Bayan-Ölgii...where eagles fly

2 1/2 hours flight from the capital *Ulaanbatar 

Last weekend we flew to Bayan-Ölgii, the home of Mongolia's Kazakh falconers and the Golden Eagle Festival. This rugged and isolated province lies in the shadow of the Golden Altai mountain range where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together. This is our second encounter with the Kazakh hunters but it was a great thrill to be able to witness this spectacular event up close and personal in their own "backyard"...a once in a lifetime experience.

Embroidered Kazakh wall hangings are a feature in most gers. Completely hand stitched, the base of the panel is always left unfinished-being of Muslim faith the Kazakhs believe only God creates perfect, complete things.  This piece is now mine!  It was made in 1959 so I had to have it!


It is so easy to see why Mongolians have such a deep connection with their land, beauty abounds whatever the season. Hope these pictures will give you some sense of the surrounding landscape.

A Kazakh hunter in quiet contemplation.
The ground is so rock-bound you cant even imagine that its suitable for horses let alone navigating them at a full gallop across the terrain.

A view of the craggy hillside closer up.  Looking for a little solitude... 

In contrast, an interesting rock formation and wide open plains

...better than a living room any day!

Walking to our  picnic lunch "in the middle of nowhere"

The Stage: It's hard to look like a crowd in such wide open spaces.  But there definitely was a crowd! (refer unpublished pictures!)

 THE EAGLE HUNTERS IN ALL THEIR SPLENDOR

Sim with the younger hunters

In action. Hunters show their skills by retrieving items from the ground in a full gallop. 

Looks like fun-must try it on my horse riding expedition next week!

Natural refrigeration at its best!

Room with a view-idyllic lunch spot by the river

Not long after first course.....visitors arrived!

clear, alpine rivers for a spot of  fishing

Kitted up fishermen!

a great place for just... contemplating

The people we met along the way...

This is one of my favourite pics.  These women were heading home with dung in their sacks.

The Mongolian Eagle hunters of the future!

The best groomed camel I have seen so far!

Don't you love those cheeks!

I watched this old lady walk a very long way from across the plain

This little boy urged me to take his picture holding the eagle.  He struggled with the weight of it! 

Last but not least, some Soviet motor nostalgia!

Our aesthetically challenged people mover.  "Fergie". Our driver seemed to believe it could fly if he pressed her hard enough.  Short on comfort high on gasoline fumes!

Only the uninitiated would ask "why is it padded?"

someones "Russian Beauty"

Strong and hardy for sure