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Golden Eagle Festival Tour: eagle hunters, horses and Kazakh culture
Visit the famous Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii, held every October. Watch Kazakh hunters on horseback show their skills and the close bond with their eagles, and see the eagles soar, dive and return to their owners.
4 Days / 3 Nights
Max 8 travellers
Both festival days
Flights UB ⇄ Ölgii included
DURATION
4 days / 3 nights
DIFFICULTY
Easy, cultural
FESTIVAL
Early October
GROUP SIZE
Max 10
BEST FOR
Photography
PRICE FROM
$830 pp
OVERVIEW
Kazakh nomads and their golden eagles
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 take beautiful photos of eagles, horses and the snowy Altai Mountains.
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Both days of the Golden Eagle Festival, with a reserved viewing position
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Parade of eagle hunters on horseback and the Eagle Calling competition
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Fox-skin drag, tengeri-uur and other Kazakh horsemanship games
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Private visit to a Kazakh eagle hunter family
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Bayan-Ölgii Museum and the local bazaar
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Welcome dinner with traditional Kazakh cuisine
THE ROUTE
Ulaanbaatar to the Golden Eagle Festival and back
1
2
3
4
Ölgii
Festival day 1
Festival day 2
Ulaanbaatar
Fly in from UB
Opening day
Competitions
Fly back
ITINERARY
Day by day
Open all days
DAY 1
Fly to Bayan-Ölgii
Fly from Ulaanbaatar, meet your driver and local Kazakh guide and get to know Ölgii town.
✈ Domestic flight
Flight ~2 h
Hotel or ger in Ölgii
Day details +
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Morning domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ölgii (about 2 hours)
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Meet your driver and local Kazakh guide at Ölgii airport
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Bayan-Ölgii Museum: Kazakh culture, history and wildlife
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Local bazaar (open market) for handicrafts and souvenirs
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Welcome dinner with traditional Kazakh cuisine
DAY 2
Golden Eagle Festival: opening day
Watch the opening ceremony, the parade of eagle hunters on horseback and the Eagle Calling competition.
Full day
Hotel/ger, Ölgii
Day details +
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Early transfer to the festival grounds
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Opening ceremony and parade of eagle hunters on horseback
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Eagle Calling and Best Traditional Costume competitions
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Festival events, local food stalls and traditional craft sellers
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Return to Ölgii in the late afternoon
DAY 3
Golden Eagle Festival: competition day
A full day at the festival with hunting skill demonstrations, Kazakh traditional games and the closing ceremony.
Full day
Hotel/ger, Ölgii
Day details +
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Full day at the festival
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Hunting skill demonstrations and fox-skin drag competition
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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
DAY 4
Fly to Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to the capital, transfer to your hotel and shop for souvenirs.
✈ Domestic flight
Flight ~2 h
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Day details +
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Transfer to Ölgii airport
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Flight back to Ulaanbaatar (about 2 hours)
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Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel
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State Department Store for souvenirs
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Optional Dinner show with Mongolian throat singing and dance
PRICES
Price per person
How much does the Golden Eagle Festival tour cost? This 4-day festival tour costs from $830 per person for groups of 7–8, $1,080 per person for two travellers and $1,358 for a solo traveller. The price includes return flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii, meals, an English-speaking guide and festival tickets for both days. International flights, travel insurance and a sleeping bag are not included.
TRAVELLERS
PER PERSON (USD)
1 traveller
$1,358
2 travellers
$1,080
3–4 travellers
$913
5–6 travellers
$858
7–8 travellers
$830
The more people travel together, the lower the price per person. All prices include domestic flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii, meals, guide and festival tickets.
Festival dates
The Golden Eagle Festival takes place on the first weekend of October each year in Ölgii, Bayan-Ölgii Province.
Historically the festival falls on October 3–4 or 4–5.
The 2027 dates are announced early in the year; contact us to be notified.
We recommend booking by June.
The tour runs for 4 days around the two festival days. Up to 8 travellers per group.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Included and not included
Included
✓ Round-trip domestic flights Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii – Ulaanbaatar
✓ Arrival and departure airport transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
✓ Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii (3 nights) and a hotel in Ulaanbaatar (1 night)
✓ Full-board meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
✓ Bottled drinking water and snacks
✓ Professional English-speaking tour guide
✓ Experienced local driver, ground transport and fuel
✓ Golden Eagle Festival entry tickets for both days
✓ Reserved viewing position at the festival grounds
✓ Private visit to a Kazakh eagle hunter family
✓ Welcome dinner with traditional Kazakh cuisine
✓ Bayan-Ölgii Museum, sightseeing and entrance fees
✓ Visa support with an official invitation letter
Not included
✕ International airfare
✕ Visa fees
✕ Travel insurance
✕ Sleeping bag
✕ Excess baggage on domestic flights (over 15 kg allowance)
✕ Airport taxes (if applicable)
✕ Alcoholic beverages
✕ Drinks and additional charges at hotels, inns or restaurants
✕ Personal expenses and individual equipment
✕ Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and staff
✕ Any services not listed under Included
IS IT FOR ME?
Easy cultural tour, no fitness requirements
Difficulty: easy
2 days
at the Golden Eagle Festival
6+
minimum age, family-friendly
3 nights
hotel or ger camp in Ölgii
2–12 °C
October daytime temperatures
A good fit if you…
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Want to see Kazakh eagle hunters and their golden eagles
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Love photographing eagles, horses and the snowy Altai
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Can travel in early October
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Are curious about Kazakh culture and nomadic life
Talk to us first if you…
Want to visit eagle hunters outside October
Prefer a longer tour with trekking and lakes
GOOD TO KNOW
Before you go
Best time
The Golden Eagle Festival is held on the first weekend of October. Daytime temperatures range from 2 °C to 12 °C (35–54 °F) and drop below freezing at night.
Accommodation
Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii on Days 1–3 and a hotel in Ulaanbaatar on Day 4. Every camp and hotel is personally inspected by Vacations Mongolia.
Meals
Hearty meals based on traditional ingredients — mutton, beef, rice, noodles and fresh vegetables — often served as lunchboxes prepared by the ger camps. Vegetarian options on request. Alcohol is not included, but you are free to bring your own.
Transport
Private, air-conditioned vans or modern 4WD vehicles. Daily drives in the countryside cover around 200–250 km, with ever-changing landscapes and wide-open steppe horizons.
What to bring
Warm layers: a 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. Bring a telephoto lens (70–200 mm) for eagles in flight.
Phone and internet
Mobile signal is available in Ölgii town.
REVIEWS
What our guests say
★ 5.0 on TripAdvisor (8 reviews, October 2026)
What reviewers mention (summary, not quotes):
Ritvik S (July 2026, travelled with a friend): a one-week expedition in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, including hiking Malchin Peak. Praised the guide, driver, host families, food and smooth organisation.
matej l (August 2026, solo): camped at Khoton Lake and describes it as remote, quiet and worth the long 4x4 drive. Notes basic conditions and no facilities at the lake.
Guille C, Spain (September 2026, solo): a great adventure with local guides; would recommend it.
Marina F, United Arab Emirates (June 2026, with a friend): the route was changed to avoid areas under quarantine; thanked the driver and guide for difficult mountain roads. Says to expect a very basic level of comfort.
Vacations Mongolia is listed on TripAdvisor as Vacations in Mongolia.
Read honest reviews from our guests on our reviews page, TripAdvisor and Google. Read all reviews →
FAQ
Questions travellers ask
When is the Golden Eagle Festival 2027?
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The Golden Eagle Festival takes place on the first weekend of October each year in Ölgii, Bayan-Ölgii Province. The 2027 dates are announced early in the year; contact us to be notified. Historically the festival falls on October 3–4 or 4–5. We recommend booking by June.
What exactly happens at the Golden Eagle Festival?
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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.
Is the Golden Eagle Festival only in October?
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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.
How many people attend the Golden Eagle Festival?
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Around 70–80 competing hunters and typically 2,000–4,000 spectators. It is intimate by world standards, nothing like a crowded stadium.
Is the Golden Eagle Festival good for photography?
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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 70–200 mm telephoto for eagles in flight, 24–70 mm for portraits and a wide angle for landscapes. Our guides know the best positions.
Can I hold a golden eagle at the festival?
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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.
How far in advance should I book the Eagle Festival tour?
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As early as possible, ideally 4–6 months before (April–June for October). Flights from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ölgii and hotels in Ölgii fill up fast during festival week.
Are domestic flights included in the festival tour price?
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Yes. Round-trip domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Bayan-Ölgii are included in the tour price.
Can I attend the festival independently without a tour?
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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.
Is this tour suitable for children?
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Yes, it is excellent for families with children aged 6 and above. The festival is colourful, exciting and completely family-friendly.
What should I wear to the Golden Eagle Festival?
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Early October temperatures range from 2 °C to 12 °C (35–54 °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.
What is the difference between this tour and the Eagle Hunter tour?
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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.
What is included in the tour price?
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Round-trip domestic flights, accommodation, all meals, an English-speaking guide, a driver, festival entry tickets for both days, a reserved viewing position and a private visit to a Kazakh eagle hunter family. International flights, visa fees and travel insurance are not included.
Where do we stay?
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In a hotel or ger camp in Ölgii on Days 1–3 and a hotel in Ulaanbaatar on Day 4.
How long is the tour?
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Four days and three nights: you fly to Ölgii on Day 1, spend Days 2 and 3 at the festival and fly back to Ulaanbaatar on Day 4.
What is the price of the tour?
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From $830 per person for groups of 7–8, $858 for 5–6, $913 for 3–4, $1,080 for two travellers and $1,358 for a solo traveller.
What is this tour at a glance?
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4 days / 3 nights · Easy, cultural · From $830 per person · Up to 8 travellers · Early October. Both festival days, reserved viewing position and a private eagle hunter family visit · Return flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii included.
Is accommodation hard to find during festival week?
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Yes. Accommodation in Ölgii is extremely limited during festival week and flights from Ulaanbaatar fill up fast, so we recommend booking by June.
What does each day of the tour look like?
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Day 1 — Fly to Ölgii, Bayan-Ölgii Museum and bazaar, welcome dinner · Night: Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii
Day 2 — Golden Eagle Festival, opening day · Night: Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii
Day 3 — Golden Eagle Festival, competition day and closing ceremony · Night: Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii
Day 4 — Fly to Ulaanbaatar, souvenirs, optional throat-singing show · Night: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
PHOTOS
On the trail
MORE IN THE ALTAI
You might also like
Which tour is right for you?
Golden Eagle Festival Tour (this tour) — 4 days · Easy, cultural · Both festival days in early October · Eagle hunter visit: yes, private family visit · From $830 per person
Altai Tavan Bogd Hiking — 6 days · Moderate fitness, optional summit day · Highest point: Malchin Peak, 4,051 m (optional) · Eagle hunter visit: yes, Day 5 · From $992 per person
Eagle Hunter & Nomadic Life — 8 days · Moderate trekking sections, no technical climbing · Highest point: Altai Tavan Bogd base camp, about 2,400 m (no summit) · Eagle hunter visit: yes, Day 6 · From $1,120 per person
FROM THE BLOG
Read before you go
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BOOK OR ASK A QUESTION
Talk to our team in Bayan-Ölgii
Flat 606, Happy Town 3, Bayan-Ölgii 18700, Mongolia
Written by the Vacations Mongolia team · Updated October 2026