Eagle Festival and Altai Mountains
14 days - Ulaan Baatar to Ulaan Baatar
The Altai Mountains form the border with China, in the far west of Mongolia. Local people are predominantly Kazakh, and the culture is distinctly different from the rest of the country, although still nomadic. In early October each year an Eagle Hunter's festival is held near the village of Sagsai in Bayan Olgii aimag (province), in the far west. It was originally started in order to help preserve ancient Kazakh traditions such as archery, camel racing, tug-of-war with a dead goat, and of course hunting with eagles. It is now a fantastic two days where local people show off their skills, meet old friends from throughout Bayan Olgii, and dress up in their finest traditional outfits. Before attending the Eagle Festival you will ride into the Altai Mountains.This remote and mountainous region of Mongolia is just crying out to be explored. Ride across barren and inhospitable terrain, over snow-covered mountain passes and though beautifully lush and forested valleys. There is a great variety of wildlife, including argali mountain sheep, ibex, bears and snow leopard.
Head on to the Eagle Festival for the highlight of your trip to Mongolia. All the locals dress up in their best outfits, which are spectacular; even the camels get to wear brightly coloured rugs. There is a general air of chaos with no clear line between contestants and the watching crowd -sometimes you end up closer to the action than you might like!
A crowd favourite (amongst the women at least) is the 'race between a man and a woman', in which the woman pursues the man, giving him a good whipping as they gallop across the steppe. The tug of war over a dead goat involves two riders holding each end of the goat and trying to pull each other out of the saddle as they gallop randomly about - including into the crowd. Brutal certainly, but a true spectacle, and very fiercely contested. It's quite incredible how far out of the saddle a rider can be pulled without actually falling.
For a real test of horsemanship, riders lean down out of the saddle at speed to pick up small targets off the ground. Very useful when you drop your hat. Archery from horse-back is another ancient skill on display, and evidently very difficult. Genghis Khan would not have been impressed! In the Mongolia of today it is not a skill in great demand (luckily for us).
When the riotous crowd of people, horses, camels and eagles gets too much, you can always pop into a ger for a cup of tea and khuurshuur (mutton pancake).
The itinerary shown below is only a guideline. The route is kept totally flexible to retain a sense of adventure with the only restraint being the need to meet up with the support vehicle each evening. The group size is kept small (max 8 people), to minimise any impact on the environment.
- Day 1 (L,D)
- Fly to Ogii.
- Day 2 (B,L,D)
- Drive south to Altai village (3-4 hours), meet the horses.
- Day 3 (B,L,D)
- Ride into the surrounding countryside to visit some local Kazakh people.
- Day 4 to Day 10 (B,L,D)
- Ride into the mountains of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, with vehicle support. There is no set itinerary - you are free to explore. The only restriction imposed is meeting the back-up vehicle each night.
- Day 11 (B,L,D)
- Drive to Sagsai
- Day 12 & Day 13 (B,L,D)
- Eagle Festival.
- Day 14 (B)
- Fly back to Ulaan Baatar
- Cost per Person:
- Ride Only: £950
- Includes: Transfers from Ulaan Baatar, internal flight,accommodation under canvas, meals as indicated and all riding. Accommodation in Ulaan Baatar for two nights (one night before departure, one night upon returning)is also included.
- All Inclusive: Prices on request. The best way to get to Ulaan Baatar is to fly via Moscow. Visas for Russia are not required if you are just transitting. If you are feeling really adventurous you might like to consider taking the Trans-Siberian express from Moscow to Ulaan Baatar. It takes 5 days, and you'll need a good book and lots of snack food. You will need to arrive in Ulaan Baatar at least a day or two before the dpeartiure of the ride.
- Single Supplement: None. You will be expected to share.
- Departure Date: 30 September
- Accommodation: You will be camping throughout the trip. Camps are set up in wild and remote places and have no facilities although the aim is to get to a well-watered campsite at the end of each day, where you can wash and perhaps swim. You will be sleeping in a simple two-man tent, which you will be expected to pitch yourself. You will need to take your own sleeping mat (therm-a-rest), sleeping bag and pillow.
- Food & Drink: The Mongolian nomad's diet is based around meat and dairy products. Basic staples, such as rice, flour and pasta, will be taken with you and fresh meat, delicious yoghurt, cheese and milk will be puchased from the local people. You are welcome to pitch in with cooking, so bring along your favourite yak recipe. Fresh bread is baked whenever possible. If you're vegetarian, Mongolia is difficult but not impossible - although your diet may be rather limited.
- Laundry: There will be the opportunity for you to wash/rinse out clothes and underwear.
- Children: Children are welcome providing they are competent riders and accompanied by an experienced adult rider.
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Non Riders: Non-riders are welcome. They can accompany the driver in the support vehicle, which is a great way to experience the local culture, as he visits his friends and family along the way. There is usually somewhere to dangle a line, as well as plenty of hiking and excellent birdlife.
