Mongolia - Tsaatan and Kazakh Eagle Hunters

Trip full

Based on 6 participants: $23,350 per person

What country on this planet has the ability to conjure up more mystery than Mongolia? In what other country do horses and camels outnumber people? On this very unique expedition, you will ride horses to reach remote camps to live side by side nomadic reindeer herders known as the Tsaatan and you will have a chance to ride along with descendants of Chinggis and Khubilai Khaan on their home turf as they hunt with their eagles.

Sleep in traditional Mongolian tents known as gers, made of a circular latticed wood structure covered with layers of thick felt.  Experience a Golden Eagle festival in the far-western province of Bayan Olgii. Golden Eagle Festivals are one of the most anticipated cultural events of local Kazakhs. All year long, both the eagle and the hunter prepare for not only the hunting season but to compete in festivals showing their eagle hunting skills as well as the close bond developed with their eagle. Winning these games is a prestigious event in the life of an eagle hunter.

Originally from across the border in what is now the Tuva Republic of Russia, the Dukha or Tsaatan are one of the last groups of nomadic reindeer herders in the world. When the Soviet Union closed the border to Mongolia in 1944 , the Tsaatan fled from Tuva to settle in Mongolia. They had good trade relationships with Mongolian herders in the Mongolian steppes and they were afraid of losing their animals due to Soviet collectivization.

The Tsaatan live very differently from the rest of the world. Their entire sense of community is structured around their reindeer. The reindeer and the Tsaatan are dependent on one another. They say that if the reindeer disappear, so will their people.

Come with us as we live amongst their nomadic communities on the taiga (boreal / snow forest) which are a group of tents from two to seven households that move camp to find optimum grazing for the reindeer. The men live in the open air with the herds in the winter months protecting them from wolves - their ultimate predator and enemy of the Tsaatan/Dukhas. Join us as we hopefully meet a traditional shaman and learn about their mystic practices.

In the far west province of Mongolia called Bayan Ulgii live the Kazakhs. In the 13th Century under Chinggis (Genghis) Khan, this nomadic culture started hunting with eagles - namely golden eagles. Today there are an estimated 250 eagle hunters in Bayan Ulgii which is located in the Altai Mountains. This custom involves hunting with golden eagles on horseback. They primarily hunt red fox, hares, marmots and rabbits. On occasion, and depending on the particular eagle, they may hunt wolves, the sworn enemy of the Kazakhs and most Mongols. Wolves predate precious livestock (yak calves, reindeer and goats) of the Mongolians.

To obtain their eagles, the eagle hunters either climb treacherously steep cliffs to capture their eagles as fledglings still in the nest or trap them when they are less than a year old. They only use female golden eagles who are larger than the males and more ferocious hunters. The eagle hunters create a unique, special and very close bond with their eagles. They work together as a team while hunting, and the eagles often times live in the home of the hunter and family.

When the eagle grows to about 7 years of age, the hunter releases her back into the wild. This is a very emotional time for each hunter after spending so many years together as friends and hunting partners. We will meet perhaps the most famous eagle hunter, Dalaikhan, who is well known in Mongolia for his eagle hunting skills and who was also featured in the first scene of the movie called ‘The Eagle Huntress’.

This is a special trip to Mongolia specifically designed to learn about two very unique Mongolian cultures. We will fly in our private Cessna to avoid long drives and commercial airports. Private runways for our plane will allow us to land as closely as possible to the nomads to shorten our travel time and allow us maximum time with these gentle, kind hearted people.

This will be a unique experience not offered by any other company.

Please read the physical requirements (see below) for this trip and let us know if you have any questions.

  • Duration
    15 days
  • Group Size
    6 people
  • Price

    $23,350.00 – $24,050.00

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Print Itinerary

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Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar


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


  • Day 1, July 11

     

    Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

    Arrive in Mongolia through Chinggis Khaan international airport. Upon arrival, meeting with the local guide and transfer to Shangri-la hotel. After a short city tour, orientation meeting, followed by a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant. If you arrive early, you can take the opportunity to explore the main sqaure. Today is the beginning of Mongolia's biggest national holiday called Naadam and there are many events occurring around the city.

    (Overnight Shangri-La Hotel, D)

  • Day 2, July 12

    Ulaanbaatar

    We will spend this day exploring sights and sounds of Mongolia’s capital during the Naadam festival. The Mongol word Naadam means 'games'. Naadam originally was a way to train young men with military skills: every soldier needed to be able to ride fast, to shoot arrows and wrestle with enemies during combat on their horses. In Mongolia, with its scarce population and nomadic ways where individual herders live far apart from one another, it was important to come together from time to time for training. The festival was traditionally known as "eriin gurvan naadam" meaning "the three games of men" - horse racing, archery and wrestling. As time passed, it became a way to celebrate important events and not necessarily with the same men participating in all three sports like they did in ancient times.

    During Naadam, even a city-dweller puts on his best and traditional costume and joins everyone to celebrate these games. In these games, fame and honor are more important than the prizes. There is no betting involved in any of the sports. We will be able to join our Mongol friends to witness this colorful festival where the best archers,  athletes, and the fastest of horses from around the country come together to compete for 3 days for the honor of being named the best of the best.

    In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful performance of traditional Mongolian music and dance, featuring Khoomii or “throat” singing, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

    (Overnight Shangri-La Hotel, B, L, D)

     

    Day 2, July 12

  • Day 3, July 13

     

    Hovsgol

    After breakfast, charter flight to Hovsgol province. After a quick refueling stop in Murun city we transfer to the Darkhad valley. Historically hard to access, this land is rich with coniferous taiga forests of Ulaan Taiga, high mountains of Horidal Saridag, and crisscrossed with hundreds of small streams, dozens of rivers and lakes. Upon arrival, transfer to your campsite in vehicles. Prepare for riding to Western taiga region. Overnight in Bell tents.

    Overnight in Bell tents (B, L, D)

  • Day 4 , July 14

    Western Taiga

    Today we use horses to go over a mountain pass to visit some of the reindeer herder families and explore the famous Darkhad valley.

    The Darkhad valley of Mongolia is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The summers are never warm enough to thaw the land, so permafrost limits the growing season. The nomads living in the valley can predict the carrying capacity of the land. They migrate south for the winter to avoid over- exhaustion of the land. Southern slopes of mountains thaw during the day turning the ground into mud, so the best way to get through these stretches is to use horses both for riding as well as carrying gear. Arrive at the reindeer herder’s camp.

    Dinner and overnight (Bell tents; B, L, D)

     

    Day 4 , July 14

  • Day 5-7, July 15 - 17

     

    Western Taiga

    Spend the next three days exploring the culture and daily routine of Dukha Tsaatan people of Darkhad Valley. Originally from Siberia, Tsaatan, which means “those who have reindeer” have settled in northern Mongolia less than 100 years ago. Tsaatan raise their reindeer primarily for milk. Reindeer milk, reindeer yoghurt and reindeer cheese are the staples of local diet. The reindeer also provide transportation. Because the taiga area is typically hilly and covered with forest, reindeer are not used for pulling sledges, but for riding and as pack animals. They take the Dukha Tsaatan for daily grazing, hunting, the collection of firewood, seasonal migrations, visiting relatives and friends, and traveling to the sum for shopping and trade.

    Shamans of Dukha are well known and feared throughout the country. We will learn about peculiarities of the shaman trade and history of this ancient religion which survived the perils of persecution from the Buddhist government in the 16-17th centuries and later by the communist regime in the 20th century. Spiritual traditions of the Mongolian nomads are powerfully defined by shamanist beliefs. In shamanist traditions, ancestors and natural features are held sacred, and serve as a source of strength or insight for individuals identified as shamans in the community. Herders rely on shamans for advice and healing, and for communicating with spirits, ancestors, or nature, which occurs through ritual and the calling of spirits, or ongots. Each shaman has distinct abilities and characteristics, and may be male or female, old or young.

    Overnight in  Bell tents  (B, L, D)

  • Day 8, July 18

    Ulaan Uul / Murun

    We make our way back to Ulaan Uul soum center to meet our chartered plane and transfer to Murun, provincial capital of Hovsgol province.

    Overnight at a Ger camp on outskirts of the city (B, L, D)

     

    Day 8, July 18

  • Day 9, July 19

     

    Ulaanbaatar

    Today we fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we transfer to the Shangri-La hotel. Rest of the day is free and dinner is on your own.

    Shangri-La HTL  (B, L)

  • Day 10, July 20

    Ulaanbaatar

    Spend the day relaxing after your time in the west or exploring the capital of Mongolia, shopping at local producers of cashmere and other Mongolian items. The Shangri-La is connected to one of the nicest malls in the city. This is a perfect day to reflect on all that you have seen and to once again enjoy the creature comforts that you have missed during your adventure with the Tsaatan people.

    Overnight Shangri-La HTL (B only - L, D on your own)

     

    Day 10, July 20

  • Day 11, July 21

     

    Bayan Olgii

    Today we fly to Ulgii city in western Mongolia, capital of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia's westernmost province. Upon arrival, drive through spectacular mountain valleys, following the Sagsai River, to our campsite. We stay in a ger camp set up just for our group.

    (Custom Ger camp: B,L,D)

  • Day 12-13, July 22 - 23

    Altai Mountains

    This isolated area of Mongolia has preserved the language, culture and traditions of the Kazakhs and provide some of the most spectacular scenery in Mongolia. Many Kazakhs in Bayan-Olgii  maintain traditional semi-nomadic herding by moving with their animals several times a year and living in Kazakh-style gers (larger and taller than a Mongolian ger) during the summer. Unlike gers in other regions of Mongolia, traditional Kazakh gers have no support columns in the center of the ger. Kazakh women are renowned for their skills in embroidery and appliqué., and their gers are decorated in a dazzling mozaic of colors.

    Spend these next two days with Kazakh eagle hunters. You will have an opportunity to meet a group of eagle trainers, who hunt with their eagles for fox and hare during winter months. You will meet a Master eagle hunter named Dalaikhan who is a close friend of Jami and Theo. He was featured in the movie, " The Eagle Huntress" and has trained a few young female eagle huntresses. Dalaikhan is quite well known in Mongolia for his eagle hunting skills.

    Passed down from their Turkic ancestors, many Kazakhs still hunt with trained Golden Eagles. Female eagles are preferred since they are believed to be more aggressive and weigh as much as fifteen pounds (nearly one-third more than the males). Spend a day learning from the hunters, visiting their homes and riding along to watch them train their beautiful eagles and help document this centuries-old tradition. If you would like, you will have a chance to learn how the traditional dish of Bisbarmak is made.

    Ovenights; Private Ger Camp (B, L, D)

     

    Day 12-13, July 22 - 23

  • Day 14, July 24

    Fly Back to Ulaanbaatar

    Transfer  to Olgii city. In the afternoon, fly back to Ulaanbaatar to rest up and overnight at the hotel before your flight home tomorrow. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant

    Overnight Shangri-La Hotel (B, L, D)

  • Day 15, July 25

    Depart Ulaanbaatar, Flight Home

    This morning we say “goodbye” to the warmth and hospitality of the Mongols and their beautiful and culturally rich country. After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

    (B)

    End of services

    Day 15, July 25


Included

  • Accommodations in hotels based on double occupancy;
  • Private gers and bell tent camps while traveling in the countryside;
  • Private chartered Cessna Caravan used for northern Mongolia
  • Commercial flights used for western Mongolia
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers;
  • Land transportation as indicated in the itinerary using Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps seating 3 passengers each;
  • All meals (indicated as B, L or D);
  • All entrance fees as indicated;
  • Team of horses used for riding and transporting our gear and camp to the Tsaatan camp
  • English speaking national guide and translator
  • One Wild Focus guide

Not Included

  • International airfare
  • Any expenses of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry
  • Drinks not mentioned in the itinerary;
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Meals not listed on included list
  • Tip and gratuities to drivers and national guide
  • Travel Insurance (strongly recommended - https://wildfocusexpeditions.com/travel-insurance/)
  • Photography and video fees and any other item not mentioned as included.
  • Medical evacuation costs

Participants on this trip should be very fit and capable of hiking up mountain trails that are rocky and uneven. We will take our time, and our guide and drivers will be available to carry camera gear and/or daypack if required. Horseback riding will be a part of this journey as we will used horses to transport us to the Tsaatan camp. We will only need to ride for one day to locate the camp. If unable to ride, walking along the horse caravan is an option. Vehicles will be completely unable to go to the remote location of the Tsaatan in their summer camp.

Mongolia’s tourist infrastructure is far from being developed. Do not expect western standards while on this trip, except for our hotel in Ulaanbaatar or you will come away being disappointed. You can be assured that you will be one of very few people who have travelled to Mongolia. Tourism is new and 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 extremely basic, even rustic due to the extreme remote locations that we will visit and will be the equivalent of camping. Please do not expect African safari-type of camping which is considerably less remote than Mongolia.  We will be staying in gers (yurt is the Turkish word) or bell tents (with the Tsaatan) that will be set up by our support staff.  Gers are portable, round tents covered with felt. Please do not expect the permanent ger camps that you may see on the internet. These permanent ger camps are located only in the Gobi Desert which is within driving distance to Ulaanbaatur.  Our ger camps will be mobile and the portable gers in our camps are the same ones used by the nomadic peoples throughout the steppes of Mongolia. While using gers, there is no indoor plumbing, indoor toilet or shower.  Our wonderful staff will set up toilets outside of our gers and we will have them prepared for us prior to our arrival to make them as comfortable and convenient as possible. We will also supply showers upon request. We will accommodate our clients' needs the best that we can and will answer any specific questions via email.

Please know that this is a very special customized 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 while in our camps. We will fly in foods and ingredients to prepare meals of our choice and liking.  We will be able to accommodate most 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, wildlife, 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 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, its wildlife, its pristine beauty and its beautiful proud people will be with you forever. We look forward to seeing you in Mongolia.

Expedition Leaders

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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