Altai Eagle Festival 2005

We are proud to announce the second annual Altai Eagle Festival on October 1st and 2nd in Olgii, Mongolia. This year's event will focus on the unique cultures of western Mongolia, particularly Eagle hunting and handcrafts. The following information will explain how to register and attend the festival. For more information or questions, email AltaiFest2005@gmail.com or call either Canat at 99110303 or Chris at 99096941

September 30
from 11:00		Free taxis available from Olgii to Blue Wolf’s ger camp (16km)
18:00		Pre-festival dinner for Deluxe ticket holders
20:00		Entertainment at ger camp

Festival Day 1 – October 1
10:00		Opening ceremony Introduction of participants, Eagle Hunting history and practice
12:00		Competition event #1 - Eagle Call Tests hunter’s ability to ‘call’ their eagle to their horse from a distance
13:30		Break for lunch
14:30		Multiple events • Anklebones and archery competition • Question and answer with Eagle Hunters • Cultural lecture – History of the Kazakhs
16:00		Competition event #2 - Eagle Trapping Hunters show their ability to catch eagles in snares
18:00		Break for dinner
20:00		History of Kazakh Wall Hangings Learn the history and technique of making the elaborate wall hangings that are one of Mongolia’s most sought after antiques
20:30		Wall Hanging Auction A rare opportunity to purchase wall hangings directly from the families that made them. The auction will feature some especially old wall hangings, with certificates of authenticity from the original seamstress

Festival Day 2 – October 2
10:00		Competition event #3 - Fox Skin The real test of a hunter’s ability, eagles must catch a fox skin dragged behind their trainer’s horse
11:30		Kazakh Horse Games • Bushkashi - Tug of War played on horseback with goat skin, common throughout Central Asia • Kyz Kuar - A race between a man and woman on horseback • Tiyn Teru - Riders compete to pick up coins from the ground during the race
13:00		Break for lunch
14:30		Competition event #4 - Traditional Dress Hunters display their home-made traditional outfits
16:00		Afternoon break
18:00		Closing dinner, awards
20:00		Concert

Notes
• There will be several translators available throughout the festival to assist guests
• Authentic Kazakh handcrafts will be on sale during the event
• Entertainment will be offered nightly at ger camp

 

Tickets

Top

There are three ways to attend the Altai Eagle Festival - Deluxe and Standard Tickets include accommodations and other perks during the Festival. Non-package admission tickets are also available. Refer to the following table for ticket details and costs:

	Deluxe	Standard	Ticket
Two day ticket to festival
3 nights accomodation (Standard Ger)
3 nights accomodation (Deluxe Ger)
Pre-festival dinner on September 30
Closing dinner and concert
Free transportation
Gift package

Ticket Prices

Deluxe ticket - $175
Deluxe ticket holders receive a 20% discount on post-festival itineraries

Standard ticket - $100
Standard ticket holders receive 10% discount on post-festival itineraries

Ticket - $60

Notes

• Half price for children 7 to 12 years, under 7 free of charge
• Discount available for group registration – email for details
• A 15% discount is available to volunteers (Peace Corps, VSO, AYAD, etc)

  Accommodations

• Gers are located in Altai Expeditions ger camp in Tsagsai village, 16km from Olgii
• 3 nights accommodation are September 30, October 1, and October 2
• Standard gers have four beds/ ger
• Deluxe gers have two beds/ ger (four upon request)
• Deluxe ticket holders may request hotel room in Olgii rather than ger
• Ger camp has electricity, hot showers, restaurant, nightly entertainment

  Email AltaiFest2005@gmail.com for questions about ticket packages. See registration section below to download registration document.
  

Registering

Top

Registering for the Altai Eagle Festival is easy. Simply download the registration form (click here to download), answer the questions, and email the completed registration to AltaiFest2005@gmail.com

More information about registration and payment is provided on registration form

Registration will be confirmed upon receipt of payment

We strongly advise you to confirm travel plans before registering! See Travel tips below for more details

Travel Information

Top

Bayan Olgii is located 1600 km west of Ulaanbaatar. There are several ways to reach Olgii, but it is critical to book transportation as early as possible! Plane tickets are sold quickly in the weeks before and after the Eagle Festival. The following information will help you plan your travel:

Getting to and from Bayan Olgii

Travel by land is not recommended. Jeeps take at least three days to reach Olgii and roads are poor. If you are interested in driving, contact Blue Wolf and we can provide more information.

You can fly to either Bayan Olgii province on MIAT airline or neighboring Khovd province on AeroMongolia airline.

MIAT flies to Olgii three times a week. The winter schedule is not published until the first week of September, so the exact dates of flights are currently unavailable. Check back in early September for more information. A two way ticket for a foreign citizen is around 323 USD.

AeroMongolia offers a safer alternative to MIAT, but doesn't fly directly to Olgii. Blue Wolf will provide free transportation from Khovd to Olgii on September 30 for registered guests of the Festival. The transportation will meet you at the Khovd airport and take you directly to Olgii, a trip of about four hours through the beautiful Tsambagarav National Park. Free transportation back to Khovd will also be provided after the festival.

AeroMongolia flies to Khovd on September 26, 28, 30. The winter schedule for October is not yet available. Check back in early September for dates. Foreign citizens pay 294 USD for a round trip ticket. Mongolian citizens pay 168 USD for a round trip ticket.

Travel between Olgii and Altai Eagle Festival

The Eagle Festival takes place 16km from Olgii in Tsagsai Villiage. Festival registration includes three nights in Blue Wolf's ger camp in Tsagsai. Transportation will be provided between Olgii and Tsagsai as needed during the festival.

For more transportation related questions, contact us at AltaiFest2005@gmail.com

Post-festival Itineraries

Top

Immediately following the Altai Eagle Festival, Blue Wolf Expeditions will offer two trips in Bayan Olgii. These itineraries are open to anyone, with discounts available for those who attend the festival. Please note that space in the itineraries fills up quickly, so early registration is recommended.

Altai Eagle Hunting
Spend three to five days in the countryside of Bayan Olgii with a Kazakh Eagle Hunter. During this time you will have an opportunity to learn first hand about the traditional Kazakh lifestyle as well as participate in Eagle Hunting – a practice nearly extinct in Kazakh culture. A three day trip will travel to Tsambagarav National Park and a five day trip will visit Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

Altai Ancient Places
Travel throughout Bayan Olgii for five days to visit sites of historical interest such as stone men, petroglyphs, and holy peaks. Your guides on this trip will include local herders, teachers, artists, and religious and cultural leaders. One particular site of interest included on the trip is Baga Oiger, a World Heritage Site nominee.

Email AltaiFest2005@gmail.com for details about these itineraries or to register.

1. How do I get to Olgii?
Fly directly to Olgii on MIAT or fly to Khovd and get free transportation to Olgii provided by Blue Wolf. Check back in early September for flight dates. Early booking for flights is essential!

2. What if I’m not allowed to fly MIAT?
AeroMongolia serves Khovd, 210 km from Olgii. You can then take taxi or free transportation provided by Blue Wolf to Olgii. Taxis from Khovd to Olgii leave daily and cost under $10. Blue Wolf will have a free van leaving from the Khovd airport on September 30 for Festival ticket holders. Transportation will also be provided back to Khovd after the festival.

3. Can I cook at the ger camp? Is there a restaurant?
Basic cooking facilities are available at the ger camp. There is also a restaurant offering a wide range of food including vegetarian meals. The ger camp is not located in Olgii, so it is recommended that guests purchase snacks in Olgii before going to festival.

4. Are there vegetarian options?
The ger camp restaurant offers vegetarian meals throughout the day. A special vegetarian dinner will be provided during the closing ceremony.

5. Can I take pictures and video during the festival?
Yes, all tickets include permission to take photos and video.

6. What will the weather be like?
In previous years it has been cold in the morning and evening, but pleasant during the day. We expect similar conditions this year, but you should pack for cold weather.

7. Should I bring a sleeping bag?
If possible, we recommend bringing a sleeping bag. Bedding is provided for guests without sleeping bags.

8. Can I do a home-stay with a local family during the festival?
We can arrange a limited number of home-stays before, during, or after the festival. Email AltaiFest2005@gmail.com for more information.