ALTAI EAGLE FESTIVAL COMBINED ALTAI MOUNTAINS TOUR /9 DAYS/

SHORT DESCRIPTION

It’s known in the world that Kazakh and Kyrgyz nations have traditions of hunting small animals with the aid of birds of prey such as falcons, hawks, and eagles. For centuries in the central asian steppe, falconry was a royal game of the Khans and nobles. An ancient custom has survived among Kazakhs who live in the Altai Mountain of Mongolia. Today, you can witness an art of the man and bird friendship at the festival which has expanded into the independent tourist attraction venue for photographers and visitors from all over the world. We present you a golden opportunity to take photographs of Kazakh traditional eagle hunting to fill up your treasure chest with the rare photographs of an exotic nomadic culture.

CATEGORY: EVENT AND FESTIVAL TOURS
AVAILABLE: SEPTEMBER
DURATION: 9 DAYS, 8 NIGTHS
DESTINATION: WESTERN MONGOLIA

ESSENTIALS

GUIDE
A Chinese, English or Russian speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

TRANSPORT
This trip you have a two choice. First one is a highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. And second choice is Russian 4x4 Van. Also with 20 years’ experience drives.

MEALS
In Mongolia, you will be dining at fine American, European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from our cook.

PERSONAL THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a rain jacket, gloves and hiking booth. Don’t forgot first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you). All your camera equipment.

TOUR PACKAGE PRICE

Group size	Price/Per person
1 pax	2430USD
2-3 pax	1780USD
4-6 pax	1620USD
7-9 pax	1550USD
10-12 pax	1460USD
13-15 pax	1390USD
16< pax	1230USD

No	Include service	Exclude service	Include service of Meals
1	Vehicle with a driver.	Items of personal nature	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2	Fuel for the trip whole time	Beverages, alcoholic drinks, bar bills, laundry	Per day 3 bottle water for per person /1,5 liter/
3	English speaking guide	Travel and insurance	One time Mongolian traditional food /lamb with vegetables/
4	Accommodation/Ger camps and Hotel/	International transportation
5	All food, during the trip and at restaurants /Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner/	Excess baggage fee in the flight /15kg includes handbag is free of charge/
6	All cooking and camping gears.	Optional activities
7	National park and border office permits (area you will go is close to China and Russia border)	Single supplement /For hotel or Ger camp/
8	Airport shuffle	Gratuity for the tour team
9	Domestic flight tickets	Taxi
10	Other small administration fees Basically, includes everything.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 - Ulaanbaatar capital city of Mongolia

Pick you up our driver and guide from Chinggis Khan international airport. Drive to Your hotel. Visit local outdoor market /bazaar/, Gandan Monastery and Mongolia national museum. Evening Leisure day in Ulaanbaatar city. Over night at Hotel

Distance	n/a
Route	n/a
Fly time	n/a
Accommodation	hotel
Food	Dinner

Day 2 - Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii province

Arrive in Ulgii city. Bayan-Ulgii is a unique place in Mongolia, home of the Kazakh ethnic group. The Kazakhs have a rich culture, close extended families, and many traditions that are still practiced today that are centuries old. The Kazakhs are the second largest ethnic group in Mongolia after the Khalkhs, with 101,000 people comprising 5% of the population. On this day we willl visit Islamic mosque, local museum, local black market and souvenir shops. Evening we will stay to local guest house.

Distance	1280km
Route	Air route
Fly time	2hours
Accommodation	Local hotel
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Khoton lake, Altai Tavan Bogd national park

Early morning toward Khoton and Khurgan lake area. Located in the northern part of the Altai mountain range, near the Chinese border, in Bayan-Ulgii, the westernmost of the provinces of Mongolia, Khurgan and Khoton are 2 lakes situated at an elevation of more than 2.000m. The road to the lakes, located in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, is gravel. And you will do short hiking approximately 6km through nomads and reach beautiful waterfall Baga Turgen. In Altai Tavan Bogd National Park located very easy accessible waterfall in Baga Turgen valley around Khoton and Khurgan Nuur area. This waterfall formed from small glaciers up the Altai range mountain and flows through local Kazakh nomads. This is very beautiful spot with gorges mountains and different lifestyles around. Have lunch there and hike back. Also we will see Altai petroglyphs. Same day you will do short driving to the west side and camp next to khoton lake.

Distance	200km
Route	Off-road
Drive time	4 hours
Accommodation	Camping
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Tsagaan gol, Altai Tavan Bogd national park

Today we will have a full day drive following Tsagaan Gol Valley (White River) to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (a.k.a The Holy Five). Altai Mountain range is Mongolia’s largest and highest mountain range with high peaks over 4000 meters above sea level. “Shiveet Hairhan” Sacred Mountain is a famous spot, where you will see the largest petroglyph galleries date back from the period of bronze age to Huns (approx. 200 B.C.).

Distance	200km
Route	Off-road
Drive time	5 hours
Accommodation	Camping
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Potanin glacier, Altai Tavan Bogd national park

Take a horseback trek to the Altai Tavan Bogd referring to the peak Huiten, the highest- 4374m. Enjoy this stunning setting with the awe-inspiring massif snow capped peaks. You will reach out the 30km long enormous Potanin’s glacier, an ancient ice river that was discovered in the 19th century by explorer Potanin.

Distance	20km
Route	N/A
Horse ride time	4 hours
Accommodation	Camping
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Sagsai village

After early breakfast, drive via Ulaankhus soum through desert-mountain plateau. Meanwhile, snow-capped beautiful Sogoog Mountain will make your eyes happy. Overnight stay with Eagle hunter family

Distance	160km
Route	Off-road
Drive time	5 hours
Accommodation	Eagle hunter family
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Altai Eagle festival

Eagles can be athletes too. The rodeo of eagle hunters. A fantastic opportunity for photographers and adventurers to see these magnificent birds of prey up close. There are approx. 200 eagle hunters in Bayan-Ulgii province. Almost all of them will gather together to test their finely trained birds in singular contests of speed and agility.

Distance	N/A
Route	N/A
Drive time	N/A
Accommodation	Eagle hunter family
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Altai Eagle festival

During the festival, we also see some Kazakh Traditional Horse Games like “Bush Kushi” (fight for the goat skin on horseback), Try to “Kiss woman on horseback” while lady is beating the man with horse whip, “Pick up flowers from the land on horseback” etc.

Distance	N/A
Route	N/A
Drive time	N/A
Accommodation	Eagle hunter family
Food	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Ulaanbaatar city

Transfer to the airport and fly to UB. Today is your chance to do some shopping for souvenirs and cashmere in Ulaanbaatar. Later in the evening, you will attend a live Mongolian traditional music and dance performance. A perfect ending for a perfect journey.