Women-Led Nomadic Migration & Eagle Hunting Festival (14 D / 13 N)
2024
september 26 to october 9
14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS
This is a nomadic migration led by female nomads. The trip is open to all genders. We aim to normalize the roles of women in the trekking tourism industry. Hence, we are partnering with local indigenous families in the mountains of Mongolia for travelers to experience first-hand the culture, history and lives of local nomads and eagle hunters. We will be partaking in an actual migration of nomadic families. In addition, after the migration, we will be attending the annual Eagle Hunting Festival that showcases female competitors - some of whom are students of our Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp (our award-winning 30 day cultural immersion program).
This is a special trek (open to all genders) with female nomads as we dive into the culture, history and lives of a local indigenous group in the mountains of Western Mongolia. We will walk side by side with the families on an actual nomadic migration. Nomadic migration is a form of pastoralism when livestock are herded in order to find fresh pastures on which to graze. The nomadic migration is part of the ancient culture of nomadism in Mongolia that continues to this day. The herded livestock include sheep- goats, yak-cattle, horses and camels. Nomadic people usually migration twice a year, one in winter and another in the autumn. We will be doing the migration in the autumn season. Below, you can watch WE ARE NOMADS: A True Story of an All Women Migration in Altai which is a documentary film on our first women-led migration in 2020.
ITINERARY
SEPT 26, DAY 1 - Arrive in Ulaanbaator
Arrive UB airport as you're met by our team. Transfer to your hotel.
SEPT 27, DAY 2 - City Tour
Today we will do city site seeing tour. Explore Gandan Monastery, Buddhist center in Ulaanbaatar. See Zanabazar Museum & Chojin Lama temple, lunch time in a typical Mongolian Restaurant, visit the winter Palace, Buda Big Statue on the Hill Central market (black) (one or two hours if we have time). Typical folkloric Mongol performance (songs and dances), at the restaurant during dinner time (optional).
Overnight in UB.
SEPT 28, DAY 3 - Fly to Olgii
Transfer to UB airport and fly to Olgii. Meet with our team and at our local partner's office. We drive to the nomadic community to meet our the women leading the migration.
Overnight in nomadic style ger. (BLD)
SEPT 29, DAY 4 - Packing day
We will spend time with the nomadic families and witness an actual packing day prior to the start of migration.
Overnight in ger. (BLD)
SEPT 30 - OCT 3, DAYS 5-8 - Migration (5-6 hours per day)
The highlight is to experience an actual traditional migration with a nomadic family and their herds of animals led by women nomads.
Overnight in nomadic-style ger (B, L, D)
OCT 4, DAY 9 - Drive to Olgii
We spend the first half of the day with our nomadic families and then afternoon drive to Olgii.
Overnight in local hotel. (BLD)
OCT 5-6, DAYS 10-11 - Eagle Hunting Festival
Meet the Kazakh Eagle hunters along with our female huntresses. This is the rodeo of eagle hunting and a fantastic opportunity for photographers and adventurers alike to see these magnificent birds up close. There are approx. 400 eagle hunters in Bayan-Olgii aimag. Eagle hunters from around regions gather to test their finely trained birds in singular contests of speed and agility in these few days. During the festival we also see some Kazakh Traditional Horse Games like “Bush-Kushi” (Try to take out from each other the goat skin on horseback),”Kiss woman on horseback”, “Pick up coins from the land on horseback” and others.
In the evening we enjoy to have the Kazakh Concert with some traditional songs and music.
Overnights in local hotel. (BLD)
OCT 7, DAY 12 - Visit Eagle Hunting Families & Khusvegi Museum and English Libray
We visit local eagle hunting families in Sagsai and the first ever Khusvegi Museum and English Libray.
OCT 8, DAY 13 - Fly to Ulaanbaatar.
Early breakfast. Transfer to the airport and fly to UB. Transfer to your hotel. (B)
OCT 9, DAY 14 - Fly home.
Transfer to the airport. Fly home. (B)
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
You can watch the recording of our trip meeting for Women-Led Migration & Altai Trek via this link.
TREK STYLE
This is a moderate to strenuous trek. Recent hiking experience is highly recommended. Although it’s fall season, Mongolia is known to have snow even in late September/October. You will be staying in yurts/gers during the migration and sleep in basic cots/beds. You will walk with a light daypack as all gear will be carried by your team of camels.
2024 PRICING
Per person for a group of 3-8 people: $3790
Single supplement (7 nights of hotel stay): $490
DEPOSIT DUE: $995
Balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
A completed booking form and non-refundable deposit are required to book. For questions, send us an email at equity@browngaltrekker.com
Please read the TERMS & CONDITIONS and LIABILITY WAIVER before booking.
Click on Book Now below to book.
INCLUSIONS
A team of a licensed female guide along with female nomadic herders & eagle huntresses
Domestic flight (ULN-ULG-ULN)
4x4 land transport
City tour in Ulaanbaatar
3 meals per day during the trek (exc. in UB)
4 star hotel in Ulanbaatar (3 nights)
Ger camp stay (6 nights)
Hotel stay in Olgii (3 nights)
Group camping equipment such as cooking gear, sleeping cots, mats and sleeping bags
Airport transfers
Eagle festival fees, border & national park permits
EXCLUSIONS
Tips for guides, any personal expenses (such as laundry, souvenir shopping etc), extra activities (e.g. horseriding), visa fees & travel insurance, international flight tickets.
GEAR LIST See gear list here.
FLIGHTS
International flights are excluded. Clients must book their own flights and send a copy of their flight itinerary by e-mail to bgt@browngaltrekker.com no later than the trip balance due date.
TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIRED
After making a deposit, you are required to obtain appropriate travel insurance through Global Rescue or other insurance of your choice that should cover at a minimum 100% of the trip cost (land & air), emergency medical and evacuation for high altitude trekking of up to 5000 meters. Proof of travel insurance must be provided via electronic mail to bgt@browngaltrekker.com no later than the trip balance due date. Failure to obtain travel insurance by the trip balance due date will result in cancellation and no refund of your trip deposit and/or applicable cancellation fees as noted in the Terms & Conditions.
Note: If you opt to buy your insurance from a company other than Global Rescue, please ensure that the insurance you purchase covers high altitude trekking as there are only a select number of companies that provide such type of coverage.
VISA
Please check ahead of time as to the visa requirements for the country of your choosing. You are responsible for securing your own visa, if required.
TRIP NOTES
Upon booking, you will receive trip notes that include the recommended gear list and specific trek information.