Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Wild Mongolia THE GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL AND GREAT GOBI DESERT

Our rare “back of beyond” adventure brings you from the fascinating eagle hunter cultures of the Altai Mountains in Mongolia’s wild west to the epic setting of the vast Gobi

Festival, where Kazakhs parade on horseback dressed in their traditional hunting finery, accompanied by magnificent golden eagles perched on their arms. We watch as the eagles fly down from cliffs to attack their decoy targets in the valley below, with the crowd erupting in cheers at a successful “kill.” While here, we have wonderful opportunities to visit nomad families in their gers and explore hidden archaeological sites with amazing petroglyphs. Days 8-13 Gobi Desert / Three Camel Lodge The remote Gobi was the site of some of the most important paleontological discoveries of the 20th century. With overnights at the award- winning Three Camel Lodge, we climb the dunes in the stunning Moltsog Els, explore precious petroglyphs, and hike in Yol Valley National Park, habitat of Argali mountain sheep and soaring lammergeiers. For a grand finale, we head to the famed Flaming Cliffs, where in 1923 Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History found the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen. Scientific expeditions continue to make significant discoveries here, and we have a chance to experience an unforgettable sunset that paints the cliffs in a soft orange glow. Depart on Day 13.

Desert. In the Altai, you’ll witness the thrilling Golden Eagle Festival as Kazakhs come from afar on horseback to show off the skills of their majestic trained eagles—a truly spectacular display of this ancient and vanishing art.

“This was a fantastic trip, and not one we could have managed on our own.”

John S., Laurel MD

BOB KRIST

The opportunity to meet and mingle among them, watch their amazing horsemanship, and visit local families is an unforgettable experience. Heading to the Gobi, you’ll walk on the golden Moltsog Els dunes and in the glacier-carved Yol Valley, then watch a blazing sunset at the legendary Flaming Cliffs, where the first dinosaur eggs were found. Days 1-7 Ulaanbaatar / Ulgii / Golden Eagle Festival After exploring Ulaanbaatar, we head to the grasslands below the snow-dusted peaks of the High Altai to witness the Golden Eagle

HIGHLIGHTS • Witness the annual Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia’s “wild west” • Explore the Gobi’s celebrated Flaming Cliffs, hike in Yol Valley National Park • Enjoy Three Camel Lodge, an award-winning ger camp in the heart of the Gobi DETAILS • 13-day trip begins and ends in Ulaanbaatar • 8 nights ger camps, 4 nights hotels • All meals included TRIP COST $6495 (10-15 members) $6795 (5-9 members) Single supplement: $1730 Internal airfare: $1225 (subject to change) TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rugged road travel, walking and light hiking, cultural adventures DATES Oct 3-15, 2017

Western Mongolia, one of the last true wildernesses on the planet, is home to the fascinating Kazakh eagle hunters. PHOTO: JOSEF FRIEDHUBER

WOLFGANG KAEHLER

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL ASIA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 99