Eagle hunting is a traditional sport in Kazakh Altai, first appeared 2000 years ago and was also mentioned by Marco Polo.
For centuries Kazakh people used to hunt only with female eagles because they are far more aggressive than the male ones and heavier. The birds are trained to hunt for hairs, wild cats, ibexes, foxes and even wolves sometimes - their claws are as sharp as the blades, their sight is very keen if compare with human's, and the animal once caught, has no chances to get free out of these "Jaws of Death".
Day by day programme
Day 1 - Sep 16, Wed. Fly to Ulgii from Almaty
Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Bayan-Ulgii via Uskemen. Arrival to Ulgii in the afternoon. Upon arrival meeting by local Kazakh guide. Drive to the town for tea & coffee break. Continue driving towards east (3-4hours). On the way you can enjoy the picturesque view of the remote countryside landscapes. Visit to the Kazakh Eagle hunter's family. Dinner and overnight in his house.
Day 2-3 - Sep 17, 18, Thu, Fri - Festival with eagle hunters, riding on horseback |
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| Breakfast, riding on Mongolian horses. You will have a great opportunity to take part in this unique hunt, going side by side with real eagle hunters, hunting for foxes, rabbits, wild cats and even wolves. Picnic in the countryside. Try to hold an eagle on your own hand to be photo taken. Dinner and overnight in yurt camp (Kazakh traditional house).
Day 4-5 - Sep 19, 20, Sat - Sun Golden Eagle Festival
Breakfast. Meeting the eagle hunters, 2 rounds of hunting. This is a fantastic opportunity for adventures, tourists and photographers to see those magnificent birds so close. There are about 400 eagle hunters in Bayan-Uglii, all they gather together during this festival to show their birds, competing in speed, agility and endurance.
You will also see such national Kazakh games as: Kokpar - a goat's carcass being fight for to ride away with it on horse's back; Kyz Kuu - horse racing between a man a woman - if a man wins, he kisses a girl but if she wins - she beats him with a whip; and etc. In the evening - Kazakh concert with some traditional songs and music. Dinner and overnight in yurt camp.
Day 6-7 - Sep 21, 22, Mon, Tue - Explore Altai Tavan Bogd
Today we'll drive a bit further west. Bayan-Ulgii is rich in archaeological remains, as a reminder of the Bronze Ages and the times of Huns and Turkic conquerors.
In Altai Tavanbogd National Park, at the foothills of the Shiveet Haihan Mountain, where numerous Tuvan nomads do live, we will set up our camp. Shiveet Hairhan is a holy place for Tuvans.
Here we shall be able to see petroglyphs dated with 200 B.C.
Overnight in tents.
On the next day we'll do some hiking. There are about 20 glaciers in the neighbourhood, and this is the only place in the world where camels are still used for carrying luggage in the glacier areas. Because of the weather conditions in this time of the year it won't be possible to reach those glacier but the panorama will provide an undeliverable impression on tourists.
Dinner and overnight in yurt camp.
Day 8 - Sep 23, Wed - Fly to Kazakhstan
Today you'll visit local museum which gives complete information about the life of Kazakhs in Mongolia, their customs and traditions, about Bayan-Uglii with its exciting history, rich flora and fauna.
In the afternoon transfer to the airport for fly back to Kazakhstan.
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