Mongolia
The Golden Eagle Festival

		Mongolia Photography Tour Details
		Dates	Sep 27–Oct 11, 2009
		Leader	David Tipling
		Fee	$7,595 from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
		Deposit	$400
		Limit	12
			Terms and Conditions

In the rugged highlands of western Mongolia the ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles has experienced a renaissance. Deep within the Altai Mountains, Kazakh hunters from across the Bayan-Ulgii province gather together on an annual basis to celebrate this traditional skill, competing in a series of age-old games and hunting competitions. Until recently, this tradition was on the verge of disappearing. But in 2000 the Golden Eagle Festival was established to revive the tradition and promote it among the Kazakh’s younger generations.

Traveling as far as 140 miles on horseback, arriving competitors are welcomed at the ger-tented camp by a special presentation of Kazakh dance, music and other folkloric performances. This celebration should provide our group a wide variety of interesting photography opportunities. The official opening ceremony begins with a dramatic parade of the hunters on horseback with their eagles. The excitement continues as the hunters competitively display their traditional Kazakh dress and the adorned eagle's hand-crafted falconry equipment and ornamentation.

The second day of the competition is packed with action—the eagles are judged for their speed and agility. The impressive birds fly from their release point at high cliff’s edge to chase bait dragged by their human hunting partners on the plains below. The men demonstrate their courage in an ancient test of horsemanship during their participation in rough and tumble traditional games.

After photographing the festival, we return to the capital, Ulaanbaatar, but only to prepare for the next day’s flight over the vast steppes into the Gobi, Mongolia’s southern province of semi-arid desert. Of all the world’s arid lands, the Gobi has about it the greatest air of mystery, perhaps because it lies at the heart of Asia’s hinterland—between the Siberian wilderness to the north and the Tibetan Plateau to the south.

For the next four days, we explore the stunning landscape of the Gobi. One of our goals is to capture images of the Flaming Cliffs when the orange-red sandstone glows at dawn and dusk. Another stop is the Yol Valley, which lies cradled between nearby foothills. The ancient river that carved this valley keeps the area a shocking green in the midst of huge expanses of desert. We spend another day photographing the spectacular panoramas of the world’s northernmost desert, including a striking white escarpment where the famous "Fighting Dinosaurs" were discovered in the 1970s, before we fly back to Ulaanbaatar and make our way home.

A visit to the Golden Eagle Festival is an amazing experience for adventurous travelers—but it is not for everyone! Please consider that this tour includes some Spartan accomodations, unusual and often lackluster food at some locations, and will find us in numerous unfamiliar situations. If these conditions do not appeal to you, we recommend you consider a different tour.

Join us for this exotic and productive photographic journey to the rugged realm of Mongolia’s Kazakh falconers and the incredible Gobi Desert.



Day 1
Depart from home.

Day 2 (Sep 28)
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Day 3
We visit the Gandan Monastery and tour museum displays of the rich paleontological sites in the Gobi Desert, and the historical costumes and religious relics of Mongolia’s minority tribes. (BLD)

Day 4
We fly to Ulgii in western Mongolia. (BLD)

Day 5
We visit the homes of eagle hunters in the Altai Mountains and have an opportunity to view local crafts—Kazakh women are renowned for their skills in colorful embroidery and appliqué. (BLD)

Day 6
We visit a small, but impressive, museum which houses the finest embroideries, woven carpets and artifacts of the Kazakh people. After dinner we attend a special performance of traditional Kazakh dance and music. (BLD)

Day 7
The first day of the Golden Eagle Festival, with its parades and competitions. (BLD)

Day 8
Today the eagles chase fox skins dragged by their owner on horseback. Festival winners are announced at an awards ceremony. (BLD)

Day 9
Return to Ulaanbaatar. (BLD)

Day 10
We fly to the Gobi Desert and drive to Bulagtai, a ger camp near Gurvansaikhan Gobi National Park. Travel to the Flaming Cliffs for brilliant evening light. (BLD)

Days 11–12
We visit an ancient and lush river valley in the midst of the desert, and Tugrigiin Shiree, the famous escarpment where fossils of a Protoceratops and a Velociraptor are permanently locked in combat. (BLD)

Day 13
We fly to Ulaanbaatar for sightseeing and shopping. (BLD)

Day 14
Our last excursion is to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park in the Khentii mountain range. Stunning landscapes, interesting rock formations and wildlife are the attractions here. In the evening we enjoy a performance of Mongolian throat singers. (BLD)

Day 15 (Oct 11)
We depart for home. (B)