Mongolia, former empire of Genghis Khan, is home to one of the last nomadic, horse-based cultures in the world as well as the home of the famous Gobi Desert in Asia. The spirit of adventure that lives within the people of Mongolia might best be described by a traditional proverb: “While your father is alive, know as many people as you can… while your horse is strong, see as many places as you can.”
AdventureWomen’s 2013 adventure travel trip to Mongolia – In Search of Dragons and Eagles: Land of the Last Nomads, discovered rare glimpses into this ancient culture and the last unspoiled wilderness in Asia, as we experienced this land of horsemen and traditions that date back to Genghis Khan. We celebrated the magnificent Golden Eagle Festival with the Kazakh hunters in the Altai Mountains, stayed in a premier expedition ger camp in the Gobi Desert, and explored the Flaming Cliffs, home of the world’s first discovered dinosaur eggs. As you can see in this photo gallery, the trip is an experience of a lifetime!
To see full frame photographs, just click on the photo and it will enlarge!
- The opening ceremonies, in which the Eagle Hunters ride. around the “arena” in full regalia with their eagles.
- In this photo, the Eagles are released from a cliff to attack fox skins dragged by their owners on horseback.
- One of the 60 or so Eagle Hunters with his Golden Eagle.
- A successful call of the eagle!
- Another beautiful Kazakh Eagle Hunter.
- Our Ger camp near Ulgii with the Altai Mountains in the background.
- Patti Egan, learning to become an Eagle Hunter.
- A visit with a Kazakh family with our fabulous guide, Aaza, translating.
- Inside a ger at the fabulous Three Camel Lodge in the Gobi Desert.
- Beautiful sunrise in the Gobi Desert.
- Nancy Lee riding a camel!
- Krista Purdie on a camel, being led by a nomadic head of household.
- Amazing petroglyphs just above the Three Camel Lodge.
- Our incredible AdventureWomen group at the Flaming Cliffs.
- Relaxing in front of the Dino Lodge on our last morning at the Three Camel Lodge.
- Rebecca and Aaza – happy at the Flaming Cliffs.
Photos by Rebecca Hintze
To read Rebecca’s blog about her time in Mongolia with AdventureWomen, please click here: From Mongolia’s Wild West to the Gobi Desert