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Mongolian Nomad Friends
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Altai Mountains

Eagle Hunters of the Altai

Live with a Kazakh eagle-hunting family in the far west, below Mongolia’s highest mountains.

Length
10 days
Level
Challenging
Runs
June to October
Price per person
from $2,450

Overview

Bayan-Ölgii is Mongolia’s westernmost province and home to most of its Kazakh community. Here, families still hunt with golden eagles through the winter. You fly to Ölgii, spend days with a hunting family, then head into the mountains of Altai Tavan Bogd. Come in early October and you can add the Golden Eagle Festival.

  • Stay with a Kazakh eagle-hunting family and watch them work with their birds
  • Ride out into the hills alongside the hunters
  • Camp by the lakes of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
  • Find petroglyphs carved into the valley rocks thousands of years ago
  • Time your trip with the Golden Eagle Festival in early October

The route

Starts and ends in Ulaanbaatar. Includes return flights between Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii.

UlaanbaatarÖlgiiAltai Tavan Bogd

Day by day

A sample itinerary. We adjust it to your dates, the weather and what you’d most like to do.

  1. 1

    Day 1

    Ulaanbaatar

    Arrival and a gentle afternoon in the city: the National Museum, Sükhbaatar Square, and a welcome dinner.

    Overnight:HotelMeals:Dinner

  2. 2

    Day 2

    Fly to Ölgii

    A long domestic flight across the whole country to Ölgii. Meet your Kazakh guide and drive into the Sagsai valley to your host family.

    Overnight:Family gerMeals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  3. 3

    Day 3

    With the eagle hunters

    A day with the family: feeding and handling the eagles, bread and tea in the ger, and the chance to wear the hunter’s heavy leather glove.

    Overnight:Family gerMeals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  4. 4

    Day 4

    Riding with the hunters

    Ride out with the hunters to the ridges where they fly their eagles. Horses walk; no experience needed.

    Overnight:Family gerMeals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  5. 5

    Day 5

    Into Altai Tavan Bogd

    Drive deeper into the mountains to the great lakes of the national park, passing Kazakh and Tuvan herders’ summer camps.

    Overnight:TentMeals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  6. 6

    Day 6

    Lakes and petroglyphs

    Walk the lakeshore and look for the petroglyphs left on the rocks by the people who hunted here long before us.

    Overnight:TentMeals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  7. 7

    Day 7

    A free day in the mountains

    Hike, ride, fish or simply sit by the water, before starting back towards Ölgii.

    Overnight:Family gerMeals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  8. 8

    Day 8

    Ölgii

    Back to town for the market and a Kazakh home-cooked dinner. In early October, these are festival days.

    Overnight:GuesthouseMeals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  9. 9

    Day 9

    Fly to Ulaanbaatar

    Fly back east, with a farewell dinner in the city.

    Overnight:HotelMeals:Breakfast, dinner

  10. 10

    Day 10

    Departure

    Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

    Meals:Breakfast

On the way

An eagle swoops toward a hunter on horseback
Altai Mountains
A hunter on horseback looks out at the snow-covered Altai
Altai Mountains
A family milks their yaks in the morning light
Altai Mountains
A hunter and his eagle at the Golden Eagle Festival
Bayan-Ölgii
A white horse grazing below gers and snowy peaks
Bayan-Ölgii

Included

  • English-speaking guide, plus a local Kazakh guide in the west
  • Driver and 4×4 vehicle
  • Return flights Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii
  • Accommodation as listed, including camping gear
  • Meals as listed
  • Horse riding with the hunters and national park fees

Not included

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa, if your passport needs one
  • Drinks and snacks
  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • Golden Eagle Festival entry, if you add it

Good to know

  • ChallengingChallenging. Remote country, camping, several hours in the saddle and cold nights. Rewarding, but not for everyone.
  • Domestic flights in Mongolia sometimes change at short notice. Leave a spare day before your flight home.
  • Nights in the mountains are cold, even in summer. Bring a warm sleeping layer.
  • Facilities are basic: long-drop toilets, and washing in streams.

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