SAGSAI EAGLE FESTIVAL, EAGLE HUNTER FAMILY TOUR /5 DAYS/
SHORT DESCRIPTION
The unbelievable tradition of Eagle Hunting is still kept by the Kazakh tribes of Mongolia in the 21st century. Imagine an eagle hunter on a horseback, galloping at full speed with an eagle on his/her arm in the background of the rugged Altai Mountains and picturesque Sagsai river. Does not it bring you back to ancient times? Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival is dedicated to photographers, filmmakers, and photojournalists. The two days of the festival gives you great chances to shoot giant golden eagles’ action, flights, ethnic people’s faces thrilling competitions and enjoy cultural performances. Also, all visitors are invited to have an interview with eagle hunters, get a good knowledge of eagle hunting through speeches and all of these activities make Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival more spectacular and unique.
- CATEGORY: EVENT AND FESTIVAL TOURS
- AVAILABLE: SEPTEMBER
- DURATION: 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS
- 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 | 1830USD |
| 2-3 pax | 1580USD |
| 4-6 pax | 1420USD |
| 7-9 pax | 1350USD |
| 10-12 pax | 1260USD |
| 13-15 pax | 1190USD |
| 16< pax | 1030USD |
| 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 |
| Drive time | n/a |
| Accommodation | Grand Hill Hotel |
| Food | Dinner |
Day 2 - Eagle Hunter family via Ulgii city
Flight to Ulgii Town Take a domestic flight to Ulgii town in the morning. Ulgii is the center of Bayan-Ulgii province where 90% of the population is Kazakhs who have their own language and unique culture. Meet local drivers with vehicles and then visit the local museums to know more about this place. Drive to Sagsai village to visit the Eagle hunter’s family to learn about their daily lifestyle, eagle hunting culture. Overnight stay with Eagle Hunter family
| Distance | 1280km |
| Route | Air route |
| Fly time | 2hours |
| Accommodation | Eagle hunter family |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 3 - First day of Sagsai Eagle festival
Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival starts with its opening parades and competitions for costuming and hunting techniques. The festival is more local and dedicated to photographers, filmmakers who focus on capturing action, portrait, cultural detailed images. You will attend all photographic sessions during the festival. The procedure of assembly of Kazak Ger (yurt) and the Migration of nomadic family will be the highlights of the first day of the festival.
| Distance | 10km |
| Route | Off-road |
| Drive time | 10 minute |
| Accommodation | Eagle hunter family |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 4 - Second day of Sagsai Eagle festival
The day of eagle hunting competitions. The eagle hunters try to land their eagles on their hands, eagles release from the top of the mountain, and points are given for their speed and gripping ability. The eagle chases fox skins dragged by their masters on horseback. Other events, such as Tenge-Ilu (Coin grabbing while riding a horse), the best costume competition, Kokbar (Thug of War), and Kizkhuar (Traditional Khazak Couples Game) take place. Festival winners are announced at the closing ceremony
| Distance | 10km |
| Route | Off-road |
| Drive time | 10 minute |
| Accommodation | Eagle hunter family |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 5 - Ulaanbaatar city capital city of Mongolia
In the morning after breakfast, Fly to Ulaanbaatar. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, and you will be transferred to your accommodation. End of tour.
| Distance | 1280km |
| Route | Air route |
| Fly time | 2hours |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 6 - Home sweet home
Leave Ulaanbaatar. Our driver drop off to Chinggis Khan international airport. Thank you for visiting our country
| Distance | 70km |
| Route | Highway |
| Drive time | 1 hour |
| Accommodation | n/a |
| Food | Breakfast |
RELATED TOURS
An 8-day Central Mongolia Combined Naadam Festival Tour will allow you to experience the vibrant culture and traditional sporting events of the Naadam Festival, as well as explore the beautiful landscapes and historical sites of central Mongolia. Here's a suggested itinerary for your tour:
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.
Although the event happens in Ulaanbaatar, every village and province celebrates the Naadam festival in their own way. Just like Brazil’s Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Germany’s Oktoberfest, our Naadam festival is our most popular and largest celebration here in Mongolia.