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MONGOLIAN Golden Eagle Festival Gobi dunes workshop Oct 2011
The Eagle Hunters of Mongolia in the heart land of Asia
October 2011 Gobi workshop October 1- 13 2011
Mongolia lies at the heart of Asia, on the balance between China, and the vast wilderness of Siberian Russia. This huge, sparsely populated land encompasses a fabulous array of pristine landscapes and a nomadic people whose lives are in many ways unchanged from the days of Genghis Khan and the mighty Mongol Empire.
This guided soft adventure tour offers a wonderful chance to take part in the annual Golden Eagle festival organized to support the revival of the magnificent Golden Eagle hunting heritage of the Kazakhs and travel this land of legends and comprehensive introduction to this varied, ancient and extraordinarily beautiful country, visiting regions that many other tours do not cover. This journey takes you to the Western Mongolia Byan-Ulgii province, home of the Kazakh Eagle Hunters and the Altai mountains.
Landscape and cultural sightseeing blend easily in Mongolia – you will have the chance to visit families of nomads, remote Buddhist monasteries and traditional eagle hunting events. We will spend two days at the eagle festival which is a serious hunting competition with the Kazakh eagle hunters. This tour has been designed for the maximum photographic opportunities and interaction with the eagle hunters. After the festival we will have a day of exclusive photography with eagle hunters their eagles in traditional dress and with their horses.
The area that the eagle hunters live and compete is an ancient area devoid of many modern conveniences. Hotels are virtually non existent in this region so we will stay in a traditional ger camp constructed, especially for our stay in Byan-Ulgii. Ger camps are very warm and comfortable. Showers and other amenities are provided in a facility separate from the Ger. Food is prepared and served in a special restaurant with a fixed menu. The ger has electrify for lap tops, lighting and batteries. There are internet Cafes in the town center. All experienced travelers who roam rarely have the opportunity to stay in a ger camp. Mongolian ger camps have been developed to be used as accommodation from the traditional Mongolian nomadic home. A ger has comfortable highly decorated bedding, a central wood and coal burning stove a work area that resembles a desk. They vent from the roof where windowing arrangement lets in daylight. They are electrified and brightly lighted.
The people are beautiful and charming and very proud of their culture and traditions. We will have an interpreter exclusively available the whole time were are here.
When the Russians left Mongolia they left behind many military camps, equipment and typical Russian accommodation and apartments. The traditional Ger camps are terrific and that is all there is.
The capitol city is Ulaanbaatar which is the main arrival point and an important stop on the trans Siberian express from Moscow to Beijing. If you desire to leave by rail to connect home either out of Moscow or Beijing this can be arranged. The Capital is very dusty and bustling with commerce and activity.
To travel this far just for the eagle festival seemed to be missing something so we have pared it with a visit to the Gobi desert and will set up numerous photo opportunities with the camel herders on the dunes and along water. Again we will stay in a Ger camp. This Gobi tour has been developed as a photo workshop.
Eagle Festival. 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 take place.
Both of the tours involve a two hour round trip flight on a Saab 340. We have been assured by the airline that we will be able to have a our camera equipment handled exclusively and as fragile and high priority baggage. More about that in the trip briefing.
Please note if a hotel without a swimming pool is roughing it for you this tour probably will not make you happy. If you indeed want the to have access to some of the most unusual photographic opportunities that are only rarely even seen in National Geographic then you certainly will find this a most unique experience.
Ulaanbaatar is serviced by air from Moscow which is not recommended. Recommended travel is from Narita Japan and Seoul Korea. It is very important to note that service is not daily. Our Travel consultant Ray will help you with any travel arrangement or needs.
Visa are for Mongolia not required for USA passport holders visas are required for China and Russia.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Twin accommodation in hotel, ger camps
Guiding and interpreting service
Renting transports + driver
Meals according to the itinerary
Sightseeing & cultural show tickets
Eagle Festival tickets and arrangements
Domestic flights + Tax
Entrance fees for national parks
Return ticket confirmation
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
International Airfare + Tax
Travel insurances
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, etc.
Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary)
$300 Deposit
balance due 90 days before departure date
Eagle festival $2690
Single supplement $270 - not always available
Gobi desert work shop $2280
Single supplement $ 245
Sample Photos
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