Eagle hunting was mainly practiced only in the western regions of Mongolia. Each bird was intended to hunt a particular type of animals. Apart from foxes, golden eagles usually catch corsacs and hares. Strong, rapacious, well-trained eagles proved good for hunting hoofed animals and even wolves. Hawks are used for geese and bustards. Sparrow-hawks are as a rule used for hunting hares while goshawks are used for quails. Falcons and merlins proved to be excellent for hunting smaller birds. In the past, hunting birds were extremely expensive: a good golden eagle could cost 5-6 camels and a falcon cost 1-2 camels.
Eagle hunting season starts with first night frosts and continues from November through February. This schedule was set in olden days because furry animals have the best fur in winter. Falcon and Merlin hunting starts in late September when birds are preparing for migration and lasts until the first snow falls.
As a result of several centuries of selection, people of the region developed a special breed of hounds. Its distinguishing features are an outstanding ability to chase a prey, sharp-sightedness, and speed. Mostly, tazy are used to hunt hares, badgers, marmots, foxes and wolves without guns. Tazy are beautiful, graceful and elegant dogs with a sense of dignity. Tazy can be translated as "clean". Kazakhs of the past maintained a special treatment for these dogs: tazy was designated a special place in a yurt covered with a warm soft cloth and a special felt sack was taken for each hunting to keep the dog warm during hunting. As a legend talks, an excellent tazy was accepted as bride-money estimated at 47 horses.
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 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.
During this tour, you will travel through the most attractive tourist destinations in Mongolia . These destinations and attractions include Khuvsgul, the top attraction in Mongolia , and sightseeing tour in the capital city Ulaanbaatar , and Gobi Desert . It is the 4th largest biosphere reserve in the world, with its natural ecology and geographically unique landscape as well as its endemic & rare species of plants and animals. You will spend some time with the nomads who have lived in this territory for many thousands of years and have bred their livestock, especially camels, in the same nomadic way for all that time. You will witness the paleontology sights where many ancient dinosaur fossils have been found in an area which, 130-200 million years ago was at the bottom of the sea.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to airport for a flight to Murun, provincial center of Khuvsgul. After lunch at local restaurant, you will drive to Lake Khuvsgul which is the deepest fresh water lake in Central Asia . It has the same geomorphologic & ecological origin as Lake Baikal in Russia and constitutes over 1% of the world’s total surface water. Tourists call it the ‘Switzerland of Mongolia’. For rest of the day, you will be sightseeing & walking around the lake.

Today, you will visit a reindeer herders’ family. Then, you can try riding on reindeer back if you want. You will be acquainted with specific lifestyle of this nation’s minority and especially you will be able to explore their religion ‘Shaman’. Afternoon is free to you.

Early morning, you will be transferred to airport for a 90 minute flight to the South Gobi . Our staff will pick you up at the local air strip and will drive you to the valley of Yolyn Am . The valley begins from Zuun Saikhan Mountain , a branch of the Gurvan Saikhan mountain system, and stretches over 10 km. It is completely shaded from the sun in some parts by high cliff walls. You will walk through the valley which is famous for the fact that there is ice present there even during the hot summer months. The beauty of the valley, combined with the sound of vultures (Yol means vulture, in Mongolian) creates an atmosphere of awe and wonder – this is an experience not to be missed!

After breakfast, continue the drive to Sand Dunes of ‘Khongoriin Els’. The sand dunes, which stand 800 meters above sea level, continue for over 100 km, and are about 20 km wide, making them the largest distribution of sand dunes in Mongolia . You will hike a short distance over the sand dunes; will take in the beauty of the surroundings.

Continue the drive towards Bayanzag, a saxual forest and area of red cliffs “Bayanzag” which have been formed from the erosion of the sand and rock over many thousands of years. A lot of dinosaurs’ findings such as skeleton & dinosaur’ eggs have been found there. For lunch, you will be the guests of the company’s cattle herders and will be served a traditional soup made with jerked meat and processed-flour. You will be trying to ride on camel back over the sand dunes. Drive to provincial center Danalnzadgad for a tomorrow’s flight to UB (80 km). O

On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have a sightseeing tour which will include the main Buddhist monastery called the Gandan, the temple of Megjid Janraiseg , Choijin Lama’s temples and traditional Buddhist temples. There, you will see & enjoy the intricate beauty of traditional ornaments and accessories known as Tanka art. In Ulaanbaatar , you will visit the Winter Palace where the last king of Mongolia resided. The palace is now a museum displaying fascinating artifacts and costumes associated with the king, as well as his collection of European furniture and stuffed animals. After dinner you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure.

An eagle hunter with his trained golden eagle at Bayan-Ulgii province.