Day 1. Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival at the Chinggis Khan international airport in Mongolia, you will meet Visit Mongolia crew and transfer to the 4*hotel, conveniently located downtown Ulaanbaatar. After freshening up from your flight, we start our first day around Ulaanbaatar starting from Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia with 500 monks. From here we will go to the National History Museum which tells the rich history of Mongolia. The heart of Ulaanbaatar, Chinggis Square, is just a short walk away. Here we will see the Parliament House, National Opera and City Hall. Afterwards, we will visit Zaisan Hill, which offers great views of the city. In the evening, you will attend a performance of traditional dancing and khoomii (Mongolian throat singing). Overnight in hotel. (L,D)
Day 2. Olgii city/Sagsai area
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Olgii, center if Bayan-Olgii province, the only muslim province in Mongolia. About 90% of population are kazakhs. The flight takes 3 hours. Our local team will meet you at the Olgii airport. We drive to the Sagsai soum, Tsengel area, home of Kazakh nomads. Overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 3. Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain
Drive to the west to Tavan Bogd National Park. On the way we will see many peaks of the Altai range and some of the provinces' most beautiful natural sites. The national park is named for the five-peak Tavan Bogd Mountains, the highest in Mongolia. We will spend the night at the end of the road near peaks. Overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 4. Altai Eagle Festival-1st day
The first day of the festival features the fascinating history and techniques of traditional Kazakh eagle-hunting. We will enjoy the opening ceremony, parade of all participants, eagle-call competition (tests hunters' ability to call eagle to their horse from a distance), fox-skin, archery, Tiyn Teru (a race to pick a coin off the ground from horseback), Kyz Kuar (“woman chase,” a man and woman racing with the woman whipping the man), and the highlight, Kokpar (tug-of –war while on horseback. Overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 5. Altai Eagle Festival-2nd day
The second day of the Altai Eagle Festival has events showcasing the diversity of local traditions including a camel race of 6 km. The Festival concludes with an exotic Kazakh traditional dress event, followed by the Closing, Awards Ceremony and group dinner with traditional Kazakh folk performances. Overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 6. Kazakh Family
We will spend the day travelling throughout the surrounding area visiting nomadic Kazakh families to experience their lifestyle, the Kazakh ger with its spacious yet cozy interior and many colorful handmade rugs. Overnight in ger camp. (B, L, D)
Day 7. Ulaanbaatar
Flight to Ulaanbaatar. Arrive in UB. Shopping for souvenirs and cashmere is optional. Farewell dinner. Overnight in hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 8. Departure
Transfer to airport for return flight. (B)
