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Mongolia Golden Eagle Festival Tour in Bayan-Ulgii (4 Days / 3 Nights)
This is home to Kazakh nomads and their golden eagles. The area has high mountains, wide valleys, and clear rivers. It is a perfect place to see nature and tradition together.
Visit the famous Golden Eagle Festival, held every October. Watch hunters on horseback show amazing skills and the close bond with their eagles. See the eagles soar, dive, and return to their owners. This tradition has been passed down for generations.
Learn about Kazakh culture by visiting museums, markets, and traditional homes (gers). Taste local food like horse milk tea and fresh bread. Meet friendly families and hear stories about their nomadic life.
Take beautiful photos of eagles, horses, and the snowy Altai Mountains. Explore valleys, rivers, and alpine meadows, and see how nomads live close to nature.
This trip is great for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone curious about Kazakh culture and eagles. It is a rare chance to see one of the world’s most unique landscapes and traditions.
PAX | PRICE PER PERSON |
|---|---|
7-8 PAX | 830$ |
5-6 PAX | 858$ |
3-4 PAX | 913$ |
2 PAX | 1080$ |
1 PAX | 1358$
|
Golden Eagle Festival Tour
Mongolia Eagle Festival 2026
Experience Kazakh Nomads & Eagles
Eagle Festival Mongolia
Kazakh Eagle Festival Tour
Day 1 – Flight to Bayan-Ulgii Province
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Morning domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ulgii (approx. 2 hours).
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Meet your driver and local Kazakh guide at Ulgii airport.
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Visit the Bayan-Ulgii Museum – learn about Kazakh culture, history, and wildlife.
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Explore the local bazaar (open market) for handicrafts and souvenirs.
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Evening welcome dinner featuring traditional Kazakh cuisine.
Accommodation: Hotel or ger camp in Ulgii.
Day 2 – Golden Eagle Festival (Opening Day)
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Early transfer to the festival grounds.
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Watch the opening ceremony and the parade of eagle hunters on horseback.
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Attend the Eagle Calling and Best Traditional Costume competitions.
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Explore festival events, local food stalls, and traditional craft sellers.
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Return to Ulgii in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel or Ger Camp in Ulgii
Day 3 – Golden Eagle Festival (Competition Day)
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Full-day at the festival.
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Watch hunting skill demonstrations and fox-skin drag competition.
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See Kazakh traditional games such as tengeri-uur (goat-skin tug of war).
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Photograph eagles, horses, and hunter families.
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Closing ceremony and award presentation.
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Accommodation: Hotel or Ger Camp in Ulgii
Day 4 – Fly to Ulaanbaatar
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Transfer to Ulgii airport for flight back to Ulaanbaatar (approx. 2 hrs).
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Meet at airport and transfer to hotel.
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Visit State Department Store for souvenirs.
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Optional dinner show with Mongolian throat singing & dance.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Q: When is the Golden Eagle Festival 2026?
A: The Golden Eagle Festival takes place on the first weekend of October each year in Ölgii, Bayan-Ulgii Province. The 2026 dates will be confirmed in early 2026 — contact us to be notified. Historically the festival falls on October 3–4 or 4–5. We recommend booking by June.
Q: What exactly happens at the Golden Eagle Festival?
A: The festival runs across two days. Day 1 features a grand parade of eagle hunters on horseback, followed by the Eagle Calling competition. Day 2 includes the fox-skin drag race, best traditional dress judging, Kazakh horsemanship games including tengeri-uur, and the awards ceremony. Over 70 berkutchi (eagle hunters) participate each year.
Q: Is the Golden Eagle Festival only in October?
A: Yes, the official festival is held once a year in early October. However, you can visit Kazakh eagle hunter families and observe eagle training privately year-round through our other tours.
Q: How many people attend the Golden Eagle Festival?
A: Around 70–80 competing hunters and typically 2,000–4,000 spectators. It is intimate by world standards — nothing like a crowded stadium.
Q: Is the Golden Eagle Festival good for photography?
A: It is one of the most photographed events in Asia. Eagles in flight against snowy mountains, hunters in elaborate costumes, horses galloping across the steppe. We recommend a 70–200mm telephoto for eagles-in-flight, 24–70mm for portraits, and wide angle for landscapes. Our guides know the best positions.
Q: Can I hold a golden eagle at the festival?
A: Opportunities vary at the festival itself. However, our tour includes a private visit to an eagle hunter family where you are virtually guaranteed to hold a golden eagle up close.
Q: How far in advance should I book the Eagle Festival tour?
A: As early as possible — ideally 4–6 months before (April–June for October). Flights from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ulgii and hotels in Ulgii fill up fast during festival week.
Q: Are domestic flights included in the festival tour price?
A: Yes. Round-trip domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Bayan-Ulgii are included in the tour price.
Q: Can I attend the festival independently without a tour?
A: Technically yes, but domestic flights book up months in advance, accommodation is extremely limited during festival week, and navigating without a local Kazakh-speaking guide significantly reduces the experience.
Q: Is this tour suitable for children?
A: Yes, excellent for families with children aged 6 and above. The festival is colourful, exciting, and completely family-friendly.
Q: What should I wear to the Golden Eagle Festival?
A: Early October temperatures range from 2°C to 12°C (35°F–54°F) during the day, dropping below freezing at night. Dress in warm layers: thermal base, fleece or down mid-layer, windproof jacket, gloves and a warm hat. The festival is held outdoors on open steppe with no wind shelter.
Q: What is the difference between this tour and the Eagle Hunter tour?
A: The Eagle Festival Tour (4 days) is designed specifically around the October festival — you attend both competition days plus a private hunter family visit. The Eagle Hunter & Nomadic Life Tour (8 days) runs year-round and focuses on living alongside a hunter family for a full day, combined with mountain trekking and lake visits. If you can travel in October, the festival tour is unmissable. If you prefer a deeper cultural immersion or cannot travel in October, the 8-day tour is the better choice.
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