Golden Eagle Festival And Gobi Tour
About this tour
Mongolian two highlights are in one tour package. Among the earth's many deserts, the Gobi Desert is unique. This semi-desert varies in landscapes, is home to many wild and endangered species, is the second most important paleontological site, is nomads' pastureland, is the coldest desert on our earth, and is picturesque with various color plants. The vast and empty plain meeting with the blue sky horizon pleases you with relaxation, peace, calmness, and the steppe smell. Regarding the Eagle Festival, Mongolian Kazakhs are well known as they have kept their culture and tradition at their origin among the Kazakhs of other countries.
On this trip, you first fly to Western Mongolia to witness the Golden Eagle Festival, meet eagle hunters and visit their homes. Afterward, you will travel to Gobi Desert when it is warmer and vibrant in color. You will see and photograph Mongolian Instagram spot Tsagaan Suvarga, hike in Yol Valley in craggy Gurvan Saikhan National Park, see the Gobi Desert sunset and hear sand singing at Khongor dunes and trek among photogenic Flaming Cliffs.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport after you clear customs and immigration. You will have your Welcome dinner at one of the best restaurants in UB. After having dinner, we will check in hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ulgii, Ölgii, Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar - Ulgii /2 hours meet local guide and driver. Exploring Ulgii town then have a dinner in Kazakh family, make short tour to Ulgii. Then check in hotel and prepare for the trip.
Day 3: Ulgii, Ölgii, Mongolia
The golden eagle festival is held annually in Bayn-Olgii province as organized event. During the Golden Eagle festival, they celebrate this festival to show their ancestor’s heritage competing each other with their well-trained eagles that catch small animals, such as hares, fox even wolves. By doing this, they both show their skills and abilities. Prizes are awarded for their speed, agility, and accuracy, as well as best traditional Kazakh dress and more.
Day 4: Ulgii, Ölgii, Mongolia to Uujim, Mongolia
Enjoy the Golden eagle Festival. Worshipped, rocky mountainous terrain forms the backdrop to the festivities which incorporate an opening ceremony, parade, cultural exhibitions, demonstrations and handcrafts in the center of town of Ulgii followed by sporting activities and competitions 4 km out towards the mountains. Dressed in full eagle hunting regalia and mounted on groomed decorated horses, the entrants compete for the awards of Best Turned-out Eagle and Owner; Best Eagle at Hunting Prey and Best Eagle at Locating Its Owner from a Distance. Other sporting activities include horse racing, archery and the highly entertaining Bushkashi - goatskin tug of war on horseback.
Day 5: Uujim, Mongolia to Ulgii, Ölgii, Mongolia
With only around 400 traditional eagle hunters left in the world, the custom is precious and unless your father was an eagle hunter, you cannot become one. “They have to endure many hours of horse riding with a 7 to 9kg golden eagle on their arms in extremely cold weather.” Each eagle is taken from the wild at a young age - either straight from the nest or once the mother has taught them basic hunting skills - and hunters will embark on rigorous training to hone their skills. “As soon as the eagle reaches 10-years-old - half of their life expectancy - they are returned to nature to breed again and have a normal life with another eagle.” Only female eagles are used for hunting as they tend to be bigger, stronger, more agile and far more focussed while hunting down their prey.
Day 6: Ulgii, Ölgii, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
After breakfast we will drive to local airport and flight to Ulaanbaatar for 2.5 hours. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy time. If we've got time left, you can do the shopping or cultural show.
Day 7: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia
After breakfast drive to Tsagaan Suvarga colorful mud cliffs. Tsagaan Suvarga is a spectacular natural formation of colorful, massive mud cliffs that look like stupas. Hiking through the cliffs offers the chance to take amazing photographs.
Day 8: Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Mongolia to Yolyn Am Canyon, Mongolia
The Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain is a beautiful national park, rich in wildlife and scenic places. Among the picturesque valleys, Yol Valley is accessible by car. After our vehicle brings us to a designated parking area, we will walk through the resplendent valley into the depths of a sheer rock canyon, which accepts no sunlight. Therefore, it has ice until the end of June. The hiking continues for 2.5 to 3 hours for travel into the valley and back to the vehicle. Bearded eagles, elusive wild sheep, and ibexes are indigenous to the valley.
Day 9: Yolyn Am Canyon, Mongolia to Khongor Sand Dune, Mongolia
The journey will continue to Khongor, the tallest solid dunes. Upon reaching Khongor, visit a nomad family, ride two-humped camels, and climb one of the dunes, depending on how much physical challenge you wish to face. If you can climb one of the tallest dunes, spread the sand northwards against the wind to find out why locals call the dunes "Singing Sand.” The Gobi Desert views are fantastic from the top of the dunes.
Day 10: Khongor Sand Dune, Mongolia to Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia
After breakfast drive to the Flaming Cliffs, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found the remains of dinosaurs. The first dinosaur nest found in Flaming Cliffs had research importance that the dinosaurs laid eggs. After relaxing at the gers, escaping from the afternoon sun, we will enjoy exploring the cliffs in search of dinosaur fossils we may find and take evening pictures of the Flaming Cliffs.Overnight in the tourist camp.
Day 11: Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia to Baga Gazariin Chuluu, Mongolia
Morning earlier Breakfast time - transfer to Baga Gazriin chuluu. Overnigh at the tourist camp.
Day 12: Baga Gazariin Chuluu, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
After breakfast drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Relax in the hotel.
Day 13: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Terelj, Mongolia
After Breakfast in Terelj national park drive to Ulaanbaatar City, we will do short city tour including Chinggis square, Bogd Khaan winter palace museum, National history museum, Gandan After lunch drive to Chinggis Khaan statue complex (54km) and see to Explanation of complex World`s largest traditional foot wear, Short documentary movie about creation of complex. Lunch at herdsman's family and you'll enjoy Mongolian barbeque dish Khorkhog made by using hot stones. Optional horseback riding is available. Terelj National Park is one of the national parks of Mongolia. It is about 80km north-east of Ulaanbaatar, is a popular destination. At 1600m, the area is cool and the alpine scenery is magnificent and there are great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, rafting, horse riding and for hard-core extreme sports fanatics, skiing in the depths of winter. The park has many rock formations for rock climbers, and includes two famous formations named for things they resemble: The Turtle Rock, or called Melkhi Khad by the locals, is an interesting rock formation looking like a turtle. The Turtle rock is set in a valley. Drive back to the Ulaanbaatar overnight in the hotel.
Day 14: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Departure
What's included
International flight
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia