Altai Mountains and Eagle Festival

Today we fly to Ulgii, the main town of Bayan-Ulgii aimag (province). Once we get here we drive south to reach the edge of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

This ride takes us four hours. In the park meet our horses. We start with a safety briefing and pointers about the local riding style, and then begin matching you to your ideal horse. A ride around the local area in the evening will allow you to decide if this is the horse for you.

After breakfast we set off riding across arid open plains, stopping for lunch. The lunch will be in a good company of our wrangler Hatran's family at their summer camp along the way. 

We plan to camp on the shores of Chigertei Nuur, a lovely freshwater lake.

Today we will be climbing up to Jalanash Pass, snow-covered for much of the year, and over into a hidden world of alpine meadows, forests and fast flowing streams. 

We set our camp near a pair of ancient khun chuluu, or man-stones, from the Bronze Age. These are ancient stone structures that are believed to have spiritual significance. These stones are often found in remote and sacred locations, and are thought to be imbued with mystical powers by the local people. Many Mongolians visit these man-stones to offer prayers and seek blessings for health, prosperity, and protection.

A ride that we have planned for today is through a military checkpoint and in to the China border zone. We recommend keeping your passport handy, and your camera lowered. 

Then we reach our base camp, beside a fast-flowing mountain stream and nearby forest. If you're traveling in June, watch wild flowers blooming and how the horses are ready for action after the long winter. 

We plan a day ride so we can explore the local area. Then game trails up through dense forest will follow and we reach alpine grasslands. 

The views west in to China are spectacular. Keep a watch for elk and ibex. These majestic animals roam freely and graze on the abundant vegetation. Their presence adds to the rich biodiversity of this region, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

We go on a thrilling adventure as we load up the packhorses and follow the horse trails used by the border patrol. Our journey takes us down-river to establish a new base camp for the next two nights in a remote and breathtaking location. 

The landscape is truly spectacular, offering a unique glimpse into the untouched beauty of Mongolia. Riding through lush meadows and dense forests, we travel narrow game trails that lead us deeper into this horse trekking paradise.

If you're traveling in July, that means Mongolia is waking up and the summer begins. There's nothing cuter than a baby yak frolicking in a mountain meadow!

Today, we continue our exploration of the stunning Mongolian wilderness as we ride up high once again. The scenery is awe-inspiring, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The air is crisp and fresh, invigorating our senses as we navigate through the rugged terrain. 

As we follow the winding trails, we are surrounded by the natural beauty of Mongolia, a land like no other. This day promises to be filled with unforgettable experiences and breathtaking vistas.

Our journey comes full circle as we make our way back to our first base camp today. Riding high above the river valley, we reflect on the incredible adventures we have had over the past few days. 

The landscape unfolds before us in all its glory, offering a different perspective from our elevated vantage point. As we ride back to our starting point, we are filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the opportunity to explore this remarkable corner of the world.

Today let it be a rest day for the horses. It's hard country even for these amazingly tough horses, so they need to relax for a bit. 

You may be ready for a rest yourself. Relax and read a book, or go for a hike in search of wildlife.

If you're travelling in the beginning of autumn, then you already notice that summer in the Altai Mountains is brief and there's much to do. Local people are busy preserving dairy products and cutting hay for their livestock. There's always something interesting to see from your horse, or you can jump off and try your hand at hay cutting with a traditional grim reaper style scythe.

We continue riding up and over the Pass of Death. Though it sounds ominous, that's just the name we gave it when we first came this way many years ago. 

A series of steep switchbacks drops you down to the valley below. Even in summer, snow is always a possibility. By September, snow is likely. 

We will camp beside Khunt Nuur (Swan Lake). Khunt Nuur is a stunning freshwater lake surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, it is a popular destination for tourists seeking tranquility and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing, hiking, and horseback riding while taking in the breathtaking scenery of Khunt Nuur.

We ride down the valley and over to Shar Gobi Gol (Yellow Gobi River) today, where we first met the horses right back at the start. 

Today we make the most of the wide flat valley to do some fast riding, after all the mountain trails. For those who are keen you will find out just how fast these horses can really go. 

In the morning we have an informal mini-eagle festival and horse games and then drive back to Ulgii. 

We'll stay in a ger camp outside the town, and prepare for the festival. These camps provide traditional felt gers (yurts) equipped with beds and a wood stove for warmth. Usually, you will share a ger with a few other members of your group.

Hunting with eagles has been a longstanding tradition among the Kazakh minority in western Mongolia, and since 1999, it has been commemorated at the annual Eagle Festival in Ulgii. 

Eagle hunters from Bayan-Ulgii province gather to compete in various events that test their eagles' hunting abilities and showcase their proficiency in traditional horse games. In between competitions, attendees can browse through local crafts displayed on rugs and savor delicious khuurshuur, a type of deep-fried mutton pancake. Participants and spectators alike dress in elaborate outfits, including brightly colored rugs for camels. 

A crucial skill demonstrated at the festival is the ability to call back eagles after they have been released for hunting. During this event, eagles are set free from a nearby hilltop and must return to their handlers upon hearing a specific call. However, with multiple calls echoing from the crowd, eagles can become disoriented. Adding to the amusement, some spectators wear fox-fur hats, leading to comical situations where eagles mistake them for prey. 

Following is a test of the eagle's hunting abilities. Once again, the eagle is set free from a hill-top, but this time it must catch an animal skin being pulled behind the hunter's horse. Prepare your camera to capture the moment when the eagle swoops down from the sky. 

There are various spectacles to photograph, such as galloping camels, majestic eagles, or even local children who are curious about foreign visitors. Some of the most skilled eagle hunters from our riding area are friends of our team, so you may have the chance to meet them and their eagles in person.

One of the crowd favorites, especially among women, is Kyz Kuar, a race between a man and a woman where the woman chases the man on horseback and uses a whip. The goal is to display stylish whipping rather than causing harm, and maintaining a fast pace while keeping the horses close together is challenging.

Another event, Bushkazi, involves a tug-of-war with a dead goat between two riders who try to gain possession while riding around, sometimes even into the crowd. Despite its brutality, it is a thrilling spectacle that is fiercely contested.

Archery from horseback is also showcased at the festival, proving to be a challenging ancient skill. 

Depending on the flight time, we may be able to see the sites of Ulgii, including the local market, a women's craft cooperative, and the provincial museum. 

Anyway we will have to fly back to Ulaanbaatar. We will meet in the evening for our final group dinner and a well-earned drink.

You'll arrive at the capital city in the evening and overnight at the local hotel.

If you have time we will help with finding any last minute items to take home for friends and family, and you can see some more of the city. 

Finally we take you to the airport/train station and say bayartai.