{"id":567,"date":"2020-04-09T02:13:40","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T02:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/?p=567"},"modified":"2024-05-10T08:46:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T08:46:46","slug":"explore-the-altai-of-golden-eagle-snow-leopard-12-days-from-2215","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/explore-the-altai-of-golden-eagle-snow-leopard-12-days-from-2215\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden Eagle & Snow Leopard"},"content":{"rendered":"
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 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Day 1 Arrive in UB & Explore UB<\/td>\r\nArrive UB airport and meet by our Blue Wolf guide. Transfer to hotel. After a short rest to freshen-up we will do a sight -seeing tour of Ulaanbaatar, focusing on such significant cultural sites as Gandan Buddhist Monastery, the Zanzabar Fine Arts Museum, which holds the finest collection of thangka<\/em>\u00a0paintings, carvings and sculptures in Mongolia. The Chojin Lama temple will be visited, the location of which clearly illustrates the great contrast between the old and the new in Mongolia. Lunch will be enjoyed in a nearby Mongolian restaurant with traditional cuisine. In the afternoon, the Winter Palace of the last Bogd Khan will be visited which houses some very interesting cultural and religious artifacts. To get a panoramic overview of the city, we may visit the Great Buddha statue and memorial at Zaisan. We will overnight at a 4* hotel.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Day 2 Fly to Hovd & Drive to Chandman village near Jargalant Mountain<\/td>\r\nAfter early breakfast, transfer to UB airport. Arrive Hovd airport to be met by the Blue Wolf team. Lunch in Hovd town. After lunch, we will drive south across the Great Lakes Basin south to Chandman soum where it is claimed that the renowned Mongolian throat-singing originates. En route<\/em>\u00a0we will see the Khar Us Nuur (Black Water Lake) with its vast reed beds (among the largest in Central Asia) and abundant water birds (Cranes, Gulls, Herons, even Pelicans). This National Park, like the Jargalant Hairkhan Mountain is a priority for WWF Mongolia who are very active here. Overnight in tent. (BLD)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Day 3-5 Explore Jargalatn Mountain home of the Snow Leopards<\/td>\r\nToday, we explore Jargalant Hairhan Mountain and hike into Rashantiin Am (Spring Canyon), a sacred valley with a spring renowned for its medicinal properties. Jargalant Hairkhan (Mountain of Sacred Happiness) is a great range that dominates the Great Lakes Basin. Rashantiin Am is an atmospheric valley piled with rocks and ancient poplar trees. WWF Mongolia have done many years of research here on what is known to be an important population of Snow Leopard. We will immerse ourselves in the ecology of this, our first Altai mountain experience, learning about the plants, birds and mammals that make their home here. We will do a number of hikes within this spectacular canyon and surrounding valleys, looking for sign of Snow Leopard and other wildlife. Overnight in tents. (BLD)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Day 6 Drive to Khukh Serkhyin Nuruu (Blue Goat) National Park<\/td>\r\nAfter breakfast, we cross open plains below Jargalant Hairkhan and will look out for the rare and unusual Mongolian Saiga antelope, a relic of the Pleistocene era. We will then drive 160kms (4-5hrs) to the northwest to come to a traditional Kazakh Eagle hunter\u2019s summer home. Erbol will be our host, in an impressive valley on the northwestern side of the great Khukh Serkh Mountain. This is a mountain range renowned for its Snow Leopards, with abundant populations of Argali and Ibex. Our visit will be benefiting from an ongoing Snow Leopard research project that is being undertaken here, giving us considerable insight into the movements and habits of these elusive cats. We will learn from Erbol and his magnificent Golden Eagle, and learn from a true master about the traditions and skills of hunting with Eagles in the Altai. Overnight in tents. (BLD)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Day 7-9 Khukh Serkhiyn Nuruu (Blue Goat) NP<\/td>\r\nWe will spend our days hiking in the wild and remote fastnesses of the Khukh Serkhiyn range. We will take our time to watch carefully for all aspects of wildlife here: Argalis, Ibexes and Red Deer, always entertaining the hope for a possible and rare Snow Leopard sighting. We will enjoy all that these mountains have to show, from the many raptors such as Golden Eagle, Steppe Eagle, the awe-inspiring bone-eating Lammergeyer (Bearded Vulture), the great Black Vulture and the swift sacker Falcon (the Altai race of which is considered by many ornithologists to be a separate and little-known species). We will give ourselves the opportunity to observe these mountains in all their intricate grandeur, and appreciate their great silences, in the mountain heart of Asia. We will vary our hiking routes each day, looking for signs of Lynx, Pallas\u2019s Wildcat, Wolf, Fox and other mammals. Spending time with Erbol the Eagle hunter, we can learn more about traditional Kazakh Eagle hunting skills and gain from his unique perspectives about living in his mountain home. We will overnight in tents hosted by a local family. (BLD)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Day 10 Drive to Olgii city<\/td>\r\nWe will take an early morning drive to Olgii, the through a dramatic landscape with Sairiyn Nuruu towering above us and the rugged Altai uplands beyond Lake Tolbo (Nuur). After 4-5hrs we arrive at the Blue Wolf ger-camp in Olgii. After lunch we will spend the afternoon sightseeing around Olgii, visiting its interesting bazaar as well as the recently renovated local mosque, and a well-stocked local museum. Some interesting backstreet handicraft shops will give us the opportunity to look for traditional Kazakh crafts and wares. Overnight at local hotel. (BLD)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Day 11 Flight back to UB<\/td>\r\nAfter breakfast, transfer to Olgiy airport to catch a flight for Ulaanbaatar. Meet by our guide and transfer to hotel. (B)\u00a0

You will have a full day to explore the sprawling city of retro architecture, thrilling nightlife, wild traffic and exciting commerce. There\u2019s plenty to see, do and eat \u2013 your guide will recommend some of the best places to dine at\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Day 12 Departure<\/td>\r\nAfter early breakfast, transfer to Olgii airport. Leave only foot prints & take only lifetime of memories home from your Mongolian adventure.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Day 1 Arrive in UB & Explore UB Arrive UB airport and meet by our Blue Wolf guide. Transfer to hotel. After a short rest to freshen-up we will do a sight -seeing tour of Ulaanbaatar, focusing on such significant cultural sites as Gandan Buddhist Monastery, the Zanzabar Fine Arts Museum, which holds the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,38,24,25,7,41,27,16,34,17,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations-by-country","category-duration","category-halal-tour","category-horse-riding","category-mongolia","category-more-than-8-days","category-photo-filming","category-theme","category-western","category-where","category-winter-tours-migration"],"acf":{"cover_image":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/am1-2.jpg","content":"","description":"

Mongolia is the land of two of Nature\u2019s most iconic predators \u2013 the Golden Eagle and the Snow Leopard. Snow Leopards \u2013 called Altai Irves by the Mongols – are one of the most elusive of all the big cats in the world. While most people associate it with Asia\u2019s highest mountains such as the Himalaya, Tien Shan and Pamir, the Mongolian Altai and Govi-Altai mountains harbor strong populations with some the highest recorded densities in the world. Critical to their survival are the strong populations of prey, such as Mongolian Argali sheep and Siberian Ibex, as well as abundant Marmots. Here in the Mongol Altai this journey will take you into the heart of Snow Leopard habitat, where an abundance of wild prey ensures that the Irves lives unmolested from persecution. Ongoing scientific research associated with this exclusive itinerary means there is an opportunity to spend time in study areas, intimately experiencing the Snow Leopard\u2019s mountain home, with an exciting possibility of even encountering this magnificent elusive cat.<\/p>\n

Soaring over the Altai\u2019s cliffs and slopes are the legendary Golden Eagles \u2013 known as the Berkut, which are renowned for their hunting prowess and revered by the Altai Kazakh people. As we go deep into the mountains to encounter the wild Golden Eagles that inspire such Kazakh \u201cberkutchi\u201d hunters, this journey will also give us the opportunity to directly experience the Kazakh Eagle hunting tradition that has been practiced uninterrupted by hunters for over 1000 years. While this Eagle-hunting culture has been recently rediscovered, there remain very few traditional, authentic berkutchi left. Fortunately, we will be able to visit some of these renowned hunters to experience their age-old working relationship with their magnificent eagles at first hand. Larger, more aggressive female eagles are favored by the Kazakh hunters, given the bird\u2019s capacity to bring down large prey, such as foxes, ibex and even wolves. In the old tradition they are taken as eaglets, raised to work with the hunter for many years until fully mature, and then released as experienced hunters back into the wild to join their wild kin.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n","tour_start_date":"","tour_end_date":"","image":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/20180330083239.jpg","intro_text":"

    \n
  • Chance to spot some of the last remaining Snow Leopards<\/li>\n
  • Meet Kazakh ethnic group<\/li>\n
  • Amazing nature & hospitality of Mongolians<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","price":"$2899","discount":"","why_choose_this_tour":"
      \n
    • Discover the biggest nomadic country in the world – rich diversity of nomadic culture in the regions<\/li>\n
    • Trek to Altai Mountains<\/li>\n
    • Meet Kazakh ethnic group and opportunity to watch Eagle hunting<\/li>\n
    • To see rare\/endangered animals like snow leopard, ibex etc<\/li>\n
    • Amazing nature and unique culture of the Western Mongolia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","theme":"Wild life, Adventure+comfort, Nomadic cultural","duration":"12 days","group_size":"2-12","price_included":"
        \n
      • Shared accommodation at Ger camps<\/li>\n
      • Private transfers<\/li>\n
      • English speaking guide<\/li>\n
      • All meals as listed<\/li>\n
      • All entrance fee<\/li>\n
      • Horse, camel ride<\/li>\n
      • Mongolian barbecue<\/li>\n
      • Letter of Invitation<\/li>\n
      • Visit Eagle Hunter and his family<\/li>\n
      • Domestic Flights ULN-Hovd-ULN<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","good_to_know":"
          \n
        • Prices: As we\u2019ll customize your journey based on your preferences and needs, please note that this indicative price is just a rough estimate. Prices may vary depending on season, type of accommodation and activities\/experiences chosen (private vs. shared) etc.<\/li>\n
        • This journey outline is by no means conclusive. It is just a guideline and can be tailored according to your comfort level, interests and preferences for every detail from accommodation to activities.<\/li>\n
        • Health: Travellers to Mongolia should ensure that they are up-to-date with routine vaccination courses and it may be advised that further vaccines are sought. Please talk to a health professional 4 – 6 weeks before travelling. It is recommended that most travellers are vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Tetanus but it is also worth discussing Hep B, Typhoid, Meningitis, Tuberculosis, Tick-borne Encephalitis and Rabies.<\/li>\n
        • Long bumpy rides: Be prepared for some epic long car rides in some old school furgons (Russian UAZ vans). As few of the vans have speakers or a method of playing music, you might like to bring along your own portable speakers and an MP3 player (but bear in mind others may like to enjoy the serenity!) It is not unheard of for people to feel a little travel sick, so if you are prone to this, remember to bring your tablets and feel free to ask your guide\/driver to stop as frequently as you wish.<\/li>\n
        • Guide:
          \nAn English speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.<\/li>\n
        • Occupancy: Single $240
          \nYou can stay in a single, twin or double room\/ger\/tent (where applicable). Single occupancy may not be possible during the Naadam festival (July 5th -15th) at ger camps. At community-based camps and ger homestays, single occupancy is subject to availability. Single and twin\/double occupancy at ger camps require an extra supplement.<\/li>\n
        • The best time to make this trip
          \nMay to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year, but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time.<\/li>\n
        • Accommodation:
          \nWe believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be stay in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Blue Wolf is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • \u200bMeals:
            \nIn Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.<\/li>\n
          • Transport:
            \nWe use the highest level, most comfortable, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day’s drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.<\/li>\n
          • \u200bPersonal things to bring with you:
            \nBinoculars, sunscreen, a hat, gloves, long underwear for travel in the high mountains, comfortable footwear, lip balm, sanitary hand wipes, sunglasses, prescription medications (if needed),pills for motion sickness, rain gear, flashlight, universal plugins for charger<\/li>\n
          • Alternative connections to Olgyi: Entering or exiting across the land border with Russia, we can pick you up or leave you at Gorno-Altaisk or Barnaul, in southern Siberia (Russia).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","not_include":"
              \n
            • Personal expenses<\/li>\n
            • Optional activities<\/li>\n
            • Camera fee for museum & monastery<\/li>\n
            • Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com<\/li>\n
            • Single supplement<\/li>\n
            • Personal needs<\/li>\n
            • Laundry and alcoholic drinks.<\/li>\n
            • Single occupancy USD $240.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","status":"","erxes_form_id":"BLAqkt"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=567"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1061,"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567\/revisions\/1061"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/admin.bluewolftravel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}