Tour Scope: Western Mongolia Tour Route: UB-Olgii town-Bugat soum-Altai Tavan Bogd-Olgii-UB
Highlights: Golden Eagle Festival. This small eagle festival features about 40 eagle hunters and their eagles. They show off their skills in several events starting with chasing a fox skin and calling their eagle from a distance
Tour Season: Golden Eagle Festival takes place in early October Tour Level: Extreme
03-Oct-Wed: Day 1. Ulaanbaatar
04-Oct-Thu: Day 2. Flight to Olgii
05-Oct-Fri: Day 3. Kazakh Family
06-Oct-Sat: Day 4. Golden Eagle Festival-1st Day
07-Oct-Sun: Day 5. Golden Eagle Festival-2nd Day
08-Oct-Mon: Day 6. Travel to Altai Tavan Bogd
09-Oct-Tue: Day 7. Trekking Day
10-Oct-Wed: Day 8. Khar Salaa Valley and Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain
11-Oct-Thu: Day 9. Khurgan and Khoton Lakes
12-Oct-Fri: Day 10. Trekking Day
13-Oct-Sat: Day 11. Olgii town
14-Oct-Sun: Day 12. Flight to Ulaanbaatar
15-Oct-Mon: Day 13. Departure
Meals: Inclusive meals are indicated in itinerary (B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) Staffs: Visit Mongolia Team (Tour guide and driver)
DAY 1 03-OCT-WED. ULAANBAATAR
Upon arrival at Chinggis Khan International Airport in Mongolia, you will meet your Visit Mongolia crew and transfer to a 4-star *hotel, conveniently located in downtown Ulaanbaatar. After freshening up from your flight, we start our first day around Ulaanbaatar at Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. From here we will go to the National History Museum which tells the rich history of Mongolia. The heart of Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar Square, is just a short walk away. Here we will see the Parliament House, National Opera and City Hall. Afterwards, we will visit Zaisan Hill, which offers great views of the city. In the evening, you will attend a performance of traditional dancing and khoomii (Mongolian throat singing).
Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 2 04-OCT-THU. OLGII CITY
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Olgii, the center of Bayan-Olgii province, the only muslim province in Mongolia. About 90% of its population are kazakhs. The flight takes 3 hours. Our local team will meet you at the Olgii Airport.
Accommodation: Local hotel in Olgii town
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 3 05-OCT-FRI. BUGAT SOUM/KAZAKH FAMILY
We drive to Bugat soum for 10 km, home of Kazakh nomads. We will spend the day travelling throughout the surrounding area visiting nomadic Kazakh families to experience their lifestyle, the Kazakh ger with its spacious yet cozy interior and many colorful handmade rugs.
Accommodation: Eagle hunter’s family
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4 06-OCT-SAT. GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL-1ST DAY
Enjoy the opening ceremony of the festival, commencing as the participants join the parade on horseback 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. In the evening watch a Kazakh concert consisting of traditional songs and dances.
Accommodation: Eagle hunter’s family
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 5 07-OCT-SUN. GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL-2ND DAY
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 judged 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 “kekbar”- passing goat skin 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.
Accommodation: Eagle hunter’s family
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 6 08-OCT-MON. TRAVEL TO ALTAI TAVAN BOGD
This morning we will continue our travel to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park for 200 kms about 6-7 hours, in the pristine wilderness of western Mongolia. On our way we will enjoy ancient deer stones and burial sites. Upon arrival in the area we will pitch our camp nearby Tsagaan River which originates from an ice glacier of the majestic Altai Mounts. (approximate altitude 2,600m above sea level).
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 7 09-OCT-TUE. TREKKING DAY
In the morning after a hearty breakfast we start trek to the holy mountain Altai Tavan Bogd. We will reach the hill. Enjoy an extraordinary view of the mountains and glacier. (approximate altitude 3,100m above sea level) 4km trekking one way.
Accommodation: Tent|
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 8 10-OCT-WED. TRAVEL TO KHAR SALAA
Drive to Khar Salaa Valley of Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain for 20 km. Today we will explore hundreds of petroglyphs which express deeply the history and culture of nomads dating back 3000 years. Also we will enjoy beautiful small lakes, home to many water birds and deer stones, the remains of ancient civilization. Stay overnight in tent near to aTuvan nomad family. (approximate altitude – 2,530m above sea level).
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 9 11-OCT-THU. DRIVE TO KHURGAN AND KHOTON LAKES
Drive to the picturesque alpine lakes of Khurgan and Khoton for 160km. Travel to Hoton Lake and camp by the lake. These two lakes are connected by a stream and fed by rivers and streams originating in the Altai Mountains. The surrounding countryside has captivating scenery with snow-peaked mountains and glaciers and white water rivers flowing down the mountains into the lakes. Green meadows littered with wild flowers and forested hills surround the lakes. Both of these amazing lakes offer wonderful opportunities for fishing and hiking around the area. Visit with a Kazakh family and learn more about their unique lifestyle. (approximate altitude – 2100m above sea level).
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 10 12-OCT-FRI. TREKKING DAY
In the morning after having hearty breakfast we start trek arount Khoton lake. We will have chance to see rock arts and some Turkic sites. (app. altitude 2000m above sea level).
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 11 13-OCT-SAT. DRIVE BACK TO OLGII
After lunch we will head back to Olgii for 100 km. In the evening we return to the capital of Bayan-Olgii.
Accommodation: Local hotel in Olgii town
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 12 14-OCT-SUN. FLIGHT TO ULAANBAATAR
Flight to Ulaanbaatar from Olgii. The flight takes 3 hours. Transfer to the hotel upon arrival in UB. Shopping for souvenirs and cashmere is optional. Farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 13 15-OCT-MON. DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport for return flight. (B)
Visit Mongolia’s policy is to provide top quality service to our customers at reasonable prices. We will pleased to provide detailed price quotes for those interested in specific tours.
In Ulaanbaatar:
Hotels are available in different ranges of quality and service. The package cost includes all services except accommodations in Ulaanbaatar (UB). We do give “choices” for our clients to pick their appropriate accommodations in Ulaanbaatar. However we encourage group travelers to pick the same property. We will provide hotel rates for Visit Mongolia customers for your selection. Please select hotel and room type and let us know.
In the Countryside:
– Ger Camps
While touring in the countryside, the most common accommodations outside cities on our tours are called ger camps. A ger is the traditional felt tent of nomadic herders. Accommodation in the ger camps is based on two people sharing one ger. Each ger is heated by a wood stove and has two wood-framed beds.
The camp restaurant and western-style toilet/shower facilities are located in the middle of the camp or close by. All camps supply towels. The ger camps provide all bedding and clients will not be expected to bring their own sleeping bags if they stay overnight in the ger camps. Staying in a ger is a memorable experience of Mongolian culture.
– Tented camping
We use tented camps on our adventure journeys to more remote areas. The tents are either 2 or 3 person tents. A sleeping mat will be provided to each person staying in a tent but clients are asked to bring their own sleeping bags. Our expedition staff sets up camps and prepares meals and takes care of all your needs. Tented camps allow you to interact more with the nature and visit the remotest areas of the country.
We use different types of vehicles depending on the nature of tours, destination and final number of travellers.
– For jeep overland adventure tours we use Japanese 4WD vans and SUV’s (Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan), which is the best available for its type
– A bus or mini-bus serves group tourists within Ulaanbaatar
– In some remote areas where we have to fly, we arrange local vehicles most of which are Russian 4WD jeeps or minivans. Daily driving distance will be appr. 200-250km.
– For sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar we use deluxe coaches, vans and sedans.
All Visit Mongolia drivers have many years of experience. They know their way around the Mongolian countryside including many places where they are no marked roads. They are all skilled mechanics which is crucial in remote places. Technical inspections on the vehicles are made regularly.
An English speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the entire time of your trip. The most of our guides have a wonderful and outstanding reputation among our clients. They have an in depth knowledge of Mongolian history, nomadic civilization, customs, traditions, and nature memories. After every tour we get feedbacks and emails about our guides.
Meals are included in the cost. Visit Mongolia provides the selection of the best available local restaurants on cities and popular destinations.
When you are in Ulaanbaatar, you can eat out in number of restaurants as serving Indian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, English, French, German, Russian, Latin American and of course Mongolian cuisines. FYI, basic foodstuffs for Mongolians are beef, mutton and noodles.
When you stay in tourist Ger camps, the most camps provide meals as western cuisine. During excursions to remote areas we provide services of professional chefs who normally accompany the group. Arrangements can be made for vegetarians and those with special dietary needs with advance notice.
Mongolia’s climate is continental and extreme. With more than two hundred days of full sun per year it has been given the nickname of ‘the’ Country of Blue Skies’.
The tourist season in Mongolia is between the months of May and September. The weather during this time varies considerably from region to region. The highest rainfall period is in July and August, however, there are still days of glorious sunshine during this time. The Gobi usually has the hottest temperatures. Summer evenings in the Gobi can be cool because of Mongolia’s high altitude. The best time to visit the Gobi is June and September. The spring is a time of strong winds, especially difficult in the sandy areas of the Gobi.
Most travelers come to Mongolia in mid-July for the annual National Naadam Festival.