Mongolia tours

Mongolia Eagle Festival tours

about eagle festival

Golden Eagle festival is an annual traditional festival in Bayan-Ölgii aimag (Western Mongolia). Eagle Hunters celebrate their heritage and compete to catch small animals such as foxes and hares with specially trained golden eagle. The biggest festival is at the first weekend of October every year. There are also few more festivals that happen in middle of September and march as well.

Standard Eagle festival program:

First day of the festival

Opening ceremony
Traditional parade
All eagle hunters will show their decorated horses and hunting outfits. (This is 1st step of eagle competition)
Calling eagle on arm. ( Eagle will be released from top of mountain, and trainer must meet up eagle from the bottom just among people down. This is second step of competition)
Uriankhai Archery competition
“Tenge ilu” the competition to snatch coins from the ground
Musical performance / at the Central Theater in Olgii/

Second day of the festival

Eagle hunters will be dragging death animal skins, but eagle must catch this skin pretending it is real fox or any live animal. ( This is 3rd competition)
“Kiz Kuar” Kazakh traditional game
“ Kokpar” tug of war with an animal skin
Closing ceremony of the eagle festival. Winner awording ceremony

Mongolia Eagle Festival tours Itinerary

1. DAY

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Meet your guide at the airport and drive to your Hotel. After a few hours resting, do a city tour in Ulaanbaatar where you can visit Zaisan hill, Gandan monastery, and the local museum. Be ready to fly to the west tomorrow morning for the Golden Eagle festival!

2. DAY

Arrive in Ulgii town (capital of Bayan-Ulgii province). The same day starts driving to Eagle Hunter’s family. Meet Eagle Hunter and meet his fantastic bird. Chat with Eagle Hunter and ask for any questions that you want to. Stay at Ger camp or tent.

Distance: 1-hour drive Meals: Dinner Accommodation: Stay at the local Ger camp or tent

3. DAY

See how Eagle Hunter makes ready his bird for hunting (how he trains, etc.). See his hunting outfit. Learn how to hold the bird on your arm during the hunting. Learn how to carry the bird on the horse. Say goodbye to Eagle Hunter’s family. Drive back to Ulgii, and stay at the local Hotel or Ger camp.

Distance: 1-hour drive Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Accommodation: Stay at the local Hotel Ger camp

4,5. Day

Golden Eagle festival

It is going to be the most exciting 2 days. Are you ready? Stay at the local Hotel or Ger camp.

Distance: Drive to Golden Eagle festival Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Accommodation: Stay at the local Hotel Ger camp

5. DAY

Fly to Ulaanbaatar

Packing Suggestions:

Backpack, Headlamp or flashlight, Spare batteries for cameras, Medications if needed, Winter boots, Winter jacket, Winter hat, Wool jumper, Cotton T-shirt, Long sleeve shirts, Trousers, Shorts, Socks, Sandals, Warm hat, Sun hat, Sunglasses, Sunblock cream

INCLUDED:

1 GUIDE, COOK, DRIVER, DRIVE VEHICLE 4X4 (RUSSIAN FURGON), 2 FOOD AND MEAL 3 TIMES PER DAY, CAMPING EQUIPMENT S MATTRESS TENT DOMESTIC FLIGHTS,

Not Included:

TRAVEL INSURANCE (TIPPING CREW MEMBERS), Golden Eagle festival tax (ticket), Personal expenses, Visa application, International airfares

The eagle festival lasts for 2 days. You may combine eagle festival with any other tours such as Mongolia discovery tours, trekking tours or other cultural tours in Mongolia.