Golden Eagle Festival

Day 1

Today you will arrive in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. On arrival you will be transferred to the Bayan Gol Hotel to check-in and freshen up. In the afternoon we will have a leisurely program of sightseeing including the National History Museum. The museum houses impressive displays of Mongolian National and Religious history. In the evening you will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2

After an early breakfast in the hotel you will be transferred to the airport for the early morning flight to Khovd. The flight will take over three hours and you will have one stop on the way for re-fuelling. On arrival we will be met by our local drivers and vehicles and taken to our local hotel for lunch. After lunch we will drive out of the town towards Khar Us Lake, which is rich with bird life. There are about 260 different species of birds inhabiting on the lake during the summer and lay their eggs. We will make several stops to enjoy the bird watching. It is advisable to bring your binoculars on this trip not only for birds but also to follow the Golden Eagle Festival from the distance. In the evening we will go to the concert of Folk music including the throat singing. The art of throat singing is very difficult to master as it involves a technique of circular breathing with the stomach producing a deep guttural and nasal sound. Meals are at the local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Today we will drive into the further most western province of Mongolia, Bayan Olgii. The largest minority group of Mongolia, the Kazakh people, populates this area. The Kazakh people came to Mongolia at the end of the 17th century, fleeing from tribal warfare in western China. The Mongolian Government granted them land and freedom in Bayan Olgii, where they continue to live and carry out their traditional culture until the present day. We will drive by Tolbo Nuur, that formed by the deep depression of the high mountains surrounding the area, which form part of the Altai Range, towering at a height of 2080 m. in some areas. We will have lunch by the edge of the lake then continue our driving into the Aimag capital of Bayan Olgii, Olgii. We will stay in ger camp out of the town.

Day 4

Opening Ceremony of the Festival. The official opening ceremony commences with the participants parading in on horse back with their eagles. The competition begins with each Kazakh displaying his hunting outfit and accessories. The most elaborate and beautiful clothing and accessories are given the highest points. In the afternoon, the Golden Eagles will be evaluated for their speed and agility. The eagles will be released from a cliff and their owner will stand below and signal for them to land upon their arm, as they do during the hunting. Those with the fastest times and best technique will be awarded the highest scores. In the evening, attend a Kazakh play in honor of the Kazakhs and their eagles. Dinner and overnight at the ger camp of previous night.

Day 5

Prepare for some exciting action today! The Golden Eagles will be released from a cliff to attack fox skins that will be dragged by their owner on horseback. The eagles will be judjed on their success of grabbing the “fox”, their speed, and “gripping” technique. As the points for the competitions are being tallied, the Kazakhs will compete in their traditional game called “kukbar” which tests one’s horse-riding skills, strength and agility. In the late afternoon, the winners of the festival will be announced at the awards ceremony. In the evening, enjoy a celebration dinner. Meal and overnight in the ger camp.

Day 6-7

These 2 days we will spend with nomadic families of the Kazakh ethnic group experiencing their unique culture. Although their nomadic lifestyle is very similar to that of the Mongols there are some key difference. Firstly, the Kazakh people are Muslim and follow the religious traditions and customs of Islam. They are Kazakh-speaking and their gers, or yurts, are sightly larger and much more ornately decorated than their Mongolian brothers and sisters. The Kazakh women produce some astonishingly beautiful appliqué, stitching and rug making out of crude cloth and felt. The floors and walls of their gers are strewn with these beautiful handicrafts. In the evenings we will drive back to our ger camp for overnight.

Day 8

Today we will take the local flight back to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival you will be taken to Bayangol hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9

Today will be a full day of sightseeing in the city. We will start at the Buddhist Monastery, the largest in Mongolia, Gandan Hiid. We will also visit the Natural History Museum and the ancient Palace of the last Bogd Khan. After lunch there will be time for some shopping and purchasing of souvenirs. We will have a farewell dinner in the evening followed by overnight at the Bayan Gol Hotel.

Day 10

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Departure date for 2006:

Prices per person:
Groups of 2-3: USD 2250.00 each
Groups of 4-6: USD 2080.00 each
Groups of 7-10: USD 1980.00 each
Groups of 11-14: USD 1910.00 each
Single supplement is USD 140 each

Tour prices include:
-All ground transfers in Mongolia
-Double accommodations at the Bayangol Hotel while in Ulaanbaatar
-Sightseeing and transportation on a private bus (in Ulaanbaatar)
-4 WD Russian jeeps in the countryside
-English speaking guide throughout the trip
-All attraction and National Park entrance fees
-All meals
-Accommodations in ger while in the countryside