The Golden Eagle Festival is a must-see event in Asia. It is a festival to introduce the culture of the Mongolian national minority Kazakhs to the world and promotes their heritage to the next generation. The Eagle Festival is held in the Mongolian far western province Bayan Ulgii in September and October. During this September Eagle Festival Tour, you will spend 2 full days participating in the festival and another day visiting the homes of the Eagle Hunter, where you will have more personal touch with the eagle and eagle hunter - communicate with the eagle and eagle hunter, discover their unique lifestyle, and take photos. You will have a chance to hear the Eagle hunters’ story when visiting the Eagle Hunting Kazakh family and interact with the trained eagle in person. As well as, you will try traditional Kazakh meals and discover the surrounding areas of Ulgii town. Overall, it is a tour of in-depth cultural insights.
Itinerary
Sept 15, Day 1: Fly to Ulgii town
Today, you visit an eagle-hunting Kazakh family to observe the life of the eagle hunters and communicate with both the eagles and hunters in person. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ulgii Museum and market.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Lunch - packed, Dinner
Sept 16, Day 2: Visit Eagle Hunter Kazakhs and Ulgii Town Tour
Today, you visit an eagle-hunting Kazakh family to observe the life of the eagle hunters and communicate with both the eagles and hunters in person. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ulgii Museum and market.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sept 17 - 18, Day 3-4: Golden Eagle festival
The impressive Golden Eagle Festival starts with a parade of eagle hunters dressed in traditional hunting clothes, riding horses, and holding their eagles in their right arms. Up to 60 eagle hunters are participating in the festival. Those will be 2 full days to see the eagle hunting festival, competitions, hunting techniques, the Eagles’ agility, and ability, besides some nomadic customs.
Accommodation: Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sept 19, Day 5: Fly back Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast
Background
Is the September Eagle Festival Tour suitable for you?
On the September Golden Eagle Festival Tour, you will travel to Ulgii, a central town of Bayan Ulgii province, located 1600 km from Ulaanbaatar. To save time and keep the driving short, you will fly to Khovd town at the beginning of the tour and back to Ulaanbaatar from Ulgii town when the trip ends. Due to the remoteness and infrastructure, accommodations and restaurants are basic in Ulgii. The Eagle Festival Tour does not include long driving, except for 240 km paved roads driving from Khovd to Ulgii town on the first day. Golden Eagle Festival takes place 30 km out of Ulgii town. September Eagle Festival size is smaller compared to the October Eagle Festival. 40-50 eagle hunters compete in the September festival, while 60-70 eagle hunters participate in October Eagle Festival. The September Eagle Festival's advantage is that the audience can see and photograph the events from a closer distance.
Accommodation
The ger camps and hotels are in local standards and for twin share.
Meals
You will dine at local restaurants in Ulgii and have a picnic lunch or eat in ger food courts at the Eagle Festival site. Vegetarians and restricted diet travelers should inform of the dietary requirements before arrival in Mongolia. We will arrange the meals accordingly. We will supply two 0.5L bottles of water a day. Providing one large bottle (1.5 liters) of water instead of 2 small bottles is available upon request. More information about the Mongolia meals
Guides
Fully guided by an English-speaking guide.
Tour vehicles
The tour includes a round-way domestic flight to western Mongolia. Regarding the land transport, the September Eagle Festival Tour was designed with four wheels driving Russian vans, driven by experienced, friendly, and good mechanic-drivers. Different car types are available upon request for private tours. You may check the travel vehicle details at Mongolia transportation.
September weather during the Eagle Festival
The 2024 Golden Eagle Festival takes place on 17 and 18 September. It occasionally snows in the Altai mountains in September. You should expect -2°C to +10°C during daylight and below 0°C at night/in the evening/ morning. Therefore, we suggest you bring warm clothes suitable for a little below 0⁰C, including your woolen hats and gloves. Please check the DISCOVERY TOUR PACKING LIST and pack accordingly. Also, consider the free luggage allowance on domestic flights - 15 kg per person, including the handbag.
To plan your dream holiday or customize the tour exclusively for you, please check the attractions in Western Mongolia
