Classic Eaglehunting, 2011-2012

Eaglehuntinh is a Altai Kazakh tradition dting back about 2000 years(Marco Polo mentions it).Kazakh people use female eagles as they are one-third heavier than the males and far more aggressive.The eagles are trained to hunt hairs,wild cat,ibex,foxes and wolves(eagles have eight times more acute than humans),and release them to the hunter, who clubs the prey to death.

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

Arrive Ulaanbaatar,capital of Mongolia .Transfer to the hotel .Time permits,visit the Zaisan Hill War Memorial with a panoramic view of the entire city. This evening ,celebrate your arrival with Mongolian Food. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2: Around UB

Explore Gandan Monastery,Buddhist center in Ulaanbaatar.See Natural History Museum featuring a collection of dinosaur fossils and artifacts produced in Mongolia and in Mid-Asia dating from the Stone Age,with a good display of Mongolian art and culture.Overnight in hotel.

Day3: To Olgiy

Come to airport to catch the flight to Olgiy city.Fly 3hrs. Transfer to our guesthouse and have a lunch.After lunch,start to drive to east about 150km(about 4hrs) and reach Ongar’s family.Meet Ongar and his family.See the his magnificient bird.

Days 4-7: Eaglehunting

The Mongolian Kazakhs use for hunting female eagles as far they are bigger mail ones and more aggressive.These eagles are trained to hunt foxs,wolves,rabbit and wild cat.Every day going side by side with eaglehunter to hunt mostly fox we learn and enjoy this unique customes of the Mongolian Kazakhs.We have the chance to visit some Kazakh families and feel the grade hospitalities.Every evening we stay with the Kazakh Dombro Player(traditional musical instrument with two strings).

Day 8-9: To Altai Tavan Bogd

Today after driving about 6hrs , we reach our road end.This is home place of Tuvan people,who don’t have any religion.On the way we will stop near Mountian Shiveet Hairhan(Holy Mountian).Tuvan people respect this mountian like their god,so no hunting.There are about 400 ibexs.On the southeast side of this mountain,you will see the biggest rock printing(petro-glyphs) from the period of the Huns (approx 200 B.C.). The Huns were the reason for the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi to build the Great Wall of China.Next day, day hike by the edge of the 20km long Potanina glacier, that runs down from the highest mountains in Mongolia. Tavanbogd means “The Holy Five” referring to the peaks of Huiten (4374m and the highest), Tavan Bogd,Malchin, Burget and Nairamdal. It is a stunning setting with the awe inspiring massif of high snow capped peaks.Overnight with local Tuvan family.

Day 10: Drive back to Olgiy

Driving by northwesternly route, we will be able to have beautiful views of the entire Altai Mountains range.On the way we will visit some Kazakh local Eaglehunter’s family. Aftrenoon drive to Olgiy.Have a dinner in “Blue Wolf” restaurant and have a Kazakh short concert.

Day 11: Fly To UB

Transfer to the airport and fly to UB approx.4 hrs.Overnight in hotel.

Day 12: Fly out

Transfer to airport and depart UB

Some recommendations: Eaglehunting season in Mongolia are from midAugust to end of March. The western Mongolian winters are cold and dry with occasional snow,but most days have clean blue sky and strong sun. The temperature can fluctuate as much 20 degrees centigrade between day and night.

What to bring: Warm and light clothing, binoculars,a hat,gloves,long underware for travel in the high mountains,comfortable footware,lip balm,sanitary hand wipes,sunglasses,prescription medications,(if needed),flashlight.

Transport: For eaglehunting , local Kazakh people use horses.The services of some herdsmen will be hired by the expedition, and they will provide us with their animals.

Staff: A local guide who speaks English and Mongolian will accompany the group at all times.A cook will follow, with an assistant.In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals.The horsemen follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where we will be riding.

Meals: Our cook will prepare the meals.We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt to both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips.There are always vegetables available, and we have no problem accommodating vegetarians on our trips.For breakfast we can usually buy fresh yogurt from the herdsmen in the local area.

Price: USD 1740 per person (min 2 members)

Group size: 2-8 Discounts available for groups

Date: 2011-2012 If there is enough participants, this journey can be done any time during the period from the middle of August through the end of March.