Selena Travel

Golden Eagle Festival tour 2025

Golden Eagle Festival tour | Golden Eagle and Kazakh Eagle hunter

7days/6nights

Tour grade: Easy

From: US$ 2,550

Style: Join in Group Departure

  • Western Mongolia: Ethnic groups of Mongolia – Kazakh nomads,  meet a visiting eagle hunter family
  • Golden eagle festival: featuring talented eagle trainers and their magnificent Golden Eagles, as well as games between the nomads. 
  • Breathtaking scenery all the time and endless photo opportunities!
  • Meet people and make friends! You will be part of a group of 4-8 people during the tour as it is a group departure.

Tour Overview

Looking for an unforgettable experience that blends landscape and cultural sightseeing? Look no further than the Kazakh traditional eagle hunting festival! Last year, over 50 participants showcased their specially trained Golden Eagles in competitions of speed, agility, and accuracy. But that's not all – the festival also features traditional Kazakh games like Kokbar, archery, and horse racing.

This festival is a celebration of both the Golden Eagle and Kazakh traditional heritage. Attendance is limited to maintain the festival as a Kazakh event, but this presents a unique opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their culture. Join us for a few days of eagle training and cultural immersion, and discover the beauty of Mongolia's remote Buddhist monasteries and nomadic families. Whether you prefer horse-riding or guided walking, there are endless opportunities for photography and adventure. Don't miss out on this fantastic trip!

Tour map

Map of Golden eagle festival tour

Brief itinerary

  • Day 1: Oct 02. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, City sightseeing
  • Day 2: Oct 03. Olgii town
  • Day 3: Oct 04. Golden Eagle Festival
  • Day 4: Oct 05. Golden Eagle Festival
  • Day 5: Oct 06. Ulaanbaatar - Terelj National park
  • Day 6: Oct 07. Ulaanbaatar city
  • Day 7: Oct 08. Departure from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
go to detail

Tour images

Kazakh Eagle Hunter with his eagle
Eagle Hunters during the Golden Eagle festival
Eagle hunters
Eagle Hunters

Full Itinerary

Day 1:

Oct 02. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, tour of the City

Upon clearing customs at the airport, you’ll meet your guide and driver for your transfer to your accommodation (standard check-in time is 2 PM). After a short rest, you’ll embark on a visit to the iconic Genghis Khan Monument located in Sukhbaatar Square, followed by a trip to the National Museum. Here, you’ll explore captivating displays of traditional Mongolian clothing, weaponry, and exhibits detailing the rise of Genghis Khan's empire. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel.

 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar hotel 4* or similar

Meals:

Lunch

Day 2:

Oct 03. Olgii town

In the morning, we’ll catch a flight to Olgii town. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your local guide at the airport and transfer to your ger camp or local hotel. After settling in, we’ll head out from Olgii to visit a Kazakh nomadic family. Experience the excitement of their preparations for the Eagle Festival over the next two days. This is a significant occasion for both the community and their eagles. Capture stunning moments of eagle training and prey-catching. Indulge in delicious Kazakh cuisine before we return to Olgii town in the early evening.

 

Accommodation: Ger camp

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3:

Oct 04. Golden Eagle Festival

On the first day of the festival, eagle hunters showcase their stunning traditional attire, beautifully adorned horses, and intricately decorated eagles as they parade from Olgii's central square to the competition arena. Later in the afternoon, the eagles will demonstrate their remarkable speed, agility, and hunting skills in thrilling competitions.

 

Accommodation: Ger camp

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4:

Oct 05. Golden Eagle Festival

On the second day of this vibrant festival, the eagles will compete to catch prey in the shortest time, earning scores based on their performance. Meanwhile, spectators can enjoy traditional Kazakh games like Kokbar. In the evening, the top eagles and their skilled trainers will be honored with awards. To cap off the day, enjoy a captivating folklore concert from a local theater.

 

Accommodation: Ger camp

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5:

Oct 06. Ulaanbaatar - Terel National Park

Today, we’ll take a local flight from Olgii town back to Ulaanbaatar, arriving in the morning or early afternoon (exact flight time will be provided). After your arrival, we’ll drive to the stunning Terelj National Park, where you’ll check in to the ger camp and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the naturally shaped Turtle Rock and the serene Aryabal Temple of Meditation. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the ger camp.

 

Accommodation: Ger camp

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6:

Oct 07. Ulaanbaatar city

In the morning, we’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar. On the way, we’ll stop to visit the impressive Chinggis Khan statue, the tallest equestrian statue in the world. Continuing our journey, we’ll explore Bogd Khan Palace Museum, the former residence of Mongolia's last king, before heading to Zaisan Memorial Hill for panoramic views of the city. In the evening, enjoy a captivating traditional folklore concert by the Tumen Ekh ensemble, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar hotel 4* or similar

Meals:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 7:

Oct 08. Departure from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

You are transferred to the airport/train station after breakfast. End of service. 

 

Meals:

Breakfast

Date & Price

TOUR DATES

  •  2-8th October, 2025

 

If you prefer a private tour experience, simply click the "Customize this tour" button located at the bottom of the page to personalize the itinerary according to your preferences. Upon submitting your request, our team of travel advisors will promptly provide you with a tailored proposal and quote.

 

TOUR PRICE

2550 USD per person

300 USD for single supplement charge

 

INCLUDED SERVICES

  • Full-time services of your English-speaking local guide throughout the tour
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
  • Private transfers (4WD Russian minivan+ Experienced driver) in Olgii
  • Private transfers (Comfortable vehicle with AC+ Experienced driver) in Ulaanbaatar
  • Airport transfers
  • Twin/double room at local hotel/ger camp  - 3 nights 
  • Twin/double room at Holiday Inn hotel – 3 nights
  • Olgii-ULN flight ticket RT+ Tax (15kg luggage+ 5 kg carry on free)
  • Meals as listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
  • Golden Eagle festival ticket and arrangement
  • 0.5 l x 3 bottled water per day
  • Visa support invitation letter where applicable

 

EXCLUDED SERVICES

  • International Airfare/train tickets + Tax
  • Travel insurance & Visa fees
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc.
  • Early check-in or late check-out fees
  • Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary).
  • Optional activities (horse back riding, archery and camel riding etc)

 

Tour Background

Accommodation info on your Mongolia tours 

Ulaanbaatar: Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, offers a variety of hotels ranging from basic guesthouses to high-end 5* hotel.

Some of our Mongolia tours do not include the hotel stays in Ulaanbaatar in the tour package, where clients can choose a hotel that suits their needs and budget. Please make sure to check your tour program`s Inclusions and Exclusions section to confirm if your hotel stay is included in the package.

If you wish us to book your hotel for you, your travel consultant will be happy to recommend and book an ideal hotel for you. 

 

Here are hotels that are recommended by us:  

  • Springs hotel (3*)
  • Holiday Inn (4*)
  • Best Western Premier (5*)
  • Shangri-La Hotel (5*)

 

Outside Ulaanbaatar: Outside of Ulaanbaatar where there are no hotels, tourist Ger (yurt) camps are the best accommodation for travelers. A Ger is Mongolian traditional dwelling made of felt layers and wooden construction, and the Mongolians have lived in Gers for thousands of years. Tourist Ger camps offer comfortable Gers with 1-3 beds with good bedding (1 Ger equals 1 hotel room), and also offer well-maintained public western style showers and WCs on their grounds. Some Ger camps offer en-suite bathroom facilities at additional charge, please ask your Selena Travel advisor for further details when booking your Mongolia tour. 

 

Food on Selena Travel tours 

In the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, a great variety of restaurants can be found and you will be eating at some of the best restaurants of Ulaanbaatar on your Mongolia tour while in the capital. Once you are outside the capital, Ger restaurants in Ger camps, local cafes in the small towns and sometimes nomadic families will be the places where you will be eating most of your meal. Ger restaurants often offer set continental breakfasts, set menu lunches and dinners consisting of salad or soup, main course and dessert.

 

 While on the tour, during your longer driving days you will take packed lunch from Ger camps, often vegetable salad, main course such as fried chicken/noodles/dumplings and a small dessert, while hitting the road. Most of the food restrictions and allergies such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and many others, can be accommodated with easy on your Mongolia adventure.

 

 Luggage allowance on Selena Travel tours 

If you are on an overland only tour across Mongolia, the recommended weight of your luggage is 20kg per person (max). However, kindly note that domestic flight luggage allowance per person is 15 kg (10 kg for the check in luggage and 5 kg for the carry on luggage). It is possible to purchase extra luggage space which costs US$2 - 5 per 1kg.

 

DESTINATION & ATTRACTIONS BRIEF INFO

Historically, nomadic Kazakhs of Western Mongolia depended on Golden Eagles for hunting. The Berkut Association is a community-based association consisting of local Kazakhs who are committed to preserving their traditional heritage and conserving the Golden Eagle. All proceeds from the festival's ticket sales will go to the Berkut Association, which will use these funds to further the goals of the organization including arranging the eagle festival each year. The Golden eagle festival will be held on 03 – 04 Oct 2015.

One of the last true wilderness areas of Asia, the stunning beauty of the magnificent Altai Mountains will be the backdrop for this extraordinary Eagle Festival. A highlight of any trip to this region is interacting with local Kazakhs and learning about their unique culture. Approximately ninety percent of the population of Bayan-Ulgii is Kazakh and though their pastoral-nomadic lifestyle is similar to that of Mongolians, these Kazakh-speaking nomads are predominantly Moslem. Passed down from their Turkic ancestors, many Kazakhs are still hunting with trained Golden Eagles whose vision is eight times more acute than humans.
 
Female eagles are preferred since they are believed to be more aggressive and weigh as much as fifteen pounds (nearly one-third more than the males). Kazakh women are renowned for their skills in embroidery and appliqué-hand-crafted felt carpets line the floor of their gers and delicately embroidered tapestries adorn the walls in a dazzling mosaic of colors.

Tour Map

Tour Reviews

Nov 10, 2024.  The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer

Aug 10, 2012. Gobi & Karakorum Explorer tour Our recent "The Gobi & Karakorum Explorer" tour with you was excellent, everything exceeded our expectations! It was a super trip in our lives and we loved our Mongolia holiday so much. Our guide Joe was kind, well organised, accurate and informative, polite and caring and always provided us with timely information. And our driver Jack is super, very friendly, professional and always on time. We are wild travelers, having been to many places in the world - but Mongolia is still truly unspoiled and uncontaminated. Selena Travel's services were perfect right from the very first email. We would like to thank Selena Travel, our guide and our driver for having made this Mongolia experience a truly beautiful one with so many wonderful memories.

by Rafaella, Benedetta, Lidia

Aug 08, 2012.  Gobi & Karakorum customized 11 days tour

Sending you some of our nicer pictures. Some are chosen for their beautiful scenery while the rest are just us happily playing and goofing around. There are a couple of shots of us doing some Mongolian wrestling, as suggested by Oyuna since we missed out on the mini-Naadam festival. She said since we missed it, we might as well organise our own festival by playing some Mongolian games. Haha... We had so much fun playing those games!!! :)OK, I hope you like the pictures we send you. Best regards to everyone at Selena Travel and thank you once again for all your assistance.

by Margaret Suganda

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