Mongolian two highlights are in one tour package. You may wonder why the Gobi Desert and Eagle Festival are Mongolian highlights. We will explain the reason. Among the earth's many deserts, the Gobi Desert is unique. This semi-desert varies in landscapes, is home to many wild and endangered species, is the second most important paleontological site, is nomads' pastureland, is the coldest desert on our earth, and is picturesque with various color plants. The vast and empty plain meeting with the blue sky horizon pleases you with relaxation, peace, calmness, and the steppe smell. Regarding the Eagle Festival, Mongolian Kazakhs are well known as they have kept their culture and tradition at their origin among the Kazakhs of other countries. On this trip, you first travel to the Gobi Desert when it is warmer and vibrant in color. You will see and photograph Mongolian Instagram spot Tsagaan Suvarga, hike in Eagle Valley in craggy Gurvan Saikhan National Park, see the Gobi Desert sunset and hear sand singing at Khongor dunes, trek among photogenic Flaming Cliffs, visit ancient monastery ruins, and travel to the Orkhon Valley. Afterward, you will fly to western Mongolia to witness the Eagle Festival, meet eagle hunters, and visit their homes.

Day 1 - Fly back Ulaanbaatar

Fly back to Ulaanbaatar from 10:40 to 12:40. Our driver transfers you from the airport to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast

Day 2 - Arrive in Ulaanbatar

Our driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to a centrally located hotel. Leisure day to relax and discover the city on your own while staying in a centrally located hotel. Accommodation: 3* hotel

Day 3 - Visit nomads, horse riding and return to Ulaanbaatar

Today is the last day you spend in the beautiful countryside of Mongolia. On our way to Ulaanbaatar, we will visit a horse-herding nomad family, ride horses on the steppes and have nomadic lunch. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to a hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Fly to Ulgii town

Meet at your hotel at 11:50 AM and transfer to the airport for the 14:45 to 15:45 Ulgii flight. Land in Ulgii and check in at a ger camp. Next, drive short to Ulgii town and climb Zaisan Hill to see the panoramic view of the town. Return to the ger camp after dinner. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Khongor Sand Dunes and two-humped camel riding

The journey will continue to Khongor, the tallest solid dunes. Upon reaching Khongor, visit a nomad family, ride two-humped camels, and climb one of the dunes, depending on how much physical challenge you wish to face. If you can climb one of the tallest dunes, spread the sand northwards against the wind to find out why locals call the dunes "Singing Sand.” The Gobi Desert views are fantastic from the top of the dunes. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Golden Eagle Festival

The impressive Golden Eagle Festival starts with a parade of eagle hunters dressed in traditional hunting clothes, riding horses and holding their eagles in their right arms. There are up to 60 eagle hunters participating in the festival. Those will be 2 full days to see the eagle hunting festival, competitions, hunting techniques, the Eagles’ agility, and ability. Eagle Festival program Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 - Drive to Ongi Monastery on the open steppes

First, we will visit the Gobi tree grove Bayanzag. This tree only grows in the Central Asian desert. Next, drive through slate mountains and on 80 km Ongi steppes heading to Ongi Monastery. Ongi Monastery was one of the seven biggest monasteries in Mongolia. There were two separate monasteries consisting of more than 30 temples on the shores of the Ongi River, surrounded by the Gobi Desert mountains. The temples were destroyed during the socialist purge of the 1930s. Now the ruins of the monasteries involve an expanse area. Visit a new active temple and a ger museum, explore the monastery ruins and climb a nearby mountain, which rewards stunning views of the surrounding areas. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Flaming Cliffs and Khavtsgait rock drawing

First, we travel to the Khavtsgait Valley in the West Saikhan Mountain of the Gurban Saikhan Mountain National Park to explore Khavtsgait rock drawing dates back to the Late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. Seeing the rock drawing requires us 1 km hiking in a return way. Our adventure will continue to the Flaming Cliffs, where American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews found the remains of dinosaurs. The first dinosaur nest found in Flaming Cliffs had research importance that the dinosaurs laid eggs. After relaxing at the gers, escaping from the afternoon sun, we will enjoy exploring the cliffs in search of dinosaur fossils we may find and take evening pictures of the Flaming Cliffs. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Kharkhorin, ancient Monastery Erdenezuu

Our today's journey takes place in the transition zone from the Gobi desert to the mountain steppes. Kharkhorin, formerly known as Kharakhorum, was the capital of Genghis Khaan's Great Mongol Empire in the 13th century. After the Mongolian capital moved to Beijing and the fall of the Empire, Min soldiers destroyed the abandoned Kharakhorum in 1388. Today, in the vast valley of the Orkhon River, the awe-inspiring ancient monastery Erdenezuu coexists with Kharkhorin town. See some valuable religious articles in the monastery museum, and view its stunning architecture. Visiting the Kharakhorum Museum is part of today's program. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Tsagaan Suvarga colorful mud cliffs

Tsagaan Suvarga. means "White Stupa.” It is one of the most famous highlights in the Gobi Desert. Tsagaan Suvarga is a spectacular natural formation of colorful, massive mud cliffs that look like stupas. Hiking through the cliffs offers the chance to take amazing photographs. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - Drive to Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain National Park, visit Eagle Valley

The Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountain is a beautiful national park, rich in wildlife and scenic places. Among the picturesque valleys, Yoliin Am/Eagle Valley is accessible by car. After our vehicle brings us to a designated parking area, we will walk through the resplendent valley into the depths of a sheer rock canyon, which accepts no sunlight. Therefore, it has ice until the end of June. The hiking continues for 2.5 to 3 hours for travel into the valley and back to the vehicle. Bearded eagles, elusive wild sheep, and ibexes are indigenous to the valley. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 - Visit Eagle Hunter Kazakhs and Ulgii Town Tour

Today, you visit an eagle-hunting Kazakh family to observe the life of the eagle hunters and communicate with both the eagles and hunters in person. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ulgii Museum and market. Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 - Golden Eagle Festival

The impressive Golden Eagle Festival starts with a parade of eagle hunters dressed in traditional hunting clothes, riding horses and holding their eagles in their right arms. There are up to 60 eagle hunters participating in the festival. Those will be 2 full days to see the eagle hunting festival, competitions, hunting techniques, the Eagles’ agility, and ability. Eagle Festival program Accommodation: Ger camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

2 nights in a 3* hotel in Ulaanbaatar 10 nights in ger camps Four wheels driving vehicle transfer Return domestic flight English speaking guide Meals as indicated in the itinerary. Daily bottled water Horse & camel riding Entry fees to national parks and museums Eagle Festival ticket

International travel Excess baggage fee in the domestic flight Bar bills, laundry, telephone calls Travel & medical insurance Visa fee Single supplements Optional activities & additional services Gratuity for guides & drivers/optional