Golden Eagle Festival Tour - Western Mongolia
About this tour
Golden eagle festival is a lively celebration of eagle hunting tradition of nomadic Kazakh people. This unique, two-day-long festival is held in October annually in Bayan-Olgii province of Mongolia. The eagle hunters gathered from all around the province compete with each other based on the speed, agility, and accuracy of their eagles. Some of the eagle hunters even come to the festival from two-day horse ride distance. Traditional games such as camel race, archery, coin pick while riding a horse and tug of war add color to the festival mood. During the festival, you will see many kinds of handicrafts and handmade souvenirs sold by locals. The trip gives you the great opportunity to stay with a true golden eagle hunter family and experience eagle hunting tradition.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia
FLY TO ULGII AND DRIVE TO EAGLE HUNTER FAMILY. We will drive towards a village called Chichertei to meet an old but true eagle hunter. The family is a nomadic herder family as well. The family will be staying in their Augtumn camp in the mountains that is a perfect place for eagle hunting. The drive takes 3-4 hour. Overnight is in a wooden house or yurt.
Day 2: Chikhertei, Mongolia
HUNTING DAY 1. We will ride horses and go to the nearby mountains tops to witness the Kazakh eagle hunters in action with their golden eagles.
Day 3: Chikhertei, Mongolia
HUNTING DAY 2 We will ride horses and go to the nearby mountains tops to witness the Kazakh eagle hunters in action with their golden eagles.
Day 4: Chikhertei, Mongolia
HUNTING DAY 2 We will ride horses and go to the nearby mountains tops to witness the Kazakh eagle hunters in action with their golden eagles.
Day 5: Chikhertei, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia
BACK TO ULGII. After experiencing the old eagle hunting tradition, we will take 4 hour long drive back to Ulgii. We will enjoy the beauty of villages, rivers and mountains along our way back. After the good rest, take a leisurely stroll in the town center. Overnight in Ulgii.
Day 6: Ulgii, Mongolia
FESTIVAL DAY 1. 15 min drive to a hill called Sayat Tobe (Falconry hill) where the festival takes place and it is just outside of the Ulgii. The festival starts with a parade of eagle hunters and then goes on with the main event of the festival which is eagle hunters display their eagles’ skills starting with calling their eagle from a distance. The festival is accompanied by several Kazakh traditional games such as tug of war over a goat carcass on horseback, coin pick while galloping and camel race. You will spend the whole day at falconry hill giving break for lunch. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Ulgii, Mongolia
FESTIVAL DAY 2. Drive to Sayat Tobe for the second day of the festival. The second day is a bit more interesting than the first because today golden eagles try to catch a fox skin dragged by a hunter and the eagle which catches the skin in the shortest time gets the highest score. You will also view Kokpar (tug of war over a goat carcass while on horseback). Overnight in Ulgii.
Day 8: Ulgii, Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
FAREWELL. We will transfer you to the airport. Fly back to Ulaanbatar.
What's included
What to know
Eagle hunting activity can be done either right after or before the festival.
Route & locations
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Ulgii, Mongolia