The Western Altai Mountains

Early morning, transfer to airport for your flight to Bayan-Ulgii province, the westernmost province of Mongolia (approx. 2.5 hour flying time).

Dominated by the Mongolian Altai Mountains, the highest mountains in Mongolia, this isolated area has preserved the language, culture, and traditions of the Kazakh people found here. Ninety percent of the population of Bayan-Ulgii is Kazakh, and there will be ample opportunities to meet local families and experience Kazakh culture.

Explore the town, visiting the local museum to learn more about history of province and its people, the local mosque and market.

After lunch drive (2-hours) to Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Ger Camp located at the base of permanently snow-capped Tsambagarav Mountain (13,783 ft.). This mountain valley is the home to 2 ethnic minorities of Mongolia, the Kazakhs and the Uuld people. This particular area is the autumn pasture of the Uulds, a Mongol-speaking people belonging to the Oirat ethnic group. The Uulds still use animals for moving and carrying loads, and are very proud of their rich history and the Uuld king Amarsanaa Khan, who led the rebellion against the Qin Dynasty’s invasion of Mongolia.

We will be staying in Mongolian gers furnished with a wooden bed, table, and chairs made by our Three Camel Lodge carpenter. We dine in a restaurant ger and there are separate bathroom gers set up with western toilets and showers for our convenience.

Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp (L, D)

A cross country 1.5 hour drive brings us to Bayan Nuur Lake, located on the north-eastern side of the Tsambagarav mountain. Set dramatically with high mountains on its south and north banks, the lake is also rich with migratory birds. Spend some time walking along its shores spotting birds and visiting with nomads who bring their animals to water.

We will have a picnic lunch at this scenic setting before taking a short drive to Namarjin Valley that lies in the shadow of Tsambagarav mountain, where we will visit with one of the many nomadic families that make this region their summer home. The afternoon is spent learning and understanding the nomadic way of life through the eyes of the family. Not surprisingly, there is strong emphasis on dairy and dairy products, as the Mongol nomads for generations, have used milk products from the animals that they herd. Every region has their own ways of making dairy products. The most common of all is called “aaruul” or simply hardened milk curd. Today there are over 100 varieties of dairy products in Mongolia.

With the family, explore the area on foot or by horse back before driving back (1 hour) to our ger camp in time for dinner.     Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp.

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In the morning witness the horsemanship of the local nomads, as they demonstrate how they lasso horses and ride bare back. Followed by “Tinge Ilu”, a game of grabbing coins from the ground while riding a horse at full gallop. Another fun game is the “Kizguar”, a Kazakh dating horse game, where the boy on a horse chases the girl on a horse and if he can catch her he gets to kiss her on the cheek and in return if the girl likes the boy, she can chase the boy back.

The afternoon/evening will be spent visiting with Kazakh falconers. For over a millennium the Kazakh’s have been practicing the art of falconry, a tradition passed down from their Turkic ancestors, using golden eagles as their choice of rapture. Female eagles are preferred for their aggression and size. Weighing up to fifteen pounds, the females are nearly one-third bigger than the males and their vision is eight times more acute than the human eye. Through the winter months the Kazakhs hunt foxes, rabbits and marmots, with their eagle.

A 1.5 hour drive will bring us to the home of a Kazakh family. Upon arrival you are welcomed to enter the traditional Kazakh ger, which are unique in design and construction and heated with a large wood-burning stove. Kazakh women are renowned for their skills in embroidery and appliqué, and their gers are decorated with colorful textiles. Handcrafted felt carpets line the floor and delicately embroidered tapestries adorn the walls of their gers, with every design unique to a family.

After a conversation, where all your questions on falconry, training, care and well being of the eagle will be answered, we head outside to see a demonstration of how the eagle and the hunter interact, communicating  with each other and together hunt. You will also have the opportunity of riding with the Kazakhs and their eagles.

We will have dinner with the Kazakh family of their traditional cuisine - Kazakh meat platter, locally known as “Besbermakh.” Kazakh are great musicians and singers and over dinner we will also be entertained by a musical performance.

It will be a night to remember before we head back to the Capital tomorrow morning.       Nomadic Expeditions Wilderness Camp

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In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ulaanbaatar. On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the city or at leisure.

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Shangri-La Hotel Deluxe Room

Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

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