Golden Eagle Festival

In western Mongolia, deep within the Altai mountain range, an ancient tradition of hunting with Golden Eagles is still alive. The Kazakhs of Mongolia train their eagles to hunt for rabbits and foxes. Once a year, hunters from all over Bayan-Olgii province gather to celebrate this traditional skill and compete against each other challenges that show off the abilities of both birds and their trainers. Prizes are awarded for the fastest eagle, the best traditional Kazakh dress, and more. Various folklore performances are given during the festival. We take you to participate in this regional festival and also to visit with Kazakh families, join the hunters on hunting trips, and see different sights in Bayan Olgii province, home of the Kazakh minority in Mongolia .

Day 1.(Oct 1) Ulaanbaatar. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel in the city centre. After lunch, we will start the city tour including Gandan Monastery, Chinggis Khaan square and surroundings including Parliament House, National Opera Theatre, Cultural Palace and House of City Council. Then we will drive to Zaisan Hill, which provides wide view of the Ulaanbaatar then we will visit Museum of National history with an excellent exhibitions such as Stone and Bronze Age, Turkic and Mongol Empire, rise of Buddhism and communist regime. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day2. (Oct 2) Khovd. Transfer to airport and morning flight to Khovd town, 3 hours flight. We will meet local guide and start our excursion in Khovd town, visit local museum. Transfer to tourism camp and overnight at the ger.

Day 3. (Oct 3) Khovd/Khoid Tsenkher cave. After breakfast, we will drive to Khoid Tsenkher Cave. . This cave is dated back 20 000 -30 000 years ago, is considered classic evidence of Upper Paleolithic period. Many symbols and animals painted with rosy and brown colors deep inside the cave is very famous as petroglyph in the world. Drive to the camp and visit to Khar Us lake. Overnight at the ger camp

Day4 (Oct 4) Khovd/Bayan Ulgii/ Tsambagarav/Tolbo lake. We will drive to Tsambagarav sacred mountain which is located 4202m above the sea level. The name means sacred white as is covered in snow year around, situated at the edge of Khovd and Bayan Ulgii aimags. Further we will drive to Tolbo lake and Sagsai sum, stay in a camp for overnight.

Day 5 (Oct 5) Bayan Ulgii/Eagle Festival. We will experience Golden Eagle Festival today including opening ceremony, competition of traditional Kazakh costume and Eagle Call contest. In the afternoon, we will see multiple events such as anklebones and archery competition, small workshops with eagle hunters. Overnight at the ger camp.

Day 6 (Oct 6) Golden Eagle Festival. We will continue to participate Golden Eagle Festival. In the morning we will see Kazakh Horse game, Kazakh dance and song performance. In the evening we will see fox skin catching contest, which is a real test for hunter’s skills and ability. The festival concludes with award ceremony and dinner. Overnight at the ger camp.

Day 7 (Oct 7) Tsengelkhairkhan mountain. In morning we will drive to Tsengel Khairkhan mountain, snow covered peak of 3967m asl. It is birth to the Khovd and Sagsai rivers. We will visit Kazakh family and will experience the traditional way of life of Kazakhs. We will visit one of the eagle hunting family, introduce methods of catching and training of Eagles. Overnight at the camp.

Day 8 (Oct 8) Achit lake/Uureg lake. Departure to Ulaangom, a provincial capital of Uvs province via Achit and Uureg lake. On the way, we will visit Durvud ethnic family to explore their way of life. Overnight at hotel in Ulaangom

Day 9 (Oct 9) Uvs lake. Excursion to Uvs nuur basin, covering area of 1.068.853 is the northern most of the enclosed basins of Central Asia. The basin is named after Uvs lake, large and salt water lake which is important place for migrating birds and shore birds. The site is made up of 12 protected areas representing the major biomes of eastern Eurasia. The steppe ecosystem supports a rich diversity of birds and the desert is home for many animals. The mountains are important refuge for globally endangered snow leopard, argali and ibex. Drive back to Ulaangom and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 (Oct 10) Ulaangom/Buurug Sanddunes. Departure to Buurug deliin sand dunes, which has an oasis called Bayan lake in the middle. We will explore sand dunes and do camel riding and visit Bayad ethnic family. Drive back to Ulaangom and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 (Oct 11) Ulaanbaatar. Flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to hotel and free day for shopping and in the evening we will see traditional folklore performance. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 (Oct 12) Ulaanbaatar. We will visit Gandan Monastery a heart of Mongolian Buddhism. We will see 24m golden plated statue of Buddha; Megjid Janraiseg. This monastery is the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. We will visit Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, the palace known as the Green Palace. The palace was built in 1903 dedicated to the 8^th Bogd Gegeen, the head of lamaist religion and last khan of Mongolia. Amazing bronze castings, silk paintings, paper icons, mineral paintings, god statues made by Zanabazar and his students is the main attraction of this Palace.. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 13 (Oct 13) We will transfer to the “Chinggis Khaan” International Airport with professional Blue Gobi Tour Team.