The Eagle Festival and Natural History of Altai Mountains

Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to the centrally located hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we will provide your pre-trip briefing and then host a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.

Today, fly to the western most part of Mongolia. We will meet our local crew and after a quick stop at a local market, begin driving to the Altai mountains where our camp site is located. En route, stop for a birding location at Khar Us Lake, one of Mongolia’s most important wetland areas for rare and endangered species. Bird species such as Dalmatian Pelican, White-headed Duck, Swan Goose, Pallas’s Fish-eagle and kestrel species could be spotted. Arrive at the tent camp in the evening. Enjoy dinner and overnight in tents or gers.

We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site. Overnight in tents or gers.

We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site. Overnight in tents or gers.

We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site. Overnight in tents or gers.

We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site. Overnight in tents or gers.

After an early morning breakfast travel to Ulgii, the provincial capital of Bayan-Ulgii province. Explore the city and visit its’ market with a chance to purchase renowned Kazakh hand made art crafts including felt rugs.
Then, if time permits, visit a local museum, which displays excellent cultural and natural exhibits. Next, drive another 5 hours to reach your field camp for the Golden Eagle Festival. Overnight in gers.

Attend the two-day Golden Eagle Festival, beginning with a parade of eagle hunters showcasing their majestic birds. The eagles’ skills are tested as they are released from a cliff, racing to land on their owners’ arms. Enjoy traditional games like kukbar, tenge ilu, and kyzguar, all involving horseback riding and revived by the festival. A highlight is the archery contest featuring ethnic Uriankhai people, using traditional Mongolian bows that have remained unchanged since the 13th century. Established in 2000, the festival has become a major cultural event in western Mongolia, drawing 70-80 competitors from across Bayan Ulgii. Evenings offer traditional Kazakh meals and performances by Kazakh singers. Overnight in gers.

Attend the two-day Golden Eagle Festival, beginning with a parade of eagle hunters showcasing their majestic birds. The eagles’ skills are tested as they are released from a cliff, racing to land on their owners’ arms. Enjoy traditional games like kukbar, tenge ilu, and kyzguar, all involving horseback riding and revived by the festival. A highlight is the archery contest featuring ethnic Uriankhai people, using traditional Mongolian bows that have remained unchanged since the 13th century. Established in 2000, the festival has become a major cultural event in western Mongolia, drawing 70-80 competitors from across Bayan Ulgii. Evenings offer traditional Kazakh meals and performances by Kazakh singers. Overnight in gers.

Today, spend a full day at the host Kazakh family observing their daily rituals from milking their yaks to making traditional dishes. Colourful Kazakh gers in the picturesque summer camping landscape offer excellent photographing opportunity. Each ger is decorated with tapestries woven by Kazakh women and each tapestry is decorated with unique patterns designed by the family. Kazakh women are renowned for their handcraft and tapestry skills and Kazakh men train Golden Eagles for hunting, an age-old tradition that has survived amongst the Mongolian Kazakh population during the 20th century. Learn about daily chores of Kazakh herders looking after their yaks and sheep. Spend this day for short hiking and also fishing at a local river for Mongolian graylings (if you have brought your own equipment). Overnight in tents.

After breakfast, drive back to Ulgii for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar.
Upon arrival, spend the rest of the afternoon for shopping and individual sightseeing. Meals are independent.

Today, drive a short distance south west of UB for about 3 hours to reach a site for possible Pallas cat sighting. Several known individual dens are known to exist in the area. Overnight in tents.

Today, drive a short distance south west of UB for about 3 hours to reach a site for possible Pallas cat sighting. Several known individual dens are known to exist in the area. Overnight in tents.

In the morning, drive back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the airport for departure.