Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Aimag Museum
MUSEUM
(admission T5000; 9am-noon & 1-5pm Mon-Fri)
The old-fashioned Aimag Museum gives a
decent overview of Kazakh culture and the geography of Bayan-Ölgii. The 2nd floor is
devoted to history, and the 3rd floor has some interesting ethnographic displays. The
small gift shop in the foyer sells Kazakh wall hangings, felt rugs, carpets and crafts.
Tours
Ölgii has a clutch of independent tour operators, meaning you don't necessarily have to
fix things up in Ulaanbaatar if you want to tour the west. Some of the smaller companies
offer very reasonable rates, but can be unreliable and/or ill-prepared. Be very clear about
what your tour includes on a day-to-day basis before you agree to anything. Getting the
key things written down on paper and signed by everyone involved, including the guide
and the driver, isn't a bad idea.
Kazakh Tour
TOUR AGENCY
( 9942 4505, 9942 2006;
www.kazakhtour.com
;
2nd fl NHU Bldg)
Easily the most profession-
al and reliable of the Ölgii-based tour companies the excellent Kazakh Tour specialises in
tailor-made trips throughout Bayan-Ölgii and consistently gets great reviews from travel-
lers. The Kazakh owner, Dosjan Khabyl, has many contacts in the area and can organise
trekking, horse treks and visits to local eagle hunters,
khöömii
singers and the local
böö
(shaman).
Blue Wolf Travel
TOUR AGENCY
( 9910 0303, 01422-22772;
www.bluewolftravel.com
)
Blue Wolf is the original tour operator
in Ölgii and is also a well-run outfit. It offers a variety of trips including winter eagle-
hunting tours and guided treks in Tsambagarav Uul and Altai Tavan Bogd National
Parks. It is also a good source of information for Sagsai's Altai Eagle Festival.
Festivals
