12 days through your journey
Step back in time at the Chinggis Khaan Museum, dedicated to the ruler known as Genghis Khan in the West. View a sampling of rare artifacts from the Mongol Empire, guided by a local expert. Spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the city’s bustling streets, where Buddhist monasteries and Soviet-era buildings stand side by side. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Fly west to Olgii, a remote region in the Altai Mountains where the Kazakh people have preserved the ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles. Explore the Eagle Hunter Cultural Center, where the rich history of eagle hunting is preserved. Stop at striking Tolbo Lake to behold the beauty of its sapphire waters. Visit a local Kazakh family, gaining insight into their traditional way of life. End the day with dinner at your ger camp.
Today is the first day of the Golden Eagle Festival, an extraordinary gathering of eagle hunters competing in feats of skill and precision. Begin with the parade of eagle hunters, where Kazakh hunters in full traditional dress ride horseback while showcasing their majestic birds. Then catch the eagle-calling contests, and watch as eagles respond to their owner’s call, swooping down from the hilltops in a majestic display of speed and agility.
Bid farewell to Olgii and fly back to Ulaanbaatar.
Ride a Bactrian camel across the undulating dunes of Moltsog Els, just as Mongolian nomads have for generations. In the afternoon, visit the legendary Flaming Cliffs, where paleontologists first discovered dinosaur eggs more than a century ago. Marvel at the rugged beauty of this otherworldly terrain as the sun sets the cliffs ablaze in fiery hues. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at the lodge.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to meet your departing flight.