Day 3
SATURDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER—EAGLE FESTIVAL
Explore another full day at the festival. Some shows of eagles are played. Eagles fly to the own trainers’ hand and catch the moving objects or prey while flying. Today there will be a camel race. In the evening, traditional concert of Kazak ethnic group performed and enjoy a farewell dinner.
- Competition of how eagles adapted to hunters "Shyrga Tartu" (the eagles will be qualified how fast and smoothy catch a lure that made of fox or hare skin).
- "Kyz kuar" game show (Traditional horseback riding fun game for youth, boys whipped by girls if they reached by them).
- Lunch break at 12:00 o’clock
- Continuation of the game
- Kukhbar competition (Traditional horseback riding game fight over for the goat skin).
- Horse race- 100 horse expected
- Award ceremony for winners of festival
- Closing ceremony.
After closing ceremony we’ll drive back to Olgii.
Overnight accommodation will be in a Ger (B-L-D)
Eagle Calling Event
The first day is mostly reserved for eagle hunters to demonstrate various aspects of eagle training and hunting skills. The first event is a calling competition.
The field is marked by three circles, each with a different number of points - 6, 8, and 10. The eagle is led to the top of a nearby hill, while its hunter stands in a circle on his horse.
The eagle is released, flying directly towards and landing on the hunter's arm. The higher the point, the further the ring. Several confident hunters approach circle number ten.
Many of their eagles fly straight to their prey, while others take a detour, checking nearby rocks for small rodents or even disappearing high in the sky.
During competition, some eagles get loose, fighting among themselves or landing on a hunter's arm with another. As they hone their calling skills, younger hunters prefer to use lower numbers.
The first day is primarily dedicated to eagle hunters demonstrating various aspects of eagle training and hunting skills. The first competition is a calling contest.
Shyrga Tartu – Lure Grabbing
The next event will similarly summon the eagles from the mountain's summit. Instead of landing on the hunter's arm, the birds must grab a piece of rabbit fur tied to the rope and leave it trailing behind the horse. The horses used to pull actual dead rabbits or foxes in previous years, but the most recent version only uses the fur. With the horse galloping at full speed, the more experienced pairs of eagle-men hunters would succeed. Less capable riders would keep their horses still and wait for the eagle to land on the fur.
Urianhai Archery Competition
While the main event takes place in the arena, an archery competition takes place in the middle of the day. These archers put on quite a show with their heavy bows and long arrows.
The day began with a call to action. On the final day of the Golden Eagle Festival, only the best displays of Kazakh horsemanship and hunting from the first day compete.
Tenge Ily – Coin Grabbing
A coin is thrown during this game, and riders pick it up from the ground while still on horseback. It's incredible to see the riders throw themselves to the ground, pick up a tiny object, and continue riding at full speed.
Kyz Kuar – Girls Chasing and Whipping Boys
Also known as the "Girl Chase," both a man and a woman race side by side on their horses. The man tries to flee the wrath of the women who relentlessly whips him. Some men are better than others at avoiding whipping. Some women are better at "beating" than others, or at least more eager to do so. This event is hilarious, and you can tell that each couple is having a good time.
Kukhbar –Competition for Goat Skin
The game is a tug of war between two riders on horses over a goat carcass. It used to be a real dead goat, but recent events have used a woolen decoy. This game is most likely the most competitive of all the contests. Each participant pulls the "carcass" with their entire committee. Disputes arose on a few occasions, with participants appearing on the judging platform and angrily complaining. Another rider would occasionally join in the debate. The trio would then push, pull, gallop, turn, and twist their way through the crowd. Alternatively, restart the horses at full speed, racing side by side,while the men pull the carcass.Two riders are in a tug of war over a goat carcass.
Traditional Kazakh Food
You will eat your lunch in a kitchen tent at the festival site, and you will come to the tens to warm up with coffee or tea during the celebration.
. As an additional tour highlight, we will invite a local folklore group and organize a small traditional concert.
The festival ends with a prize-giving ceremony.