Meet the Eagle Hunters
You’ll be able to see the majestic birds up close and meet with the hunters.
Golden Eagle Festival Tour
Explore the gorgeous landscapes of the Altai Mountains
Kazakh people have traditions of hunting small animals with the aid of birds of prey such as falcons, hawks, and eagles. For centuries in the central asian steppe, falconry was a royal game of the Khans and nobles. An ancient custom has survived among Kazakhs who live in the Altai Mountain of Mongolia.
This unforgettable festival displays the best Kazakh hunters’ supreme skills and therefore you can witness an art of the man and bird friendship at the same time.
We present you a golden opportunity to take photographs of Kazakh traditional eagle hunting to fill up your treasure chest with the rare photographs of an exotic nomadic culture.
What we expect
Realistic travel conditions, comfort level, and daily experience explained clearly
Make Many Memories
You will want your camera for this tour, since there are many things to photograph.
Enjoy the Wonderful Skill
You will be excited to watch the skill of the eagle hunters as it’s displayed.
Watch Fun Horse Games
There are many fun games that happen during this festival that you will enjoy watching.
Enjoy the Kazakh Concert
This concert is filled with traditional songs and music that you’ll enjoy and remember.
Itinerary
Day-by-day travel plan with highlights, distances, and activities
Meet our driver in the hotel lobby and be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ulgii town. Ulgii’s population is mostly Kazakhs (93%), descendants of kok-turk nomads of central asia. We differ a lot although Mongols and Kazakhs stand united under Mongolian flag. Enjoy the town’s marketplace.
Overnight in a local hotel. (B+L+D)
Meet the Kazakh Eagle hunters. Eagles can be athletes too. The rodeo of eagle hunters. A fantastic opportunity for photographers and adventurers to see these magnificent birds of prey up close. There are approx. 200 eagle hunters in Bayan-Ulgii province. Almost all of them will gather together to test their finely trained birds in singular contests of speed and agility.
Overnight in a local hotel. (B+L+D)
During the festival, we also see some Kazakh Traditional Horse Games like “Bush Kushi" (fight for the goat skin on horseback), Try to "Kiss woman on horseback" while lady is beating the man with horse whip, "Pick up flowers from the land on horseback" etc.
In the evening we enjoy the Kazakh Concert with some traditional songs and music.
Overnight in a local hotel (B+L+D)
After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for the flight to UB. (B)
Price & Date
Tour cost, departure dates, and price differences
Pax based price
Pax 1
3,028 USD
per person
Pax 2
2,133 USD
per person
Pax 3
1,990 USD
per person
Pax 4 or more
1,785 USD
per person
Tour schedule
What's included
Accommodation, transport, meals, guide, and entrance fees covered
Services included
Shared accommodation at Ger camp
Private transfers
Internal air tickets - free luggage allowance is 15 kg
English speaking guide
All meals as listed
All entrance fee
Services not included
Personal expenses
Optional activities
Camera fee for museum & monastery
Travel Insurance www.WorldNomads.com
Good to know
Important tips, weather, packing advice, and local travel notes
The best time to make this trip
May to September is the best season, with the peak season in July for the Naadam Festival. July and August are also the wettest months of the year but be assured, our climate is such that you will still have many sunny days at this time. The best time to visit the Gobi is June or September.
Accommodation
We believe that comfortable, welcoming accommodation is vital to the enjoyment of your trip. You will be staying in a standard 3-4 star hotel in Ulaanbaatar and a tourist ger camp (traditional dwelling) with currency (220V), shower and other useful services (2 to 4 people per ger) in the countryside. All accommodation offered by Discover Mongolia is personally checked by our staff to ensure high standards.
Meals
In Ulaanbaatar, you will be dining at fine European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice, and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from tourist camps. It is good food and our experience has been that guests are happy with this arrangement. Please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian. Alcohol is not provided on the trip but tourists are free to bring their own.
Transport
Discover Mongolia use the highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private vans or 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. A day's drive in the countryside will be approx 200-250km.
Personal things to bring with you
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a waterproof jacket, and a hat and headscarf to protect you from the sun and winds. Don't forget insect repellent, sun cream, lip-gloss, water purifying tablets and first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you ). All your camera equipment.
Reviews
Genuine traveler feedback from real experiences in Mongolia
Discover Mongolia with Discover Mongolia
We chose Discover Mongolia after reading their reviews and they were as helpful and experienced as I had hoped.
Our tour included the Nadaam festival (which was the hightlight of the trip) and a trip out to the west of the country (Olgii) to visit the eagle hunters and experience the vast landscapes which were awe inspiring.
From the moment we were collected at the airport to the moment we left the country the tour guides were there to make sure that we were looked after. They spoke perfect english and the restaurants they chose were excellent too - You won't go hungry on a Discovery Mongolia tour!!
During the planning of the trip every email was answered quickly and their professionalism was very evident. I would definitely recommend this tour company if you are planning a trip to Mongolia.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Altai Mountains — vast, beautiful landscape and free-spirited, hospitable people
I had a customized 10-day hiking trip in the Altai mountains. It was for 2 guests.We enjoyed the natural wonders in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, our hardworking support crew (including Mongolian, Kazakh, and Tuvan) and nomadic culture. We had a simple daily routine — hiking (or long-distance riding in a Russian-made van), eating breakfast and dinner freshly made by our cook, (lunch was usually packed for us), and sleeping in a tent. It was physically challenging to not have the comfort we were used to, but mentally it was very satisfying!Besides seeing peaks and valleys, glaciers, rivers, lakes, and lots of wildflowers, some trip highlights include seeing prehistoric petroglyphs of local animals, waking up to a white world on July 1st, trying grilled marmot at a Tuvan family, attending a Naadam festival in a village, etc.I've already passed the Discover Mongolia Travel information to friends interested in Mongolia.
Golden Eagle Festival- thank you Shinee!
We thoroughly enjoyed the Golden Eagle Festival through Discover Mongolia Travel. Shinee and our driver went way beyond to ensure that our experience was magical. From carefully planned meals to accommodate my vegetarian restrictions to additional cultural experiences that gave us great insight to this fascinating culture. I highly recommend Shinee and Discover Mongolia.
Altai mountains and eagle festival
Had an amazing trip. Zaya and Ebo and the rest of her team were so lovely and accommodating. Driving around in the wilds of Mongolia in a Russian "bread van" and staying in traditional Gers was a fabulous adventure and an experience I wont forget easily. The food provided was delicious and plentiful. Everything was smooth and they helped with all my queries. Mongolia is an amazing and beautiful country.
My awesome Mongolia trip
Just got back from an incredible nine-day tour in Mongolia, and I have to share how amazing it was!
**Khangai, Our Driver**
First off, our driver Khangai was a total gem. He had this hilarious laugh that could brighten up even the longest drives. Seriously, his sense of humor made the trip so much fun—he turned every bumpy ride into a good time!
**Togosoo, Our Guide**
Then there was...
You Should Definitely Discover Mongolia!
Mongolia had been on my bucket list for years, and Discover Mongolia did not disappoint! My friend & I did the 8 day Taste of Mongolia Tour. Our guide Altantogos was very accommodating and so helpful, as well as knowledgeable and friendly. And our driver was a real card! We didn't even speak the same language & we were making jokes with each other. The trip was the perfect length & we got to see a good bit of the country. The landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful, and the people are friendly & kind. I can enthusiastically recommend Mongolia and Discover Mongolia.
from 1,785 USD