Best of Altai Mountain
For those who dream of exploring Altai Mountain, this is the trip to take.
Altai Eagle Festival & Altai Mountains Photo Tour
Meet the eagle hunters and visit Kazakh family
It’s known in the world that Kazakh and Kyrgyz nations have traditions of hunting small animals with the aid of birds of prey such as falcons, hawks, and eagles. For centuries in the central asian steppe, falconry was a royal game of the Khans and nobles. An ancient custom has survived among Kazakhs who live in the Altai Mountain of Mongolia. Today, you can witness an art of the man and bird friendship at the festival which has expanded into the independent tourist attraction venue for photographers and visitors from all over the world.
We present you a golden opportunity to take photographs of Kazakh traditional eagle hunting to fill up your treasure chest with the rare photographs of an exotic nomadic culture.
What we expect
Realistic travel conditions, comfort level, and daily experience explained clearly
Many Photo Opportunities
This is one tour during which you will want to have your camera ready, because you never know what you will see.
Potanin Glacier Experience
Explore a breathtakingly beautiful piece of nature when we join up with locals and ride pack camels to the Potanin Glacier.
Meet the Eagle Hunters
You’ll be able to see the majestic birds up close and meet with the hunters.
Many Photo Opportunities
This is one tour during which you will want to have your camera ready, because you never know what you will see.
Itinerary
Day-by-day travel plan with highlights, distances, and activities
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, you'll be greeted at the airport and escorted to 4* hotel.
Take a city tour to Gandan Monastery where you will see a huge gold plated Buddha, the symbol of Mongolian national pride and cultural revival.
And there are other highlights - Sukhbaatar Square and National Museum of Mongolia - where you will see artifacts from Mongolia and Central Asia from the Stone Age to present time.
Excursion to Zaisan Hill Memorial to get your bearings with a panoramic view of the whole city.
Overnight in the hotel. (L+D)
Meet our driver in the hotel lobby and be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ulgii town. Ulgii’s population is mostly Kazakhs (93%), descendants of kok-turk nomads of central asia. We differ a lot although Mongols and Kazakhs stand united under Mongolian flag. Enjoy the town’s marketplace.
Overnight in a local hotel. (B+L+D)
Take a drive to Tsambagarav Mountain and visit Kazakh family. There, you will have an opportunity to experience their way of life, their culture and traditions. Have lunch with a Kazakh family while you enjoy a spectacular view of the Holy Tsambagaraw mountain.
Back to Ulgii and overnight in a local hotel. (B+L+D) (170km)
Today we will have a full day drive following Tsagaan Gol Valley (White River) to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (a.k.a The Holy Five). Altai Mountain range is Mongolia’s largest and highest mountain range with high peaks over 4000 meters above sea level.
“Shiveet Hairhan” Sacred Mountain is a famous spot, where you will see the largest petroglyph galleries date back from the period of bronze age to Huns (approx. 200 B.C.).
Overnight in local ger. (B+L+D)
Take a horseback trek to the Altai Tavan Bogd referring to the peak “Huiten '', the highest- 4374m. Enjoy this stunning setting with the awe-inspiring massif snow capped peaks. You will reach out the 30km long enormous Potanin’s glacier, an ancient ice river that was discovered in the 19th century by explorer Potanin.
Back to camp and overnight in local ger. (B+L+D)
After early breakfast, drive via Ulaankhus soum through desert-mountain plateau. Meanwhile, snow-capped beautiful Sogoog Mountain will make your eyes happy.
Overnight in the local hotel. (B+L+D) (200km)
Meet our driver in the hotel lobby and be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ulgii town. Ulgii’s population is mostly Kazakhs (93%), descendants of kok-turk nomads of central asia. We differ a lot although Mongols and Kazakhs stand united under Mongolian flag. Enjoy the town’s marketplace.
Overnight in a local hotel. (B+L+D)
During the festival, we also see some Kazakh Traditional Horse Games like “Bush Kushi" (fight for the goat skin on horseback), Try to "Kiss woman on horseback" while lady is beating the man with horse whip, "Pick up flowers from the land on horseback" etc.
Transfer to the airport and fly to UB. Today is your chance to do some shopping for souvenirs and cashmere in Ulaanbaatar. Later in the evening, you will attend a live Mongolian traditional music and dance performance. A perfect ending for a perfect journey.
After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. (B)
Price & Date
Tour cost, departure dates, and price differences
Pax based price
Pax 1
5,346 USD
per person
Pax 2
3,286 USD
per person
Pax 3
2,727 USD
per person
Pax 4 or more
2,355 USD
per person
Tour schedule
What's included
Accommodation, transport, meals, guide, and entrance fees covered
Services included
Std twin room at 4* hotel
2 person per tent, camping equipment
Private transfers
Shared accommodation at Ger camp
Private transfers English speaking guide
All meals as listed
All entrance fee
Camel ride
Internal air tickets - free luggage allowance is 15 kg
Letter of Invitation
Services not included
Personal expenses
Optional activities
Camera fee for museum & monastery
Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
Single supplement
Good to know
Important tips, weather, packing advice, and local travel notes
The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
Accommodation
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
Meals
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
Transport
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
Personal things to bring with you
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
Reviews
Genuine traveler feedback from real experiences in Mongolia
Discover Mongolia with Discover Mongolia
We chose Discover Mongolia after reading their reviews and they were as helpful and experienced as I had hoped.
Our tour included the Nadaam festival (which was the hightlight of the trip) and a trip out to the west of the country (Olgii) to visit the eagle hunters and experience the vast landscapes which were awe inspiring.
From the moment we were collected at the airport to the moment we left the country the tour guides were there to make sure that we were looked after. They spoke perfect english and the restaurants they chose were excellent too - You won't go hungry on a Discovery Mongolia tour!!
During the planning of the trip every email was answered quickly and their professionalism was very evident. I would definitely recommend this tour company if you are planning a trip to Mongolia.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Altai Mountains — vast, beautiful landscape and free-spirited, hospitable people
I had a customized 10-day hiking trip in the Altai mountains. It was for 2 guests.We enjoyed the natural wonders in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, our hardworking support crew (including Mongolian, Kazakh, and Tuvan) and nomadic culture. We had a simple daily routine — hiking (or long-distance riding in a Russian-made van), eating breakfast and dinner freshly made by our cook, (lunch was usually packed for us), and sleeping in a tent. It was physically challenging to not have the comfort we were used to, but mentally it was very satisfying!Besides seeing peaks and valleys, glaciers, rivers, lakes, and lots of wildflowers, some trip highlights include seeing prehistoric petroglyphs of local animals, waking up to a white world on July 1st, trying grilled marmot at a Tuvan family, attending a Naadam festival in a village, etc.I've already passed the Discover Mongolia Travel information to friends interested in Mongolia.
Golden Eagle Festival- thank you Shinee!
We thoroughly enjoyed the Golden Eagle Festival through Discover Mongolia Travel. Shinee and our driver went way beyond to ensure that our experience was magical. From carefully planned meals to accommodate my vegetarian restrictions to additional cultural experiences that gave us great insight to this fascinating culture. I highly recommend Shinee and Discover Mongolia.
Altai mountains and eagle festival
Had an amazing trip. Zaya and Ebo and the rest of her team were so lovely and accommodating. Driving around in the wilds of Mongolia in a Russian "bread van" and staying in traditional Gers was a fabulous adventure and an experience I wont forget easily. The food provided was delicious and plentiful. Everything was smooth and they helped with all my queries. Mongolia is an amazing and beautiful country.
My awesome Mongolia trip
Just got back from an incredible nine-day tour in Mongolia, and I have to share how amazing it was!
**Khangai, Our Driver**
First off, our driver Khangai was a total gem. He had this hilarious laugh that could brighten up even the longest drives. Seriously, his sense of humor made the trip so much fun—he turned every bumpy ride into a good time!
**Togosoo, Our Guide**
Then there was...
You Should Definitely Discover Mongolia!
Mongolia had been on my bucket list for years, and Discover Mongolia did not disappoint! My friend & I did the 8 day Taste of Mongolia Tour. Our guide Altantogos was very accommodating and so helpful, as well as knowledgeable and friendly. And our driver was a real card! We didn't even speak the same language & we were making jokes with each other. The trip was the perfect length & we got to see a good bit of the country. The landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful, and the people are friendly & kind. I can enthusiastically recommend Mongolia and Discover Mongolia.
from 2,355 USD