Mongolia Altai Golden Eagle Festival
Group Tour
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Overview
Blessed with a gentle nomadic hospitality and vast, open vistas, Mongolia remains one of the most fascinating destinations in Asia. And each year, beneath its expansive skies and before the towering peaks of the majestic Altai Mountains, it plays host to a spectacular Golden Eagle Hunters Festival. This stunning 13-day journey takes us from its bustling capital and deep into the heart of the breath-taking western wilderness.
Here, amongst the traditional tribal lands of the Kazakhs, ...
Blessed with a gentle nomadic hospitality and vast, open vistas, Mongolia remains one of the most fascinating destinations in Asia. And each year, beneath its expansive skies and before the towering peaks of the majestic Altai Mountains, it plays host to a spectacular Golden Eagle Hunters Festival. This stunning 13-day journey takes us from its bustling capital and deep into the heart of the breath-taking western wilderness.
Here, amongst the traditional tribal lands of the Kazakhs, we will discover a wealth of natural and cultural treasures that can trace their origins back millennia. We’ll visit the stunning ancient rock art of Aral Tolgoi and glory in the beauty of alpine lakes and dazzling glaciers. We’ll have a chance to hike across the endless steppes. Spending our nights in ger encampments, our adventure culminates with a two-day visit to a colourful Golden Eagle Hunters Festival, a more intimate festival, where we will experience one of the last great nomadic spectacles.
A journey to inspire and captivate, each day offers up a glimpse of a legacy and a landscape that is as timeless as it is transient.
Please note that the routing of this itinerary differs depending on the date of departure. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary on your chosen departure date for more details.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience. This can obviously vary greatly across both countries and tours. On this particular trip we will be in hotels, ger camps and ger homestays. In the ger camps and homestays you will sleep in native Mongolian dwellings which Russians call “yurts”. Although not luxurious, they are clean, comfortable and cosy with a stove in each ger. Bedding is provided in the shape of a foldable bed and linen. In terms of facilities these will be shared facilities provided as a long drop toilet tent and a hand pump shower tent, bowls of hot water can also be provided for washing. Whilst staying in the ger homestays the facilities will be more basic, a bowl of hot water to wash or washing in the river. For toilet facilities these will be in a long-drop compost loo. In the hotels twin-share and single supplements can be offered, but in the ger camps and ger homestay it may be necessary for up to 4 people to share a ger. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour Starts in Ulaanbaatar
Day 1 Tour Starts in Ulaanbaatar
Starting this morning, we’ll have an introductory meeting at the hotel before paying a visit to the Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important in Mongolia. You can wander around this fascinating site as we explore the different temples, including that of the Mijig Janraisig with its huge golden Buddha statue. In the old temple complex we can listen to the chanting ceremonies which happen mid-morning. This afternoon we then take a walk across the expansive Sukhbaatar Square to the National History Museum which is a great introduction to the country's past. In the early evening, we enjoy a music and dance performance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble. The hour-long performance shows us traditional Mongolian dance, singing and music with various instruments including the horse fiddle and singers along with traditional throat singers.
Day 2 Ulaanbaatar - Ölgii - Lake Dayan
Day 2 Ulaanbaatar - Ölgii - Lake Dayan
After a morning flight to Ölgii, we head south through the open countryside and wild Altai landscape to Lake Dayan where we will be staying for the next 3 nights in a ger next to a local eagle hunter, Shokan, and his family. Here we enjoy Kazakh hospitality - step inside the family's colourfully adorned ger and learn more about the tradition of this small ethnic group. Arrival day is often spent with guests being introduced to the family and their way of life, which will include sampling some milk tea, homemade curds, yoghurt, milk vodka and other delicacies. Time also for an afternoon walk in the surrounding countryside before a welcome dinner.
*Please
note that should the domestic flight schedules change the sightseeing on this
day may need to be revised.
*Approx 5hrs driving time.
Day 3 Lake Dayan
Day 3 Lake Dayan
Today we will learn about our host's fascinating tradition of hunting with his golden eagle as we head off either on horseback alongside Shokan or by vehicle close by. There are an estimated 250 eagle hunters living in the region that still hunt with eagles to this day. The females tend to be the birds of choice as they are bigger and more aggressive than the males. Eagles can live up to 50 years, but hunters tend to keep them for around ten years before releasing them back into the wild. This is a great opportunity to delve deeper into these traditions and also get involved with other daily activities, distilling homemade vodka, herding and corralling animals, milking goats and sheep, and other daily nomadic tasks that need doing.
Day 4 Lake Dayan
Day 4 Lake Dayan
There are also other nomadic families who live in this area and there will be an opportunity to visit them and experience traditional nomadic hospitality and local community life, as well as witness some more hunting and eagle training.
Day 5 Lake Dayan - Turgen Valley
Day 5 Lake Dayan - Turgen Valley
This morning you will have the opportunity to relax or if you prefer participate in more acitivities. In the afternoon we drive towards Sagsai, where the eagle festival will be held. We will continue into the nearby Turgen Valley, where the group will be staying in a specially erected ger camp not far from the Hovd River. This evening we'll arrange another eagle hunter photo session.
*Approx 4.5hrs driving time
Day 6 Turgen Valley - Sagsai Eagle Festival - Turgen Valley
Day 6 Turgen Valley - Sagsai Eagle Festival - Turgen Valley
This morning provides us with the first opportunity to experience the remarkable colour and pageantry of the Golden Eagle Hunters Festival of Sagsai. Sagsai's more intimate celebrations provide a chance to enjoy the splendour and spectacle of the festival without the crowds. Today's events include the opening ceremony with a parade of the eagle hunters, competitions to test the agility and mastery of bird and hunter and equestrian games that include horse archery. We will be only a few kilometres from the festival site so those of you who would like to ride there can do so.
Day 7 Turgen Valley - Sagsai Eagle Festival - Turgen Valley
Day 7 Turgen Valley - Sagsai Eagle Festival - Turgen Valley
A second day of festivities provides more games and ceremonies on the high desert steppes. Returning to the festival this morning we will enjoy more spectacular photo opportunities as we take in another day of competition and colour. Today’s offerings provide more chances to watch the eagles put through their paces, as they are called by the hunters to land on their arms or attack dragged bait.
Day 8 Turgen Valley - Khuites Valley
Day 8 Turgen Valley - Khuites Valley
Today we head south-west and up to a secluded forested valley where nomadic families have their autumn encampments and take their animals to shelter from the oncoming winter. We will be staying in a private wilderness camp complete with sleeping gers and dining and kitchen gers. From here we will explore this stunning area over the next 2 days. On arrival we can take an afternoon hike up to the top of a nearby viewpoint where there are stunning views south over the Altai Mountains in the distance, with Khoton and Khurgan Lakes in the foreground.
*Approx 3hrs driving time.
Day 9 Khuites Valley
Day 9 Khuites Valley
Today we have a full day exploring the area, we will head off on a mountain hike to a location overlooking the Khoton and Khurgan Lake. We will enjoy nomadic hospitality in local's gers and enjoy feast of traditional Kazakh beshparmak in the evening.
Day 10 Khuites Valley - Aral Tolgoi - Baga Turgen Waterfall - Khuites Valley
Day 10 Khuites Valley - Aral Tolgoi - Baga Turgen Waterfall - Khuites Valley
Lying at the northern end of the Altai Mountain Range, the Lakes Region presents us with some of the most spectacular scenery of the journey. We begin the morning with a drive out to Aral Tolgoi, whose Bronze Age petroglyphs lie along the eastern shores of the lakes. We then can enjoy a 2-3 hour hike to Baga Turgen Waterfall, a 36-metre high cascade that lies at the end of a lovely walk. Please note that the waterfall walk is weather dependent.
Day 11 Khuites Valley - Ölgii
Day 11 Khuites Valley - Ölgii
This morning we leave the Khuites Valley and drive to Ölgii. We will explore Ölgii's bazaar and the town's museum. You may wish to purchase some handmade Kazakh textiles that you may like to purchase at a variety of small local outlets. Rugs, wall hangings, fur hats, hunting accessories, wooden carvings, bags, cushion covers and much more. In the evening enjoy a small traditional concert by traditional dombra players before dinner.
*Approx 4.5hrs driving
Day 12 Ölgii - Bayanzurkh Mountain - Ulaanbaatar
Day 12 Ölgii - Bayanzurkh Mountain - Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, we will drive about 80km to Bayanzurkh Mountain to spot wildlife. This time of the year the Argali, the world's largest wild sheep species, gather together and they can be spotted in the mountains. If you are lucky they can be seen very close up. We will spend a couple of hours hiking and exploring in the area before heading back to Ölgii in time for your flight to Ulaanbaatar.
*Please note that should the domestic flight schedules change the sightseeing on this day may need to be revised.
Day 13 Tour ends in Ulaanbaatar
Day 13 Tour ends in Ulaanbaatar
The tour officially ends after breakfast those on the suggested group flights will have an early breakfast and will then be transferred to the airport.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel, Ulaanbaatar
A great five-star option in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, the Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel offers 198 rooms. The modern amenities and stylish interiors are everything you would expect from a city chain hotel. The rooms categories range from Standard, Deluxe, Suite, Family Suite and Presidential Suite, with some offering fantastic city and mountain views. There are three dining options; Premier Lounge on the 25th floor combines panoramic views with relaxing lounge music; Prime Grille serves flam grilled delicious dishes from around the world; and Le Cabernet Coffee Lounge provides a casual atmosphere for a quick bite to eat. Before or after a long flight, take advantage of the Aroma Tera Beauty Spa and Sauna, as well as the fitness centre.
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Events
The Golden Eagle Hunters Festival
Celebrating a remarkable tradition that can trace its origins back thousands of years, the annual Golden Eagle Hunters Festival takes place before the winter hunting season against the dramatic backdrop of the towering Altai Mountains. It provides a chance for magnificently garbed Kazakhs, and their equally majestic hunting birds, to compete in tests of speed, agility and accuracy, keeping alive a tradition that is all but extinct in the rest of Asia.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| TK 1988 | London Heathrow (LHR) 06:35 | Istanbul (IST) 12:35 |
| TK 236 | Istanbul (IST) 18:10 | Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN) 07:15 |
| TK 237 | Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN) 08:45 | Istanbul (IST) 13:10 |
| TK 1971 | Istanbul (IST) 14:55 | London Heathrow (LHR) 16:50 |
Visas
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Mongolia if staying for up to 30 days.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Mongolia.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Terelj, Genghis Khan statue & Gun Galut
Only a few hours to the east of the capital you’ll find the ever popular Terelj National Park with its stunning scenery, the world’s largest statue of Genghis Khan and the Gun Galut Nature Reserve which is great for walking and kayaking. Allow 3-4 days.
Land of The Great Khan
For a more in-depth look at Mongolia, why not combine this trip with the Land Of The Great Khan group tour which takes in the central and southern areas of the country. Book both trips together and get a discount. Allow 14 days.
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
Although it boasts over 260 sunny days a year and is known as the "Land of the Blue Sky", Mongolia's climate is extreme with fierce summers and bitterly cold winters. Whilst September is considered a good time for travelling, the temperatures in the West are much colder than the capital Ulaanbaatar. During the daytime and in the evenings you will need to be prepared to wrap up warm and bring adequate clothing with you. Rain is unlikely but always possible. Snow can be found in some areas of the West.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as all the walks are optional. The Baga Turgen Waterfall walk is over loose and rocky terrain with some inclines/declines. Those with a good level of fitness should be able to cope with this walk. Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be very limited, therefore we recommend packing a few extra bits to fill the gaps!
There are some long drives to be taken (please refer to day-by-day itinerary) but that is part of the Mongolian experience, and there will always be time for walks, photos and local encounters. Horse riding is available on some days of the tour, as an optional extra but only for those with previous riding experience.
Currently the Sagsai Eagle Festival is scheduled for the 17th and 18th of September and the Altantsogts Eagle Festival is scheduled for the 28th and 29th September.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you only for the nights in Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 8690 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.