Mongolia Sagsai Eagle Festival

After transferring to our hotel (around 60 mins) we will take a tour of the capital, & largest city in Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar (Red Warrior), situated on the Tuul River, on a windswept plateau at an altitude of 1350m. It is a city of contrasts, where modern meets tradition and bustle meets Buddhism. Included is the incredible Gandantegchinlen Buddhist Monastery (a Tibetan name that translates to 'Great Place of Complete Joy', that houses a 26.5-meter-high golden statue of Avalokiteśvara, a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. It was restored in 1990 and still functions as a monastery. The excellent museum also gives us a great overview of mongol history and the life and conquests of Chingiis Khan. Tonight we enjoy our first group dinner, and stay in a modern. Accommodation: Grand Hill Hotel

You will be met this morning by your guide who will transfer you to the bank of the Tuul River, 34 miles east of UB, where you can visit the gigantic statue of Genghis Khan, 40m high, sitting powerfully astride his horse. The statue sits onto of the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, an architecturally impressive visitor centre with 36 coloumns representing the 36 khans from Genghis to Ligdan Khan. Take the opportunity to feel the freedom of riding through the open landscapes on a horse, travelling to visit a local horse breeder family. Tonight we stay in traditional gers in Gorkhi Terelj National Park at Terelj tourist camp; a premier ger camp offering comfortable ger lodges, a restaurant serving Mongolian, European & Asian cuisine, bar, garden and terrace, with stunning panoramic views.

This morning we take a flight to Khovd town departing at 11:05am. On arrival we will drive to Ulgii and have a short sightseeing and visit a small museum with an excellent collection to learn about the Mongolian Kazakh people’s culture and history and a stop at Lake Tolbo on route. Transfer: 3hrsAccomodation: Makhsum hotel.

We set off on a long drive this morning (200km) which can take up to 6 hours, but unlike a journey back home, the travel is part of the adventure. Breathtaking views, and glimpses into how life is played out in this striking region, will keep you glued to the vehicle windows! We get a feel for the sheer magnitude of the country as we reach our destination; the gates of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Tonight we will stay with local families, their eagles, horses and yaks in their gers (although not all together you will be pleased to know!).

Altai Tavan Bogd National Park affords stunning views of the snowy peaks marking the Mongolian border with Russia, with two large glaciers snaking their way down into an incredible valley, culminating in the milky river that flows out into the wide plains. It is also home to 'President Avoo', one of the nine holiest sites in Mongolia where visitors walk around it three times, throwing small stones onto the pile alongside their own personal offerings.President Avoo can be reached either by our support vehicles or for those seeking a more adventurous experience, by horseback, which takes approximately 2 hours each way. Once at the top, Lunch will be enjoyed amid the stunning scenery before our scenic drive back to camp.

We drive a short distance down the valley to stay with a Kazakh/Mongolian eagle hunter family by a beautiful river. If the snow is not too heavy it may be possible to ride horses today along the plains. There are some great walking spots in the nearby hills also with breathtaking views.

Archaelogists trace falconry in Central Asia back to the first or 2nd millennium BC. Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival is a collaboration between two Tour Operators and local Kazakh eagle hunters eager to show off their prowess. The festival is dedicated to photographers and filmmakers who focus on capturing action and cultural traditions. This morning we head to the Festival opening, where competitors parade, showing off their costumes and hunting techniques. We will watch how a Kazak Ger (yurt) is assembled and learn about the migration of nomadic families.The festival is a fantastic example of how tourism can benefit local communities - raising awareness of eagle hunting in Mongolia and abroad, and encouraging the continuation of the hunting traditions. In 2011, eagle hunting was added to the 'UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity' as an example of 'living human heritage'. We return to Uglii for our accommodation tonight.

Today is a fantastic day for photographers who will find plenty of opportunities to take photos of the imposing competitors, in their full hunting regalia, their families and of course – the magnificent eagles. When the competitions begin, the eagles chase fox skins, dragged by their owners on horseback, and are judged on their speed and gripping ability. Other events include Tenge-llu (coin grabbing while riding a horse), the best costume competition, Tug of war (Kokbar) and Kizkhuar, which is a traditional Khazak Couples Game). The winners of the festival will be announced this afternoon and we will be able to join the festivities and celebrations over dinner before our final night in our hotel in Uglii

Reluctantly, we leave the stark, open wilderness of Bayan-Ulgii to return to Ulaanbaatar via a national flight. On your final day in Mongolia, your guide will lead you on an exploration of the renowned Naran Tuul 'black' market, a treasure trove of diverse and unique offerings. Here, you'll discover a wide array of items, from traditional Mongolian clothing, exquisite carpets, and equestrian equipment to captivating souvenirs that tell the tales of this fascinating land.This evening we enjoy a traditional music performance before a last reminisce and sharing of memories over our last group dinner in the city.Accommodation: Grand Hill Hotel

Fly home taking with you many wonderful memories from Mongolia!