Mongolia

What country on this planet has the ability to conjure up more mystery than Mongolia, the land of Genghis (Chenggis) Khan? In what other country do horses, camels and yaks outnumber people?

 

Designed to exceed a photographers and adventurers wildest dreams, our journey to the Bayan Ulgii Provence of Mongolia’s far West will give you an exclusively intimate experience with eagle hunters, their daily village life, and their unique culture. Come to Mongolia with us before it is overrun with tourism like so many other parts of the world. Visit a country whose people are genuinely delighted to see foreigners and whose very smiles are the perfect indication of their warm welcome.

 

Wild Focus Expeditions’ co-owner Jami Tarris will personally escort and host you during this exciting adventure into the land of the eagle hunters. Jami personally knows the terrain as she has ridden with the hunters and their golden eagles into the Altai Mountains. She lived with a family of a renown hunter and eagle master and will give you opportunities to experience life with the Kazakhs. As a professional, award winning photographer, Jami will give you the opportunity to take photographs that you will be proud to share with your family and friends. She has hand-picked locations and events that will provide you with exciting cultural and landscape images that you won’t be able to capture anywhere else.

During this trip, you will have the chance to leisurely meander around Kazakh villages learning about their culture, or, if you feel adventurous, you can ride along with the eagle hunters on a special breed of horse, the famed Mongolian pony. It is said that, "a Mongol without a horse, is like a bird without wings". Mongolia has a human population of 3 million people and an estimated population of over 3 million horses. Mongol horses live in temperatures ranging from 86º F in the summer to -40º F in the winters and they search for their own food. Precious mares’ milk is processed into the national beverage called 'airag'. Horses serve as honored and revered riding animals - you will not meet a Mongol who does not have a love for horses.

On this exciting expedition, you can opt to ride Mongolian horses along with descendants of Genghis (Chenggis) and Kublai Khan on their home turf. You will sleep in total comfort in traditional Mongolian tents known as gers (yurts) which are made of a circular latticed wood structure covered with layers of thick felt. They are heated by a burning wood stove and furnished with traditional painted furniture. You will eat delicious food that caters to western standards cooked by our private chef. You will also attend the famed Golden Eagle festival, one of the most anticipated cultural events of local Kazakhs. Every year, both the eagle and the hunter prepare for not only the hunting season, but also to compete in this annual festival. Some participants come from as far as 250 kms (150 miles) away. Winning these games is a prestigious and significant event in the life of an eagle hunter. 

We are very excited to offer this new and exclusively unique trip. Mongolia is like no other place that you will ever travel. If you are looking for an exotic and culturally exciting experience that very few people have done, please join us in September 2020 for Mongolia Magic!

  • Duration
    13 days
  • Group Size
    10 people
  • Price

    $9,950.00 – $11,150.00

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Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar



Gers (Tents in remote areas where no hotels are available)


Letters correspond to points on the map in the map tab.


  • Day 1, September 28

     

    Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

    Arrive in Mongolia through Chinggis Khaan international airport and transfer to your hotel. After an orientation meeting, a welcome dinner follows.
    (Overnight Shangri-La Hotel, D)

  • Day 2, September 29

    Ulaanbaatar

    Today is a day to recuperate from our long flight. After a good sleep and breakfast, we will spend the day exploring Mongolia’s capital. We will begin the morning with a private blessing from a Buddhist monk at Gandan, Mongolia’s largest monastery. The 90-fot statue of Buddha stands in this temple. This statue is significant to Mongols as it represents Mongolia’s independence and democracy after the country’s democratic transition in 1990. The original statue was destroyed by the Soviets in the 1930s. Next we will visit the National History Museum. This museum offers an excellent introduction to Mongolia’s rich history. 
    After lunch, we can relax in our lovely hotel or enjoy local shopping before we meet for dinner. In the evening if we aren’t too tired, we will enjoy traditional Mongolian music and dance featuring Khoomii or “throat” singing. 
    (Overnight Shangri-La Hotel, B, L, D)
     

    Day 2, September 29

  • Day 3, September 30

     

    Bayan Ulgii

    Today, we fly to Bayan Ulgii, a province in the far west of Mongolia and home to Kazakhs and other ethnic groups. Though Kazakhs’ pastoral-nomadic lifestyle is similar to that of the Mongolians, these nomads are predominantly Moslem. Upon arrival, transfer to the banks of Hovd river not far from Ulgii city. Check into your private camp. 
    (Overnight in Private Ger Camp, B, L, D)

  • Day 4 - 5, October 1-2

    Golden Eagle Festival

    We are now in the beautiful Altai Mountains. Each year, just as the winter hunting season is starting, Kazakh eagle hunters from near and far attend the festival with their Golden Eagles, known as Berkut. Dressed in full eagle regalia and mounted proudly on their decorated horses, the hunters compete to show off their skill and training of their eagles to hopefully win the honor of being the best eagle hunter. Eagle hunting has been practiced in Central Asia for a thousand years. Unlike many other fading cultural practices in the world, the Kazakhs have kept eagle hunting as an important part of their culture and traditions. The Golden Eagle Festival not only tests the bird’s courage and the hunter’s skill, but also the special bond between the hunter and the eagle. 
    The festival begins with a parade of proud eagle hunters showcasing their eagles to the public. After this parade, the festival begins. In the evenings, we will enjoy a traditional Kazakh meal followed by beautiful Kazakh singers performing on the last evening. 
    (Overnight Private Ger Camp, B,L,D).
     

    Day 4 - 5, October 1-2

  • Day 6-7, October 3-4

     

    Eagle Hunter photography

    With the Golden Eagle Festival coming to an end, we will continue our Mongolian adventure by spending time on our own with eagle hunters in their villages. Today we drive to a small village of Sagsai soum to spend time with a young and proud eagle hunter and his family. This hunter will show us his unique riding skills thus allowing us wonderful photography opportunities in a gorgeous landscape. We will visit some local families and learn about Kazakh culture and tapestry making.  
    (Overnight in Ger, B, L, D)

  • Day 8 - 10, October 5-7

    Altai Soum, Eagle Hunter Photography

    We will drive further west to the village of Altai soum. Here we will spend the following days riding on horseback with eagle hunters. We will go hunting with them and be able to photograph them in their mountainous landscape. We will include a trip to the northern entry of the Yolt Valley - one of the scenic areas where parts of the “Eagle Huntress” movie were filmed.
    (Overnight Private Homestay, B,L,D)
     

    Day 8 - 10, October 5-7

  • Day 11, October 8

     

    Ulgii

    After breakfast, we drive back to Ulgii. We will have a packed lunch with us so that we can stop along the way to photograph the beautiful landscape. When we arrive in Ulgii, we can visit a local flea market. 
    (Overnight local hotel, B,L,D)

  • Day 12, October 9

    Ulaanbaatar

    This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. We will arrive at the hotel in the  afternoon, where we are on our own for lunch and have a free afternoon to relax or shop.  Farewell dinner.
    (Overnight Shangri-La Hotel, B,D)
     

    Day 12, October 9

  • Day 13, October 10

     

    Departure

    After breakfast or depending on our outbound flight, we will transfer to the airport for our international flight home. We will take home with us many unique and fascinating experiences from this historically and culturally rich country. We won’t forget the people and their beautiful smiles. We send you home with these as permanent memories. 

Included

  • Accommodations in hotels based on double occupancy
  • Private gers and Bell tent camps while traveling in the countryside
  • Private Chef
  • Domestic flights as indicated in the itinerary
  • Land transportation using Toyota Land Cruisers seating 3 passengers each
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure at each destination
  • All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
  • Horseback riding (Golden Eagle Festival, Eagle hunting)
  • Bottled water
  • Photography fees / special photography shoot opportunities
  • Wild Focus Expeditions Trip Leaders
  • Local English speaking Mongolian Guide 
  • Local Kazakh Interpreter / Guide

Not Included

  • International Airfare
  • Any expenses of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary
  • Tip and gratuities to drivers and national guide
  • Travel Insurance (strongly recommended - https://wildfocusexpeditions.com/travel-insurance/)
  • Excess baggage fees

Participants on this trip should be fit and capable of hiking up steep mountain trails that are rocky and uneven (if they opt to do so). The hikes won’t last longer than an hour as we will only be hiking for the views and photographic opportunities of the mountainous vistas. We will take our time, and our guide and drivers will be available to carry camera gear and/or daypack.

We can opt to ride Mongolian horses with Kazakh eagle hunters. You do not need to be an experienced rider. We will be able to attend the Golden Eagle Festival on horseback with the eagle hunters. We will also be walking the horses to accompany the eagle hunters as they hunt in the mountains. If you do not feel comfortable on horseback, a Mongolian wrangler or an eagle hunter can lead you on your horse allowing you to be hands free. You can then sit back, enjoy and even take photographs as you ride. For the more experienced riders, you will absolutely be able to show off your equestrian skills while in Mongolia. Please let your Wild Focus Trip Leaders know in advance that you would like to ride alone with the eagle hunters. The hunters will be thrilled! These activities are optional only. If you opt out of riding, you can meander through the Kazakh village to observe the Kazakh daily lifestyle and spend time with these beautiful and friendly people. Our guide will accompany you.
Mongolia’s tourist infrastructure is far from being developed. Do not expect western standards while on this trip. You can be assured that you will be one of very few people who have travelled to Mongolia. Tourism is just now burgeoning and so you will benefit in many ways to be among the first to travel here. Mongolians are extremely friendly and they welcome foreigners. They are proud of their country, their history and are happy to share their culture with you.
The accommodations in the Mongolian countryside are very basic  (but comfortable) due to the remote locations that we will visit and will be the equivalent of luxury camping (similar to an African safari).  We will either be staying in gers (yurt is the Turkish word) or we will be staying in a private Homestay - a house where the eagle hunter and his family stay during the winter.  Gers are portable, round tents covered with felt. They are used by the nomadic groups throughout the steppes of Mongolia. In either accommodation, there is no indoor plumbing, indoor toilet or shower.  The toilets are outside and we will have them prepared for us prior to our arrival to make them as comfortable and convenient as possible. We will accommodate our clients' needs and can answer any specific questions via email.
The hotels in the countryside are also very basic but in general, very clean. On occasion, you may be able to get a shower with hot water. Please know that this is a very special trip. You are going to be among the first to have the most unique experiences while spending time with the descendants of the great warrior and leader, Chinggis Khaan.
We will have a private chef accompany us throughout the trip. Our chef will fly in foods and ingredients to prepare meals of our choice and liking.  We will be able to accommodate any special dietary needs. Trying and eating local foods will only be by request of our trip participants.
For our participants who have an appreciation for beautiful landscapes, animals, traditional culture, history, possess a sense of humor, flexibility and spirit of adventure, your expedition to Mongolia will be a trip of a lifetime for you and will be remembered always. Traveling in Mongolia cannot be compared with any other country. The few creature comforts that are temporarily missing from this trip will be long forgotten after the trip is over. When we arrive back to our luxury hotel in Ulaanbaatar, you will be in awe of the things you have seen and experienced over the past few weeks. The land of Chinggis Khaan and his proud people will be with you forever. We look forward to seeing you in Mongolia.

Expedition Leaders

Theo Allofs, portrait

Theo Allofs

Mongolia is a landlocked country between two behemoths: Russia and China. It took a wise and powerful warlord, Chinggis Khaan to alter history. In 1206, he founded the Mongol Empire, the largest and most powerful empire the world has ever seen.  Today Mongolia is the fourth most sparsely populated country in the world with more horses than people. Its rich history and enigmatic culture make it an intensely exciting land to explore. Join us to the "Land of Eternal Blue Sky" and discover the Magic of Mongolia.

Tarris_Mongolia_03_19_05461

Jami Tarris

Mongolia is one of the most exciting countries that I have ever visited. I fell in love with it after my first trip. The culture is intensely rich, the landscapes are stunning and the powerful history of warriors like Chinggis Khaan have shaped Mongolia into a proud, warm, lively and fascinating nomadic people. Mongolia is three times the size of France, there are more horses than people, and a third of the population is still nomadic: I have yet to find another country as fascinating as Mongolia.

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