Women-Led Nomadic Migration & Eagle Hunting Festival (12D / 11N)
2025
sept 10-21
This is a nomadic migration led by female nomads. The trip is open to all genders. We aim to normalize the roles of women in the trekking tourism industry. Hence, we are partnering with local indigenous families in the mountains of Mongolia for travelers to experience first-hand the culture, history and lives of local nomads and eagle hunters. We will be partaking in an actual migration of nomadic families. In addition, after the migration, we will be attending the annual Eagle Hunting Festival that showcases female competitors - some of whom are students of our Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp (our award-winning 30 day cultural immersion program).
This is a special trek (open to all genders) with female nomads as we dive into the culture, history and lives of a local indigenous group in the mountains of Mongolia. We will walk side by side with the families on an actual nomadic migration. Nomadic migration is a form of pastoralism when animals are herded in order to find fresh pastures on which to graze. The nomadic migration is part of the ancient culture of nomadism in Mongolia that continues to this day. The herded livestock include sheep, goats, yak/cattle, horses and camels. Nomadic people usually migrate at least twice a year. We will be doing the migration in the autumn season. Below, you can watch WE ARE NOMADS: A True Story of an All Women Migration in Altai which is a documentary film on our first women-led migration in 2020.
We strive to hire female guides for our tours as part of our mission to elevate the status of women in the tourism industry. This tour is open to all genders.
Women Guide Leadership Training June 6-8, 2025
Joining this trip will help us in launching our Women Guide Leadership Training in Bayan Ulgii, Western Mongolia as a way to elevate the roles of women in the tourism industry.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THIS TRIP:
JOINING THIS SPECIAL TRIP REQUIRES AN OPEN MIND AND FLEXIBILITY AS THE ITINERARY MAY CHANGE LAST MINUTE. MONGOLIA HAS SOME OF THE ROUGHEST ROADS IN THE WORLD AND STAYING WITH THE NOMADS MAY MEAN NO SHOWER OR PROPER TOILET/SHOWER FACILITIES FOR DAYS. THIS TOUR IS BEST FOR ADVENTUROUS TRAVELERS WHO CAN THRIVE IN UNPREDICTABLE SITUATIONS. WE ARE GUESTS OF THE NOMADIC FAMILIES AND SHOULD AIM TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THEIR WAY OF LIFE AND CULTURE AT ALL TIMES. THIS TOUR IS FOR A SMALL GROUP SIZE OF 6 TO ENSURE THE COMFORT AND PRIVACY OF THE NOMADIC FAMILIES.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Arrive in Ulaanbaator
Arrive UB airport as you're met by our team. Transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 - City Tour
Today we will do city sightseeing tour. We will explore the Bogd Khaan Palace, Chingis Khaan Museum and Central Square. You’ll also have the opportunity to do some shopping along the way. Overnight in UB.
DAY 3 - Fly to Ulaangom
Transfer to UB airport and fly to Ulaangom. Meet with our team. We start our drive to the start of the migration where we meet our female nomads and their families. For the night, we stay with the nomadic family.
Overnight in ger. (B, L, D)
DAYS 4-6 Migration (approximately 6 or more hours per day)
The highlight is to experience an actual traditional migration with a nomadic family and their herds of animals led by women nomads.
Overnight in ger (B, L, D)
DAY 7 Drive to Olgii
We bid farewell to the nomadic families after breakfast and then drive to Ulgii.
Overnight in local hotel or apartment style accommodation in Ulgii. (B, L, D)
DAYS 8-9 Eagle Hunting Festival
Meet the Kazakh Eagle hunters along with our female huntresses. This is the rodeo of eagle hunting and a fantastic opportunity for photographers and adventurers alike to see these magnificent birds up close. During the festival we also see some Kazakh Traditional Horse Games like “Bush-Kushi” (Try to take out from each other the goat skin on horseback),”Kiss woman on horseback”, “Pick up coins from the land on horseback” and others. On the second day, we will watch the award and closing ceremony.
Overnight in local hotel or apartment style accommodation in Ulgii. (B, L, D)
DAY 10 Visit Eagle Hunting Family
We visit local eagle hunting families in Sagsai where we enjoy a homemade local cuisine and get to know some of the members of the Sagsai community.
Overnight in local hotel or apartment style accommodation in Ulgii. In the evening, you can dine at a local restaurant and reflect on the experience migrating with the nomads. (B, L)
DAY 11 - Fly to Ulaanbaatar.
Early breakfast. Transfer to the airport and fly to UB. Transfer to your hotel. (B)
DAY 12 - Fly home.
Transfer to the airport. Fly home. (B)
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
You can watch the recording of our trip meeting for Women-Led Migration via this link.
TREK STYLE
This trek is graded easy to moderate. Keep in mid that although it’s fall season, Mongolia is known to have snow even in late September/October. You will be staying in gers during the migration and sleep in basic cots or mats. You will walk with a light daypack as all gear will be carried by your team of camels and a support van.
2025 PRICING
Per person for a group of 2-6 people: $3960
We want everyone to be able to join our tour! Contact us via equity@browngaltrekker.com to find out about our promotional discounts or to discuss some type of collaboration in exchange for reduced tour pricing.
Single supplement (7 nights of hotel stay): $490
DEPOSIT DUE: $995
Balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
A completed booking form and non-refundable deposit are required to book. For questions, send us an email at equity@browngaltrekker.com
Please read the TERMS & CONDITIONS and LIABILITY WAIVER before booking.
The cancellation policy for this tour is as follows:
Cancellation fees will be applied per person based on the date we receive your written notification:
91 or more days from the start of the trip - 50% of the land cost of the tour will be refunded (flight cost is nonrefudnable)
90-0 days from the start of the trip - 100% cancellation fee (no refunds)
Click on Book Now below to book.
INCLUSIONS
A team of a licensed female guide along with female nomadic herders
A team of chef and driver.
Round trip domestic flights
4x4 land transport
City tour in Ulaanbaatar
Meals as noted in the itinerary
4 star hotel in Ulanbaatar (3 nights)
Ger camp stay during the migration
Accommodation in Ulgii (4 nights)
Group camping equipment such as cooking gear, sleeping mats and sleeping bags
Water bottles for drinking
Airport transfers
Eagle festival fees, border & national park permits
EXCLUSIONS
Tips for guides, any personal expenses (such as laundry, souvenir shopping etc), extra activities (e.g. horse riding), visa fees & travel insurance, international flight tickets.
GEAR LIST See gear list here.
FLIGHTS
International flights are excluded. Clients must book their own flights and send a copy of their flight itinerary by e-mail to bgt@browngaltrekker.com no later than the trip balance due date.
TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIRED
After making a deposit, you are required to obtain appropriate travel insurance through Global Rescue or other insurance of your choice that should cover at a minimum 100% of the trip cost (land & air), emergency medical and evacuation. Proof of travel insurance must be provided via electronic mail to equity@browngaltrekker.com no later than the trip balance due date. Failure to obtain travel insurance by the trip balance due date will result in cancellation and no refund of your trip deposit and/or applicable cancellation fees may apply as noted in the Terms & Conditions.
Note: If you opt to buy your insurance from a company other than Global Rescue, please ensure that the insurance you purchase covers this specific type of travel.
VISA
Please check ahead of time as to the visa requirements for the country of your choosing. You are responsible for securing your own visa, if required.
TRIP NOTES
Upon booking, you will receive trip notes that include the recommended gear list and specific trek information.