd Mountains means the ‘5 Saints” makes sense when you stand by the five tallest peaks in the park. Starting with Kuiten Uul at 14,350 ft (4374 m), Nairamdal at 13,714 feet (4,180 meters), Malchin at 13,287 feet (4,050 meters), Bürged at 13,346 feet (4,068 meters) and Ölgii at 13,287 feet ( 4,050 meters) constitute the other giant mountains. Once we arrive in the base camp of the National Park, we will set up our tent camp just off the glacier’s edge, then have lunch and saunter around the largest glacier in Mongolia named “Potanin glacier” between the Tavan Bogd peaks. Overnight in a tent.

  • Travel time: We will ride well-treated horses. On this day, we trek averagely 4-5 hours by horseback riding but depends hugely on weather conditions.
  • Meal(s): Trekking days’ meals will be made by our tour guide(s), who are well trained for outdoor cooking. But you should not expect chief style meals.
  • Accommodation: On our horse trekking days, we will sleep in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.
Day 5: Potanin Glacier and Tavan Bogd Peaks

After having a peaceful breakfast next to the glacier’s edge, you have a full day to explore the Tavan Bogd National Park. The national park is, however, more than the high peaks and circa 34 glaciers. Indeed, the park includes the beautiful flat area of the Lakes region. Composed of three freshwater lakes, Khurgan Nuur and Khoton Nuur, are linked by a small river, and the smaller Dayan Nuur is south of the two lakes. After the exploration through the national park, you will enjoy the alpine-like scene next to your tent. Overnight in a tent.

  • Travel time: We will leave our horses near our tents then hike up to Malchin Peak. Approximately 6-7 hours of hiking, but hugely depends on weather conditions of the day we do hiking. If the climate is not appropriate to hike, we will do a short excursion through the glacier by our horse or by walk. (Hiking up to Malchin Peak is optional)
  • Meal(s): Trekking days’ meals will be made by our tour guide(s), who are well trained for outdoor cooking. But you should not expect chief style meals.
  • Accommodation: On our horse trekking days, we will sleep in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.

 

Day 6: Tsagaan Gol - White/milky river in Altai Mountains

After having a peaceful breakfast next to the glacier’s edge, you have a full day to explore the Tavan Bogd National Park. The national park is, however, more than the high peaks and circa 34 glaciers. Indeed, the park includes the beautiful flat area of the Lakes region. Composed of three freshwater lakes, Khurgan Nuur and Khoton Nuur, are linked by a small river, and the smaller Dayan Nuur is south of the two lakes. After the exploration through the national park, you will enjoy the alpine-like scene next to your tent. Overnight in a tent.

  • Travel time: We will leave our horses near our tents then hike up to Malchin Peak. Approximately 6-7 hours of hiking, but hugely depends on weather conditions of the day we do hiking. If the climate is not appropriate to hike, we will do a short excursion through the glacier by our horse or by walk. (Hiking up to Malchin Peak is optional)
  • Meal(s): Trekking days’ meals will be made by our tour guide(s), who are well trained for outdoor cooking. But you should not expect chief style meals.
  • Accommodation: On our horse trekking days, we will sleep in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.

 

Day 7-10: Horseback riding & trekking through Tsagaan Salaa River, Baga Turgen Waterfall, Khoton & Khurgan Lakes

On these three days, we will trek around Tsagaan Gol River, Khoton & Khurgan Lakes and its surrounding area. The Tsagaan Gol river is sourced by the biggest glaciers in the Altai mountains including Alexandra, Grene, and Potanin glacier. When the glaciers melt, the river becomes white coloured as well as milk, the suspended powder of rock eroded by the high glaciers. The system of these lakes, connected by a wide channel, is the source of the Hovd River which drains the whole Mongolian Altai. Khoton Lake is located in an intermountain tectonic depression in the northern portion of the Mongolian Altai. Overnight in a tent.

  • Travel time: On these three days, we will ride well-treated horses. On each day, we will trek averagely 4-5 hours by horseback riding but depends hugely on weather conditions.
  • Meal(s): Trekking days’ meals will be made by our tour guide(s), who are well trained for outdoor cooking. But you should not expect chief style meals.
  • Accommodation: On our horse trekking days, we will sleep in tents. We provide a kitchen tent, a toilet tent and VANGO tents.  There are no single supplements – each traveller gets their OWN tent.  Don’t worry about the lack of showers – we provide heated water for washes en-route.

 

Day 11: Trek back to nomadic family

After having a peaceful breakfast next to the beautiful lakes, we will pack up and head to the eagle trainers’ family and our vehicle. After 4 to 5 hours of horse hacking, we will meet our vehicle and a nomadic family, and our camp will be pitched next to the nomadic family’s ger. Overnight in a tent.

  • Travel time: Today is the last day with our horses. We will trek on averagely 4-5 hours by horseback riding but depends hugely on weather conditions.
  • Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
  • Accommodation: Stay in a local nomadic eagle trainer family, one of our long term cooperative families. The family does not have additional ger for guests to stay in so you are invited to sleep in the family’s ger. However, if you prefer privacy, we always provide tents for each guest and these can be put up next to the family’s home. Asian style outside long-drop toilet. No shower
Day 12: Drive back to Ulgiy Town

It’s time to say goodbye to our nomadic Kazakh friends. Today we will drive back to Ulgii town. After approximately 5 hours of backseat driving, we will reach Ulgii town. Once we arrive there, you have time to relax in the hotel until dinner and refill your energy. Overnight in a hotel.

  • Travel time: Approx 80-90 km on a dirt road to the provincial town. Upon arrival in Ulgiy, transfer to your hotel. 
  • Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
  • Accommodation: You will stay in a provincial 3-star hotel – Makhsum hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 3-star hotel to a home-stay.
Day 13: Fly back to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast at the eagle trainer family, we will transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Ulaanbaatar. We will arrive in the capital city in the afternoon, and you have time for visiting the world’s number one cashmere store and Mongolian souvenir shops or relax in your hotel until dinner. In the evening, our farewell dinner will take place in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.

  • Travel time: Approx 40 km on a dirt road to the airport to catch a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival at UB, transfer to your hotel. 
  • Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
  • Accommodation: You will stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel – Khuvsgul Lake hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a homestay.

 

Day 14: Departure

Today is the end of the Naadam Festival & Eagle Hunters adventure tour. Our team will transfer you to the airport in time for your international flight. Have a nice trip back home and thank you for choosing Way To Nomads.

  • Meal(s): Breakfast
  • Transport: Transfer to the airport from the hotel by vehicle.

Pictures from this tour

Group size: minimum of 4 & maximum of 8.

  • 4 Guests: $2780 US per person.
  • 5-8 Guests: $2680 US per person.
  • 8+ Guests: $2490 US per person.
  • Accommodations: 2 nights at a 4-star hotel, 2 nights at a superior ger camps, 2 nights at a nomadic ger, 5 nights at camping tent.
  • Meals per itinerary: breakfast-12, lunch-12, dinner-12 + drinking water
  • Museums and cultural performance
  • Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
  • Professional tourist guide
  • Vehicle: off-road monster 4×4 furgon with well experienced driver + fuel
  • Transportation; to/from airport.
  • Domestic flight tickets: UB-Ulgiy-UB
  • Camping equipment: tent, matt.
  • International airfare(s) to/from Ulaanbaatar
  • Personal equipment
  • Optional activity cost
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Travel insurance

Personal Information (Lead Traveller)

Tour Information

2-12 years old
Under 2 years old
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