Immerse yourself in Mongolian culture. Witness the art of hunting with trained eagles at the Golden Eagle Festival, visit nomadic families, and explore the history of the Mongol Empire. Explore the rugged landscapes that Mongolians call home, and discover the art, music and beliefs they inspire.
Meet your tour leader at the airport in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s cosmopolitan capital, and settle into the iconic five-star Blue Sky Hotel, the only hotel located directly on Sukhbaatar Square, the city’s central plaza. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. (D)
Monday, September 30Ulaanbaatar
Explore cosmopolitan Ulaanbaatar, home to almost half of Mongolia’s three million citizens. Visit Gandantegchenlin Monastery, the center of Mongolian Buddhism, and trace the country’s history from the Stone Age through Genghis Khan to the present at the National Museum of Mongolia. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, October 1Nomadic Life
Experience life on the steppe. At the ger of a family of nomadic herders who pasture their animals near sacred Mt. Hugnu Khan, cook and share a meal and ride horses. Settle into an elegant ger ecolodge for a two-night stay in the shadow of Elsen Tasarhai, an area of sand dunes in the midst of the vast steppe grasslands. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, October 2Valley of History
Explore the history and legends of the steppe on a day trip to the town of Harhorin in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Orkhon Valley. Visit Mongolia’s oldest monastery, sixteenth-century Erdene Zuu. The monastery was built on and with the ruins of Karakourm, founded by Genghis Khan’s son as the thirteenth-century capital of the Mongol Empire. (B,L,D)
Thursday, October 3Ulaanbaatar
Return to Ulaanbaatar and attend a folk music and dance performance by the renowned Tumen Ekh Ensemble. (B,L,D)
Friday, October 4Ulgii
Fly to the town of Ulgii in the heart of western Mongolia's Altai Mountains and settle into a basic hotel, your home base for your three nights in the mountains. (B,L,D)
Saturday, October 5Golden Eagle Festival
Celebrate the art of eagle hunting, falconry with trained golden eagles, a tradition practiced by nomadic herders in the Altai. Just outside Ulgii, attend the first day of the annual Golden Eagle Festival, a two-day competition of dozens of eagle hunters. The festival also includes traditional sports, food, embroidery and a chance to enjoy the ruggedly beautiful mountain landscape. (B,L,D)
Sunday, October 6Eagle Hunters
Enjoy the second and final day of the Golden Eagle Festival. Visit the family of an eagle hunter and see how the hunter raises and trains his prized golden eagle. (B,L,D)
Monday, October 7Town to City
Spend the morning exploring town life in Ulgii, Visit the Ulgii Bazaar and the Ulgii Central Mosque. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, October 8Genghis Khan
On your last full day in Mongolia, see how contemporary Mongolia is shaping its future with an eye toward the past. On the steppe east of Ulaanbaatar, visit the towering 131-foot tall Genghis Khan Statue, built in 2006 for the 800th anniversary of the Mongol Empire. Return to the city for your farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
