The Rodeo of Raptors with Gobi Exploration
5-9 Travelers:
$5,400 Per Person
10-14 Travelers:
$4,900 Per Person
Single Supplement
$950 Per Person
Overview
The partnership between a Kazakh Hunter and the Golden Eagle is a striking example of cooperation and mutual respect. This practice began as an essential survival skill for nomadic tribes in the Altai Mountains and has since evolved into a significant cultural tradition. Hunting with Eagles is a demonstration of the resourcefulness and adaptability required for the nomadic lifestyle in Mongolia, highlighting the spirit of survival and the deep working connection with nature. Join us to the mountains of western Mongolia for the opportunity to stay with a family of the Eagle Hunter and experience the bond.
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Ulaanbaatar
Begin your Mongolian adventure in Ulaanbaatar, commonly referred to as UB, a city of striking contrasts—where centuries-old Buddhist monasteries and traditional gers stand beside gleaming skyscrapers. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted by your local guide and transferred to a centrally located hotel, steps away from museums, galleries, and artisan shops.
Day 2
Monumental Mongolia: Chinggis Khan Statue
Trip to Chinggis Khan Equestrian Statue, the largest of its kind in the world. View of the vast, open steppe from the top, a literal "eye-level" look at the world the Great Khan once surveyed.
Will see exhibits on the Bronze Age and the Mongol Empire, showcasing artifacts, traditional weapons, and historical attire.
Return to UB, overnight in hotel.
Day 3
Journey to Bayan-Olgii
Fly west to Olgii, a westernmost province in the Altai Mountains, where the Kazakh people have preserved the ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles. Explore the town of the remote region, including the Hunter's Cultural Center, where the rich history of eagle hunting is preserved.
Visit nomad family and experience the nomadic hospitality.
Homestay with the host family or ger camp.
Days 4 - 5
Golden Eagle Festival
The two-day festival is the ultimate "rodeo" featuring hundreds of raptors and their masters. The core of the competition centers on the profound bond between bird and master, including matches that test the eagles' manuever, precision, and instant response to the masters' signals. The action continues on horseback with exhilarating mounted games rooted in nomadic warrior traditions. Spectators witness the daring dexterity of Tenge Ilu (Coin Grabbing) and the raw power of Kykbar (a spirited tug-of-war on horseback). The two days conclude with the final awards ceremony, offering fantastic opportunities for adventurers to get close to the eagles, followed by a celebratory Kazakh Cultural Concert featuring traditional songs and music.
Overnight in ger camp.
Day 6
Ulaanbaatar’s Cultural Showcase
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and immerse yourself in Mongolia’s artistic legacy at the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, home to masterful Buddhist sculptures, thangka paintings, and ritual objects crafted by the country’s greatest spiritual artists.
In the evening, witness a live performance of traditional Mongolian dance and throat singing.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 7
Spiritual Legacy and Imperial Heritage
Full day guided sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar. Visit Zaisan Memorial, a prominent landmark in UB, built in the Bogd Khan Mountain is the best place to view the city. Visit to Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s spiritual heart. Founded in 1809, it was closed during the religious persecutions of 1939. Today, it serves as the center of Mongolian Buddhism, home to over 100 resident monks and a wealth of sacred treasures—including a magnificent 26-meter (85-foot) gilded statue of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
In the afternoon, explore the Chinggis Khan Museum, which houses more than 10,000 artifacts spanning 2,000 years of Mongolian history. From ancient tribal relics to imperial regalia, the museum offers a sweeping narrative of Mongolia’s cultural and political evolution.
Conclude the day with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you’ll enjoy traditional flavors and warm hospitality.
Overnight in hotel.
Days 8-9
Gobi Desert Exloration: History & Landscape
The trip begins with a short flight to the Gobi region. Upon arrival, we drive to Yol Valley National Park in the Altai foothills. Day two continues the Gobi exploration to Bayanzag, widely known as the Flaming Cliffs. This site gained global fame when American explorer and paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, the real Indiana Jones, made the first recorded discovery of dinosaur eggs known to science in the 1920s. This groundbreaking finding provided definitive proof that dinosaurs laid eggs, fundamentally changing scientific understanding of prehistoric life. We will also include an essential cultural stop: a visit to local camel herder families.
Overnight in ger camps.
Day 10
Return to UB and Fossil Legacy
After breakfast, transfer to the Gobi airport for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar (UB). Upon arrival, we will visit the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs. This essential stop showcases the spectacular, world-class fossils found in the desert you just explored. The Gobi is famous for its exceptionally well-preserved fossils, including specimens often found fully articulated (bones connected) and sometimes with skin impressions. In the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 11
Morning Reflections and Departure
After a final breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) for your international departure.
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