Nauryz Eagle Festival Spring Migration 14 Days Tour
About this tour
Mongolian Altai - a trip to the ancient mystical world in the heart of Asia. Travel to Mongolia is the dream of any person who is interested in Central Asia and nomadic cultures. The world of the Mongolian Altai is diverse - huge hollows, large lake basins, sandy massifs and of course mountain peaks. The wild, inaccessible and poorly studied Mongolian Altai is still stored on its slopes, traces of ancient nomadic cultures of Central Asia - rock paintings or petroglyphs, stone man and burial mounds of dead leaders. Traveling to Mongolia is not just a holiday, but an acquaintance with the pristine culture of nomads. You can see with your own eyes the customs and traditions, traditional holidays, traditional games, traditional music and songs, traditional meals of the modern local nomads. Especially familiarity with the most unique art of the Kazakh people Hunting with Golden eagles and participate to the real Eagle hunting. This trip will give you the opportunity to be in the very center of the wild unspoiled nature of the Altai Mountains and participate in spring migration of the Kazakh nomad herders from winter place to spring pastures.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia
After arriving in Ulgii city at the airport you will be met by our team (driver, guide and cook). Have breakfast in one coffee shop in the city of Ulgii. Go to the family of a hunter located 35 km from the Ulgii. Takes about 1 hour drive. Get to know the everyday life of a simple nomadic family. Every nomadic herders have busy time for welcoming newborn baby animals in spring between February to April. You will be helping the family with this hard work. Overnight in the hunter's family. There is no electricity, no internet, no shower. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 2: Uujim, Mongolia
Today you will be participating in a real hunt. After breakfast, you and the hunter on horseback go to the hunting site. The eagle hunters will ride up to high peak overlooking a wild valley. Out in the Altai Mountains, you really can see for many ,many miles from these peaks. All day you will see how the process of hunting with golden eagles takes place. Horse riding. Overnight in the hunters family. B.L.D (No shower, internet, electricity.)
Day 3: Uujim, Mongolia
Today you are visiting the family of another hunter who lives 50 km away in the village Sagsay (2 hours drive). Sagsay is the birthplace of famous hunters. Overnight in the hunters family. B.L.D. (No shower)
Day 4: Uujim, Mongolia
Hunting day. Today you will once again go hunting with a new hunter to a new hunting place. You will see a different view. Horse riding. Overnight in the hunters family. B.L.D ( No shower)
Day 5: Uujim, Mongolia to Khushuut, Mongolia
After breakfast you will drive to our nomadic families winter place in the Tsengel village. (80km, 4-5 hours drive). Every season these nomadic shepherds move their livestock to different pastures. Crossing frozen lakes moutain passes the Kazakh nomads herd their horses, camels yaks, sheep and goats from their winter pastures to the spring grasslands. Overnight in the family. B.L.D ( No electricity, internet, shower)
Day 6: Khushuut, Mongolia to Khurgan Lake, Mongolia
The first day of migration. Most of the families and possessions move to their spring camp on a truck, but the cattle must cross the mountains on a foot to find fresh pastures. You help the family pack and load things on the truck. Together with the herders you will follow the cattle.Horse riding about 20- 25 km 5- 6 hours. Overnight in a temporary small yurt. B.L.D.(No electricity, internet, shower)
Day 7: Khurgan Lake, Mongolia to Khoton Lake, Mongolia
The second day of migration. Their spring home in Sirgali valley in Altai Tavan Bogd national park of Western Mongolia. Horse riding about 5- 6 hours, 20- 25 km. Overnight in a temporary yurt. B.L.D. (No electricity, internet, shower )
Day 8: Khoton Lake, Mongolia to Baga turgen khurkheree, Mongolia
Today we leave the cattle and go to the family. Explore the Sirgali valley, to see Baga Turgen Waterfall, stone mans, petroglyphs, Khoton and Khurgan lakes.Hiking and walking about 5 km. B.L.D. (No electricity, internet, shower)
Day 9: Khoton Lake, Mongolia to Altai Tavan Bogd Ranger, Mongolia
Today, after a long drive (180 km, 5-6 hours) you will go to Tsagaan gol valley and visit to Tuvan family and get to know their life and traditions. On the way, you can see stone mans of the Turkic age and large burial grounds, Khirgisuurs and modern graves of the Kazakh people of various types. Overnight in the Tuvan family. B.L.D. (No electricity, internet, shower)
Day 10: Altai Tavan Bogd Ranger, Mongolia
Today, after breakfast, you, together with a horse guide, on horseback go to Mount Shivet Khairkhan and see a beautiful view of the snow covered peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain. Shivet Khairkhan is a sacred mountain of the Tuvan people. Mountain is famous for its rich wildlife, specifically Siberian ibex. Explore the area, see the Petroglyphs. Overnight in the Tuvan family. B.L.D (No electricity, internet, shower)
Day 11: Altai Tavan Bogd Ranger, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia
Today drive back to Ulgii city. Relaxing day. Take hot shower. Overnight at the hotel. B.L.D
Day 12: Ulgii, Mongolia to Bayan-Ulgii central square, Өлгий, Mongolia
Today, in the central square of the city, you will see the Kazakh national holiday Nauryz. Enjoy a parade of peoples on traditional costumes and traditional music of Kazakh people. After you can visit families and see how ordinary families in the city celebrate Nauryz and taste the traditional food “Besbarmak”, “Khazy or smoked horse meat",“Nauryz koje" Overnight at the hotel. B.L.D
Day 13: Ulgii, Mongolia to Buga, Mongolia
Nauryz Eagle Hunter festival. Overnight at the hotel. B.L.D.
Day 14: Ulgii, Mongolia to Olgii museum, Ulgii, Mongolia
Rest day in Ulgii. Visit to the local museum. Shopping. Overnight at the hotel. B.L.D.
What's included
• English speaking guide, • driver ; • cook; • 3 meals per day; • 14 nights accommodation; • 4×4 transport +petrol • Kazakh Eagle Hunter; Real, eagle hunting, horse riding, migration; • Festival fee; • Drinking water; • Toilet paper and antibacterical hand cleancer; • Camping equipments: sleeping bag, folding bed, matters, chair, kitchen equipments, tent for toilet, generator etc.
• International and domestic flights; • Travel insurance; • Visa, extra hotel charges; • Excess baggage costs; • Tips and gratuities for the service team ( guide, cook, driver); • Alcohol drinks; • Personal needs.
What to know
What to bring: • Waterproof hiking boots; • Waterproof clothing; • Warm clothes,(fleece, long pants, woolen hat, gloves ); • Walking clothes; • Personal medicat ion; • Solar powered light; • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat; • Ziplock bags; Meals: Our tours will include both Western and Mongolian meals. We know how to serve vegetarians. The climate: Mongolia has a high elevation, with a cold and dry climate. It has a extreme continental climate. Spring in Mongolia is windy and begins in March until the end of May. The average day temperature of Mongolian Altai spring is -3 to +12 degrees during day time and -16 to +2 degrees at night. During the tour we can use a generator to charge your cameras and batteries.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia