GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL

13 DAYS – REMOTE MONGOLIA

OVERVIEW

Journey to remote Mongolia for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Golden Eagle Festival!

A tour of a lifetime! Brush shoulders with Kazakh eagle hunters (and huntresses!) in a remote corner of Mongolia.

This festival happens only once a year, and is limited in how many people can attend.

Visit a nomad family, a throat singer, and an eagle hunter family in an exclusive pre-festival journey.

Two days of festival will feature events such as: “Hunting with the eagle,” “Woman chasing man on horseback with a whip,” “Horseback archery,” and “Camel races.”

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Sleep  in a traditional ger (yurt)
  • Private heated ger for lunch and resting during the festival
  • Exclusive opportunity to visit an eagle hunting family
  • Amazing photo opportunities
  • Optional Gobi Desert excursion
  • Explore little-visited monasteries across the Mongolian Steppe

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL

13 DAYS – from $8,995 per person


SEPT 28  Ulaanbaatar  |  Arrive Ulaanbaatar — 4* Hotel

Transfer to hotel in city center near main square | Genghis Khan Statue


SEPT 29  Ulaanbaatar  |  Sightseeing

Explore UB today as we visit sights such as the incredible Gandantegchinlen Monasteryand The Black Market.


SEPT 30  Kharkhorin  |  Genghis Khan’s Abandoned Capital City — Erdene Zuu Monastery

It’s a 4-5 hour drive across the windswept steppes of central Mongolia to what once was a center of trade and civilization on the famous silk route. Today, ancient Kharkhorin lies under dirt, but still boasts the beautiful 16th c. Buddhist Erdene Zuu Monastery.


OCT 01  Kharkhorin  |  Tuvkhun Monastery — Shankh Monastery

Switching into 4×4 mode, our jeep will leave the road behind and follow nomadic paths across rolling green hills and ford crystal clear streams. An immensely beautiful drive, we’ll climb to larch-forested mountains and the stunning Tuvkhun Monastery. It’s a 1+ hr hike to this cliff-side monastery built by the revered artist-monk, Zanabazar. Later in the day we’ll visit the Shankh Monastery also founded by Zanabazar. Return to Kharkhorin.


OCT 02  Ulaanbaatar  |  Sightseeing — Eagle Festival Orientation

After driving back to Ulaanbaatar, you’ll have the afternoon at leisure to rest or go shopping and sighseeing. We’ll meet our guide for western Mongolia at 6pm for an introduction to the coming days. Dinner.


OCT 03  Fly to Ulgii  |  Western Mongolia

It’a a 3 hour flight in the morning to Byan-Ulgii Province. This remote corner of Mongolia stuns with it’s stark beauty. After lunch we’ll take Land Cruisers to visit a nomad family, and the informative Kazakh museum.


OCT 04  Ger (Yurt) Camp  |  Rural Mongolia by Land Cruiser

An amazing day as we drive into the countryside to visit a throat singer, an eagle hunter family, have opportunity for amazing photos, and enjoy lunch on the shores of glistening Lake Tolbo.


OCT 05  Ulgii  |  Real Life Eagle Hunt

Local eagle hunters will gather to perform a live hunt with their eagles. You will have the opportunity to follow along, either by foot, or in the Land Cruisers, as these hunters ride their horses across the mountains in search of wild game. Return to Ulgii for dinner at the Turkish Restaurant.


OCT 06 – 07 Eagle Festival  |  2 Days of Eagle Festival

2 Day festival featuring several events and amazing photo opportunities. You’ll have access to a private heated ger for lunch and for warming up at any time. We’ll return by Land Cruiser to our hotel in Ulgii each night (30 min drive).


OCT 08  Khovd Province  |  Tsambargarav National Park

Drive through Tsambagarav National Park to shoved Province. Along the way we’ll visit a nomad family and stop for amazing photo ops. Tonight we’ll be far from the beaten path, and will stay at a local hotel.


OCT 09  Ulaanbaatar  |  Fly to UB — Sightseeing

A morning flight to Ulaanbaatar will allow you the afternoon free for shopping or sightseeing. The Chojin Llama Monastery and Museum houses some of the finest Buddhist sculptures in Asia. Farewell dinner at a favorite restaurant.


OCT 10  Departure  |

Last minute shopping or sightseeing. Transportation to the airport for departure.

OR

Choose to add a couple more days for sightseeing to Terelej National Park.

FROM 


$8,995  per person 

.

INCLUDED


  • Airport transfers
  • All in-country transportation
  • 12 nights lodging
  • All meals
  • All in-country transportation (other than transportation arranged for other activities or during free time)
  • Domestic flights: Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii and return
  • Entrance to Eagle Festival
  • Heated ger (yurt) for your use at the festival
  • Entrance fees to all listed sights
  • Eli as personal trip leader and cultural liaison throughout

.

NOT INCLUDED


  • International airfare
  • Any drinks other than complimentary drinks
  • Snacks
  • Personal insurance, emergency evacuation, etc…
  • Other personal expenses
  • Tips for guides, staff, drivers, etc…

DEPARTURE DATES 2020


September  – October

FLEXIBLE DEPARTURE DATES


While the Golden Eagle Festival only happens once a year, other similar Mongolia tours can be arranged for the season of May – October. Options for other tours include visiting eagle hunting families, the Gobi Desert, or beautiful Khuvsgul Lake.

.

RECOMMENDED SEASON FOR MONGOLIA


May – October

BOUTIQUE LODGING

Stay & eat at these or similarly beautiful properties on this trip.