Mongolia Golden Eagle Festival

The group flight is scheduled to arrive in Ulaanbaatar this morning. The tour starts at our hotel in the city centre. This afternoon/evening there will be a welcome briefing in the hotel, followed by a group welcome dinner.

Standard Hotel

After breakfast we transfer to the Terelj National Park (approx. 2 hour drive), known for its fascinating rock formations and green meadows carpeted with wild flowers. On the way we visit the famous Chinggis Khaan statue. Standing at 40 metres tall and made of stainless steel it's the tallest equestrian statue in the world and quite a sight. We spend the day exploring these and also visit the Aryabala Meditation Temple which offers great views out over the park. After lunch at our camp we will make a short trip to visit a local nomadic family to see how they live and hear about the nomadic way of life, here we will also enjoy a tasting experience of homemade dairy products, such as yoghurt, cheese, curds and traditional salty milk tea.

Early morning flight to Dalanzadgad, the capital of South Gobi province, then proceed to the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Gobi Gurvansaikhan means 'Three Beauties of the Gobi' and this range marks the eastern end of the Gobi Altai mountain range. The park's landscape is extremely varied, with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipitous cliffs, ravines, salt pans and oases. We visit a spectacular natural sight of this region - Yolyn Am (approx. 50km/1.5 hours driving each way). Yolyn Am means Vulture's Mouth and is a canyon so deep and narrow that even in the height of summer winter ice can remain on the valley floor. This region is also renowned for the diversity of its wildlife and many endangered species can be found here, including Khulan, Ibex, Argali and Snow Leopard. We explore the canyon before transferring to a nearby ger camp for dinner and overnight.

Today we make a short drive to Bayanzag (70 km) known as the Flaming cliffs and hike amongst colourful sands of red, yellow and orange. Bayanzag is a world-renowned dinosaur fossil exploration site, discovered in the 1920s by Mongolian and American palaeontologists. We are free to explore the region and may even be lucky enough to spot dinosaur fossils. After a picnic lunch we head to our camp for the afternoon.

Drive to the Khongoryn Els sand dunes (approx. 200 km/5 hours driving). The Khongoryn Els stretch for 200km and reach heights of 300 meters in places. They are known as the 'Singing Dunes' because of the beautiful sound that resonates through the dunes on a windy day. The South Gobi has 100,000 camels, typically used by herders to transport their gers.

Today we have a full day to explore the sand dunes and surrounding area. We will take the opportunity today to visit a camel breeding family and get a glimpse of the way of life of the nomadic herders of these parts.

Our journey continues through classic Gobi desert scenery of flat stony plains with small rocky outcrops and patches of sand across the Khatan Suudal Steppe. We stop for a picnic lunch and then continue our drive to the Bayan Mountain Range to view some petroglyphs, called Bichigt Khad. The rock inscriptions and pictures here date back to 3000 BC; we will see paintings including depictions of ibex, argali and men riding horses. It is possible to see some of these from the vehicles (better so with binoculars) but for those who wish, it is also possible to hike up to the cliffs for closer inspection of these Bronze Age works of art (the main cliff is a steep climb for 50-60m and walking poles are required so we usually visit the smaller cliff, which is more accessible).



We are in the vehicles almost all day today and cover approx. 385km.

First we drive to Tsagaan Agui (White Cave), then pass over Taats River, from where the majestic Ikh Bogd Mountain (the highest mountain in the Gobi Altai Mountain Range) should be visible in the distance. We stop for a picnic lunch and then skirt the eastern edge of Mt Ikh Bogd. Drive on to Arvaikheer, the capital of Ovorkhangai Aimag and on the northern edge of the Gobi.



We cover around 415km today - expect to be on the go for approx. 11 hours.

This morning we visit Arvaikheer local market and the museum, which contains nature collections, stone figures and Turkic scripts. After lunch we set off for Kharkhorin, stopping en route to visit Shankh Monastery, once the home of the great Mongolian theorist Zanabazar.



We arrive to camp in the evening in time for dinner. Total driving: approx. 150km / 4 hours.

This morning we visit the 13th century capital of the Mongol Empire - Karakorum. Karakorum was established by Ogedei Khan and remained the Mongols power base until Khublai Khan established Beijing as the capital. Here we will visit the Erdene Zuu Monastery (meaning Hundred Treasures), this is the largest Monastery in Mongolia, built in 1586 under the direction of Abtai Khan on the ruins of the ancient capital. Much of the monastery was destroyed during Stalin's purges of the 1930's but an impressive wall with 108 stupas and a number of temples still remain.



After lunch we drive (for about 2 hours) to the Mongol Els or 'Little Gobi Desert' as it is known, a unique belt of sand dunes in the steppe. We check-in to a nearby ger camp head out to explore the surrounding region. It is an incredible sight to witness the Bactrian camels wandering the desert dunes whilst horses graze on the green steppe nearby. We will also visit Mt Khogno Khan, the small temple at its base. This region is also renowned for its birdlife, including steppe eagles.

In the morning we head to the Khustain Nuruu National Park, famous for the re-introduction of Mongolia's wild horse (approx. 200 km / 3 hours driving). The Takhi Horse or Przewalski's horse was once native to Mongolia and almost became extinct earlier this century, though thanks to the efforts of several Mongolian and international organizations, these magnificent wild horses now roam once again on the steppes of KhustainNuruu National Park. We will visit the Project Information Centre and take a guided hike to see the wild horses.

After breakfast, we drive back to Ulaanbaatar city. You'll have the afternoon free for relax or explore the city. In the evening, we have the option to go and see a live performance of traditional Mongolian song and dance. Performed by the world famous Tumen Ekh dance troupe, we will see throat singers, contortionists and Tsam dancers. Total driving: approx. 210 km / 4 hours.

In the morning we fly to Olgii in western Mongolia, from where we drive off-road for about an hour to Sagsai village. Here we visit the home of the Kazakh people; there will be plenty to see and do. We spend the day seeing how they go about daily life, taking care of and milking the cows, goats and sheep and we may even get to help process the dairy products. We will also be able to sample their traditional food and taste home-made yak cheese and yogurt. This is a great opportunity to explore the real way of living like a nomadic family and to personally experience their friendliness and hospitality. In the afternoon we return to Olgii and stay overnight at Ger Camp.Ger Camp

Today we attend the Eagle festival. For the first day of the festival we will see the competition for the best Kazakh costume, horse racing and archery. In the evening we will see a cultural performance in the local theatre.

Today we have another chance to witness the competitions and events of the Eagle festival. We will be able to see a demonstration from the eagles and their hunters, a camel race and the lively competition of Kukhbar. Kukhbar is essentially a fighting match on horseback where two riders have to fight over a goat skin each trying to claim possession of it. After enjoying the festivities we return to camp for dinner.

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the mid-morning flight to UlaanBaatar, arriving in the nation's capital at midday. We transfer to the hotel and freshen up before a light lunch. This afternoon is free for last minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping around UB - cashmere, leather goods and traditional handicrafts are all good options and the guide will recommend the best places to go for these. Night owls may want to sample the nightlife of UlaanBaatar!

After breakfast the trip ends in Ulaanbaatar.