Altai peaks of mongolia

Eagle festival tours in Mongolia

Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia

Experience the World’s Greatest Eagle Hunting Festival

Witness one of the world’s most extraordinary cultural events at the Golden Eagle Festival in western Mongolia, where Kazakh eagle hunters showcase centuries-old traditions against the breathtaking backdrop of the Altai Mountains.

Held every autumn in the province of Bayan-Ölgii, the Golden Eagle Festival celebrates the ancient art of hunting with trained golden eagles—a tradition preserved by Mongolia’s Kazakh nomads for more than 700 years. The festival brings together the country’s finest eagle hunters, their magnificent birds, and visitors from around the world for an unforgettable cultural experience.

About the Golden Eagle Festival

The Golden Eagle Festival is Mongolia’s most famous cultural event and the largest gathering of Kazakh eagle hunters anywhere in the world. During the festival, hunters dressed in traditional embroidered clothing compete in skill-based events that demonstrate the remarkable partnership between human and eagle.

Visitors have the rare opportunity to watch golden eagles soar through the mountain air, witness traditional horseback competitions, enjoy vibrant Kazakh music and dance, and experience authentic nomadic hospitality.

Festival Highlights

Watch over 100 Kazakh eagle hunters compete
Experience the ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles
Traditional opening ceremony
Eagle calling competitions
Eagle hunting demonstrations
Horseback games and archery
Kazakh cultural performances
Traditional music and folk dancing
Local handicraft market
Authentic Kazakh cuisine
Stunning photography opportunities
Meet eagle hunters and their families

Competition Events

Eagle Calling

Hunters release their eagles from a mountain ridge while calling them back using traditional techniques. Eagles descend at incredible speeds to land precisely on their owner’s arm.

Speed & Accuracy

Hunters demonstrate the responsiveness, agility, and hunting abilities of their eagles through a series of skill-based challenges.

Horseback Skills

Competitors display exceptional horsemanship while carrying their eagles across rugged terrain.

Traditional Kazakh Games

Enjoy exciting events including horseback racing, kokpar (goat tug-of-war), camel racing, and archery competitions.

Tour Highlights

Attend both days of the Golden Eagle Festival
Stay with traditional Kazakh eagle hunter families
Visit Altai Mountains and Bayan-Ölgii Province
Explore local markets
Learn about eagle training techniques
Wear traditional Kazakh clothing for photos
Visit nomadic families
Experience authentic Kazakh hospitality
Scenic flights across western Mongolia

Why Visit?

The Golden Eagle Festival is one of the few places on Earth where an ancient hunting tradition is still practiced exactly as it has been for centuries.

Unlike performances created for tourists, the competitors are genuine eagle hunters who continue to hunt foxes and other small animals during Mongolia’s winter months. Their relationship with their birds is built on trust, skill, and generations of knowledge passed from parent to child.

The festival offers a rare opportunity to witness this living cultural heritage while exploring one of the most spectacular landscapes in Central Asia.

Best Time to Visit

The Golden Eagle Festival takes place every year during the first weekend of October in Bayan-Ölgii Province, western Mongolia.

Weather during the festival is generally cool with daytime temperatures between 5°C and 15°C (41°F–59°F), while mornings and evenings can drop below freezing. Warm clothing is strongly recommended.

Location

Bayan-Ölgii Province lies in Mongolia’s far west near the borders of Kazakhstan, Russia, and China. The region is home to Mongolia’s Kazakh minority and the center of the country’s eagle hunting tradition.

Most visitors fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii before traveling by vehicle to the festival grounds.

Photography

The Golden Eagle Festival is considered one of the world’s finest cultural photography destinations. Colorful traditional clothing, magnificent golden eagles, snow-capped mountains, and dramatic horsemen create unforgettable images throughout the event.

Professional and amateur photographers alike will find endless opportunities to capture authentic moments.

What to Wear

Warm insulated jacket
Waterproof outer layer
Comfortable walking boots
Hat and gloves
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Camera with extra batteries
Power bank

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone attend?

Yes. The festival is open to international visitors and welcomes travelers from around the world.

Do hunters still use eagles?

Yes. Many Kazakh hunters continue the traditional practice of hunting with golden eagles during the winter season.

Is it suitable for families?

Absolutely. The festival is family-friendly and offers cultural activities suitable for visitors of all ages.

How many eagle hunters participate?

Typically between 80 and 120 eagle hunters compete each year, making it the largest gathering of its kind.

Do I need a guide?

A guided tour is highly recommended to assist with transportation, interpretation, accommodation, and cultural experiences in this remote region.

Why Travel with Eternal Nomads Travel?

Our experienced local team provides authentic access to the Golden Eagle Festival through carefully designed itineraries, knowledgeable guides, comfortable transportation, and genuine cultural experiences. Beyond the festival, you’ll meet local families, explore the breathtaking Altai Mountains, and discover the traditions that make western Mongolia one of the world’s most remarkable destinations.

Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Mongolia’s living eagle hunting heritage.

Inspire61548037111

Strongly warning against booking with Nurka - Highly unreliable and dishonest Strongly warning against booking with Nurka - Highly unreliable and dishonest I booked two 9-person tours with Nurka—one for October 2025 and another for June 2026. Right from the moment the first tour arrived, she started complaining that fuel and yurt prices had gone up, demanding extra money. Even though we had an agreed-upon price from the start, I ended up paying her an additional $200. I let it slide because I was hoping for a long-term partnership. For the second tour, I double-checked and confirmed the price with her multiple times before quoting my clients and collecting their deposits. Yet, she went back on her word again. Since I had already taken deposits from my clients, I decided to absorb the extra cost myself because I didn’t want to ask them for more money. I repeatedly asked her for confirmation that there would be no more hidden fees, and she assured me that this was the final price and everything was fine. All I wanted was to ensure a smooth Mongolia trip for my clients. However, just two months before departure, Nurka demanded more money yet again, using the exact same excuses: fuel hikes and yurt price increases. This is despite the fact that she had already accepted the deposit and explicitly promised not to raise the price again. This person’s integrity and credibility are completely unacceptable. I told her that the price I charged my clients was based on her initial quote. Even after she kept asking for more, I paid it and got her written promise—multiple times—that there would be no further charges. And yet, she broke her word again. I still have all the emails, messages, and proof of deposit payments. When I finally told her I couldn't pay any more because my income from the clients wouldn't even cover the costs, she canceled my tour—just two months before departure, and after already taking my deposit. She actually had the nerve to claim she is "a credible and responsible person" and would refund my deposit. I almost burst out laughing. Canceling a tour after taking a deposit is what she calls "responsible and credible"? She was the one who set the prices from the very beginning, only to repeatedly demand more money later. This behavior is completely dishonest and unethical. To make matters worse, I just noticed that she is even using photos that I personally took to promote her business! Nurka, please take down all of my photos immediately. Thank you, Nurka, for teaching me the hard way that not everyone can be trusted. I strongly do not recommend booking any tours with Nurka. I know she might try to deny or counter this, but I have saved all the text messages, emails, and chat history as evidence. Having traveled to Mongolia many times and collaborated with several local agencies, I can confidently say that Nurka is by far the most unreliable one.

bardado16@gmail.com

Perfect tours in a simple way. I met Nurka by chance. She came at the hotel and she organized everything for us. Her husband was her employee and driver, Dauka. We had a fantastic tour in Kharkorin, Gobi and Terelj National park. Simple no fuss, everything as planned, enjoying the simpathy of Dauka. I would recommend this company if visiting Mongolia.

Companion437249

So Many Magical Moments Wonderful route with special experiences. Please see attached pix—so many magical adventures. I fulfilled a lifelong dream to see the Gobi Desert. Staying with the camel nomadic family was incredible, and the Eagle Festival was world-class and otherworldly. Competent guide and driver; sturdy vehicle. Five stars.

Lora Ilieva

Unprofessionalism and lack of competence Only a person who lacks the necessary competence and professionalism can blame others for his own failure. Dear people, beware of this woman especially if you travel solo.

sandraO766QT

Fantastic trip. I spent 10 days in Mongolia with this agency, and the trip was simply fantastic! I had previously traveled with Nurka, an extremely professional guide, and this time I had the opportunity to explore new places as well. It's the kind of trip that requires a spirit of adaptability, but everything went perfectly.

Worse agency I ever had I am traveling around the world and as veteran traveler I met a lot of tour agencies and tour guides. That's why I want to share my experience with Eternal Nomads Mongolia. One year ago I contacted Nurka from Eternal Nomads Mongolia for a 17 days trip in Western Mongolia. She gave me a fair price. But the trip was HORRIBLE. I would never recommend you book with them. I didn't see half of the places in the program and finished three days early. She had hired a woman to guide, who had no idea about the places and was probably her first time guiding people. The guide even got drunk and talked nonsense, and also allowed herself to shout at me and insult me. The first driver was always tired. Probably because he was drinking too. The worst thing was that Nurka (the organizer) threatened to cancel the tour and leave me to fend for myself because I complained. She also assured me that she had booked a room for the last day of my stay in a hostel in Ulaanbaatar, but it turned out that she had not confirmed it at all and I had to spend the night with two unknown men. I also went to the airport by myself. Mongolia is a beautiful country but this agency almost ruined my whole trip unfortunately. Such a scam. I would never ever recommend this agency to any one.

Jungyong Choi

Amazing place You can be free from the phone and society. The road is little tough but you can feel comfortable. Go and feel it

rocky

歴史歴史を学ぶ上では重要ですね。歴史好きの人にはたまらないかも。家族が歴史専攻していて、何時間もずっとみている勢い。

Karen L

Amazing cultural visit back to ancient times Nur was a wonderful and helpful host and eagle hunting on horse back was an amazing experience we will never forget!

hartmaria

Hiking in Gobi an incredible 21 days tour with Nurka (Nargajaiv) Guide Mongolia for 21 days as incredible. Nurka proved to be a well organised, trusted and a dedicated guide. She speaks very good English and talks with enthusiasm about Mongolia, food, cultured its history as well as providing insight into Mongolia customs. We enjoyed tea parties, games and also got to mix with the locals who were friendly and kind people who showed us their herds and how to make traditional cake. Part of the activities was hiking for 9 days where she led us into touristic sites and wonderful sceneries surrounded by beautiful lakes and panorama views, which thoroughly enjoyed and took many photos!. She was knowledgeable about all the routes we took provided us with a packed and varied programmes, helped organise our yaks and the tents were well equipped with good gear to keep us dry during rainy days. it was an amazing and unforgettable experience! She also had an incredible team who supported her all along including skilful drivers who drove us through unmarked roads in such a vast place, and Boogy the cook, who was enthusiastic and passionate about his cooking sckill he made us delicious food that we enjoyed. All in all I deeply thank Nurka for this wonderful trip were we felt safe and welcome.Our happiness was always her top priority and I highly recommend Nurka as a good and well experienced guide also I think the August month was a best choice to visit Mongolia.