Golden Eagle Festival Trip
$ 2,145
Per person- 5 nights, 6 days
- Sep 2024 / Western Mongolia
Photo gallery
Itinerary
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the largely modernised capital hub of Mongolia. Despite its concrete façade, this city is home to nearly half of the population, and many can be seen in their traditional dress with a huge proportion continuing to live in gers in the suburbs. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel.
Depending on your flight time, this afternoon you can enjoy a city tour including Sukhbaatar Square and the National Museum of Mongolian History. We will also visit Gandan Monastery which is the largest and most important working monastery in Mongolia, home to an impressive 26m high statue of a Buddhist figure featuring precious stones and gilded with gold leaf.
In the evening there will be a welcome dinner at one of our favourite restaurants
Overnight in a hotel
This morning we transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Ulgii (3-4 hours), capital of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s westernmost province. Ninety percent of the population of Bayan-Ulgii is Kazakh and, on arrival, if there is enough time there will be an opportunity to walk through the town and visit the local market which will give you a real flavour of the region and its people.
Afternoon transfer to our ger camp followed by evening dinner with a local Kazakh eagle hunter and his family where we will learn about their lifestyle and how they train their eagles
Overnight Ger Camp
Start with a hearty breakfast before taking the short drive to the festival site .
The festival starts with a parade of the eagle hunters dressed in full regalia with eagles sitting proudly on their outstretched arms. This is a truly amazing sight to behold.
Set amongst all he pageantry and colour we will enjoy competitions to test the agility and mastery of bird and hunter, horse racing, camel racing, equestrian games, and the highly entertaining 'Bushkashi' - goat skin tug-o-war on horseback.
Overnight Ger Camp
Returning to the festival site this morning we will enjoy more excitement and amazing photo opportunities as we take in another day of exhilarating competition and colour. In the late afternoon the winners of the festival will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Overnight Ger Camp
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the mid-morning flight to UlaanBaatar. Afternoon at leisure in the capital. In the evening a concert of traditional Mongolian music and dance including throat singing followed by a farewell dinner.
Overnight Hotel
Transfer to the airport for departure
Tour price per person
Included / exclude
- All transportation set out in Your Itinerary except as specified. We use 4×4 Japanese minivans and Russian vans and Jeep
- All accommodation set out in Your Itinerary
- Tour Leader/Guide – Our trained English and Mongolian speaking staff
- Airport transfers in Mongolia
- Domestic flights within Mongolia
- Horse and camel riding
- Entrance fees: Entry fees to museums, concerts in UB, monasteries, national parks and road charges for tourists, staff, and vehicles, all as set out in Your Itinerary.
- Clean drinking water /2l per day/
- Your personal travel insurance policy costs.
- International flights and costs for visas
- Personal expenses incurred by You, including airport taxes, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, laundry, and room services and similar costs
- Extra baggage – please note that internal Mongolian flights allow only 15 kg luggage. If Your luggage weighs more, You will need to pay the additional baggage charges.
- Toiletries
- Video recording or photography fees at sights
- Tips and gratuities
- Wear and tear of or to Your property.
- Damage to Your property unless such damage is directly caused by Us