Overview

This combination of the Naadam festival and the Eagle Hunters adventure tour allows you to explore the most beautiful landscapes of western Mongolia, learn the authentic nomadic culture of the Mongols, and have a chance to see one of the world’s most beautiful festivals. Get participate in the nomadic Naadam Festival, spend your time with nomadic eagle trainers in the western regions of Mongolia, 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.

In this small-group tour, we smoothly begin with exploring the nomadic modern-day capital – Ulaanbaatar city, then fly off to the Ulgiy town, a place where you will experience Kazakh culture – wild camping and homestays alongside eagle hunters; trekking on foot and on horseback through Tavanbogd National Park – including a non-technical climb/hike of Mt. Malchin, Potanii Glacier, Shiveet Khairkhan petroglyphs and Lake Khoton. 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. 

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. Book now this Mongolian Naadam Festival & Eagle Trainers Adventure small group tour to western Mongolia.

Hunter eagles and eagle trainers Mongolia

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

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 to the 21st century. Our next stop will be the Gandan Monastery. The monastery is the largest and most significant Buddhist monastery in Ulaanbaatar city with over 200 years old. If time permits, we will visit Zaisan Hill memorial, the hill provides a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar. Overnight in a 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 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: Fly to Ulgiy, Bayan-Ulgii and drive tp 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 will take a domestic flight of 2-3 hours to the western province. Then head to local eagle trainer nomadic family approx 60-70 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 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

We’ll wake up at the same time with the eagle trainers’ nomadic family, and be involved in their daily morning routes including milking their cows and producing dairy products. After having breakfast with the eagle trainer’s family, we will pack up and drive to a 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 6-8: Horse riding & trekking through Tsagaan Salaa River, 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: Attend Naadam Festival in Ulgiy

Today is the first day of the Naadam Festival in Bayan-Ulgii province. In the morning, we will go to Ulgiy town’s stadium to see the Naadam Festival. Naadam events draw a large number of Mongolian families creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere. You’ll mix with the locals from the small town centre as well as with traditional Mongolian herders from outside the area. Don’t expect anything to operate on time and be prepared for plenty of waiting around as well – although there are always plenty of side stalls to explore and enjoy. The most important thing to remember is to experience Naadam from a Mongolian perspective.

  • 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 12: 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. 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 13: 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.

Group size: minimum of 2 & maximum of 6.

  • 2 Guests: $2480 US per person.
  • 3-4 Guests: $2150 US per person.
  • 5-8 Guests: $1900 US per person.
  • Accommodations: 2 nights at a 4-star hotel, 2 nights at a superior ger camps, 3 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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Pictures from this tour

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