Tour Description

Mongolia Golden Eagle Festival Tour 2022

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. This stunning 5-day journey takes us from its bustling capital and deep into the heart of the breath-taking western wilderness.

For this 5-day short tour to the Golden Eagle festival 2022, firstly, we will explore the nomadic modern-day capital – Ulaanbaatar city, then fly off to the Ulgiy, a place where the eagle festival happens. 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 Altai Golden Eagle Hunters Festival, 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.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1(SEP 29, 2022):

ARRIVAL IN ULAANBAATAR CITY

Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar city, our driver and English-speaking guide will pick you up from the airport and be transferred to your hotel in downtown. After you settled in, we will start a sightseeing tour including a visit to Sukhbaatar’s square. The Square is in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, in front of the Mongolian Parliament House. Across from the central square, we will visit the National Museum of Mongolia, the biggest museum with over 54000 exhibitions from the prehistoric period till the 21st century. Our next stop will be Zaisan Hill Memorial. This hill provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, will enjoy the Deeltei Mongol Naadam, the traditional costume parade. You will see all different types of ethnic clothes and see every local in their traditional costumes.

• 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 4-star hotel – Khuvsgul Lake hotel or similar. The accommodation is twin-based. But if you prefer to stay alone just tell us before the tour, we will provide you with no extra single-supplement charge. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a home-stay.

 

DAY 2:(SEP 30, 2022)

FLIGHT TO ULGII, BAYAN-ULGII AND DRIVE TO 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 in 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 the nomadic Kazakh family in Sagsai soum of Bayan-Ulgii province. Once we reach the home of the 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 a nomadic Kazakh family.

• Travel: We will take a domestic flight of 2-3 hours to the western province. Then head to local eagle trainer nomadic family approx 40-50 km 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 an 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(OCT 1, 2022):

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL IN ULGII

Today we will have breakfast with the nomadic family, then drive back to the provincial town Ulgii in order to attend the 21st Golden Eagle Festival. The festival begins with a parade of hunters holding their eagles marching with their horses. The competition for the best traditional costume and equipment is held followed by games to test the best communication techniques between the eagle and the hunter. The other main competition involves the fastest and most attractive descent of an eagle from the top of the mountain to the owner on the valley floor. Other authentic games are enjoyed by the Kazakhs such as kukbar (tug of war on horseback), archery and horse racing. Hunters put on their best costumes while decorating their eagles with the traditional “eagle costumes”. Event program:  Competition of how eagles adapted to hunters “Shyrga Tartu” (eagles will be qualified how fast and smoothly catch a lure that is made of rabbit or fox skin)  “Tenge Ily” competition – (traditional coin grabbing game while riding a horse)  “Jambi atu” competition – (shooting at a target while riding a horse)  Competition of the best Kazakh costume of couples  “Kyz Khuar” game show – (traditional horseback riding fun game for youth, boys whipped by girls if they reached by them)  “Kukhbar” competition – (traditional horseback riding game fight over for goatskin)

• Travel time: Short drives to the valley where the Golden Eagle Festival will take place. Approx 20-30 km on a dirt road from the nomadic host family.
• Meal(s): Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner 
• Accommodation: You will stay in the host eagle trainer family. 

 

DAY 4(OCT 2, 2022):

FLIGHT BACK TO ULAANBAATAR CITY

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. But if you prefer to stay alone just tell us before the tour, we will provide you with no extra single-supplement charge. Also, if you prefer a different type of accommodation, we have more options from a 5-star hotel to a homestay.

 

DAY 5(OCT 3, 2022):

DEPARTURE

Today is the end of the Mongolia Golden Eagle Festival 2022 Short 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.