4-8 days

Destinations by country

Duration

Golden Eagles &amp; Festival tours

Halal tour

Horse riding

Mongolia

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Theme

Tours

5th NAURYZ EAGLE FESTIVAL, 2020 (47°42ˈ42&#8243;, 90°44ˈ14&#8243;)
On 2016, Blue Wolf Travel signed a contract with local community in Deluun soum to be sponsor for &#8221; Nauryz Eagle Festival&#8221; project, which will be organized by Blue Wolf together with local community. 
We are happy to be &#8220;small&#8221;, which means to be authentic. Blue Wolf supports this festivals, so Kazakh nomads can keep their unique Eagle hunting and Nomadic Culture longer. We try to keep these festivals away from big cities and big advertisements.
Involving the community in the Festival
<ul>
<li>Blue Wolf also supports the work of the Altai Kazakh Nomadic People, whose handicrafts will be available to guests during the festival</li>
<li>We hire local English teachers to assist with translation during the Festival</li>
<li>All supplies for the festival were purchased through local retailers</li>
<li>Over 40 Eagle Hunters will participate in the festival – your interest and participation help ensure this practice will remain a part of Altai Kazakh Culture</li>
</ul>
Notes on safety
Following are few tips to keep in mind to ensure safety of your own and travel companions,while participating in this extraordinary festival.Eagles are not pets and we ask you take extra precaution when getting in close contact with the eagles.
<ol>
<li>When you are in the competition field, please make sure to stand only in the designated public viewing areas,</li>
<li>It&#8217; better not to wear any clothing that has an animal fur such as hat or sleeves and any loose or bright colored clothing as they might attract eagles,</li>
<li>During the competition when eagles are released from the mountain, avoid running in the same field as it might distract the birds,</li>
<li>If you have children, please do not let them wander on their own,</li>
<li>While the competition is on,leaving designated areas to get a closer photo shoot of the eagles is not recommended</li>
</ol>
Mongolians in Altai (Kazakhs) Eagle Hunting History (over 2000 years old)
Before put here many legends about Altai Kazakh Eagle hunting history, let me to give some information about Golden Eagle and Altai Kazakh Hunting Skills.
Golden Eagle is a bird of eagles family, predatory class, In Kazakhstan lives everywhere, except &#8211; wood less deserts and steppes; in the south of Kazakhstan – settled, in the North &#8211; partially migratory. Size &#8211; up to 95 sm, wing-span &#8211; up to 220 sm, weight 4 &#8211; 6 kg. Plumage is of the same kind, dark – brown, nape and neck &#8211; goldish-red, young individuals have white, with a wide black strip on the end, tail, lower part of a wing &#8211; with large white spots. A down nestling &#8211; only white. Gplden Eagle settles in couples, making huge (up to 2 мin a diameter) nests in niches and on ledges of rocky breakages, on trees. In March- April hen lays 1 &#8211; 3 eggs (hen sits on eggs about 45 days) . The nestlings leaves nests in 2,5 months of old, but parents are guardians along time. Golden Eagle lives about 100 years in natural conditions. Eats: in mountains – marmots, kekliks, ulars, reven and gophers; in deserts – sandpiper, rabbits, partridges, hazel grouses, turtles, snakes and etc. Occasionally attacks the foxes and badgers.
Hunting with Golden Eagle is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh life. The hunter is named kusbegi or berkutchi. The experience of wild birds training was gained by Kazakh kusbegi by centuries, the secrets were impacted from the father to the son and kept deep secret. At the present time we can meet few people with such name. These masters have innate gift of wild birds training. For a hunting they tame falcons, golden eagles and eagles. Names of birds are given depending on their appearance and battle characteristics. The hunting with Golden Eagle are during ten centuries. Was considered, to present the teenager a nestling of hunting bird, means, to wish to him to begin courageous, strong dzhigit. To train golden eagle – it is the high art. The caught bird gradually accustom to the owner. For it berkutchi some nights doesn&#8217;t close eyes and interdicts to sleep golden eagle. The bird can take feed (bits of uncooked meat) only from hands of the owner. After bird will get used to the hunter- berkutchi, his horse and dog, berkutchi begins to train to hunt for stuffed fox and only then the real hunting begins. Specially trained golden eagle hunts for small animals: rabbits, foxes, partridge, black hazel grouses.
Equipment for a hunting with hunting birds. For a hunting with hunting birds specially prepare equipment: a coverlet, cap, couch and leash. Bardak &#8211; special wooden prop for a hand &#8211; try without it to bring on the stretched out hand a bird of weight 6-7 kg! Shyrga – skin of hare or fox is filled with straw. This is manual for a bird. The hunter drags along shyrga with long rope along steppe and teachs golden eagle to attack prey. Kusbegi must have inexhaustible patience and persistence.
There are many legends about Altai Kazakh Eagle hunting.As far,we keep in touch with Altai Kazakh Eagle hunters every day and live together, decided to publish a legends,articles and Eagle hunter&#8217;s talking.Altai 
The Mongolian Altai mountains of western Mongolian offer a beautiful landscape coupled with three unique cultures &#8211; Mongolians, Kazakhs, and Tuvans. The area is rich in wildlife and provides one of the last refuges for the Altai Argali, the world&#8217;s largest sheep, as well as the endangered Snow Leopard. In addition, western Mongolia is rich in archaeological sites that vary from ancient petro-glyphs to stone carvings from early Turkish nomads. To travel in western Mongolia and visit this area&#8217;s nomadic people between the snow covered peaks of the Altai Mountains means to experience something that cannot be repeated anywhere else in the world. On a trip though this region, one discovers new horizons, will feel the beauty of unexplored wilderness and experience the freedom of nomadic life.
Take a fascinating adventure to Western Mongolia-an untouched heaven of big lakes, high mountains, gorgeous landscapes and the largest diversity of both wild life and ethnicities in Mongolia. The Altai mountain range, with snow-capped peaks of over 3000 meters, waterfalls, ancient burial sites, mountaintop lakes and its nomadic based communities is a great place to explore Mongolia.

<ul>
<li>Meet ethnic Kazakh people</li>
<li>Take great photos</li>
<li>Over 40 Eagle Hunters will participate in the festival</li>
</ul>

SONY DSC

Family suitable

More than 8 days

Photo/filming

Hunting with Golden Eagle is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh life. The hunter is named kusbegi or berkutchi. The experience of wild birds training was gained by Kazakh kusbegi by centuries, the secrets were impacted from the father to the son and kept deep secret. At the present time we can meet few people with such name. These masters have innate gift of wild birds training. For a hunting they tame falcons, golden eagles and eagles. Names of birds are given depending on their appearance and battle characteristics. The hunting with Golden Eagle is during ten centuries. Was considered, to present the teenager a nestling of hunting bird, means, to wish to him to begin courageous, strong dzhigit.
Potential journeys included photographing snow leopards, living and learning from Eagle Hunters and joining a traditional migration with a nomadic family and their herds of animals.
Soaring over the Altai’s cliffs and slopes are the legendary Golden Eagles – known as the Berkut, which are renowned for their hunting prowess and revered by the Altai Kazakh people.
This itinerary will take us into the heart of the Altai Mountains where Golden Eagles, Eagle hunter and the mysterious Snow Leopard coexist in a truly mythic landscape and culture.

<ul>
<li>Wild Life</li>
<li>Meet Kazakh ethnic group</li>
<li>Amazing nature &amp; hospitality of Mongolians</li>
<li>Fixed dates</li>
</ul>

Altai Mountains is the highest of three major mountain ranges in Mongolia, straddling the Russian and Chinese frontiers in the Far West. Mountains of eternal snowcapped mountains and glaciers. In these remote regions live many nomads of ethnic minorities. The Kazakhs are Muslims, and speak an ancient Kazakh language, as well as Tuvans, who are Buddhist and shamanistic. This dramatic journey will bring us to Mongolia’s highest mountain region. We will trek to the Potanin glacier supported by pack camels and locals. We will then continue across the high Altai and trek into the lakes region, next to the Chinese frontier. Local Kazakh herdsmen will keep their priced Golden Eagles next to their yurts.
Brief Outline Itinerary
On this dramatic journey we use low impact traditional modes of transport. Our equipment will be carried on pack-camels, possibly also in addition, pack-horses. We will fly to west Mongolia on an almost 3 hour domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar. We will transfer out to the mountain regions from Ölgii, the Kazakh provincial capital, by 4wd Russian vehicles. Our crew will be Kazakhs and/or Tuvan. The local guide is trilingual at least: English, Mongol and Kazakh. Possibly also Tuvan and Russian.

<ul>
<li>The heart of the Altai mountains</li>
<li>Enjoy sky full of stars</li>
<li>Meet Kazakh ethnic group</li>
<li>Unique hospitality</li>
</ul>

Southern

Where

Gobi (Southern Mongolia) 

The clay from the former shores, hills, and soil of the Cretaceous period look like they are on fire during the sunrise and sunset. You may feel like you are on a different planet. But it’s actually the southern region of Mongolia or Gobi Desert. Dinosaur fossils from millions of years ago still can be found here. Most are small and often hidden by Saxaul forests, which are ubiquitous with the Gobi, so you may pass them by without noticing. Desert plants look dry and withered but capable to store the rainwater for a long period of time due to their tenacity to survive in arid lands.  Even though the footprint you made in a sand dunes can be erased by a wind, but the footprint of the Gobi desert will stay in your heart forever.

<ul>
<li>Explore the Gobi desert</li>
<li>Visit Sand dunes</li>
<li>Flaming cliffs &amp; dinosaur fossils</li>
<li>Join Groups</li>
</ul>

Western

Altai 
The Mongolian Altai mountains of western Mongolian offer a beautiful landscape coupled with three unique cultures &#8211; Mongolians, Kazakhs, and Tuvans. The area is rich in wildlife and provides one of the last refuges for the Altai Argali, the world&#8217;s largest sheep, as well as the endangered Snow Leopard. In addition, western Mongolia is rich in archaeological sites that vary from ancient petro-glyphs to stone carvings from early Turkish nomads. To travel in western Mongolia and visit this area&#8217;s nomadic people between the snow covered peaks of the Altai Mountains means to experience something that cannot be repeated anywhere else in the world. On a trip though this region, one discovers new horizons, will feel the beauty of unexplored wilderness and experience the freedom of nomadic life.
Take a fascinating adventure to Western Mongolia-an untouched heaven of big lakes, high mountains, gorgeous landscapes and the largest diversity of both wild life and ethnicities in Mongolia. The Altai mountain range, with snow-capped peaks of over 3000 meters, waterfalls, ancient burial sites, mountaintop lakes and its nomadic based communities is a great place to explore Mongolia.

<ul>
<li>Trek to crystal clear lakes</li>
<li>Meet Kazakh ethnic group</li>
<li>Amazing nature &amp; hospitality of Mongolians</li>
</ul>

4×4 Adventures &amp; Self Drive

Russian Altai

(RUSSIA-MONGOLIA)
Altai Mountains is the snowcapped high mountain, straddling the Russian and Mongolian frontiers in the Far West. Mountains of eternal snowcapped mountains and glaciers. In these remote regions live many nomads of ethnic minorities. The Kazakhs are Muslims, and speak an ancient Kazakh language, as well as Tuvans, who are Buddhist and shamanistic. This dramatic journey will bring us to Russian and Mongolia’s Altai mountain region. Local Kazakh herdsmen will keep their priced Golden Eagles next to their yurts.
Brief Outline Itinerary
On this dramatic journey you will drive comfortable and safety 4wd Japanese vehicles and reach most spectacular and picturesque diverse places. Our crew is trilingual at least: English, Mongol and Russian. Possibly also Kazakh and Russian.

<ul>
<li>The heart of the Altai mountains</li>
<li>Two countries</li>
<li>Meet Kazakh &amp; Russian ethnic group</li>
</ul>

Fixed Dates:
Please ask for the dates
Reindeer Herders
There are about 400 reindeer people of 80 families in total. They live in tepees. Their livelihood is completely dependent on the nature and few heads of reindeer. The most famous shamans are among them. Visiting the Reindeer people can be a lifetime experience for you either the challenging riding in awe-inspiring nature with bardens of high mountain passes, steep slopes and boggy valleys as well as an exotic lifestyle of them in the remoteness.
Hunting with Golden Eagle is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh life. The hunter is named kusbegi or berkutchi. The experience of wild birds training was gained by Kazakh kusbegi by centuries, the secrets were impacted from the father to the son and kept deep secret. At the present time we can meet few people with such name. These masters have innate gift of wild birds training. For a hunting they tame falcons, golden eagles and eagles. Names of birds are given depending on their appearance and battle characteristics. The hunting with Golden Eagle are during ten centuries. Was considered, to present the teenager a nestling of hunting bird, means, to wish to him to begin courageous, strong dzhigit. 
To train golden eagle – it is the high art. The caught bird gradually accustom to the owner. For it berkutchi some nights doesn&#8217;t close eyes and interdicts to sleep golden eagle. The bird can take feed (bits of uncooked meat) only from hands of the owner. After bird will get used to the hunter- berkutchi, and his horse, berkutchi begins to train to hunt for stuffed fox and only then the real hunting begins. Specially trained golden eagler hunts for small animals: hairs, foxes, wild cat and others.

<ul>
<li>Explore the Mystical Taiga</li>
<li>Visit Reindeer &amp; Khuvsgul Lake</li>
<li>Explore the culture of Tsaatan people</li>
<li>Experience Eagle Festival</li>
</ul>

Northern

Hangai  (Northern Mongolia)
Northern Mongolia has attracted the hearts and minds of many travelers throughout the year. Northern Mongolia is home to the densely forested mountains of Khangai and Sayan, Khuvsgul lake that shimmers like a borderless blue pearl, the Darkad Tsenkher depression (a huge valley of rivers flowing from high mountains), and the mystical deer stones. The Taiga’s nomads, reindeer herders by trade, live here. In the deep forests of the mountains, they worship the sky and nature. The Khotgoid ethnic group live around the fast-flowing Tes River. They’re skilled pathfinders. Khalkh people who worship their colossal mountains and the hard working Darkhad people all live in this area.
Gobi (Southern Mongolia) 

The clay from the former shores, hills, and soil of the Cretaceous period look like they are on fire during the sunrise and sunset. You may feel like you are on a different planet. But it’s actually the southern region of Mongolia or Gobi Desert. Dinosaur fossils from millions of years ago still can be found here. Most are small and often hidden by Saxaul forests, which are ubiquitous with the Gobi, so you may pass them by without noticing. Desert plants look dry and withered but capable to store the rainwater for a long period of time due to their tenacity to survive in arid lands.  Even though the footprint you made in a sand dunes can be erased by a wind, but the footprint of the Gobi desert will stay in your heart forever.

<ul>
<li>Explore the Mystical Taiga</li>
<li>Visit Reindeer &amp; Khuvsgul Lake</li>
<li>Explore the Gobi Desert &amp; it&#8217;s mysteries</li>
<li>Join Groups</li>
</ul>

Altai 
The Mongolian Altai mountains of western Mongolian offer a beautiful landscape coupled with three unique cultures &#8211; Mongolians, Kazakhs, and Tuvans. The area is rich in wildlife and provides one of the last refuges for the Altai Argali, the world&#8217;s largest sheep, as well as the endangered Snow Leopard. In addition, western Mongolia is rich in archaeological sites that vary from ancient petro-glyphs to stone carvings from early Turkish nomads. To travel in western Mongolia and visit this area&#8217;s nomadic people between the snow covered peaks of the Altai Mountains means to experience something that cannot be repeated anywhere else in the world. On a trip though this region, one discovers new horizons, will feel the beauty of unexplored wilderness and experience the freedom of nomadic life.
Hangai
Northern Mongolia has attracted the hearts and minds of many travelers throughout the year. Northern Mongolia is home to the densely forested mountains of Khangai and Sayan, Khuvsgul lake that shimmers like a borderless blue pearl, the Darkad Tsenkher depression (a huge valley of rivers flowing from high mountains), and the mystical deer stones. The Taiga’s nomads, reindeer herders by trade, live here. In the deep forests of the mountains, they worship the sky and nature. The Khotgoid ethnic group live around the fast-flowing Tes River. They’re skilled pathfinders. Khalkh people who worship their colossal mountains and the hard working Darkhad people all live in this area.
Gobi 

The clay from the former shores, hills, and soil of the Cretaceous period look like they are on fire during the sunrise and sunset. You may feel like you are on a different planet. But it’s actually the southern region of Mongolia or Gobi Desert. Dinosaur fossils from millions of years ago still can be found here. Most are small and often hidden by Saxaul forests, which are ubiquitous with the Gobi, so you may pass them by without noticing. Desert plants look dry and withered but capable to store the rainwater for a long period of time due to their tenacity to survive in arid lands.  Even though the footprint you made in a sand dunes can be erased by a wind, but the footprint of the Gobi desert will stay in your heart forever.

<ul>
<li>Explore the Mystical Taiga</li>
<li>Visit Reindeer &amp; Khuvsgul Lake</li>
<li>Explore the heart of the Altai &amp; GOBI</li>
<li>Join Groups</li>
</ul>

Hunting with Golden Eagle is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh life. The hunter is named kusbegi or berkutchi. The experience of wild birds training was gained by Kazakh kusbegi by centuries, the secrets were impacted from the father to the son and kept deep secret. At the present time we can meet few people with such name. These masters have innate gift of wild birds training. For a hunting they tame falcons, golden eagles and eagles. Names of birds are given depending on their appearance and battle characteristics. The hunting with Golden Eagle are during ten centuries. Was considered, to present the teenager a nestling of hunting bird, means, to wish to him to begin courageous, strong dzhigit.
This trip is getting very popular for our clients as this is big opportunity to have your own experience for eagle hunting and see the Nomad&#8217;s festival. Going side by side with eagle hunters, you will experience an authentic feeling and enjoyable horseback trip. If you get lucky, the eagle can catch some wild animals like rabbit,foxes and wild cats.

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