7D Golden Eagle Festival,
Sep 28 – Oct 04, 2011,
Mongolia
Join us for the 9th annual Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia’s beautiful Bayan-Olgii Province. Last year, over 40 Kazakhs participated with their specially trained Golden Eagles. Spectacular events include competitions based on speed, agility, and accuracy of these magnificent Golden Eagles and some great Kazakh traditional games such as Kokbar, archery and traditional horse racing etc are also organized on the festival days.
photo credit: tiarescott
This fantastic festival celebrating the Kazakhs’ honored Golden Eagle is also a celebration of Kazakh traditional heritage. In order to maintain the event as a festival for the Kazakhs themselves, attendance is limited. The highlight of thhis fantastic trip is interacting with the Kazakhs and other ethnic groups and living with them for a couple of days to take part in the eagle training and get to know about the unique Kazakh culture.
Itinerary
Day 01 / Sep 28 / Singapore – Beijing – Ulaanbaatar (-/-D)
On arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to hotel. Visit the Museum of Mongolian National History and the Sukhbaatar Square. Traditional Folk Concert in the evening.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Days 02-03 / Sep 29-30 / Ulaanbaatar – Olgii (B/L/D)
We fly to Olgii, the center of Bayan-Olgii province. Visit the city museum and the mosque. Transfer to an eagle hunter’s and see their lifestyle. Take part in the eagle training for the festival and hunting.
Overnight at the Kazak Ger.
Days 04-05 / Oct 01-02 / The Golden Eagle Festival (B/L/D)
On these 2 days we will witness the fantastic Eagle festival. Competitions begin with each Kazakh displaying his hunting outfit and accessories. The most elaborate and beautiful adornments receive the highest marks. Later, the Golden Eagles are evaluated for their speed and agility. Interesting kazak traditional games such as Kokbar, Kazak archery etc will also takes place.
Meals and overnight at the tourist Ger Camp.
Day 06 / Oct 03 / Olgii – Ulaanbaatar (-/-D)
After breakfast we take the flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Visit the Gandan Monastery, Bogd Khaan’s Palace Museum and the Buddha Park. Farewell dinner.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 07 / Oct 04 / Ulaanbaatar – Beijing – Singapore (-/-D)
Transfer to the airport after breakfast.
Land Cost
Prices in SGD Dollar per person
- SGD $*** Twin
Package Validity
- Sep 28 – Oct 04, 2011
Land Cost Includes
- Accommodation in hotel, ger camps
- Guiding and interpreting service
- English-speaking guide
- Festival ticket & arrangement
- Flights to/from Olgii + airport taxes
- Renting transport + driver with petrol, maintenance
- All meals according to the itinerary /all kinds of drink is on your own
- Sightseeing and cultural show admissions according to the itinerary
- Entrance fees for protected areas and national parks
Land Cost Excludes
- All **flights and airport taxes to Ulaanbaatar
Package Validity
- Sep 28 – Oct 04, 2011
Golden Eagles Festival
Historically, nomadic Kazakhs depended on Golden Eagles for hunting. The Berkut Association is a community-based association consisting of local Kazakhs who are committed to preserving their traditional heritage and conserving the Golden Eagle. All proceeds from the festival’s ticket sales will go to the Berkut Association, which will use these funds to further the goals of the organization including arranging the Golden Eagle Festival each year.
One of the last true wilderness areas of Asia, the stunning beauty of the magnificent Altai Mountains will be the backdrop for this extraordinary Eagle Festival. A highlight of any trip to this region is interacting with local Kazakhs and learning about their unique culture. Approximately ninety percent of the population of Bayan-Ulgii is Kazakh and though their pastoral-nomadic lifestyle is similar to that of Mongolians,’ these Kazakh-speaking nomads are predominantly Moslem. Passed down from their Turkic ancestors, many Kazakhs still hunt with trained Golden Eagles whose vision is eight times more acute than humans.’ Female eagles are preferred since they are believed to be more aggressive and weigh as much as fifteen pounds (nearly one-third more than the males). Kazakh women are renowned for their skills in embroidery and appliqu?-hand-crafted felt carpets line the floor of their gers and delicately embroidered tapestries adorn the walls in a dazzling mosaic of colors.
Notes
Accommodations will include ger decorated with Kazakh wall hangings, with sharing facilities. Food will be simple and meat-based.
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