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GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 2025

Overview

The eagle hunting tradition is said to have emerged from the Central Asian nomads over 6000 years ago and has been preserved until today. Mongolia is the country where this tradition is best preserved. The eagle tradition has been recognized as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO since 2010.

This celebration aims to preserve and pass down this intangible cultural heritage, improve, and promote its value to the public. The “Eagle Festival,” aimed at promoting winter tourism, has been organized 26 times in Bayan-Ölgii Aimag since 2000.

The festival will be held from October 4th to 5th in the Bugat Soum area of Bayan-Ölgii Aimag, specifically at the "Sayat" field in the foothills of the "Chandmani Tolgoi" mountain.

Trip Dates
Oct 03-06, 2025

Pricing
2 travelers $1370 per person
3-5 travelers: $1250 per person
6-9 travelers: $1120 per person
10+ travelers: $1080 per person

 

Single supplement
$90 per person

Festival event

  • Opening ceremony and Golden Eagle hunter’s parade.
  • Concert of local musical Dramatic Teather .
  • Visit local museum.

Golden Eagle hunters compotation

  • Eagle hunters displaying his Eagle and hunting outfit and accessories. This time judges select best Eagle masterful Eagle and her own also will give a score his hunting clothes.
  • Eagle hunter’s land upon his arm.
  • Catching “Shirga” and training by Eagle .
  • You can see traditional games “Kukbar tartu” and “Kyz kuar”

Tour Itinerary


Day 1, Oct 3.. Arrival in Ulgii

Flight to Ulgii. Drive to Sagsai village visit traditional Kazakh families to observe how eagles are trained.  Overnight at ger camp in Altai Lodge. /L,D/

Day 2, Oct 4. The Golden Eagle Festival

Opening Ceremony/Competition

The official opening ceremony commences with the participants parading in on horseback with their eagles. The competition begins with each Kazakh displaying his hunting outfit and accessories. The most elaborate and beautiful clothing and accessories are given the highest points. In the afternoon, the Golden Eagles will be evaluated for their speed and agility. The eagles will be released from a cliff and their owner will stand below and signal for them to land upon their arm, as they do during hunting. Those with the fastest times and best technique will be awarded the highest scores. In the evening, attend a Kazakh play in honor of the Kazakhs and their eagles.

Overnight at ger camp in Altai Lodge. /B, L, D/

Day 3, Oct 5. Eagle Festival Continues

Competition / Awards Ceremony

Prepare for some exciting action today! The Golden Eagles will be released from a cliff to attack fox skins that will be dragged by their owner on horseback. The eagles will be judged on their success of grabbing the “fox,” their speed, and “gripping”technique. As the points for the competitions are being tallied, the Kazakhs will compete in their traditional game called “kukbar” which tests one’s horse-riding skills, strength and agility. In the late afternoon, the winners of the festival will be announced at the awards ceremony. In the evening, enjoy a celebration dinner.

Overnight at ger camp in Altai Lodge. /B, L, D/

Day 4, Oct 6. Departure

Transfer to the airport for departure. /B/

 

 

What is included in this tour?

  • Internal flights
  • English speaking guide.
  • All meals during the trip
  • 3 overnights in Altai lodge ger camp in Ulgii
  • Minivan Uaz (4*4) including gasoline
  • Ulgii airport transfers
  • Festival tax
  • All sightseeing fees
  • Visa support
  • Drinking water

What is not included in this tour?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • visa fee
  • travel insurance,
  • optional tipping camping crew,
  • pre-trip expenses of medical immunizations.
  • International flights
  • Individual equipments
  • Drinks and extra charges in hotels and inns
  • All costs not specified in “Included”


Weight allowance

Mongolia’s domestic flight regulation restricts total allowed weight per person per flight to 15 kg total, including your carry on. The extra weight charge goes at about $2.5 per kg.

Trip code

Arrive date

Depart date

Booked

Available / Note

 

GEF202501

03 OCT, 2025

06 OCT, 2025

 

See Golden eagle festival

Booking now

Accommodations & Transportation

Altai lodge ger camp

                                                                                                 

Eight traditionally gers and 3 houses with private bathroom, provide accommodations for up to fourty guests.The Altai lodge located about 2 km west of the Bayan-Ulgii airport and 8 km from the town of Ulgii.
The lodge has also modern style restaurant, lodge is with modern bathroom facilities including flush toilets and comfortable showers with warm and cold running water fed by a solar 220w power system, and its own clean water deep drilled well. The lodge has full mobile cell phone accessibility.

Transportation

Land transportation is provided by Minivan Uaz seating 5 passangers per vehicle. Some roads can be bumby and hard but our drivers are some of the most experienced and reliable in the country.

                                                                                                                             

Welcome to Mongolia.