Spring Festival Photography Tour

Home » Photography

Nauryz festival 2024

Nauryz is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by Turkic nations. Kazakhs who reside in the Altai mountains of Mongolia celebrate the festival too. Meaning “March” in Kazakh, this festival marks the beginning of a new year. Don’t miss this chance to photograph unique cultural festivals of Kazakhs living in the remote western corner of Mongolia and our Nauryz photography tour is the best opportunity for those who missed the main eagle festival held in October and for those who want to experience the life of herders in the Altai mountains during cattle breeding time. 

Eagle Festival will be held on March 21.

Nauryz Festival will take place on March 22. 

Theme: Cultural, photography tour

Available: March

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Photograph these colorfully dressed locals at Nauryz festival
Nauryz festival parade is the best opportunity for photography adventurers

Itinerary

Day 1. Fly to Western Mongolia

Take the flight to Ulgii town, Western Mongolia. Land in Ulgii town in the late afternoon. Check in your hotel. Take good rest. Have a dinner at a restaurant. Time to stroll in the town center. 

Day 2. Drive to herder family

In the morning drive to a nomad herder family who lives in the mountains outside of the town. Feel the local warm hospitality. Our host is an eagle hunter that gives us the opportunity to get an insight into eagle hunting tradition of Kazakh people.

Day 3, 4. Be nomad days

Spring season is the cattle breeding time. Seeing new born lambs and kids is an amazing feeling. Great opportunity to experience nomadic lifestyle.

Day 5. Head to Ulgii

Drive back to Ulgii town. Lunch. Time to explore the town (museum, open air bazaar, look out). Go souvenir shopping for colorfully embroidered handcrafts. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 6. Spring Eagle festival

In the morning drive to Sagsai village where one day long spring eagle festival is held. 30km. Opening ceremony. The contest starts with an evaluation round on eagle hunters’ traditional outfits, their horses’ gears and eagle hunting gears.  

Day 7. Nauryz festival

Spring time means arrival of New Year for Mongolians and 22nd March is the beginning of a New Year for Kazakh people.  The New Year is called Nauriz and celebrated annually by Kazakhs. In the morning of festival day dressed with traditional costumes people rush to the town center where the festival ceremonies are held. The festival starts with the opening speech of mayor of the town and continues with a parade that displays nomadic herder lifestyle. Several traditional sports games follow the parade.  Get the great opportunity to experience the festival with the locals visiting a couple families which is the part of the festival. Taste the festival dish called Nauriz Koje (rice and wheat soup) accompanied with lots of other dishes. Hotel.

Day 8. Departure day

We will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. End of the tour.

why this tour

-Spring eagle festival
-Nauryz festival
-Experience nomad herder life
-Meet Kazakh nomad people
-Explore Ulgii town

clents with new born lambs during our spring photography tour
new born lamb
Services provided

1. English speaking tour guide
2. Russian 4×4 van(s) + gasoline
3. Airport transfers
4. Tour cook 
5. Meals (B+L+D)
6. Hotel (4 overnight)
7. Homes stays (3 overnight)
8. Nomad family fee
9. Eagle festival tax
10. Eagle hunter fee
11. Entry fee (museum)
12. Drinking water

Services not provided

-Everything in Ulaanbaatar
-Domestic flight tickets (we can book your tickets for you upon request)
-Travel insurance
-Alcoholic drinks
-Gratuities

Eagle hunter boy being the center of attention for photographers at nauryz festival in western Mongolia
During Nauryz festival at Ulgii town square, western Mongolia
photo shoot time
photographer client with the hunters