people sitting on grass field during daytime

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 2025

DURATION: 7N 8D

DISTANCE: 4,150 KILOMETERS

The Golden Eagle Festival isn’t just one of Mongolia’s greatest cultural events — it’s one of Asia’s most unforgettable festivals. A once-in-a-lifetime experience that soars far beyond borders, this breathtaking celebration of tradition, skill, agility, and the bond between Kazakh eagle hunters and their majestic golden eagles is a MUST_SEE for any true traveler.

Held each year on the first weekend of October, the Golden Eagle Festival takes place in Mongolia’s Bayan-Olgii Province, deep in the heart of the Altai Mountains. While the festival itself began only recently, it honors an ancient and proud tradition that spans over two thousand years.

The Golden eagle hunting—known locally as "berkutchi"—is a unique form of falconry practiced by Kazakh nomads for generations. These skilled hunters train female golden eagles to catch prey such as foxes, hares and even wolves, using methods passed down from father to son. In the harsh mountain environment, this tradition was not just a sport—it was a way of life, requiring courage, patience, and a deep bond between hunter and eagle.

The Golden Eagle Festival was first launched in 1999 by a group of Kazakh hunters, with the support of the Kazakh Falconry Association. Their aim was clear:

Preserve the endangered tradition of eagle hunting,
Share it with younger generations,
Promote cultural pride and identity,
Attract international interest and eco-cultural tourism.

The festival grew in fame after the release of the 2016 documentary The Eagle Huntress, which told the inspiring story of Aisholpan Nurgaiv—a teenage girl who became the first female eagle hunter to compete in the festival. Her victory helped challenge gender norms and brought global attention to the event and the culture behind it. In 2010, eagle hunting was officially recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, reinforcing its importance to world culture.

Today, the Golden Eagle Festival brings together over 100 eagle hunters each year, along with thousands of local and international visitors. It has become more than just a competition—it’s a living showcase of nomadic Kazakh life, where ancient customs meet modern celebration. The festival continues to inspire, educate, and preserve one of the most unique cultural traditions in the world.

DATE: 02-09 OCTOBER

TOUR ITINERARY

Gather at the meeting point (Sukhbaatar Square)
Depart from Ulaanbaatar at 09:00 AM toward Elsen Tasarkhai – 274 km
Have lunch at Bichigt Khad in Bulgan Province /Lunch is at your own expenses/
Continue the journey along the main road (Uvurkhangai – Bayankhongor – Govi-Altai – Khovd – Ulgii)
On the way, visit "The Great Horse Shrine of the Mongolian Nation" - This shrine complex is located 15 km from Arvaikheer city, Uvurkhangai Province, in the famous Arvain Valley. It was inaugurated and opened to the public in August 2007.
Spend the night on the bus

Meal: --

DAY 1 ULAANBAATAR CITY - ULGII CITY /2 OCT, 2025/

Stop at the bridge over the Buyant River in Khovd Province and view the unique rock formations and mountains in the morning
Depart towards Ulgii City /220 km/
Arrive in Ulgii City and having lunch
Check-In at the hotel
Visiting Ulgii city's museum which provides a great starting point for trips through Bayan-Ulgii with displays on local culture, history, and nature.
Travel to the Nairamdal Hill to get a panoramic view of Ulgii City and Khovd river from above.
Back to hotel
Dinner.

Meals: --/L/D

DAY 2 ULGII CITY /03 OCT, 2025/

08:00 Breakfast time
09:00 Drive to explore GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 2025 in Bugat
09:00-10:00 Registration of participants /Eagle hunters/
10:00-11:00 Opening ceremony of the festival
11:00 - 13:00 To evaluate the eagle hunters' clothing and equipment, as well as how well they have adapted to their gear.
13:00-14:00 Lunch break
14:00-17:00 Continuation of the competition
14:00-15:00 Kazakh National traditional game "Tenge ilu" competition /Coin picking on horseback/
14:00-16:00 Traditional Uriankhai Archery competition
15:00-16:00 Kazakh traditional horseback game "Zhamba atu" competition
18:00-19:00 Theater concert and musical performance
19:30 Head back to Ulgii city
Dinner
Relax

Meals: B/L/D

DAY 3 EAGLE FESTIVAL - FIRST DAY /Bugat soum, 04 OCT, 2025/

Breakfast
09:30 Drive to GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 2025 in Bugat soum
10:00-13:00 "Shyrga tartu" competition /Evaluation of eagles and training status/
13:00-14:00 Lunch break
14:00-14:30 Kazakh traditional dance "Kara Zhorgha" performance
14:30-15:30 Kazakh traditional sport "Kokpar" /Goat pulling on horseback/ competition
15:30-16:30 Kazakh traditional horseback game "Audaryspakh" /Tug of war on horseback/ competition
16:30-17:00 Closing ceremony of the eagle festival and prize distribution
17:30 Depart for Ulgii city
Dinner
Relax

Meals: B/L/D

DAY 4 EAGLE FESTIVAL - SECOND DAY /Bugat soum, 05 OCT, 2025/

Breakfast
Depart for Altai Tavan Bogd, Oigor. On the way, cross SONGINOT PASS – Marvel at the breathtaking scenery of the Altai Mountain range, featuring towering peaks, pristine valleys, and crystal-clear rivers. From the pass, to the northwest, the Siilkhem Mountain Range is visible, and directly to the west, the majestic Altai Tavan Bogd peaks rise into the sky.
Arrive in Oigor and having lunch
After lunch, continue the tour for ALTAI TAVAN BOGD MOUNTAINS. Experience the year-round snow-covered peaks, visit the PRESIDENT’S OVOO, explore the POTANIN GLACIER, and admire the TSAGAAN RIVER, also known as the Milk River.
Return to Oigor at ger camp
Dinner
Free time and relax

Meals: B/L/D

DAY 5 ULGII CITY - ALTAI TAVAN BOGD NP /06 OCT, 2025/

DAY 6 ALTAI TAVAN BOGD - TSAGAAN GOL _ TSENGEL /07 OCT, 2025/

Enjoy breakfast
Travel to Tsagaan gol, Shiveet Khairkhan sacred mountain
Stop at the bridge over the MILK RIVER for photo opportunities. The Milk River, originating from the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain, spans 111 kilometers before merging into the Khovd River. Three significant glaciers, Alexander, Graneg, and Potanin, contribute to the river's flow.
Lunch break
Exploring the ANCIENT PETROGLYPHS- Most remarkably, explore ancient deer stones and thousands of petroglyphs dating back 8,000 to 10,000 years — silent storytellers preserving the secrets, beliefs, and lifeways of early nomadic civilizations. It is the part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Head to Tsengel town
Check-in at the hostel
Dinner
Relax

Meals: B/L/D

DAY 7 TSENGEL - SAGSAI TOWN /08 OCT, 2025/

Breakfast
Drive to Sagsai town
Visiting a Kazakh Eagle Hunter: Exploring the Art of Training Eagles for Hunting - A visit to a Kazakh eagle hunter is an unforgettable journey into one of the world's oldest and most fascinating traditions.
Lunch at Kazakh Nomad family /Eagle hunter/
Head back to Ulgii city
Free time:
- Shopping /Kazakh Souvenir shops/
- Coffee shop
Gather at meeting time
Depart for UB city by paved road
Dinner in Khovd province /At your own expenses/

Meals: B/L/--

DAY 8 ULAANBAATAR CITY /09 OCT, 2025/

Route: Khovd - Gobi-Altai - Bayankhongor - Uvurkhangai - UB city
Having lunch at Bichigt Khad, Uvurkhangai province /Lunch is at your own expenses/
Continue the tour to Ulaanbaatar city
Drop-Off at Sukhbaatar square

Meal: --

TOUR DETAILS

Certified

GUIDE & DRIVER

DISTANCE

TRANSPORTATION

Alphard MPV /HIACE /VIP Bus (24 seats), Russian Van

4,150 km

7N 8D

DURATION

GER CAMPING

HOTEL

1 Night

4 Nights

Group size

3-4

5-6

7-8

9-10

Price

1,400 USD /Per pax/ - Alphard MPV

1,190 USD /Per pax/ - HIACE

960 USD /Per pax/ - HIACE

1,090 USD /Per pax/ - VIP Bus

LAND PRICE

Pick up and Drop-Off shuttle services
Transportation during trip
- Alphard MPV/HIACE/VIP Bus
- Russian Van /Altai Tavan Bogd NP/
Experienced tour drivers
Professional local English and Chinese-speaking tour guide
Field cook service
Meals inclusive:
- Breakfast /5 times/
- Lunch /6 times/
- Dinner /5 times/
Ulgii Museum entrance ticket
"Golden Eagle Festival 2025" entrance ticket
Official permission from Border Military Unit
Protected Areas fee
Visiting an Eagle hunter
Taking photos with eagles /at Eagle hunter family/
Hotel /Ulgii city/ - 3 nights
Ger camp /Oigor/ - 1 night
Hostel /Tsengel/ – 1 night
Bottled Mineral water
Sleeping bag /at ger camp/

INCLUSION

EXCLUSION

Travel Insurance
Accommodation in UB city
Other meals that not mentioned
Other services that not mentioned
Tips and gratuities
Personal belongings

CHECKLIST AND REMINDERS

Passport
Backpack (Comfortable and lightweight)
Power bank (If needed)
Winter warm clothes /Hat, scarf, gloves, winter boots, winter coat, windproof/waterproof outer layer, thermal socks, sunglasses/goggles etc/
Vacuum flask for hot drinks
Personal ID & emergency contact details
Extra cash for shopping & emergencies
Respect nature & Local communities
Luggage advice: Avoid bringing oversized suitcases
Medication Reminder: If you have regular medications or suffer from high blood pressure, ensure you have them with you at all times.
Dietary Requirements: Please inform us in advance if you are a vegetarian.
Kindly note: Let us know in advance if you have any food allergies.