Photographing Winter Migration of Nomads tour

 ITINERARY

Day 1 ARRIVE TO ULAANBAATAR

Met at airport by local guide and driver. Take to hotel for the night. Dinner and introduction to the City. Take to Money exchange for local currency. En route, visit the big Sukhbaatar Square, centre of the City. Overnight accommodation will be in a hotel. (L-D)

Day 2 TAKE FLIGHT TO OLGII

Olgii is highest Mongolian aimag (province). For the most part is located in the Mongolian Altai mountain region. The aimag is famous for the traditional hunting method using trained golden eagles. An estimated 80% of the world`s eagle hunters live here.

At local airport you will be met one of our representatives: driver, English speaking tour guide, and cook. We will drive from airport to the small community of Ulaankhus. In this river valley, our host Kazakh eagle hunter Bashakhan and his family have their cozy winter house, where you will be warmly welcome.  Have a dinner with family. Accommodation will be in a ger. (L-D).

Day 3 PREPARATION FOR THE MIGRATION 

Packing and taking down winter camp and A full day spent with our host family to help them to pack up all their belongings and get ready to leave the next day. Accommodation will be in a ger. (B-L-D).

Day 4 FOLLOW THE LIVESTOCK MIGRATION 

For the next 4 days we accompany family in their epic migration in Altai mountain ranges. The work starts early on migration day. Not only is the family ger dismantled but the animals have to be rounded up – although they often migrate in their separate herds. The animals seem to know the routine by instinct. After all, migration is a cyclical routine.

Traditionally the men rode on horses, Women rode on horseback or on the pack animals and Bactrian camels were traditionally used to move possessions. Everything is made ready and prepared for moving: ger parts, carpets, pots and pans, shelves, stoves. Nowadays, if the family has access to one, trucks are used for moving the ‘home.’ Start moving, Accommodation will be in a ger. (B-L-D).

Day 5 MIGRATION

During the nomads migration you will have the chance to take photos of the, Livestock, herdsmen, landscapes, Lakes and the snow-capped mountains. The herding families don’t need to rely on maps or GPS devices; they use the sun, the shape of hills and mountains and landmarks to find their way.

Day 6-7 MIGRATION TO TSENGEL KHAIRKHAN 

We’ll awake to the fresh mountain air and stunning morning glow of the Altai mountain range, and start moving towards to Tsengel Khairkhan snow-capped mountains, A place with high altitude and beautiful landscape. (B-L-D).

Day 8 ARRIVE AT THE HERDERS SPRING CAMP 

After crossing frozen lakes and mountain passes, we’ll reach our host family’s spring place with their livestock. The Family will get busy settling into their new house. . (B-L-D).

Day 9 RELAXING DAY

Full day relaxing in new place of nomadic family. Photographing and exploring neighborhood area. . (B-L-D).

Day 10 HUNTING WITH GOLDEN EAGLE ON HORSEBACK 

After having a breakfast eagle hunter shows you his magnificent golden eagle and give some informations about very old eagle hunting traditions in western part of Mongolian Altai. After that you will meet your Mongolian horse and saddle up go to the mountains following up the Eagle hunter and his eagle. Once you reach the top of the mountain, the eagle hunter take off the hood from the eagle. The “Khaguchi” another team member will try to flush out the eagle’s prey, by chasing the prey towards to the hill that eagle hunter and guest will be. The eagle will screech to be released, once it sees its prey, the hunter let the eagle swoop down the mountain for catch.

Day 11 HUNTING WITH GOLDEN EAGLE ON HORSEBACK

More riding and hunting with golden eagle. During your stay with eagle hunter’s family, you’ll follow him by horse to the neighboring mountains. Eagle hunters only hunts in winter month, when it is easy to spot the gold colored foxes against the snow. The hunter use his eagle hunting small animals such as fox, Corsac fox and hares. If you are lucky, you will see how the golden eagle catches it’s prey, and take many photos of all the action. (B-L-D).

Day 12 DRIVE BACK TO OLGII 

After breakfast we’ll drive back to Olgii city on the way we’ll stop for watching Dear stones or Bal bals. In Olgii you will visit local Bazaar (outdoor market) and central museum of Olgii province. Time for shopping local art and souvenir.   In the evening “ Grand Altai  travel” team organize a wonderful short musical concert to include Kazakh folk song, Kazakh traditional dance, and you can listen to the amazing sound of “dombra” that Kazakh main traditional musical instrument. (B-L-D).

Day 13 TAKE FLIGHT BACK TO ULAANBAATAR

After breakfast you will driven to the local airport with your guide for your return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to your hotel. . (B-L-D).

Day 14 FAREWELL TO MONGOLIA 

Transfer to airport for your return flight home. Have a safe trip! (B)

TOUR PRICING

• 2-  $2500 per person
• 3 – 4 $2300 per person
• 5 – 8 $2000 per person
• 9 – 12 $1850 per person

INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE

• All meals during the trip
• All accommodations during the program
• Transport with car including gasoline
• Local guide
• Cook
• Visa support

EXCLUDED

• International flights
• Local flights Ulgii-Ulaan Bataar
• Visa
• Travel insurance
• Charges for excess baggage
• Airport taxes
• Individual equipment
• Drinks and extra charges in hotels and inns
• All alcoholic drinks
• All costs not specified in “Included”

Background

Is this trip suitable for you?

This is a type of specialized trip with elements of adventure. As this trip is taking place in the middle of Winter, If you can't stand the cold weather, harsh climate, we don't recommend you this type of trip. But if you are fit enough to make this trip and you are professional photographer, come and join us. If you have your own idea of travel, contact us for customized tour packages.

Accommodation

Twin or king size bed rooms in local hotels or Kazakh yurt in our Ger camp for a choice, with all needs met for comfort staying. In the countryside, you share the herders teepee or ger, stay with the family.

Meals

In Ulgii city, you have choice between restaurants with traditional Kazakh dishes, traditional Mongolian dishes, European and Turkish dishes. Everyday different taste. When you are in the countryside, our high skilled expedition chiefs are eager to cook your meals in place.  If you are vegetarian or on a diet by your physician, restricted from some kinds of foods and beverages because of your health problems, just let us know about it. We choose and make a food specially for you.

 Guides

Our experienced English-speaking guide-translators will guide you through whole expedition and lead you through the rich cultural and natural heritages here in Bayan-Ulgii.

Tour vehicles

This tour includes round-trip tickets to Ulgii and back. Regards to transport inside a province, rigid axle four wheel drive vehicles such as Russian made jeep UAZ 469, Russian made van UAZ 452 furgon, Japanese Landcruisers are used because of road condition and vast area of mountain ranges. We provide in accordance with group members and complexity of trip itself, Russian vans and Toyota Landcruisers for traveler and another van for luggage and cooking staff.

Weather condition in the area when you are planning your trip.

Winters here in Bayan-Ulgii is usually very cold, with snowing and wind, going down to -40 C in the coldest months. So, make sure that you bring the warmest available clothes and spare socks, warm jackets with you. Visit www.weather.com for weather forecast for the time when you are planning your trip before you plan your trip.

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