Hunting With Golden Eagles & Explore Reindeer Herders in North Mongolia Winter Tour

We’ll be there to greet you at the airport when you arrive. Chinggis Khan International Airport is about 50 kilometers from downtown, and the drive to the city usually takes around an hour. The evening rush hour can be quite busy, so if you’re arriving in the evening, expect the drive to the hotel to take about three hours. For those arriving in the morning or early hours, we suggest exploring some local attractions. We’ll organize a city tour for you, including visits to the Chinggis Khan Museum, which boasts a fascinating collection of historical artifacts, and the Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s top Buddhist destination. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to your hotel.(B)

The same drivers will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport in the morning. The adventure kicks off with an early domestic flight to Olgii town. You’ll be greeted by a tour guide and driver at the airport, and the journey continues to meet a local nomadic eagle hunter family residing in the village of Sagsai for about 1 hour, where most of the eagle hunter families are living. As the locals are very hospitable, you’ll be warmly greeted and immersed in the culture. Nomadic families have various daily tasks such as herd off their livestock and feeding them and with eagle activities. Additionally, you’ll have ample opportunities to take photos with the golden eagles and eagle hunters. Weather is cold in the place, expected temperature is below than -10 Celsius. You’ll stay at nomadic families winter house. There are no facilities of toilet and shower, however, you’ll be provided with bio-toilet.(B/L/D)

Start your day with horseback riding alongside eagle hunters as they hunt with golden eagles. Typically, 2-3 eagle hunters will lead the way to the mountain hills, and you’ll join them on horseback while the driver remains nearby. Together, you’ll track the footprints of wildlife, such as foxes or rabbits, alongside the eagle hunters. Usually, eagle hunters hunt like foxes or rabbits with their golden eagles, but this is a rare occurrence for tourists due to the challenging terrain. Eagle hunters often ride to very high gorges where it’s unsafe for tourists to ride horses. Instead, you’ll explore safer areas of the mountains with the eagle hunters. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to observe how they train their golden eagles in the wild and even participate in training under their safe instructions. Throughout the day, the driver and cook will be nearby, providing refreshments like coffee and tea. Later in the evening, you’ll return to the family’s home where you’ll enjoy a mini concert featuring traditional local instruments. Dinner will be the traditional dish “Bes-Barmak,” and you’ll have the chance to engage in conversation about their way of life and perhaps even join in singing some songs.(B/L/D)

We’ll journey to meet the Uriankhai ethnic group, who have inhabited this area for centuries. Their culture, language, and religion differ slightly from the Khalkh Mongols. We’ll immerse ourselves in their way of life and even participate in a small archery competition with the locals. Afterwards, we’ll return to Olgii town and spend the night at a local hotel. (B/L/D)

We’ll also have the opportunity to explore the local black market and museum in Olgii town until it’s time for our flight. Afterwards, drivers will take us to the airport for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. We’ll be picked up by drivers and transferred to the hotel to freshen up. (B/L/D)

You’ll catch a domestic flight to Murun for about one hour. The summer flights are scheduled to arrive in Murun between 07:10 and 08:15 AM. Upon arrival, the team consisting of a tour guide, driver, and cook will greet you, and then you’ll embark on a journey northward to explore the Reindeer herders in the Taiga. Along the way, you’ll traverse stunning mountainous terrain and serene valleys, passing through the local town of Ulaan Uul. As you drive through a pass near the town, you’ll encounter the picturesque 13 shamanic “Ovoo,” symbolizing the entrance to the land of shamans. Furthermore, will visit local nomadic family in Darkhad village and get involved in their cultures. Furtherly, we’ll drive to the Renchinlkhumbe village and stay overnight in a small local hotel.(B/L/D)

We’ll drive about 35 km from the village to reach the Jargalant River. The landscape surrounding the river is incredibly beautiful, and despite Mongolia’s freezing temperatures, the Jargalant River remains unfrozen. While some local Mongolians choose to take ice baths in the river, we don’t recommend it unless you’re experienced. Exploring the area around the Jargalant River and enjoying lunch there is a wonderful experience on Mongolian winter tours. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel for the night.(B/L/D)

We’ll drive further into the Taiga mountains until we reach the heart of the region, where the reindeer herders reside. Here, we’ll immerse ourselves in their daily lifestyle and culture. While the herders will have a teepee available, we will be staying overnight in a winter wooden hut with a stove fire. (B/L/D)

It will be a day dedicated to immersing ourselves in their cultures, with the opportunity to ride reindeer and explore the forests of the Taiga. For December tours, we’ll celebrate Christmas with the Reindeer Herders in advance. Bringing along champagne and Santa Claus attire, it’s a wonderful experience to celebrate Christmas with the locals and the children of the Reindeer Herders. Overnight, we’ll stay in warm sleeping bags provided at the wooden hut with a stove fire. (B/L/D)

A bit earlier in the morning, we’ll drive a long way back to Murun town. Overnight at hotel. (B/L/D)

The driver will take you to the airport where you’ll catch a morning flight to Ulaanbaatar, lasting about one hour. We’ll pick you up from the airport and then drive to the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes. One of the highlights of Mongolia is riding Bactrian camels on the sand dunes. They move slowly and gently, providing a comfortable experience. Afterward, we’ll drive for another hour to Kharkhorin. We’ll be staying at Kharkhorin Hostel in a twin room equipped with a shower and toilet. Overnight. (B/L/D)

The journey will continue to the picturesque Erdenezuu Monastery, which was built on the ruins of the ancient Great Mongol Empire capital, Kharakhorum, founded by Genghis Khan in 1220. Kharakhorum was once one of the busiest and most significant gathering points along the Silk Road, an ancient trade route. We’ll explore the Erdenezuu Monastery and capture unforgettable photos. Next, we’ll drive to Khustai National Park, where we’ll have the opportunity to observe wild horses (Takhi) and deer. After exploring the national park and observing more Takhi and deer, we’ll head to Elsen Tasarkhai, a mini sand dune. We’ll take a leisurely stroll along the sand dune area and capture some photos. Ulaanbaatar is located 100 kilometers from the national park, and we’ll drive about one hour to reach the capital. Overnight. (B/L/D)

You’ll catch a morning flight to Ulaanbaatar, flying for about an hour. Upon arrival at 10 am, we’ll head straight to the Genghis Khan Statue. The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, part of the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, stands at a towering 40 meters, making it the world’s tallest equestrian statue. Visitors can walk through the horse’s chest and neck to reach the head, offering a breathtaking panoramic view. Additionally, we’ll visit the small museum downstairs to learn about the history of the Ancient Mongol Empire.Afterward, we’ll drive to the nearby Gorkhi Terelj National Park where we explore the Turtle Rock and Ariabal Monastery. Unlike the nearby steppes, this area boasts mountains and trees, with large stands of tamaracks that turn golden in the fall. The park features a stunning alpine landscape, numerous rock formations for rock climbers, and includes a well-known landmark called Turtle Rock (Melkhii Khad) due to its turtle-like shape. Renowned as a sightseeing destination, this gigantic rock formation, sculpted solely by wind and rainwater, sits just off the main road into the park.Located on the hillside of a mountain covered with larches and granite rock, the temple offers a serene setting for visitors. On the path to the temple, you’ll cross a small wooden bridge marked with a sign that reads “the bridge that leads beyond wisdom.” The main temple is dedicated to the Kalachakra philosophy, often referred to as the “wheel of time.” Inside, you’ll find a thangka depicting the myth of Shambhala, a Kalachakra mandala, and various artifacts associated with this belief. On the ground floor of the temple, there’s a “gallery of Buddhist philosophy” featuring 220 original paintings by the artist Bayantsagaan, each representing different Buddhist beliefs and philosophies. Perched atop the hill overlooking the temple is a new Buddha sculpture carved into the rock. At the summit of the cliffs, there’s a meditation hut for those seeking solace and contemplation. When you climb up to the temple you’ll have a picturesque view of the national park from its summit.You’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar for about 1-2 hours, depending on traffic.(L)

You’ll transferred to the Chinggis Khan international airport and we’ll bid farewell, hoping to be a part of your unforgettable vacation and bring some vibrant moments to your life.(B)