Majestic Altai Mountain to Gobi Desert Featuring Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival

Welcome to Mongolia! 

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, receive a warm welcome from our guide. Private transfer and check-in at Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar.

Today we will start the day by visiting a newly built Chinggis Museum. A private curator will guide us through the museum and highlight the most important sections of this 8-story building. After this, we will take a short walk across the main square and have lunch at one of the centrally located restaurants. 
After lunch, we will meet with a local monk at a city-center temple. We will have a private session with the monk who will walk us through Buddhism in Mongolia. For those who wish, we can also ask a monk for a blessing before we head out on a big journey.
In the evening, we will enjoy dinner on the restaurant terrace with a short sampling of folk music and singing. Return to your hotel. 

Have breakfast and check out hotel. Meet guide at the hotel and private transfer to the airport. Fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii. 
Upon arrival in Ulgii, drive to our camp at Altai Mountains, which takes about 2 hours and is set up by one of the region’s most respected eagle hunters. Today, we will be invited to the family ger for dinner, as tradition dictates, and this is a perfect opportunity to meet the often very large Kazakh family hosting us. We will properly introduce ourselves and share our origins, as this is important for a nomad living in this remote corner. Kazakh tradition is that every household owns a Dombra, a stringed musical instrument, and almost every man plays, with the whole family joining in the singing. We will set up our traditional Kazakh ger close to the family and retreat to our camp for the evening, but stay close enough to walk to the family anytime we want. Private Kazakh camp.

The Altai Mountains are the westernmost range in Mongolia and contain the highest and longest mountain chain. Just below them lives the colorful ethnic group of the Kazakhs. They live in Gers and lead a nomadic life, but their stark difference lies not only in their language and religion but also in a 2000-year-old tradition of Eagle Hunting. More accurately, it is hunting with eagles. From the beginning, this tradition was for entertainment and sportsmanship rather than for survival and feeding themselves. Today it has become an art and culture that fascinates the world.

Today, we dive into the captivating world of eagle hunting, with the eagle hunter on horseback or in an SUV for those who prefer comfort. Venture into the scenic hills and mountains for an authentic hunting experience with majestic eagles. The morning begins with a slow, fascinating behind-the-scenes look at preparing the horses and eagles, a rare glimpse into this ancient tradition. Each detail tells a story, especially for first-time participants. Once ready, we set out to the designated mountain for the pursuit. The assistant hunter gently lowers the riding position to carefully flush out the prey, while the eagle hunter and our group patiently wait at the top, eager for the moment to come. The prey, usually a rabbit or red fox, is driven out, signaling us to stay alert. The assistant gives the signal, and the eagle is released to hunt. Witnessing a well-trained eagle swoop down on its prey is truly awe-inspiring. After the catch, the eagle guards its prize, allowing us to approach and observe. This exciting sequence repeats several times as we traverse the hills. Ride for about 5-6 hours, taking breaks and enjoying a one-hour lunch. In the late afternoon, around 4 to 5 pm, we return to camp, where dinner awaits at our private Kazakh camp.

Today, thrilled to experience the Sagsai Eagle Festival, a vibrant outdoor celebration where 50 to 60 eagle hunters from the region come together to showcase their highly trained eagles. Witness the awe-inspiring moments as hunters call their eagles to their hands and stuffed animals, with each contest timed to highlight their skills, including their best harnesses and horses. The festival also features exhilarating traditional games such as tug-of-war on horseback for a stuffed goat, a daring horseback dating game, and coin-picking challenges to test agility. During the festival,  you will see eagle hunters and locals dressed in their finest attire, creating a breathtaking display of ancient customs and vibrant culture. Local vendors will fill the air with tempting foods, handcrafted crafts, and souvenirs, while visitors soak in the lively atmosphere of this grand fairground-like event. It’s a fun-filled, relaxed environment buzzing with activity and joy. 
Later in the day, we will head back to our private Kazakh camp, carrying unforgettable memories of this extraordinary celebration.

Check out of Kazakh Camp and enjoy a 2-hour private transfer to the airport for your flight from Ulgii to Ulaanbaatar, followed by a private transfer and check-in at Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar.

Ulaanbaatar – Gandantegchilen Monastery (Optional)

Fly from Ulaanbaatar to Gobi Desert, Mongolia’s southernmost province, is famed for its breathtaking semi-arid landscape. 
Upon arrival, head to the extraordinary Three Camel Lodge, a true oasis amidst the sands. 
In the afternoon, embark on a scenic 25-minute drive to the captivating Havsgait Valley, where ancient rock drawings by early Gobi settlers from the Bronze Age await. Marvel at hundreds of petroglyphs etched into the rocks, offering a fascinating glimpse into a civilization that thrived over 40,000 years ago.  Afterward, we’ll return to our gers and enjoy a delicious dinner at a stunning ger restaurant with an incredible view. Experience the magic with Three Camel Lodge.

Today, we embark on an adventurous journey through the stunning Altai Mountains, with a special visit to the Yol Valley, famous for its impressive giant vultures with wingspans reaching up to 9 feet. As we hike through this breathtaking landscape, we will encounter elusive ibex gracefully navigating the rocky terrain, playful pikas darting through the wildflowers, and a clear mountain stream cascading beside us. At elevations of 7,000 to 8,000 feet, you’ll marvel at vibrant alpine flora and the striking Wall creepers clinging to the cliffs, sustained by the valley’s unique narrow, protected gorge that traps winter ice well into summer. Unexpectedly, we may also spot yaks, rare visitors in this region, typically found in the Gobi Desert. Our day’s adventure concludes at the beautifully situated Three Camel Lodge, where the evening sunset casts a magical glow that transforms the Gobi into a Land of Wonders.
Note: In the evening, join an archery lesson to learn to shoot like a Mongol warrior. After mastering the skill, compete in a fun, interactive experience suitable for all ages. The lodge provides replicas of ancient Mongol bows.

After breakfast, head to Moltsog Els, one of the few sand dune regions in the Gobi. Walk through the dunes and experience their beauty firsthand, and don’t miss the chance to ride a Bactrian camel. It’s a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these two-humped, woolly creatures native exclusively to Central Asia. Camel rides are available only if a local herding family is nearby during summer. If they’re not, we explore the dunes on foot and ride camels at other sites later. Next, we stop at a local herder family’s place to share a traditional hot stone BBQ lunch and learn about their daily life, an authentic, immersive glimpse into a centuries-old lifestyle.
In the afternoon, head to a renowned dinosaur site just 30 minutes away. The Mongolian Gobi is famous for its rich dinosaur fossil history; the very first dinosaur eggs were discovered here, and we’ll visit the site where Roy Chapman Andrews found an egg over a century ago. With its striking red sediments, this location, known as Flaming Cliffs, is not only a key paleontological site but also a stunning and photogenic spot to enjoy the sunset and the view among the dinosaurs, then return to the lodge.

Check out of Three Camel Camp and transfer to the airport for your flight to Ulaanbaatar, followed by a private transfer and check-in at Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar.

Check out of the hotel and private transfer to the airport with your guide for departure.