Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival: Where Ancient Tradition Still Takes Flight

High in the rugged Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, where snow-dusted peaks meet endless skies,

an ancient partnership between humans and birds of prey comes alive each autumn. This is the Mongolia Golden Eagle Festival—a celebration of one of the world’s oldest hunting traditions and a window into the living heritage of the Kazakh nomads.

The Origins: A Tradition Over 2,000 Years Old

Eagle hunting in Mongolia dates back more than two millennia, practiced primarily by ethnic Kazakh nomads who settled in the Altai region. For generations, these hunters—known as berkutchi—have trained golden eagles to hunt foxes, hares, and other small game, helping families survive the brutal winters of the steppe.

Unlike falconry seen elsewhere, Mongolian eagle hunting is unique for its scale and intimacy:

• Golden eagles can weigh over 6 kg and have wingspans exceeding 2 meters.

• The bond between hunter and eagle can last 10–15 years, built on trust, patience, and daily care.

This knowledge was traditionally passed down from father to son, woven into everyday nomadic life rather than performed as a spectacle.

From Survival Skill to Cultural Festival

For centuries, eagle hunting was purely practical. However, during the 20th century—especially under socialist rule—many traditional practices declined. By the late 1990s, only a handful of eagle hunters remained.

To protect this endangered heritage, local communities and cultural advocates launched the Golden Eagle Festival in 1999, held annually near Ölgii in Bayan-Ölgii Province. What began as a preservation effort has since become one of Mongolia’s most iconic cultural events.

What Happens at the Golden Eagle Festival?

Today, the festival gathers 50–70 eagle hunters, dressed in traditional deel coats, fur hats, and ornate leather gear. Visitors can witness:

🦅 Eagle Hunting Competitions

Hunters release their eagles from mountain ridges, calling them back to their arm. Judges score speed, accuracy, and discipline.

🐎 Traditional Kazakh Games

• Horse racing

• Tug-of-war on horseback

• Kokpar (a fast-paced horseback game involving a goat carcass)

🎶 Music, Crafts, and Costumes

Local musicians play traditional instruments, women display intricate embroidery, and families sell handmade goods, offering travelers an authentic cultural exchange.

Women Eagle Hunters: Breaking Tradition

While eagle hunting was historically male-dominated, the festival has spotlighted a growing number of female eagle hunters, including young girls trained from childhood. Their presence has reshaped global perceptions and inspired documentaries like The Eagle Huntress.

When and Where to Go

• Main Festival: Early October, near Ölgii, western Mongolia

• Smaller Event: September’s Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival (more local, less crowded)

Reaching the festival requires effort—usually a flight from Ulaanbaatar followed by rugged travel—but that remoteness is part of the magic.

Why It Matters for Travelers

The Golden Eagle Festival is more than a photo opportunity. It represents:

• The survival of intangible cultural heritage

• A rare chance to see nomadic traditions still practiced, not reenacted

• Community-led tourism that directly supports local families

For travelers seeking meaning beyond landmarks, this festival offers something rare: a living history unfolding beneath an open sky.

Final Thoughts

In a rapidly modernizing world, Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival reminds us that some traditions don’t belong in museums—they belong in the wind, on horseback, with an eagle poised to fly.

If you go, go with respect. You’re not just attending a festival—you’re witnessing a bond between human and nature that has endured for centuries.