Where Eagles Fly: The Gobi to the Altai
Unforgettable, Wilderness, Adventures.
What is your travel style
Highlights
The Golden Eagle Festival: Celebrates Mongolia's nomadic Kazakh traditions, focusing on the art of eagle hunting. Skilled hunters, or "berkutchi," display their trained golden eagles and hunting skills, offering a unique experience for those interested in culture, wildlife, and history.
The Great Gobi’s iconic sites: Include Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Yoliin Am Gorge, Bayan Zag (Flaming Cliffs), Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes, Tsagaan Agui (White Cave), and Buun Tsagaan Lake, Mongol Els (Mongolian Sand) among others.
Gorhi-Terelj National Park and Aryabal Meditation Temple, standing out for its great aesthetic value and its profound cultural connotations.
Khasagt Khairkhan: A mountain home to rare species like marten, snow-cock, ibex, argali sheep, bearded vulture, and snow leopard. It was designated a strictly protected area in 1995.
Ereen Nuur: Located in the Gobi-Altai, offers a striking contrast between the arid desert and its refreshing waters. The lake is crucial for local wildlife, providing a vital water source, and is a popular spot for birdwatching, attracting migratory species.
Khoid Tsenkheriin Agui caves: Located in Mongolia, are known for prehistoric cave paintings dating back about 20,000 years, depicting animals like mammoths and ostriches that once roamed the region.
Tumen Ekh Ensemble: A captivating performance of traditional Mongolian music, dance, and throat singing (Khuumii).
Tour summary
This tour combines three of Mongolia’s most popular packages: the Golden Gobi, Altai Mountains, and Golden Eagle Festival tours. It takes you to some of the country’s most iconic sites, including the birthplace of throat singing and the home of the elusive snow leopard, known as the ‘ghost of the mountains.’ Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyles of various ethnic groups, staying in gers (yurts) and camping in the wild near mysterious caves, all while enjoying magical sunsets by beautiful lakes.
We travel in 4×4 vehicles, accompanied by skilled desert drivers and knowledgeable guides, and provide an experienced cook to ensure your journey is smooth and well-supported.
The tour begins and ends in Ulaanbaatar, with the first two days spent exploring the capital city and nearby Terelj National Park. From there, we journey through the vast Gobi Desert, often under clear blue skies, before heading to the snow-capped Altai Mountains for our next adventure.
The Gobi Desert offers a vast, arid landscape with hot, dry conditions, while the Altai Mountains feature cooler, temperate weather and rugged, mountainous terrain. Both areas offer unique challenges and stunning beauty.
The Golden Eagle Festival is held in Sagsai, Bayan-Ulgii, where we’ll experience all the exciting events over the course of two days.
After the festival, you’ll return to Ulaanbaatar by domestic flight.
Customizable Itinerary

DAY 1

On arrival day, we’ll pick you up from the airport and settle you into your hotel. Then, enjoy a half-day city tour that includes visits to the Gandan Temple, Sukhbaatar Square, and the National Museum. The day will conclude with a taste of traditional food and a performance by the Tumen-Ekh Ensemble.

DAY 2

On the second day of the trip, we will visit the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and then head to the Aryabal Meditation Temple. You’ll have time for photography at the iconic Turtle Rock. In the evening, enjoy traditional Mongolian cuisine at a ger camp in Terelj National Park, where you'll stay overnight for the first time in a ger.

DAY 3

The Gobi region trip begins today. We’ll travel on tarmac all the way to Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), with a 30km off-road stretch to reach the site. This stunning natural landmark is known for its white, towering cliffs that resemble a Buddhist stupa. Shaped by wind and erosion, the cliffs showcase unique, multi-colored formations, making it a perfect spot for photography and hiking. Stay overnight in a ger.

DAY 4

After three hours of driving, we’ll stop for lunch in Dalanzadgad before continuing to the stunning Yoliin Am Gorge. In the gorge, you’ll have the option to either hike or horseback ride. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Bayan Zag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs. After a hot shower and some rest at the Ger camp, we’ll head out for a hike to explore the site and discover what makes it so famous.

DAY 5

By lunchtime, we’ll arrive at the majestic Khongoriin Els Sand Dunes, where you’ll have the chance to challenge yourself by climbing a 200-m-high dune and enjoy playing in the sands, all while soaking in the awe-inspiring scenery. Afterward, we’ll head to Bayanlig, with a visit to a nomadic family along the way. Stay overnight in a ger.

DAY 6

It’s a rest day in Bayanlig at the ger camp. We’ll take a short drive to explore ancient rock paintings dating back to 3000 BC and enjoy a hike around the impressive large rocks in the area.

DAY 7

Tsagaan Agui Cave is located to the northeast on our route. The 44m-long cave has four large chambers connected by narrow corridors. Renowned for its beauty, it also holds traces of ancient people who lived here 700,000-800,000 years ago. From there, we’ll head to Buun Tsagaan Lake, our next camping destination, where we’ll enjoy our first wild camping experience in tents.

DAY 8

One of our memorable days takes us to Khasagt Khairkhan Mountain, where we explore another beautiful gorge and hike around before staying overnight. On our way there, we will visit the Taishir Hydro Power Plant and Pencil Rock, both of which are worth seeing.

DAY 9

Take a 60km drive to Ereen Lake, located by the Mongol Els (Mongolian Sand Dunes) and the Zavkhan River Valley. You can hike around the area, play traditional games, and stay overnight in a ger camp.

DAY 10

Our next destination for the day is one of the largest caves, Khoid Tsenkheriin Agui (Gurban Tsenkher Cave). This cave preserves valuable ancient art painted in umber and red ochre. The drawings, dating back to around 40,000 years ago during the Upper Paleolithic period, depict animals such as stags, buffalo, oxen, ibex, lions, Argali sheep, antelopes, camels, elephants, ostriches, and mammoths. Stay overnight in a ger.

DAY 11

We spent the whole day driving to Ulgii, the largest town in the westernmost part of Mongolia. Before reaching our destination, we explored Khovd, known for being a multi-ethnic town and the central hub of the Western region. During autumn, we had the chance to buy some of the best fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and garlic.

DAY 12- 13

During the Golden Eagle Festival in Sagsai village, we visit a Kazakh nomad family to learn about their unique culture and way of life. The tradition of eagle hunting and the surrounding customs are fascinating, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We will stay overnight in a ger camp. If you'd like to experience living with a Kazakh family, this is a unique opportunity we offer.

DAY 14

We will return to Ulaanbaatar by domestic flight and stay at the Bayangol Hotel. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner.

DAY 15

On your departure day, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home and bid you a fond farewell.

Dates & Prices
DATES
DURATION
TOTAL COST
TOTAL COST INCLUDES THE DEPOSIT
2025.01.20
2025.01.30
10 Days
$2000
Book now
2025.01.20
2025.01.30
10 Days
$2000
Book now
2025.01.20
2025.01.30
10 Days
$2000
Book now
Included
All accommodations
All internal transportation
All food in Mongolia
All kitchen equipment
Tent
All sightseeing cost
All entry permissions
Not Included
Alcoholic drinks
Sleeping bag and mat
“The way of a canoe is the way of the wilderness, and of a freedom almost forgotten.” – Sigurd F. Olson