Tuesday, February 16, 2016

2016 Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia

If you want to travel to a unique land that many will only ever read about in magazines? Do you like to capture people in traditional costumes, or visit working horse farms, maybe even photograph the 1000 year old tradition of eagle falconry on horseback that most people don't know even exists? If you said yes to any of these, this is a photography trip you should consider.
In addition to photographing nomadic cultures that have existed for hundreds and thousands of years, you will get to photograph mountain landscapes, mountain lakes, and if the skies co-operate, some of the darkest skies filled with more stars than you have ever seen.
 
Dates of this Tour are: 2016 and a maximum of 7 people can attend this tour.

Price for Workshop: $4595USD

Single Supplement: $450USD (note, this does not apply for our time with Eagle Hunter Family)

Deposits: Deposits are $1000USD and a balance of $3595USD is due on June 21, 2016

Included Services: Full-time services of your local English speaking guides, Photography guidance out in the field and optional daily editing sessions at our hotels and Ger camps, Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the program, Private transfers and transports (minivan with A/C with windows that can open in and around Ulaanbaatar; Russian minivans in Olgii), Domestic flights (15kg free luggage included), Twin share accommodation: centrally located good 3* hotel in Ulaanbaatar for 3 nights, tourist Ger camps for 5 nights, and 3 nights in nomadic Ger in Olgii, Meals as listed, Naadam Festival tickets and arrangements, 0.5L x 3 bottled water per day, Visa support invitation letter where applicable, 2 model for 1 day photo shooting with Mongolian costumes

Not Included: International Airfare/train tickets + Tax, Travel insurance, Visa fees (if applicable), Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc., Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary), extra nights if required.
Please note... The altitudes are higher, those of the lowlands ranging from 1,000 to 1,700 m (3,300 to 5,600 ft), and those of the ranges from 200 to 500 m (660 to 1,600 ft) higher, though in a few cases they reach altitudes of 2,400 m (7,900 ft).
 
Day 1. 27 Sep: Ulaanbaatar
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to hotel. The group will gather at night and receive a briefing from Jim and Kevin on the sites we are about to experience.
Day 2. 28 Sep: Ulaanbaatar- Giant Genghis Monument - Terelj National Park - Ulaanbaatar ( B,L,D )
Breakfast. We meet at 9 am and spend some time with Mongolian women dressed in traditional wedding dresses. Our models will be positioned in a traditional setting and present us with a unique opportunity to photograph something most people will not witness.

Enroute to Terelj national park we will visit the Giant Genghis statue. This 46m statue which is the biggest equestrian statue in the world. We then continue on to the beautiful Terelj national park, lunch at a tourist ger camp. Here we will visit the Turtle Rock and the Temple of meditation etc. In the evening return to Hotel in Ulaanbaatar for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3. 29 Sep: Olgii ( B,L,D )
After breakfast fly to Mongolia's western-most province - Bayan Olgii. Olgii is home to Kazakh people,who have a rich cultural heritage, music, handicrafts and traditional Hunting with Golden Eagles. On arrival in Olgii, the provincial capital, visit the local museum, which provides insight into the diverse ethnic groups in the region. Next visit the local Mosque and market. Spend the night with an Eagle trainer's family.
 
Day 4. 30 Sep: Olgii ( B,L,D )
Today is the day to watch the Eagle trainers at work: to witness the special relationship between the trainer and their bird, which is often considered a family member. Join the hunters on their hunting trips and watch them pamper their birds. Spend the night with a nomadic Kazakh family to learn more about their culture and traditions.
Day 5-6. 01 & 02 Oct: The Golden Eagle Festival ( B,L, D )
Eagle trainers will gather to show their skills and their eagle's abilities. The festival will begin with the hunters displaying their traditional Kazakh dress and their eagle's equipment and ornaments. This is an exciting and authentic event which not only features eagle hunters' competitions, but also other Kazakh traditional games such as Kokbar (goat carcass polo), Kazak archery, etc.

Prizes are given for the best traditional dress, the eagle's gear and ornaments. Also, the eagles themselves will be marked according to their speed and agility. During the festival, folklore performances will take place adding even more cheerfulness to an already fantastic atmosphere. Spend the night in a ger camp.

Day 7. 03 Oct: Olgii - Khovd ( B,L,D )
Travel by car to Khovd, the biggest city (population : 35,000) in Western Mongolia. Khovd is at the foot of the Mongolia Altai Mountains and in the valley of the Buyant Gol River. There are sixteen distinct ethnic groups living in Khovd: Khalkh, Zakhchin, Torgood, Oeld, Durved, Myangad, Uriankhai, Monchog and Kazakh. Visit local villages and spend the night in a ger.
 
Day 8. 4 Oct: Khovd ( B )
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Ulaanbataar. Spend the night in a hotel.
Day 9. 5 Oct: Hustai National Park ( B,L)
After breakfast drive to the Hustai National Park. Just 100 km away from the capital, it is the nest of the Mongolian Przewalski horses which can be seen roaming wildly in this beautiful national park. Return to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel.

Day 10. 6 Oct: Departure ( B )
Transfer to the airport for the flight home

If you are interested, please contact us here, http://northof49photography.com/contact-us/
 

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