MONGOLIA

Golden Eagle Festival & Gobi Desert

TOUR DATE : OCTOBER 1-12 , 2025

In Search of Dragons & Eagles

Join us in the mountains of western Mongolia for the annual Golden Eagle Festival before traveling to the legendary fossil beds of the Gobi on this unique and exciting adventure.

Experience the wild scenery and traditional cultures of the Altai Mountains, where Kazakh nomads celebrate their magnificent hunting eagles in a thrilling two-day festival. Continue to the canyons and sand dunes of the Gobi, explore the Flaming Cliffs and Yol Valley, two of the desert’s most scenic and fascinating destinations, as well as the ancient petroglyphs at Havsgait.

Nomadic Expeditions’ Founder and CEO Jalsa Urubshurow co-founded the Golden Eagle Festival as a way to help preserve the traditional cultural heritage of Kazakh hunters. All proceeds from the festival’s ticket sales support the Berkut Kazakh Association, a community-based organization comprising of local Kazakh eagle hunters, conservation leaders, tourism representatives, government and non-profit officials. They use the funds to further the goals of the organization, including the annual Golden Eagle Festival.

DATES:

October 1-12, 2025 (12 Days)

6 – 14 TRAVELERS:

$9,995 Per Person

INTERNAL AIRFARE:

$1,350 Per Person

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:

$2,665 Per Person

INQUIRE

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Land Price Includes:

Ground transportation in Mongolia as described in the itinerary;
Transfers upon arrival and departure;
All accommodations based on double or twin occupancy (hotel rooms and gers);
Meals as noted in itinerary;
Bottled/filtered water throughout the trip and soft drinks during meals;
Horse and camel riding as noted in the itinerary;
All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary;
Extensive pre-departure Travel Guide, reading list, important information about your trip;
Bilingual Nomadic Expeditions guide throughout your stay.

Land Price Does Not Include:

International airfare; internal airfare is quoted separately and subject to change by airlines;
Tips to guides/drivers;
Passport and visa fees;
Comprehensive medical and trip insurance;
Airport taxes and excess baggage charges;
Photography and video fees;
Food and beverages not included in the group meals;
Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry and telephone calls;
Other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Itinerary

DOWNLOAD FULL ITINERARY

Days 1-2

Welcome to Ulaanbaatar

Upon your arrival on Day 1, your guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to a centrally located hotel. On Day 2, explore the vibrant contrasts of Ulaanbaatar, where traditional gers and Buddhist monasteries sit alongside modern high-rises. Stroll through Sukhbaatar Square, named for the revolutionary leader, before visiting the Chinggis Khan Museum, showcasing over 10,000 artifacts that span 2,000 years of Mongolia’s history. After lunch, continue to the National Museum for a deeper understanding of nomadic life, before enjoying a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.

Day 3

Fly to Bayan Ulgii | Tolbo Lake

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Ulgii, capital of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s westernmost province. Ninety percent of the population here is Kazakh, Mongolia’s largest ethnic minority. On arrival, drive to crystal-clear Tolbo Lake, which mirrors the dramatic Khunguin Mountains. This saline lake attracts numerous birds such as swans and gulls, and is home to over eight different types of fish. Spend the afternoon trekking along the eastern shore of the lake. Next, drive to your ger camp.

DAYS 4-5

Golden Eagle Festival

The festival opens with a parade of Kazakh hunters on horseback, showcasing their eagles and intricate hunting attire. Golden eagles are released from a cliff, judged on speed and skill as they land on their owners’ arms. After dinner, enjoy a traditional Kazakh performance of dance and music.

The next day, eagles pursue fox skins, evaluated for grip and agility. Hunters compete in kukbar—a horseback tug-of-war—and other games like Tenge Ilu and Kyzguar. The festival concludes with an awards ceremony and a celebratory dinner.

Days 6-7

Ulaanbaatar / Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian dancers and khoomi throat singers. The folowing day, drive to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, set within the Khentii Mountains, to explore its vast landscapes and the towering Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue. Inside the statue’s base, discover Chinggis Khan’s historic golden whip and ascend to an observation deck on the horse’s head, offering panoramic views of the Mongolian steppes. Then, head to Terelj National Park for a scenic hike to Aryabal Monastery before returning to Ulaanbaatar.

Days 8-10

Gobi Desert Excursions

Embark on a flight to Gobi for a three-day exploration of its breathtaking landscapes, teeming with unique fauna and wildlife like Bactrian camels and Ibex. Navigate the Yol Valley National Park’s beautiful canyons in the Altai foothills, observing the bone-marrow feasting Lammergeiers. Immerse in nomadic traditions with a local family, engaging in their daily routines. Ascend the Havsgait mountainside to discover ancient Bronze Age petroglyphs. Conclude the journey at Moltsog Els’ sand dunes and the Flaming Cliffs, aglow at sunset, an iconic paleontological treasure trove discovered by American Museum of Natural History in 1923.

Days 11-12

Return to Ulaanbaatar

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, visit the Dinosaur Museum, showcasing the spectacular fossils found in the Gobi Desert. On display are fierce Tarbosaurus fossils (closely related to Tyrannosaurus rex), dinosaur eggs, and many others, all of which illustrate the richness and importance of the paleontological sites in the Gobi Desert. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant. Last day, transfer to the airport for departure.

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