Golden Eagle Festival 3
September 19–20, 2022, at Lake Tolbo.
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar city tour
Arrive in the morning and transfer to the hotel. After breakfast and a short rest, visit Gandan Monastery and the National Museum. In the afternoon, visit Choijin Lama Temple Museum and Zaisan Hill. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Flight to Ulgii and Tavan Bogd National Park
Transfer to the airport for a three-hour flight to Ulgii in Western Mongolia. Drive to Tavan Bogd National Park and set up camp with a comfortable dining tent in the White River valley, summer pasture for a small Tuvan nomadic community. Experience local hospitality by visiting one of our camel handlers. Overnight in tents.
Days 3–4: Trek to base camp
With camel support, hike 16 km to base camp beside Potanin Glacier, which descends from Mongolia's highest mountains. Tavan Bogd means The Holy Five and refers to the peaks of Khuiten (4,374 m), Naran, Ulgii, Burged and Nairamdal. Camp amid spectacular snow-covered peaks. On the second day, hike approximately 20 km across the glaciers between the peaks.
Day 5: Descent and Shiveet Khairkhan
Descend on an easy route interrupted by small marshes; the distance is slightly longer than the ascent. Continue into the Altai Mountains toward Shiveet Khairkhan as far as the route allows. Meet a Kazakh family and learn about their way of life. Leave the horses and prepare for hiking at an altitude of 2,500–3,000 m.
Day 6: Shiveet Khairkhan hike
Hike on Shiveet Khairkhan, sacred to the Tuvan community. Hunting is prohibited, so Altai ibex can often be seen early in the morning. Overnight in a separate guest ger with nomads.
Day 7: Khoton River valley
Travel all day through a dramatic steppe valley along the Khoton River, which flows from the Altai Tavan Bogd massif and forms beautiful lakes. Visit Kazakh herders whose gers contain traditional handicrafts. Enjoy a Kazakh concert during dinner. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 8: Return to Ulgii
The trekking adventure ends. Return to Ulgii, settle into a comfortable hotel and meet for a traditional Kazakh dinner.
Day 9: Eagle festival at Lake Tolbo
After breakfast, drive to Lake Tolbo. Watch hunters parade on horseback with their eagles and demonstrate how the birds respond to commands, calling them from a nearby rocky slope. Afternoon flying competitions are followed by traditional Kazakh music and folk dancing in the evening.
Day 10: Eagle demonstrations and Kazakh games
Golden eagles demonstrate speed and agility by landing as quickly as possible on a fox skin dragged by a horse. Experience Aitis, a poetry contest; kyz kuar, a playful horseback courtship game; and kokpar, a vigorous horseback team competition for a goat skin.
Day 11: Khongor Ulun, Tsambagarav and Khovd
Drive to Khongor Ulun, north of the Tsambagarav Mountains, whose snowy peaks rise to 4,195 m. Meet Kazakh and Uriankhai nomads, including an eagle hunter who shows us his bird. Hike into the valleys of Tsambagarav National Park and approach the snowy peaks from the northwest for glacier views. The itinerary lists a tent overnight here. Continue after breakfast toward Khovd, stopping for lunch beside the Hongio River; Khovd is about two hours away. Khovd was an important trading center north of the Silk Road, linked to Russia and China. The Manchu government built Sangiin Kherem fortress in 1763, with walls 3 m high and 2 m wide enclosing 4 hectares. Today the province is home to 18 Mongolian ethnic groups. Visit the local market and walk along Lake Khar Us southeast of town. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 12: Flight to Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to Khovd airport and fly to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel, enjoy free time and meet for a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 13: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Dates and prices
September 5 to October 10, 2022. Prices per person: 1 person €2,450; 2 people €1,950; 3–4 people €1,450.
Included
5 hotel nights in double rooms in Ulaanbaatar, Ulgii and Khovd, including breakfast; domestic flights Ulaanbaatar–Ulgii and Khovd–Ulaanbaatar with 15 kg including hand luggage (excess baggage approximately €2/kg); 6 nights in tents; 1 night with a nomadic family; all countryside meals according to the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); German-speaking guide; jeep or minibus transport; conservation fees and entrance fees for itinerary sights; information brochure with travel tips.
Discounts
25% for children aged 5–12; 100% for children aged 0–4. The itinerary and route may change. The itinerary sent with your booking confirmation is binding.