General Information
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Tour Route: Ulaanbaatar - Bayan Olgii - Eagle Hunting Family - Tsagaan River - Khoton & Khurgan Lakes - Altai Tavan Bogd National Park - Tolbo Eagle Festival - Olgii - Ulaanbaatar
Intended Travel Date: September 16-23
Pick-up/Drop-off: Ulaanbaatar
Tour Style: Cultural Immersion, Adventure, Wildlife and Nature, Festival Experience
Guides: Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private First-class Air-conditioned Vehicles, Domestic Flight
Tour Highlights
- Experience the authentic Kazakh culture and witness the ancient art of eagle hunting with local families
- Attend the spectacular Tolbo Eagle Festival, one of Mongolia's most unique cultural celebrations
- Explore the pristine wilderness of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, home to Mongolia's tallest peak
- Discover UNESCO World Heritage petroglyphs, ancient deer stones, and Turkic Stone Men
- Visit the stunning Khoton and Khurgan Lakes surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers
- Experience the unique fusion of Muslim and Mongolian traditions in western Mongolia
- Stay with nomadic Tuvan families and learn about their Shamanistic traditions
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar - City Tour
Day 2: Fly to Bayan Olgii - Eagle Hunting Family Visit (30 km)
Day 3: Olgii - Tsagaan River Valley (150 km off-road)
Day 4: Drive back to Olgii (150 km)
Day 5-6: Tolbo Eagle Festival
Day 7: Fly back to Ulaanbaatar - Cultural Show
Day 8: Departure
Full Itinerary
Day 1 (Tuesday, Sep 16): Arrival in Ulaanbaatar - City Tour
Greetings from Mongolia! Your adventure begins at J Hotel Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar, a modern metropolis with over 1.5 million residents, awaits your exploration. Depending on your arrival time, we will arrange a comprehensive city tour that lasts approximately 5 to 6 hours.
We'll start by visiting the Genghis Khan Museum, Mongolia's largest museum featuring over 8,300 artifacts spanning the country's fascinating history from ancient times to the present day. Next, we'll explore the Bogd Khan's Winter and Summer Palace, a former royal residence that now showcases an impressive collection of artifacts, traditional costumes, and the king's unique collection of stuffed animals.
Our tour continues to Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Mongolia's largest and most significant monastery, where you'll admire the magnificent 82-foot golden statue of Migjid Janraisig. The day concludes with a climb up Zaisan Hill, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city. Overnight at J Hotel or similar.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 (Wednesday, Sep 17): Fly to Bayan Olgii - Eagle Hunting Family (30 km)
This adventure will lead you to a destination few have explored—Mongolia's remote western frontier, where the landscape is as captivating as the cultural fusion it holds. Here, Muslim and Mongolian traditions intertwine, creating a unique tapestry of heritage and hospitality.
This morning, we take an early flight to Olgii (departure 7:25 AM, arrival 8:40 AM), the capital of Bayan-Olgii Province. Unlike most of Mongolia, which is predominantly home to Khalkh Mongolians, Bayan-Olgii is largely inhabited by ethnic Kazakhs, the majority of whom practice Islam. The town even features its own modest mosque, a symbol of its distinct identity.
Upon arrival, our local team will warmly welcome you and accompany you westward into the heart of the National Park with a 2-3 hour drive. Along the way, we'll visit Kazakh families living in traditional Gers—larger than the typical Mongolian version and richly adorned with handmade carpets and vibrant textiles. Over a cup of tea, we'll share delicious Kazakh dishes such as Kuz (salted and smoked horse meat) and Bisbarmak, engaging in heartfelt conversations that offer deeper insight into the customs and values of Kazakh life.
For more than 2,000 years, Kazakhs have forged a deep bond with nature through the ancient art of Eagle Hunting. These remarkable —always females for their size and prowess—are taken from the nest as chicks and trained intensively for up to a year. They assist in subsistence hunting, capturing foxes and wolves that threaten livestock. After several years of loyal service, these majestic birds are released back into the wild. Overnight in homestay or yurt.
Accommodation: Homestay / Yurt without facilities
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 (Thursday, Sep 18): Olgii - Tsagaan River Valley (150 km off-road)
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park is a pristine wilderness spanning 636,161 hectares along the western edge of Bayan-Olgii province, stretching across the Ulaan Khus, Tsengel, Sagsai, and Altai soums (villages).
At its heart stands Khuiten Uul, the tallest mountain in Mongolia, soaring to 4,374 meters above sea level. The park follows the sweeping arc of the Altai Mountain Range for over 200 kilometers, where Mongolia meets China, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
Altai Tavan Bogd is also home to tens of thousands of ancient Petroglyphs (UNESCO World Heritage Site), as well as Turkic Stone Men and ancient burial mounds.
Today, we'll travel through the park's stunning landscapes on a 5 to 6-hour journey that leads us to the Tsagaan River Valley. This valley is a cherished summer grazing ground for nomadic herders and a sacred space for the Tuvan people. Overnight in homestay or yurt.
Accommodation: Homestay / Yurt without facilities
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 (Friday, Sep 19): Drive back to Olgii (150 km)
After breakfast, we'll make our way back to Ölgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii Province and the gateway to the Altai Mountains.
During our time in town, we'll explore the Ölgii Museum, showcasing traditional costumes, hunting equipment, handicrafts, and Kazakh heritage. Following the museum visit, we'll head to the local market. Overnight at hotel in Olgii.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5-6 (September 20-21): Tolbo Eagle Festival
These two days are dedicated to experiencing the Tolbo Eagle Festival, one of Mongolia's most spectacular cultural events celebrating Kazakh Eagle Hunting.
The festival features thrilling competitions, traditional games such as Kokpar, Tiyn Teru, and Kyz Kuar, along with cultural performances and traditional music. Overnight at hotel in Olgii.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (both days)
Day 7 (Monday, Sep 22): Fly back to Ulaanbaatar - Cultural Show
This morning, we'll take a domestic flight from Ölgii back to Ulaanbaatar.
In the evening, we highly recommend attending a Mongolian Cultural Show featuring Contortion, Khoomei (Throat Singing), and Traditional Mongolian Dance. Overnight at J Hotel or similar.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 (Tuesday, Sep 23): Departure
Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for departure.
End of service. Thank you for making your Mongolia vacations with Go Mongolia Tours!
Meals: Breakfast
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