Living with the Kazakhs

Living with the Kazakhs

The tradition of hunting with Golden Eagle has been practiced by Central Asian nomads, Kazakh and Kyrgiz, for thousands of years. In 2008 this unique tradition of capturing, training and hunting was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. And now it’s your opportunity to join a Kazakh eagle hunter family and live with them in the High Altai mountains.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Pass By: Ulaanbaatar City Museum, Peace Avenue, Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital city. We meet our guide at the airport, and head to the city center. The short drive passes through the shanty town inhabited by those who were once nomads, but have neglected their traditional lifestyle in the hope of finding a little fortune in the city, which not too long ago has seen some rapid development. The urban landscape quickly changes into expansive shopping malls and brand new residential complexes, shifting again to the scenes of the city center, where modern high-rises are quickly built amidst soviet-era buildings. After checking into our hotel, and if time permits, we will have an orientation tour of the city center through the central square. Right at the heart of the square we see the figure of D. Sukhbaatar, one of the heroes of the communist revolution of 1920’s, boldly raising his arm towards the statue of Chinggis Khan, the nation’s forefather whose name wasn’t allowed to be mentioned during the 70 year communist reign. We then visit the National History Museum, which holds a permanent exhibition on the different civilizations that have inhabited the territory of Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present. This exhibition includes a significant display of objects from the era of the Great Mongol Empire. From here we take a short walk to the drama theater where we attend an impressive folk concert, featuring some traditional Mongolian art forms. After a welcome dinner, we drive back to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 4-star hotel

Day 2: Fly to Ulgii and drive to our host family

Pass By: ulaankhus stadion, Biluu, Mongolia
After breakfast we fly to Mongolia's western-most province of Bayan Ulgii, which is mostly inhabited by Kazakh people. The Kazakh have brought with them their rich cultural heritage, music, handicrafts and the ancient tradition of Hunting with Golden Eagles. We will land at Ulgii, the provincial capital, where we will visit the local market and museum, which provides an insight into the contemporary lifestyle of the Kazakhs and the history, the flora and fauna of the region. We then drive 1-hour to west to meet our host family. Overnight with the family preparing for the upcoming 3 days eagle training demonstration.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with a Kazakh family.

Day 3: Eagle training demonstration

Pass By: ulaankhus stadion, Biluu, Mongolia
We mount our horses and stimulate our Golden eagles and begin the eagle training demonstration in the Altai Mountains. Upcoming three days are dedicated to learning about the ancient custom of hunting with the Golden Eagles as well as daily chores of a Kazakh household.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Kazakh family house.

Day 4: Daily lives of the Kazakhs

Pass By: ulaankhus stadion, Biluu, Mongolia
Daily life with the Kazakhs and demonstration of training Golden Eagles.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Kazakh family house.

Day 5: Exploring the area

Pass By: Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, China Border-Sagsai Rd Olgii city, Olgiy 83120 Mongolia
Visit to Baga Oigor petroglyphs site

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Kazakh family house

Day 6: Visit local school and hospital

Pass By: Bayan-Ulgii Governor's Office, Ulgii, Mongolia
Today we head back to the town of Ulgii. Driving through Altai mountains and rivers we visit secondary school in a village to learn about the education system of Mongolia and if lucky we get to visit the local mosque and join a prayer. In the late afternoon we arrive in Ulgii and check in to our hotel for a good night sleep.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Local hotel in Ulgii.

Day 7: Wild life at Khustai Nuruu

Pass By: Khustain Nuruu National Park, Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
Taking the first available flight, we return to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we will meet our driver and guide, and embark on the 2 hours’ drive to Khustai Nuruu Strictly Protected Area (SPA). The SPA was established as part of a unique project to reintroduce the world’s last surviving wild horses back to their natural environment. On the brink of extinction during the last century, only a very few Takhi or Przewalski’s horse were left in zoos around Europe. This graceful steppe horse was returned to Mongolia, and today, thanks to this special project, two herds again roam the Mongolian steppes.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in ger camp.

Day 8: Back to civilization

Pass By: Gobi, Industrial Street 3rd khoroo, Khan-Uul District, Ulaanbaatar 110000 Mongolia
We enjoy a morning of leisure, resting from the past few days of intensive exploration. After lunch at the ger camp, we drive to Ulaanbaatar for free shopping time in the afternoon. Mongolia is world renowned for its fine cashmere and you will find this and many other souvenir items in the city.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 4-star hotel

Day 9: Departure

Pass By: Ulaanbaatar International Airport, UNAP Rd, Mongolia
After breakfast at our hotel, we drive to Chinggis Khan Airport for our international flight back home.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.