Eagle Festival of Mongolia: Ancient Traditions of the Steppe
- inspirasian
- Oct 9, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Mongolia’s eagle festivals celebrate the Kazakh tradition of hunting with trained eagles, a custom that spans centuries and which few visitors are privy. On this immersive journey, take a front-row seat at this intimate affair, reveling in the pomp and pageantry of the competition and its competitors. While in the remote region of the festival, spend time with our Kazakh friends on a thrilling eagle hunt and stay at a private ger camp on the sprawling steppe - experiences that lend unmatched insight into nomadic life.
You’ll also spend time soaking up the country’s additional highlights, including time in Ulaanbaatar - amid resurgent Buddhist temples and proud museums - and in the ethereal landscapes of the Gobi.
Highlights
Delight in the celebratory atmosphere of either the Altai Eagle Festival or the Golden Eagle Festival
Spend your nights in comfort and ease at a ger camp while attending the festival
Delve into unspoiled wilderness as you join Kazakh hunters and their birds on a traditional hunt
Connect with hospitable nomadic families, learning about their unique way of life
Discover Mongolia’s growing capital Ulaanbaatar, then marvel at the soundless, dreamlike vistas of the Gobi’s Flaming Cliffs and Singing Sands
Itinerary Outline
Day 1-2:: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital, and explore its fascinating mix of religions and cultures See Gobi dinosaur skeletons and hear traditional khoomei (“throat singing”).
Day 3-6: Fly to the Gobi Desert and venture to the spectacular Khongoriin Els dunes (the "singing sands") Connect with a nomadic family Behold the dramatic scenery of the Yol Valley and watch for the lammergeyer, a huge bearded vulture.
Day 7-8: After stopping over in Ulaanbaatar, jet to Olgii, set in the heart of Central Asia’s majestic Altai Mountains Time with an eagle hunter's family and nights in a private ger camp deepen your experience of western Mongolia.
Day 9-11: Join a group of eagle hunters and venture into the countryside in search of prey Experience the revelry of the Eagle Festival, watching Kazakh competitions and games in the jovial company of locals
Day 12-14: Depending on flight schedules, discover more of the western Olgii along the lovely Khovd River or spend a day soaking up the landscapes of Khustain Nuruu National Park (home to the Asian wild horse) Return to Ulaanbaatar and depart for home.
Dates
09/25/25 – 10/08/25 Golden Eagle Festival (Limited space; please call)
09/10/26 – 09/23/26 Altai Eagle Festival
09/24/26 – 10/07/26 Golden Eagle Festival
Inclusions
Expertise of travel specialists
All accommodations
Some gratuities
All ground transportation and airport transfers
Sightseeing, events, visits, and entrance fees
Most meals
Bottled or filtered water at included meals and while sightseeing
Services of local guides, drivers, and other staff
A JOURNEY BUILT JUST FOR YOU
A journey fully tailored to you. HIMALAYAWANDER'S 's destination specialists will gladly tailor this existing itinerary - or build one completely from scratch - to suit your style, interests, and time frame. Contact us to see what's possible.
