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Trip Rating Details
Challenging: Includes expedition style camping or stays with local families, where formal washing and toilet facilities may not be available. May include full-day hikes or rides (4 to 6 hours) over moderate terrain and occasional steep trails, or long driving distances on rough roads.
Packing List
This is a suggested packing list, which you should feel free to adjust to suit your needs. Please refer to our travel guide for more detailed information.
- backpack or soft bag
- sleeping bag (-20C)
- day pack
- head lamp/flashlight
- spare batteries/bulb
- personal medications
- towel
- hiking boots
- windproof jacket with hood
- windproof overpants
- fleece jacket or wool jumper
- cotton t-shirts
- long sleeve shirts
- comfortable trousers
- warm hat
- long underwear
- socks
- underwear
- sun hat
- gloves
- sun glasses
- sun cream
- spare glasses
- walking shoes
- resealing (ziploc) plastic bags
- binoculars/camera
- wet tissues
- watch/ alarm clock
- money belt/ pouch
- insurance confirmation copy
- emergency contact number
See our packing tips for detailed information.
Trip Information - The Golden Eagle Festival
Day 1. Arrival (D)
Arrival to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. Depending on time of arrival, you may have a short city sight-seeing tour. Evening welcome dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2. Ulaanbaatar/Ulgii (B,L,D)
After breakfast we fly to Mongolia's western-most province of Bayan Ulgii, which is mostly inhabited by Kazakh people. Other ethnic groups also reside in the region, among them Tuvans and Buriats. The Kazakh have brought with them their rich cultural heritage, music, handicrafts and the ancient tradition of Hunting with Golden Eagles. We will land at Ulgii, the provincial capital, where we will visit the local museum, which provides an insight into the diverse ethnic groups, the history, and the flora and fauna of the region. Time permitting, we may visit the local mosque and market. Overnight in a ger camp just out of town.
Day 3. Golden Eagle Festival – Day 1 (B,L,D)
Today we participate in the first day of the Golden Eagle Festival. About 80 Eagle trainers will gather to show their skills and their eagle’s abilities. The festival will begin with the hunters displaying their traditional Kazakh dress and their eagle's equipment and ornaments. For the next 2 days you will observe an exciting and authentic event which consists not only on eagle hunter's competitions, but also other Kazakh traditional games. About 30 eagle trainers will gather to show their skills and their eagles' abilities. For the next 2 days you will be in the thick of an exciting social and cultural get-together which consists not only of eagle hunter's competitions, but also other Kazakh traditional games. Prizes are given for the best traditional dress and the eagle's gear and ornaments. Overnight in ger camp.
Day 4. Golden Eagle Festival – Day 2 (B,L,D)
The second day of the festival includes competitions and presentations of the special relationship between the trainer and his bird of prey, which is often considered a family member. You will be able to experience a number of Kazakh traditions on first-hand. Mingle with the hunters, watch them pampering their birds and cheer for the competitors against the backdrop of the high Altai mountains. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 5. Eagle Trainer's family (B,L,D)
We leave festival and travel towards the Hovd River, stopping for lunch on the shores of Bayanuur Lake. By early afternoon we will reach the house of Aralbai, one of the province’s most well-known eagle trainers. You will learn from him about the ancient tradition of training and hunting with golden eagles. In the evening you will join the family in their ger, and enjoy the traditional music and dancing of the Kazakh. Overnight with Aralbai’s family.
Day 6. Eagle Trainer's Family/Ulgii (B,L,D)
Today we will ride with Aralbai to the nearby mountains, to watch him in a training session with one of his eagles. After enjoying a traditional lunch at his home, we will head towards Ulgii town, arriving in the early evening. At day’s end you can enjoy a hot shower at the local baths, which are very comfortable and well supplied with hot water. Overnight in a ger camp at the outskirts of town.
Day 7. Ulgii/Ulaanbaatar/Terelj National Park (B,L,D)
In the morning we will visit the local bazaar in Ulgii, time permitting, and then catch the first available flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we drive to Terelj national park, about 90 minutes out of the city. Overnight in a ger camp.
Day 8. Terelj National Park (B,L,D)
The park consists of amazing rock formations, beautiful valleys, the great Terelj River, and many wooded areas. Many nomads live in the area. You will visit nomadic families and will learn from them about their unique way of life. After lunch we have an optional horseback ride across the mountains to the Terelj River and back to camp. Overnight in ger camp.
Day 9. Terelj National Park/Ulaanbaatar (B,L,D)
We return to Ulaanbaatar where we begin the day with a few hours exploring the Black Market. This huge market contains every single item a Mongolian might need, whether they are nomads or urban apartment dwellers. Goods brought from all corners of Mongolia are here for sale. A visit to the market is a colorful experience which gives the visitor an insight to the everyday life of the people of Ulaanbaatar. After lunch we will visit the Bogd Khan Palace museum, the palace of the last Mongolian king, who was considered a living god. Free shopping time in the afternoon. Mongolia is world renowned for its fine cashmere and you will find this and many other souvenir items in the city. Overnight in 4 star hotel.
Day 10. Departure (B)
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
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