The highlight of the trip takes place in the remote capital of Bayan-Olgii. Ninety percent of the population here is Kazakh, a group that is renowned for its hunters’ extraordinary skill in using golden eagles to hunt for small prey. The evening before the Golden Eagle Hunting Festival the small community offers competitors, many of whom have traveled as far as 140 miles on horseback, a special performance of Kazakh dance, song, and music-and we’re invited! The next morning the official opening ceremony begins with a parade of the hunters on horseback with their eagles. The most elaborate clothing and accessories are rewarded with the highest points. Later in the day, the eagles are judged for their speed and agility. The second day of the competition is packed with action-eagles fly from the cliff’s edge to chase bait dragged by their human hunting partners, and the men demonstrate their courage in an ancient test of horsemanship. Wonderful discovery to Mongolian Gobi will be the wonderful surprise with warm desert sun and golden dunes . 15 days/14 nights • 2 nights in hotel • 9 night in tourist camp • 3 nights with kazakh family • Domestic flight UB-Olgii-UB , UB-Gobi-UB Highlights: • Gobi desert: golden sand dunes, dinosaur sites, camelbreeding family • Terelj National park - alpine scenery with interesting rock formations • Visit to Khazakh family, family stay in their colorful gers • Meeting with eagle hunters • Eagle hunting festival ROUTE:Ulaanbaatar - South gobi - Yol valley - Khongor sand dunes - Bayanzag - Ulaanbaatar/Terelj - Bayan-Olgii province - Ulaanbaatar

Khongor Sand dune With golden eagle

ITINERARY:


Day 1. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel. Short city tour. Visit Gandan monastery- the Buddist center of Mongolia and Museum of National history.
Hotel.

Day 2. Early morning flight to South gobi. Transfer to Desert Gobi tourist camp Driving to Yol Am known as Eagle valley in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan mountain. This is a picturesque valley in the middle of Gobi desert with icy stream and thick ice all year around. Tourist camp.

Day 3. Drive to Hongor sand dunes - the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Also known as Duut Mankhan /singing dunes/, they are up to 800 m high, 12 km wide and about 100km long. Hiking through the sand dunes. Visit camel breeding family and experience short camelriding. Tourist camp.

Day 9. Drive towards Bayanzag - classic desert of rock, red sands, scrub, sun and unbelievable emptiness has become known to the world as "Cemetery of Dinosaurs” . Early 20's R.C. Andrews’s expedition found dinosaur eggs and bones in Mongolian Gobi. Following expeditions proved that the area was roaming by dinosaurs 70 million years ago. Till today fossils and eggs are found in Bayan zag. Tourist camp.

Day 10. Morning flight back to UB. Transfer to Terelj National park . Lying in the valley of the Terelj river 80 km northeast of Ulaanbaatar, Terelj national park has long been a holiday resort for people from the capital and short – stay tourists. It is one of the most visited areas in Mongolia due to its magnificient scenery and its proximity to Ulaanbaatar. There are great opportunities for hiking , rock climbing , simming, rafting, riding and birdwatching. In winter frozen rivers provide skating and snow-covered valleys are ideal for cross- country skiing.
You will find yourself between beautiful rocky mountains with wild flowers . Visit Turtle rock. Hiking activity. Tourist camp.

Day 11. Flight to Olgii town. Meet the local team and have a visit to Khazak family. This is a day of cultural exploration: local women decorate their gers in a dazzling array of colors—hand-crafted felt carpets line the floor and delicately-embroidered tapestries adorn the walls, with each design unique to a particular family. Family stay.

Day 12-13. The Golden Eagle Festival starts with its parades and competitions for costuming and hunting techniques. This festival has been celebrated since 2000 and now attracts many travelers. Each year the number of eagle hunters participating in the festival is increasing which makes the festival more colorful and spectacular. The eagles chase fox skins dragged by their owners on horseback. Points are given for their speed and gripping ability. Festival winners are announced at an awards dinner. Family stay.

Day 14. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Relaxing hours at the hotel. Shopping in State department store and and Cashmere house for souvenirs and products. In the evening we will attend amazing performance of Mongolian traditional music and dance. Overnight in hotel.

Day 15. Transfer to the Airport and depart Ulaanbaatar.