An Overview
This bespoke journey has been designed to showcase one of the most spectacular landscapes to be found anywhere in Asia; the Altai mountains of western Mongolia. Still relatively untouched, their wild and boundless beauty offers a unique opportunity to unplug from day-to-day life, and to re-connect with our more natural self. The huge horizons and big blue skies are also home to some of the world's last nomadic migrations, and of course, the fabled eagle hunters, who to this day seem to encapsulate our primordial desire for a deeper connection with the natural world.
Personally hosted by Adrian, the founder of Whistling Arrow, this adventure will be about new discoveries, and pushing beyond the boundaries of the familiar; about journeying through remote terrains, fully immersing ourselves in a nomadic migration, engaging head on with local cultures, and of course eagle hunting! All this, with the added extra of our first exploration of the Asgat range along the Russian border to track snow leopards. In short, it is a wild, slightly unscripted adventure, best suited to intrepid travelers who love to venture far off-the-beaten-track.
THE PLAN
With twelve full days in western Mongolia, the plan will be to fly from Ulan Bator to Ulgii on March 21, soak up some of the local Naruuz (Kazakh New Year) festivities, and then head off to recce the remote Asgat Mountains along the Russian border. Here we will meet up with a herder family to track the local snow leopard population on foot, and help local conservation efforts with the placement of new camera traps. From the Asgat Mountains we will then drive south to rendezvous with a nomadic family and embed with their four day westward migration towards the snow-capped peaks of the Altai. This will be a fully immersive experience, following on foot or horseback, and actively assisting the family with all aspects of their journey.
After completing the migration we will then drive to our final location at the base of the Altai mountains, where we will stay for a further four nights at a custom-built ger camp alongside an extended family of eagle hunters. Over the next three days, we will first shadow a group of eagle hunters as they ride into the surrounding peaks to hunt for foxes, before witnessing a private community festival to celebrate the coming of spring. This usually involves competitive mock hunts with eagles, incredible feats of horsemanship, and even a game of bushkashi (a kind of polo with a goat carcass).
Where we'll stay
In Ulan Bator we will stay in the Ramada Hotel and while in Ulgii we will be hosted by my friend at his comfortable hotel in town. Once in the Asgat Mountains we will spend two nights with a local herder family in their rustic winter dwellings, while on migration we will set up sleeping gers at the end of each day (with camping cots), and finally at the eagle hunting location we will stay in traditional gers alongside the family (with proper beds).
Day To Day
March 20: Fly to Ulan Bator (IATA: UBN). We will be picked up from the airport, and transferred to our hotel. Depending on the flight arrival time, we will then enjoy a welcome dinner (and a couple of drinks to celebrate Adrian's birthday!)
March 21: The domestic flight to Ulgii takes about 90 minutes, and typically departs early in the morning. We will arrive in Ulgii by mid-morning, visit the market to procure some gifts for the families, and perhaps some extra warm clothing, before enjoying the Naruuz festivities in town. In the afternoon, we will then set off on the 2 hour drive to our first location in the Asgat Mountains. Once there, we will meet the family and settle in. Accommodation will be fairly basic and in the family dwelling.
March 22: Spend a full day exploring the remote mountain valley on foot, tracking snow leopards, and securing new camera traps in the mountains. The area has seen a resurgence of the majestic cats in recent years after the Mongolia government introduced strict laws to ban hunting. The images below were taken on location this March on a recce to the area by my head guide. We will then once again overnight with the local herder family.
March 23: Today we will drive south west to meet up with a nomadic family who will be preparing for their journey westward towards the Altai Mountains; from their winter camp to their spring pastures. This afternoon we will help the family with final preparations for the epic journey, join them for dinner (and perhaps a shot of vodka or two), and later in the evening sleep in gers alongside their encampment.
March 24 to 27: Today we will embark on the journey and begin to embed fully with the migration, assisting the family with all aspects of the trip over the next four days, as they move their camels, horses, sheep and goats across the spectacular landscape. At the end of each day we will overnight in gers alongside the family. Throughout the migration we will have a support vehicle, but the plan will be to move with the migration either on horseback or on foot.
On the afternoon of March 27, we will arrive at our destination, say our goodbyes, and then drive towards Dayan Lake in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. Once we arrive at the eagle hunters encampment, we will join our hosts for dinner (and probably more vodka), before settling down into our comfortable gers (with a proper bed).
March 28 & 29: Over the next two days, we will join the eagle hunters as they hunt for foxes in the nearby mountains. Typically, this would involve riding with the hunters on horseback to a prominent hilltop from which the raptors can scan the surroundings for their prey. Once locked in, the eagles are then launched, and assuming a successful hunt we will ride down with them to collect the prey. Each day we will return to camp and stay in our gers.
March 30: Today we will witness (and perhaps have the chance to join in) some of the local festivities held to celebrate the arrival of spring. As already mentioned this would typically involve the competitive calling of eagles, feats of remarkable horsemanship, and often a game of bushkashi. Tonight is our last night in the wilds, so we will have a final celebration with our new found friends.
March 31: After breakfast, we will drive back to Ulgii through more spectacular landscapes. Once in Ulgii, we will check into our hotel, perhaps do a bit of souvenir shopping, and then enjoy a final dinner in western Mongolia in the company of some local musicians. Tonight, we will stay at my friend's comfortable hotel (everyone will have their own rooms with hot showers).
April 1: Catch the morning flight back to Ulan Bator. Once back in the capital city, we will check back into the Ramada and have most of the afternoon free. There will be an opportunity for some sightseeing, shopping for cashmere and perhaps to take in a local show. Tonight we will enjoy a hearty dinner at one of my favourite restaurants, and then head down to the local jazz club for a night cap.
April 2: Transfer to the airport, and fly home. Big hugs all around and see you next time!
A word about the temperatures
Western Mongolia in late March can be cold, but perhaps not as cold as you might think, particularly if the sun is out (which it usually is). Obviously we need to be properly prepared and bring the right footwear and clothing, but these can be supplemented by buying some items in the market in Ugii and going local! In short, daytime temperatures rarely drop below freezing, and with the hoped for sunshine, as well as the dry air, we should all be warm enough. At night, we will largely be in warm gers, with sleeping bags and blankets.
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The Nitty Gritty
The group, including Adrian, is best limited to between four and six intrepid adventurers, while the fixed dates will be March 20 to April 2, 2026. Please note that accommodation in gers will likely involve two to three people sharing each large ger. At the hotel accommodations (in Ulan Bator and Ulgii), everyone will have their own room.
The cost of the trip (assuming a minimum of four clients) will be USD 8250 per person excluding international flights. So, pretty much everything else (including domestic flights) is included except shopping for souvenirs and tips for the local crew. To confirm bookings, a 30% deposit will be required, with the balance payable 30 days before the departure date.
Credits:
Adrian Bottomley