1. Day 1 Arrive in Ulaanbaatar

   We’ll meet at a designated spot in the city centre and make our way to our centrally located hotel to recharge before our adventure begins. If you’re feeling energetic, you can take our optional walking tour to get your first taste of this fascinating city before returning for our 4pm hotel briefing.

   Here we’ll give you an overview of the country and culture, along with some etiquette tips for visiting the homes of the Shamans, Kazakhs, and Tuvan people we’ll meet along the way. Then join us for another city walk, this time by night. Get a glimpse of Sükhbaatar Square, named for revolutionary hero Damdinii Sükhbaatar; its perfect geometric angles make this – technically – the world’s largest square. The statues of Genghis Khan and other Mongolian generals are even more impressive when all lit up.

    

   Accommodation: Hotel 9, Ulaanbaatar

   Included Meals: Dinner

2. Day 2 City Tour and Fly to Bayan Olgii

   We start our day at Gandantegchinlen, Ulaanbaatar’s largest Buddhist monastery, where we can see practising monks and learn about the role of Mongolia’s largest religion.

   Then it’s back to the city centre, where we’ll stop off for supplies at the State Department Store. Today privately owned, this is a throwback to the old Soviet sales system, where everything is under one roof, and you pay with multiple receipts before returning for your purchases. This is an ideal time to stock up on trip supplies, even outdoor gear, so if you’ve discovered your sleeping bag has a hole, now’s the time to upgrade.

   We’ll then see Sükhbaatar Square by day and then head to the National Historical Museum, which takes us through Mongolian history from the Stone Age to the collapse of Communism. We’ll also see the Natural History Museum, filled with those dinosaur fossils the country is known for.

   After lunch, we’ll take a two-hour flight to Bayan Olgii and pile into Russian jeeps for a short drive to our accommodation for tonight, the traditional Kazakh yurt. Once we have had a bite to eat and you’ve settled into your home away from home, we will head into the city for a little exploration. First, stop the Olgii Museum; it may have that mothballed Soviet feel about it; however, the guides there and exhibits give us a great overview of the region, its history and culture.

   Olgii Market is a perfect site to pick up extras for those who have realised you’ve under packed towels, old Russian army jackets and blankets are just some of the things you can pick up here; if you don’t need to shop, then people watching and photography is also an option.

   The Central Mosque a great way to begin our look at Bayan Olgii by learning a little about the religion in this region. The Central mosque is a newer building, brightly coloured and welcoming, a true reflection of the people in this part of remote Mongolia. Before heading to our ger camp, our final stop will be to pick up a few supplies for the coming days in a nearby supermarket.

   This evening after a true Kazakh meal we’ll have the chance to listen to some traditional Kazakh music as a group trying to keep the tradition alive will serenade us playing Dombra and Jetigen.

    

   Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3. Day 3 Sagaan Gol and Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain

   Today it’s up and out early as the adventure truly begins; we’re into our Russian trucks and away! We work our way through mountain passes, river valleys skirting remote villages to reach the mouth of Tsagaan Gol (White River), a mighty water source with enough limestone deposits to give the milky river its name.

   We’ll stop for pictures at the stunning Shiveet Khairkhan, with more rock carvings and an unforgettable view of Tavan Bogd (Five Saints), a mountain massif on the border of Mongolia, China and Russia. To the indigenous minority Tuvan, Shiveet is sacred – as are the 400 mountain ibex, which are never hunted.

   Each year the Tuvan climb Shiveet’s summit and perform shamanistic rituals, making offerings to the local ghosts and paying ancestral respects. The Tuvan are herders and known for their archery skills. This evening, they’ll teach us to cook some of their favourite dishes. And after days of having the locals watch us pitch our tents – and comment on how long it takes us, how thin the material is, and how we’ll never survive the night – today we’ll build our felt-lined ger (with a little help), to see how the nomads do it.

    

   Accommodation: Camping

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Day 4 Hike to Altai Tavan Bogd Base Camp

   Today we leave our vehicles and heaviest luggage behind, load everything else onto camels, and then trek up Tavan Bogd with a local Tuvan guide. It’s about 15 kilometres to our base camp (camels can also carry tired trekkers), which is located at the edge of Potanin Glacier, the longest in Mongolia – listen carefully, you might hear it cracking.

   Potanin is at the foot of Malchin Peak, one of Tavan Bogd’s five sacred mountains. This hike will take us through lush alpine tundra and herds of camels, providing fantastic views across the glacier to the peaks. Once at our camp, you’re free to explore, relax or sleep but do make time to soak up the stunning scenery.

    

   Accommodation: Camping

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. Day 5 Khurgan and Khoton Lakes

   Another early start sees us trek to our waiting trucks in order to begin our most amazing drive. It’s a long but spectacular journey taking us through wildlands, over moraines (glacial debris) and past ancient burial sites, with stone-age rock carvings of animals and hunting scenes covering the mountainside. The wonderful Khurgan and Khoton Lakes lie at an altitude of 2,073 metres and are surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

   We set up camp with a local Kazakh family in the forests fringing these high alpine lagoons. The families here are Kazah eagles hunters and it will be our first opportunity to learn a little more.

    

   Accommodation: Camping

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. Day 6 Unseen Valleys and Hidden Waterfalls

   As we’re in this beautiful region for two nights, there’s no need to break camp today. However, those into photography may want to awake early to catch the livestock being milked and released to roam free.

   Today is your free day to further interact with the local family, enjoy a well-deserved rest or join us for a mini-adventure.

   For those who wish to join, we will carry a packed lunch, borrow some resident horses and ride out to Turgen Falls

   The 36-metre high Turgen falls are some of the largest in Mongolia and make for an excellent photographic opportunity roaring away with the snow-capped Altai mountain as the backdrop.  The Turgen falls are beautiful but a little touristy, so we make a slight detour and take a different route from here. Our expert guide knows this region well as we break off the beaten track making our way into the valleys beyond, searching out pure rivers, hidden valleys and unseen hikes; very few travel this way; hiking can be challenging but rewarding.

    

   Accommodation: Camping

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. Day 7 Drive to Sagsai and Stay with Kazakh Eagle Family

   We leave after a leisurely breakfast, slowly making our way to the heart of the Mongolian Kazakh eagle hunters; Sagsai village.

   Our drive to Sagsai traces the route of the Khovd river and is a leisurely scenic journey passing local dwellings set in amongst the beautiful Altai mountains.

   Sagsai, located high in the Altai mountains region, has for many years been regarded as the home of eagle hunting in Mongolia. This small village is made up of Kazakhs, some semi Nomadic and some more permanent. We call Sagsai our home for tonight as it is here that we stay with an eagle hunter, not just any eagle hunter but one taking part in tomorrows Golden Eagle Festival. We aim to reach our host family mid-afternoon to learn a little more about how these traditional hunters live and if they have any special preparations for tomorrows big event.

    

   Accommodation: Camping

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8. Day 8 Golden Eagle Festival: Day 1

   After waking, it’s a hearty breakfast to prepare for the day, and not just any day as after breaking camp, we join our host and follow him to the regions biggest event, the Golden Eagle Festival.

   The Golden Eagle Festival began in 1999 and has grown to be the largest event for eagles and their hunters globally and recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage cultural event.

   There are smaller, more corporate events across the region, but this is the largest and most traditional. Over 70 hunters are involved yearly who show their Eagle skills and show some more traditional Kazakh games.

   Once at the festival, we first watch the opening ceremony, which sees each participant parading in on horseback with their eagles.

   The competition gets going when the hunters show their hunting outfit and accessories, with the most elaborate and beautiful receiving the highest points.

   One of the events at the festival is the Uriankhai archery competition. The Uriankhai are a small ethnic group found in this region and famed for their unique style of archery.

   Bactrian camel racing is also a unique event held at the festival, making quite a grand photographic opportunity.

   There is also an event for couples who parade within the arena showcasing their traditional Kazakh costumes perfect for those into fashion shows.

   After the events, we will head back to Olgii city and freshen up in our ger camp before heading back out for the evening. This evening we will enjoy a Kazakh Concert with traditional songs and music within the Bayan Olgii Theatre, a real Soviet gem.

    

   Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9. Day 9 Golden Eagle Festival: Day 2

   Today, Is the day when the Golden Eagle Festival gets real, and the anticipated eagle flying begins. So we leave the comfort of our yurts after another great breakfast and arrive early at the event to find the best spot.

   The day starts with some traditional equestrian activities, some a little comical although all steeped in tradition.

   The first eagle hunter event involves the hunter calling to his eagle, who is atop a nearby mountain; the eagle is expected to fly down and land gracefully on the hunter’s arm.

   The final event sees the eagles tempted to hunt when a horse pulls a lure to simulate a rabbit, hare or fox. This is a real test of not just the hunter’s skill in controlling his bird but also showcases the eagles hunting ability.

   The grand finale is the closing ceremony that sees winners from each event named and the overall eagle hunting champion crowned. The eagle hunting champions eagle will then be taken to hunt either a fox or wolf within the wild; traditionally, this marks the beginning of the Eagle hunting season.

   Let’s hope our host family win this year!

   We will definitely find time for those all-important photo opportunities with the hunters, their eagles, and their families during the event.

   Our last night in Bayan Olgii sees us enjoy an evening meal with our crew as well as the entertainment of a traditional Mongolian throat singer.

    

   Accommodation: Tourist Ger Camp

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10. Day 10 Fly to Ulaanbaatar

    Leaving our horses, camels, Russian jeeps and friends behind for good, we board a plane and return to Ulaanbaatar. This is a free day where you can shop ’til you drop at the city market – you’ll never find cheaper cashmere, and you might pick up a shamanistic, Buddhist artefact or a relic from Soviet times.

    History lovers can stop by the winter palace of the Bogd Khan (1869-1922), who became Khagan (theocratic ruler) when the country split from China in 1911. Or you can relax with a coffee or cocktail at an outdoor café and watch this fascinating city unfold before you. Then we’ll meet up for dinner at a local family’s home so that we can see Mongolian home life away from the steppes.

     

    Accommodation: Hotel 9, Ulaanbaatar

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11. Day 11 Departure Day

    Today, it’s time to bid goodbye to Mongolia. Contact your Tour Manager for information on Airport Transfers if needs be. Although the tour is over, we hope you’ll be flying home with a head full of memories and stories to share with your friends and family!

    END OF TOUR

Wild Camping, Ger Camps and City Hotels