Gobi Desert & Golden Eagle Festival
Experience Mongolia’s vast Gobi landscapes and the ancient art of Kazakh eagle hunting at the spectacular Golden Eagle Festival.
OVERVIEW
Part 1 – The Mongolian Gobi Reimagined
Many people imagine the Mongolian Gobi as a vast, flat desert of sand dunes and barren dried mud. However, travelers quickly discover a very different reality.
The Mongolian Gobi Desert is an extraordinarily diverse region supporting a rich variety of life and landscapes. Some areas feature rugged rocky mountains covered with vegetation, fed by streams and natural springs that attract wildlife. Other regions offer spectacular views of deep blue mountains rising behind seemingly endless sand dunes.
Elsewhere, lush green oases, reed-lined streams, and vast steppes stretch to the horizon. Herds of sheep, goats, horses, cattle, and rare Bactrian camels roam freely across the plains or appear like mirages in the distance.
This remarkable diversity is one of the Gobi’s most unexpected and unforgettable treasures.
Part 2 – The Golden Eagle Tradition
Experience one of Asia’s most exclusive cultural events at the Golden Eagle Festival in western Mongolia. Set against the majestic Altai Mountains, this journey offers privileged access to an ancient tradition preserved by Mongolia’s Kazakh community for generations.
Spend two full days at the festival witnessing powerful displays of horsemanship and the extraordinary bond between eagle hunters and their birds. Beyond the public celebrations, enjoy rare personal encounters through private visits to eagle hunters’ homes, where stories, traditions, and daily life are shared firsthand. Taste authentic Kazakh cuisine, observe trained golden eagles up close, and capture unforgettable moments in an unspoiled cultural setting.
This refined journey blends heritage, exclusivity, and authenticity, offering discerning travelers an intimate glimpse into one of the world’s last living hunting traditions.
from $4995
COUNTRY OF LOVE
BRIEF INTENERARY
A structured outline of the expedition, highlighting the key destinations and natural transitions throughout the 14 day journey.
- 1Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
- 2Day 2: Tsagaan Suvarga
- 3Day 3: Yol Valley
- 4Day 4: Khongor Sand Dunes
- 5Day 5: Havtsgait Petroglyphs & Flaming Cliffs
- 6Day 6: Ongi Monastery
- 7Day 7: Karakorum
- 8Day 8: Hustai National Park
- 9Day 9: Ulaanbaatar City Tour
- 10Day 10: Flight to Khovd
- 11Day 11: Golden Eagle Festival
- 12Day 12: Golden Eagle Festival
- 13Day 13: Flight back to Ulaanbaatar
- 14Day 14: Departure
Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel. After some rest, enjoy a half-day city tour introducing Mongolia’s history and culture. Visit the National History Museum to explore traditional tools, crafts, and historical exhibits. Continue to Sukhbaatar Square, the heart of the capital, before ending the day at Zaisan Memorial Hill for a panoramic view of the city.
Accommodation: 4★ Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Drive south into the Gobi Desert to reach Tsagaan Suvarga, also known as the White Stupa. These towering white and pastel-colored cliffs were formed by wind and water erosion over millions of years, revealing ancient layers of sediment like pages of Earth’s history.
At sunrise and sunset, the cliffs glow in shades of gold, pink, and orange, creating a surreal atmosphere. From the top, enjoy vast panoramic views stretching endlessly across the Gobi Desert.
Why visit Tsagaan Suvarga?
- Witness one of Mongolia’s most dramatic geological formations
- Walk along colorful sediment layers shaped over millions of years
- Enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of the Gobi
- Experience stunning sunrise and sunset colors
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, drive to Yol Valley (Yolyn Am) in Gurvansaikhan National Park. Carved by an ancient river, the valley features steep rock walls, lush vegetation, and a unique microclimate where ice can remain until late summer.
Despite being in the Gobi, the valley feels cool and green, offering gentle hiking opportunities and chances to observe wildlife.
Why visit Yol Valley?
- Experience a cool mountain canyon in the heart of the Gobi
- Walk through a narrow gorge with seasonal ice
- Observe wildlife such as ibex, marmots, and bearded vultures
- Enjoy an easy scenic hike
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue deeper into the Gobi to the Khongor Sand Dunes, the largest sand dunes in Mongolia. Rising dramatically from the desert floor, the dunes form an ever-changing landscape shaped by wind and light.
At their base lies a green oasis fed by the Khongor River. Camel riding is available, offering a classic Gobi Desert experience.
Why visit Khongor Sand Dunes?
- Climb Mongolia’s highest sand dunes
- Experience camel riding through desert oases
- Hear the dunes “sing” when the wind blows
- Capture dramatic sunrise and sunset views
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Havtsgait, a remote mountain area home to Bronze Age petroglyphs carved over 5,000 years ago. These ancient images depict hunting scenes, animals, and early nomadic life. From the higher points, enjoy endless panoramic views across the Gobi steppe.
Later, continue to the Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag). After some rest at the camp, hike through the red sandstone formations where the world’s first dinosaur eggs were discovered. As the sun sets, the cliffs glow in deep orange and red tones.
Why visit Havtsgait & Flaming Cliffs?
- Explore prehistoric rock art and ancient nomadic history
- Visit one of the world’s most important dinosaur fossil sites
- Enjoy dramatic desert scenery and sunset colors
- Experience quiet, less-traveled cultural landmarks
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early in the morning, depart Bayanzag and drive north toward Ongi Monastery. The journey crosses wide steppe and semi-desert landscapes. Upon arrival, after some rest, explore the ruins of this once-great Buddhist center founded in the 17th century and destroyed during the 1930s purges.
Why visit Ongi Monastery?
- Learn about Mongolia’s Buddhist history
- Reflect in a peaceful desert setting
- Walk along the Ongi River surrounded by open steppe
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, continue north to Karakorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire. Along the way, observe how the landscape transitions from desert to wide open steppe.
Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery, built from the ruins of the ancient capital.
Why visit Karakorum?
- Explore the heart of the Mongol Empire
- Learn about Mongolia’s role in global history
- Experience vast steppe landscapes rich in heritage
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Hustai National Park, home to the Przewalski’s horse (Takhi), the world’s only truly wild horse. Once extinct in the wild, the Takhi was successfully reintroduced here. Explore the park while observing wildlife in its natural habitat.
Why visit Hustai National Park?
- You can see the last remaining species of a true wild horse living freely in its natural habitat.
- Rolling grasslands, forested hills, and wide-open valleys showcase the classic Mongolian steppe ecosystem at its best.
- Besides the Takhi, the park is home to red deer, Mongolian gazelles, marmots, foxes, wolves, and a wide variety of birds.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early in the morning, return to Ulaanbaatar. Visit the Gandan Monastery and observe the morning chanting ceremony. Free afternoon & dinner is on your own.
Accommodation: 4★ Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, fly to Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii, a region renowned for its rich ethnic diversity and strong Kazakh heritage. The local Kazakh community shares many similarities with Mongolian nomadic life, yet maintains its own distinct traditions, language, and Islamic faith.
Upon arrival, explore the town and visit the local market, where you can browse beautifully crafted Kazakh handicrafts, including traditional textiles and handmade rugs. If time allows, visit a local museum showcasing the region’s cultural history and natural environment.
In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive to Tolbo Lake, a striking saline lake reflecting the dramatic peaks of the surrounding mountains. The lake is an important habitat for water birds such as swans and gulls and supports several species of fish.
Spend time walking along the eastern shoreline and visit a Kazakh nomadic family, gaining insight into their daily life, customs, and hospitality in this remote corner of Mongolia.
Accommodation: Local hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Golden Eagle Festival opens with a spectacular procession of Kazakh eagle hunters. Mounted on horseback and dressed in traditional hunting attire, the hunters proudly present their golden eagles, perched calmly on their arms as they enter the festival grounds.
Over the course of two full days, visitors witness an extraordinary display of ancient hunting skills passed down through generations. The festival features competitions that test the eagles’ speed, precision, and obedience, as well as the hunters’ mastery and bond with their birds. Beyond the contests, the event offers rich insight into Kazakh nomadic traditions, including horsemanship, cultural games, and everyday customs, making it one of the most authentic cultural experiences in Mongolia.
Festival Highlights
- Grand opening procession of eagle hunters riding on horseback with their trained golden eagles
- Eagle hunting competitions demonstrating speed, precision, and hunter–eagle teamwork
- Kokpar – traditional Kazakh horseback game involving goat-pulling
- Horseback skill challenges, including coin-picking at full gallop
- Traditional archery competitions performed by the Uriankhai people
- Horseback archery displays showcasing balance and control
- Traditional horseback wrestling highlighting nomadic warrior skills
- Evening Kazakh cultural performances featuring music, and dance
Accommodation: Local hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel. The last day shopping including a visit to Gobi Cashmere.
In the afternoon, attend a traditional cultural performance featuring music, dance, and throat singing. End the day with a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: 4★ Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Price
Tour Price per Person
2-3 pax: $5570 pp
4-6 pax: $5330 pp
7-9 pax: $4995 pp
Single Supplement: 520$
PS: These rates are calculated based on 2026 cost structures. For departures in 2027, prices may be subject to revision due to currency fluctuations (USD/MNT), supplier rate changes, and inflation. ________________________________________
Price Includes
✔ 3 nights in **** hotels in Ulaanbaatar
✔ 3 nights in local hotels in Ulgii
✔ 7 nights in ger camps
✔ Drivers & Private Land Cruiser transportation (Gobi & Bayan–Ulgii)
✔ Drivers & city transport in Ulaanbaatar
✔ Domestic flights (UB–Ulgii/Ulgii–UB)
✔ English-speaking guide
✔ Chef(s) in Ulgii
✔ Unlimited bottled water
✔ Golden Eagle Festival entrance fees
✔ Camel riding expenses
✔ Entrance fees to national parks & museums
✔ Meals as per itinerary
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Price Excludes
✘ International airfare
✘ Visa fees
✘ Travel & medical insurance
✘ Alcoholic beverages
✘ Personal expenses (laundry, bar bills, phone calls)
✘ Excess baggage charges
✘ Single supplements
✘ Photography & video fees (where applicable)
✘ Optional activities
✘ Tips for guides & drivers
✘ Gifts for nomadic families
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