CULTURAL TOURS - NOMADIC STAYS

Discover the magnificent landscapes and beauty of the Altai Mountains in the golden autumn. We invite you to meet nomadic eagle hunters and the traditional culture of the Kazakh people.  

Enjoy   the beauty of the valleys of the western Great Lakes – the snow-capped mountains, vast plains, steppes and sand dunes that make western Mongolia the most magnificent region and grand.

​

Eagle hunting festival.

 

The far west of Mongolia is the cradle of many ethnic groups such as the Kazakhs, Tuva, Durvud and Uriankhai, most of whom live in the Bayan-Ulgii region located in the picturesque Altai Mountains.  

The Kazakhs have a genuine tradition of hunting small animals   with specially trained eagles, which dates back to the old times when hunting was an important additional source of food in the life of nomads.

  In the harsh climate of the Altai mountains, hunting was also a source of fur used in clothing. While Kazakh men hunted foxes and rabbits with eagles, women made well-decorated, furry hats and coats to wear in extremely cold winters.

Training an eagle requires a lot of effort and patience. Trainers carefully combine feeding and training   so that the bird learns to hunt for human need. Qualified eagles remain throughout the year  well trained and   fed by trainers.

The beginning of October marks the start of the hunting season. As winter approaches, animals prepare for the cold weather by putting on warmer fur.   As the hunting season approaches, the Kazakhs prepare their eagles for hunting: less food makes the eagle more aggressive and faster.

Nowadays, training an eagle is less of a need in life and it has become more of a tradition and an important part of the culture. The Eagle Hunting Festival is celebrated every year.

It is a two-day rendezvous for eagle hunters. It brings together all the hunters of the region and other nearby regions, to discuss and show themselves the fastest with the best qualified eagles.

The eagle hunting festival is accompanied by other festivities of local ethnic groups, including traditional music and dance concerts, sports games and exhibitions of the best dresses and costumes.

The participants of this festival have the opportunity to appreciate the traditional products of this region, which is famous for its colorful hand-made embroidery, especially those   made by Kazakh women.

Briefly:  
Domestic flight: Ulaanbaatar-Khovd-Ulaanbaatar
Distance by vehicle: around 800 km 
Program: 1 day in Ulaanbaatar, 2 days of Eagle hunting festival and 7 days in a 4x4 vehicle, a short trek on horseback, visits of nomadic families and eagle hunters.
Accommodation: 2 nights at the hotel, 6 nights in the tent, 3 nights in the yurt. 

The temperature during the trip is approximately: + 10° C during the day and –5°-10° C at night. 

​

If you want another itinerary with a longer stay,  passing through the UVS region (north of Ulgii) and the dunes of northern Mongolia, do not hesitate to write to us so that we adapted this program. 

​

Price example / individual travel service 

Don't understand the transfers to Mongolia

  

Package price per person 

  

USD 1,949 based on a group of 4 people / 1 vehicle / 2 guides / 10 days.

 

This price corresponds to the following service:

• 2 nights in a hotel in the capital (double room) / Other nights in a tent camp and 3 nights in a ger camp (yourts) 

• Rental for exclusive use during the duration of the stay of a 4X4 minibus vehicle type UAZ, fuel and maintenance included

• Local support team of 2 people for the duration of the stay: an interpreter/cook and a driver/mechanic - food and accommodation included 

• Tickets for domestic flights UB - Khovd - UB

• Entrance tickets to the festival  

• All transfers in the capital at your request

• Organization of visits and outings in the capital according to your wishes

• All food / beverages provided and prepared while traveling 

• Arrival and departure dinners in the capital 

• Rental of camping equipment: tent / bedding / kitchen / cutlery

• Rental of fishing equipment: rods/reels 

• Organization of pedestrian treks and horse and camel treks on the road according to your request and our prior discussions

• Nature reserve crossing/stay fees