GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL OCTOBER 4th-5th, 2026

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL OCTOBER 4th-5th, 2026 - Discover Kazakh Nomads

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL OCTOBER 4th-5th, 2026

EAGLE FESTIVALS

★★★★★

Price :

$ 1,350.00

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OVERVIEW

The 27th Annual Golden Eagle Festival will take place in Shar Nuur (15 kilometers from Olgii) on October 4-5, 2026

Bayan-Ulgiy province is well-known for being home to nomadic eagle hunters and the center of the Altai Mountains. Around 100 eagle hunters gather to compete in nomad horse games.

Come and appreciate the breathtaking nature adorned with ancient mountains, rivers, and Mongolian heritage. Join us to see a fantastic event with some outstanding hunters!

The two-day event started in 1999 as a way to promote Kazakh heritage. At the time of creation, the festival saw the participation of about 40 eagle hunters. With now around 100, the festival has become one of the largest gatherings of Kazakh. Eagle hunters put their best costumes, with both the robust Mongolian horses and the full-feathered eagles wearing decorated tacks. Beyond the expert display of the hunter’s’ skills, both humans and birds, the festival also features traditional Kazakh games such as Tiyin Teru, Kyz Kuar, and Kukpar. In the evening, traditional Kazakh music and performances are held in downtown Olgii..

The festival became famous note after a documentary in 2016 calledThe Eagle Huntress, featuring 13-year-old Aisholpan, the first female to break the millennia-old tradition traditionally passed from fathers to sons. Not only did she enter the competition, but also won. She has since opened the door to more young girls participating in Eagle hunting. She, as well as other girls, was present during the festival.

The Eagle festival, or Golden Eagle festival -is an annual traditional festival held in Bayan-Olgii province Olgii town in Mongolia. In the eagle festival, Kazakh eagle hunters celebrate their heritage and compete to catch animal fur from distance with specially trained golden eagles, showing off the skills both of the birds and their trainers. Prizes are awarded for speed, agility and accuracy, as well as for the best traditional Kazakh dress, and more

Itinerary

Day 1

1 DAY FLY TO ULGII FROM UB CAPITAL CITY

Take a domestic flight to western Mongolia.

The Golden Eagle Festival is one of the biggest events in western Mongolia. Local airlines sell tickets for more expensive than usual.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you BOOK your seats as early as possible.

At Olgii airport you will be met by a local support team which includes an English-speaking guide, driver, and expedition chef. Off-road driving and the arrival at a nomadic eagle hunter’s place in the remote Altai Mountains.

During that period of the season, the Kazakh eagle hunters live in their autumn place.

Enjoy the hospitality of nomadic people. Our guide will introduce you to our Mongolian culture and, traditions.

Please feel free to communicate with nomads and take photos. The nomadic way of living is an important part of human history and it is still continuous in this remote corner of the world.

Day 2

2 DAY ATTEND EAGLE FESTIVAL -DAY 1

Prepare for an awe-inspiring encounter as you meet the Kazakh Eagle hunters, showcasing the incredible athleticism of these magnificent birds. Witness a unique rodeo of eagle hunters, providing an exceptional opportunity for photographers and adventurers alike to observe these birds of prey up close. In Bayan-Ulgii province, home to approximately 200 eagle hunters, a gathering of these skilled individuals will take place.

Engage in the festivities of the Eagle Festival, which includes:

Registration and credentialing of Eagle Hunters

Opening ceremony of the Annual Golden Eagle Festival

Competition for the best Kazakh costume, eagle, and horse harness

Horse race

Competition demonstrating how eagles adapt to hunters

"Tenge Ily" competition (Traditional coin grabbing game while riding a horse)

Urainkhai archery competition

Competition for the best Kazakh costume for couples

Folk concert in the local theatre at Ulgii city

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of the Eagle Festival, a celebration of tradition, skill, and the enduring bond between hunters and their eagles.

Day 3

3 DAY

Attend the Altai Eagle Festival – Day 2

Experience the thrill of traditional Kazakh Horse Games during the festival, including:

Bush Kushi:A gripping contest where riders engage in a fight for the goat skin on horseback.

Kiss Woman on Horseback:A playful game where riders attempt to "kiss" a woman on horseback while she defends herself by beating the man with a horse whip.

Pick Up Flowers from the Land on Horseback:A skillful game requiring riders to pick up flowers from the ground while on horseback.

Participate in the Eagle Festival, featuring:

Shyrga Tartu (Eagle Adaptation Competition):Eagles will be evaluated based on how fast and smoothly they catch a lure made of rabbit or fox skin.

Camel Race:Witness the speed and agility of camels in a thrilling race.

Khyz Khuar Game Show:A traditional horseback riding fan game for youth, with boys being whipped by girls if they are caught.

Continuation Game "Kukhbar" Competition:A traditional horseback riding game involving a fight over a goat skin.

Award Ceremony for Festival Winners

Closing Ceremony:Mark the conclusion of the festival with a memorable ceremony.

Immerse yourself in the dynamic energy of the Eagle Festival, where age-old traditions come to life through thrilling games and competitions.

Day 4

4 DAY HUNTING WITH EAGLES

Be a part of real eagle hunting

Today you have the opportunity to become a real eagle hunter. We will go on horseback to the hillside where the hunter will demonstrate how he trains his eagle. If you are lucky, you may be able to witness an eagle hunting a real animal such as a fox or a rabbit.

To hunt with an eagle, you have to climb to the top of the mountain and make a strong voice, and if there is any fox hiding in the valleys, it will run down, and then you have to realize your eagle. The eagle takes a high fly and attacks the fox. Eagle hunters usually use female eagles because they are larger and more aggressive.

Ultimate eagle hunters keep an eagle for ten years and release it into the wild. It’s always an emotional moment. This is a unique relationship between men and the heavenly lord. Berkut lives 30-40 years. Return to the family and get to know their traditions based on Islam and a bit of shamanism.

Day 5