Skip to content
+66 63 071 1511
Create my trip

Mongolia

The West and the Kazakhs

From Tolbo’s eagle hunters to the traditions of the Tea Road, an immersion in the far west of Mongolia.

15 days · 14 nightsSmall group · 4 to 8 people
See the Itinerary
Aventure de Vie
15 days15 stops

Ulaanbaatar — Gandan MonasteryChinggis Khaan International Airport

Loading Google Maps15 mapped routesAvailable road and walking transfers calculated.
Route calculatedBoatTrainMixed journey
Route and walks calculated when available; boat and train routes are indicative.See the route in Google Maps ↗
The West and the Kazakhs — Stage 01 — Ulaanbaatar and Gandan Monastery
01

Ulaanbaatar — Gandan Monastery

Ulaanbaatar and Gandan Monastery

Airport pick-up, hotel check-in, and first exploration of the capital. A visit to Gandan Monastery introduces the religious and political history of Mongolia.

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar – City tour – Overnight at the hotelAccommodation: Hotel in UlaanbaatarMeals: Meals in town not included
The West and the Kazakhs — Stage 02 — Flight to Khovd and Lake Khar Uus
02

Khovd — West shore of Lake Khar Uus

Flight to Khovd and Lake Khar Uus

A domestic flight takes you deep into Mongolia’s far west. After settling in at Khovd, an initial excursion leads to the desert shores of Lake Khar Uus, a haven for many migratory birds.

Read the detailed itinerary

Domestic flight to Khovd (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday). Check-in at the hotel.
Drive to Khar Us Lake, home to numerous bird species. Return to Khovd in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel in KhovdMeals: All meals outside Ulaanbaatar included
The West and the Kazakhs — stage 03 — First day of the Eagle Festival
03

Village of Tolbo

First day of the Eagle Festival

The journey continues to Tolbo for the opening of the Kazakh eagle hunters’ festival. Dazzling displays of skill, obedience, and hunting celebrate knowledge passed down through generations.

Read the detailed itinerary

Early in the morning, drive west to the small village of Tolbo, near the lake of the same name. The eagle festival is held in Tolbo.
Overnight with a nomad family near the village.

Accommodation: With a nomad family or in the villageMeals: Full board as outlined in the itinerary
The West and the Kazakhs — Stage 04 — Eagle hunters and the Tsambagarav Range
04

Tolbo — Tsambagarav Massif

Eagle hunters and the Tsambagarav Range

A second day is devoted to the eagle hunters, horsemen, and traditional games. In the late afternoon, the trail heads to the foothills of Tsambagarav to meet a nomad family.

Read the detailed itinerary

Second day of the Eagle Festival. After the festivities, drive to the Tsambagarav Massif. Meet a nomad family and experience nomadic life. Overnight in the family’s yurt.

Accommodation: With a nomad familyMeals: Full board as outlined in the itinerary
The West and the Kazakhs — Stage 05 — Return and discovery of Khovd
05

Khovd — city center

Return and discovery of Khovd

Return to Khovd, a former crossroads on the tea, silk and spice routes. Depending on the time available, you'll visit the market, the museum, and discover traces of its past as a fortified city.

City discoveryAccommodation: Hotel in KhovdMeals: Meals outside the capital
The West and the Kazakhs — stage 06 — Encounters with the peoples of the West
06

Khovd Valley — nomad camp

Encounters with the peoples of the West

First day of immersion with a family in the Khovd Valley. Conversations are an opportunity to explore the diversity of groups settled in this crossroads region.

Nomadic life and encountersAccommodation: Family yurtMeals: Full board as outlined in the itinerary
The West and the Kazakhs — stage 07 — Daily life and traditions at the camp
07

Khovd Valley — high steppes

Daily life and traditions at the camp

The day follows the rhythm of camp life: preparing meals, maintaining the yurt, caring for the herds. A slow, unhurried pace—without staged visits—to understand the organization of pastoral life.

Nomadic immersionAccommodation: Family yurtMeals: Full board as outlined in the itinerary
The West and the Kazakhs — stage 08 — Last day with the nomads
08

Foothills of the Mongol Altai

Last day with the nomads

A final day with Western families reveals the mineral landscapes dominated by the Altai and Tsambagarav ranges. The program adapts to the season and to the camp’s real-day activities.

Encounters and local explorationAccommodation: Family yurtMeals: Full board as outlined in the itinerary
The West and the Kazakhs — stage 09 — Mankhan and the caravan’s departure
09

Mankhan — Sharga-Mankhan Reserve

Mankhan and the caravan’s departure

The road crosses a landscape of arid steppes and colorful mountain ranges all the way to Mankhan. The group observes the careful preparation of the camel caravan that will head towards Khovd.

Read the detailed itinerary

Drive to the small village of Mankhan, about 80 km from Khovd, in a truly unique landscape: a mineral world in shades of beige, grey, black, and orange at the foot of the Munkh Khairkhan and Bataar Khairkhan mountains. Here, the camel caravan prepares to journey to Khovd for the festivities.

Accommodation: Planned lodging in the regionMeals: Full board as outlined in the itinerary
The West and the Kazakhs — stage 10 — Tea Road Festival
10

Khovd — Tsainii Zam Festival

Tea Road Festival

First day of the Tsainii Zam festival: arrival of the caravan, mini-Naadam, equestrian contests, tea ceremonies, music, and acrobatics bring the ancient caravan route back to life.

Festival, folk arts and equestrian traditionsAccommodation: Hotel in KhovdMeals: Meals outside the capital
The West and the Kazakhs — stage 11 — Throat singing and tea ceremonies
11

Khovd — second day of Tsainii Zam

Throat singing and tea ceremonies

The second day highlights khöömii, the iconic throat singing of Khovd, and the different ways of preparing tea among each ethnic group.

Festival, songs and tastingsAccommodation: Hotel in KhovdMeals: Meals outside the capital
The West and the Kazakhs — Stage 12 — The Great Spaces of Lake Khar Uus
12

Khar Uus Nuur National Park

The Great Spaces of Lake Khar Uus

A day of exploration takes you to another part of the vast Lake Khar Uus. Reed beds, open water and mountains create a major habitat for migratory birds.

Landscapes and Wildlife WatchingAccommodation: Hotel in KhovdMeals: Meals outside the capital
The West and the Kazakhs — Stage 13 — Flight to Ulaanbaatar and Khustai
13

Khustai National Park

Flight to Ulaanbaatar and Khustai Park

After the return flight, the road leads to Khustai National Park. An outing onto the steppe offers a chance to spot Przewalski’s horses and herds of deer.

Domestic Flight and Wildlife WatchingAccommodation: Yurt camp in KhustaiMeals: Meals as outlined in the program
The West and the Kazakhs — Stage 14 — Final Day in Ulaanbaatar
14

Ulaanbaatar — Traditional Theatre

Final Day in Ulaanbaatar

Return to the capital, lunch, then free afternoon. Depending on the schedule, the evening continues with a concert of Mongolian music, song and dance.

Free Time and Traditional ShowAccommodation: Hotel in UlaanbaatarMeals: Meals in town not included
The West and the Kazakhs — Stage 15 — International Flight
15

Chinggis Khaan International Airport

International flight

Early departure for the airport at the end of a journey marked by two festivals and many encounters in one of Mongolia’s most remote regions.

Airport transfer

This journey immerses you in the cultural mosaic of Khovd and Bayan-Ölgii, for the Tolbo Eagle Festival followed by Tsainii Zam, the Tea Road Festival.

The experience

Between these two highlights, several days are devoted to visiting the nomadic families of the West, admiring the Altai landscapes, preparing a camel caravan, and discovering lakes frequented by migratory birds.

You will visit

  • Ulaanbaatar
  • Khovd
  • Tolbo
  • Mankhan
  • Lake Khar Uus
  • Khustai

A Festival-based Itinerary

The program runs at the end of September and must be adjusted each year according to the official festival dates and flight schedules to Khovd. Long dirt tracks and family homestays are an integral part of the experience.

Price and booking

Price upon request. The cost depends in particular on the number of travellers, domestic flights, and the final festival calendar.

The West and the Kazakhs — stage 03 — First day of the Eagle FestivalThe West and the Kazakhs — Stage 04 — Eagle hunters and the Tsambagarav RangeThe West and the Kazakhs — stage 06 — Encounters with the peoples of the WestThe West and the Kazakhs — stage 07 — Daily life and traditions at the campThe West and the Kazakhs — stage 09 — Mankhan and the caravan’s departureThe West and the Kazakhs — stage 10 — Tea Road FestivalThe West and the Kazakhs — Stage 12 — The Great Spaces of Lake Khar UusThe West and the Kazakhs — Stage 13 — Flight to Ulaanbaatar and Khustai

Don’t miss

Journey highlights

  • Tolbo Eagle Festival
  • Tsainii Zam and the Tea Road Festival
  • Encounters with Western Families
  • Camel Caravan in Mankhan
  • Lake Khar Uus and Migratory Birds
  • Przewalski’s Horses in Khustai

This trip is for you if...

Travellers passionate about nomadic cultures, photography, wide open spaces and traditional events still rarely visited.

Level and challenges

Domestic flights follow local schedules, expect long dirt tracks, late-season weather and simple comfort with local families. The calendar may change with the official festival dates.

Practical information

15-day itinerary available at the end of September.
Dates are confirmed after the publication of the official calendars for the Tolbo and Tsainii Zam festivals.
Travel by Japanese 4x4 and Russian UAZ van.
Hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Khovd; nights in yurts hosted by local families along the route.
Rates and departures for 2027-2028 available on request.

Included in the quote

What’s included

  • English-speaking or French-speaking guide
  • 4x4 vehicle with driver in Ulaanbaatar
  • UAZ 4x4 vehicle in the Khovd region
  • Round-trip domestic flights Ulaanbaatar – Khovd
  • Fuel and land logistics
  • Accommodation in hotels, yurt camps and with nomad families
  • Meals outside Ulaanbaatar
  • Visits and entrance to Khustai National Park

Not included

What’s not included

  • International flights
  • Meals taken in Ulaanbaatar
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Services not mentioned in the program
Included in this tripGuide-interpreter and private driver

Have a question about this trip?

Discuss this trip with Gilles

Just tell us about your project.

About: The West and the Kazakhs

A tailor-made trip? Create my trip

Planning a trip?