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Where Can I Book a Golden Eagle Festival Tour in Bayan-Ulgii?

  • Feb 5
  • 3 min read
Where Can I Book a Golden Eagle Festival Tour in Bayan-Ulgii?

The Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ulgii, western Mongolia, is one of the world’s most unique cultural events. Every year, Kazakh eagle hunters gather to compete, celebrate their heritage, and showcase the ancient art of hunting with trained golden eagles.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Altai Mountains, the festival offers visitors a rare chance to witness a living nomadic tradition that has been passed down for generations.

If you are planning to attend, one of the first questions you may ask is:

Where can I book a Golden Eagle Festival tour in Bayan-Ulgii?

This guide will help you find the best booking options and plan your trip with confidence.

1. Book Through Local Mongolia Tour Operators

The most popular and reliable way to attend the festival is by booking with a Mongolia-based tour company. These operators handle all logistics, which is important because Bayan-Ulgii is one of the most remote regions in Mongolia.

Tour companies typically arrange:

  • Domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Ulgii

  • Airport transfers

  • Festival entrance tickets

  • Accommodation (hotel & ger camps)

  • English-speaking guides & translators

  • Private transportation in the Altai region

  • Meals throughout the trip

Some well-known tour providers include:

Most festival packages range from 4 to 10 days, depending on activities and regional travel included.

Booking with a local operator also ensures your visit directly supports Mongolia’s tourism economy and Kazakh communities.

2. Book a Tour That Combines Altai Mountains Travel

For travelers seeking deeper adventure, many operators offer combined itineraries that include both the festival and trekking in the Altai Mountains.

These extended tours may include visits to:

  • Altai Tavan Bogd National Park – Mongolia’s highest peaks

  • Potanin Glacier – The country’s largest glacier

  • Khoton & Khurgan Lakes – Crystal-clear alpine lakes

  • Baga Turgen Waterfall

  • Remote petroglyph valleys & archaeological sites

Experiences often include:

  • Multi-day horse trekking

  • Camping in alpine valleys

  • Staying with eagle hunter families

  • Learning Kazakh handicrafts

  • Wildlife spotting (ibex, eagles, marmots)

These combination tours usually last 8–14 days and provide a full western Mongolia cultural expedition.

3. Book Directly With Bayan-Ulgii Local Agencies

Another option is booking directly with local travel agencies based in Bayan-Ulgii. This is ideal for independent travelers who want flexible or customized arrangements.

Benefits include:

  • More affordable pricing

  • Tailor-made itineraries

  • Private transport options

  • Personal eagle hunter access

  • Local photography guides

Festival-only packages (without Ulaanbaatar services) typically run 4–7 days and start/end in Ulgii town.

However, travelers must arrange their own domestic flights and travel insurance when booking locally.

4. Choose Your Festival Dates Carefully

Timing is very important when planning your trip.

Main Golden Eagle Festival

  • Held every year on the first weekend of October

  • Location: Near Ulgii town

  • Features the largest number of eagle hunters

Altai Kazakh Eagle Festival

  • Smaller, more intimate festival

  • Held in September in Sagsai village

  • Focuses more on cultural immersion than competition

Both festivals include:

  • Eagle hunting competitions

  • Horse racing

  • Archery contests

  • Traditional Kazakh games

  • Cultural performances

Because flights to Bayan-Ulgii are limited, booking early is essential.

5. Where Do You Stay During the Festival?

Accommodation varies by package:

Ulgii Hotels

  • Simple but comfortable

  • Private rooms available

Ger (Yurt) Camps

  • Traditional nomadic accommodation

  • Heated with stoves

  • Shared or private options

Homestays

  • Stay with Kazakh eagle hunter families

  • Most authentic cultural experience

Many travelers choose mixed accommodation for comfort and immersion.

6. What’s Included in Most Festival Tours?

Typical tour inclusions:

  • Airport meet & greet

  • Domestic flights

  • All ground transport

  • Festival entry tickets

  • Hotel & ger accommodation

  • All meals

  • Bottled or filtered drinking water

  • Cultural shows & performances

  • Eagle hunter photography sessions

Premium tours may also include:

  • Horse riding

  • Traditional clothing try-on

  • Hunting demonstrations

  • Drone photography support

  • Private vehicles

Costs depend on flights, group size, and accommodation type.

8. Tips Before You Book

Book 6–12 months in advance Flights sell out quickly for October festivals.

Check group size Small groups (4–12 travelers) allow better access to hunters.

Ask about photography access Some tours provide priority arena positions.

Prepare for cold weatherOctober temperatures can drop below freezing.


9. Responsible & Ethical Travel

When booking your tour, choose operators that support:

  • Fair payment to eagle hunters

  • Animal welfare standards

  • Local Kazakh employment

  • Cultural preservation programs

  • Low-impact camping practices

Responsible tourism helps protect this rare tradition for future generations.

Final Thoughts

Booking a Golden Eagle Festival tour in Bayan-Ulgii is the easiest and most reliable way to experience this extraordinary cultural event.

Whether you choose a short festival visit or a full Altai Mountains expedition, you will witness one of the last living eagle hunting traditions on Earth.

From dramatic mountain landscapes to powerful golden eagles soaring overhead, this journey is truly once-in-a-lifetime — a cultural adventure found nowhere else in the world.

 
 
 

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