Eagle hunters of Mongolia

This journey takes you deep into the remote Altai Mountains of far western Mongolia, a region few travellers ever reach and even fewer truly experience.

Travelling in a small, respectful group (maximum six participants), we move far beyond established routes to spend time with Kazakh nomads and some of the last remaining eagle hunters—families who continue to live much as their ancestors did. This is not a staged encounter, but a shared journey.

We trek through the Altai Mountains alongside the eagle hunters I’ve come to know very well over the years, their horses, and their camels (which carry our luggage), allowing us to move lightly through remote valleys and colourful mountain passes. In early summer the wildflowers are spectacular!

On top of that, we will spend 3 days building a greenhouse for and with a nomad family. The project is part of the work of my NGO, Heart for Mongolia, which has made lasting, meaningful improvements in the region through community-led initiatives.

The best thing about building the greenouse together with the family we build it for, is that we will get to know the family intimately and leave them something genuinely useful behind. You might even gain some skills, if you don’t already have them!

This is a rare chance to go where conventional tourism doesn’t reach, to form real connections with extraordinary people, and to give back in a way that is thoughtful, tangible, and lasting.

In early summer, the Altai Mountains come alive with colourful wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and long days under vast open skies. You will learn a lot about the region and the people living here.

Price is excluding:
Flights to and from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Including

• All domestic flights and transfers
• Food & Accomodation (bring your own tent, sleeping bag and mattress, packlist will follow)
• Contribution to the costs of the community projects
• Guides, chefs, animals, pack gear, dinner tent, stunning scenery and unforgettable experiences :)

ITINERARY

Day 0: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UB) whenever you like, Id recommend to spend a few days and get over the jetlag.

Day 1: Spend a day in UB together, including Chingghis Kahn museum, Sukhbaatar square, 6pm theatershow and dinner

Day 2: Start 28-hour busdrive journey to Olgi (great way to see the whole country passing by! Comfortable big touringbus)

Day 3: Arrive in Olgi, stay in ger at guesthouse with (usually) showers, electricity and wifi

Day 4: Drive to project location (4WD), settle into our ger and start work after lunch

Day 5: Build project, possibly visit former projects, spend time with selected family

Day 6: Finish building project, celebration night

Day 7: Transfer (4WD) to start of trek, meet Alpamys + 4 or 5 more nomads, their horses and camels, camping in tents in beautiful mountain location

Day 8, 9 and 10: Hiking through the Altai mountains, camping

Day 11: Arrive at Alpamys’ summercamp, spend the afternoon with the extended family and eagles

Day 12: Drive back to Olgi (approx. 5 hours 4WD)

Day 13: Fly back to Ulaanbaatar

Allow 2 days in Ulaanbaatar before booking your flight home.

This trip is suitable for those who are comfortable in the outdoors, physically fit enough to hike 10–15 km per day at altitudes up to 3,000 metres, and seeking a unique immersion into nomadic mountain culture.

NOTE: While horses and camels will be part of our trek, they are ridden by the local nomads—not by us. We will be hiking throughout the journey, though we may occasionally use horses for river crossings (helmet and safety stirrups provided). You will also meet the eagles and will be able to sit them on your arm, but summer is not the time to go eagle hunting. If this is a priority for you, we can speak with the locals upon arrival to explore any possible opportunities in the future. Please be aware that this requires exceptional horse-riding, and cold-weather skills.