Starting price: 1015$
By Mongolia-Guide.com / Company /
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Region
West region
Type
Cultural
Duration
7 days
Review
0.0

Highlights

Key Highlights of the Ulgii Eagle Festival

1. The Golden Eagle Hunting

  • Event: The primary focus of the festival is the golden eagle hunting competition. These majestic birds are trained by local hunters to catch small animals like foxes, hares, and marmots, using their keen vision and powerful talons.
  • What to Expect:

2. Cultural Performances

  • Traditional Music and Dance: Throughout the festival, you can experience traditional Kazakh music, including throat singing and performances using instruments like the dombra (a two-stringed instrument) and komuz (a three-stringed lute).
  • Folk Dance: Local dancers perform in colorful, elaborate costumes to the rhythms of folk music.
  • Kazakh Costumes: Many attendees wear traditional Kazakh clothing, including long coats and felt hats, adding to the cultural richness of the event.

3. Nomadic Lifestyle Experience

  • Kazakh Culture: The eagle hunters, known as burkitshi, belong to a nomadic people known for their deep cultural ties to their land, traditions, and their birds. During the festival, you’ll have the chance to see how they live in their yurts (called gers in Mongolia) and experience their daily routines.
  • Traditional Food: You can try Kazakh foods like beshbarmak (a dish made with boiled meat and noodles), kurt (dried cheese), and kumis (fermented mare’s milk). Meals are often shared around large tables, allowing you to enjoy the hospitality of the local families.

4. Spectacular Scenery

  • Ulgii and Bayan-Ölgii Province: The festival takes place in the western Altai Mountains, an area known for its rugged beauty. The vast, sweeping steppes, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, create a stunning backdrop for the event. The natural beauty of the region adds an additional layer of charm to the festival, with participants often traveling through breathtaking landscapes to reach Ulgii.
  • Photography Opportunities: The golden eagles against the backdrop of mountain scenery, the colorful traditional costumes, and the intimate scenes of the hunters with their birds provide ample opportunities for memorable photographs.

5. Other Competitions

  • Horseback Riding: In addition to eagle hunting, there are other traditional competitions such as horseback riding races, where skilled riders compete in fast-paced races across the steppes.
  • Camel Racing: In some years, camel races have also been included in the festival program, adding a touch of variety to the traditional events.
  • Archery: Mongolian-style archery contests are sometimes held as part of the festival, showing off another significant skill that is deeply embedded in the culture of this region.

Itinerary

Day 1,2 : Opening of the Eagle Festival
  • Festival Opening Ceremony: Attend the opening ceremony with cultural performances, music, and an introduction to the participating eagle hunters.
  • Eagle Competitions: Watch the eagle hunters demonstrate their skills as they prepare for the actual hunting competition.
  • Cultural Displays: Enjoy Kazakh folk music, dance performances, and traditional food.
  • After festival Staying with the Kazakh Nomadic Eagle hunter is family.
Day 3: Eagle Hunter Demonstrations

Horse riding and Hunting day Staying with the family Have kazakh traditional meal

  • Eagle Hunting Display: Spend the day at the festival grounds watching the eagle hunters demonstrate their birds’ hunting prowess, with some breathtaking fly-bys and prey captures.
  • Meet the Hunters: Have the opportunity to meet and interact with the hunters, many of whom are happy to explain their training methods and share stories about their relationship with their eagles.
  • Photography Time: Capture the spectacular moments of the eagles in flight, with the majestic mountains in the background.
Day 4: Sirgali valley Khoton-Khurgan lake to see the Beautiful scenery landscape with the Waterfall. (drive 5.6hours.)
  • Explore the Region: If time allows, visit nearby areas, stunning views and a deeper understanding of the region’s nomadic culture.
  • Local Handicrafts: Explore local crafts and possibly purchase traditional goods like felt items, hand-woven fabrics, or handmade jewelry.
  • Farewell Dinner: Enjoy a farewell dinner featuring traditional Kazakh cuisine.
  • Experience Kazakh Nomadic Life
  • Visit a Kazakh Family: Spend time with a Kazakh family in a traditional ger. Learn about their daily routines, lifestyle, and history
  • Overnight in the Kazakh ger.
Day 5: Drive to white river

The White River is one of Mongolia’s most beautiful and culturally rich rivers, flowing through a stunning landscape of rugged mountains and remote steppes. It plays a critical role in the life of the Kazakh and Mongolian herders who live in the region. For travelers, the area offers incredible opportunities for trekking, cultural exchange, wildlife viewing, and adventure tourism. Whether you’re seeking nature, culture, or adventure, the White River region in western Mongolia is an unforgettable destination.

Natural Beauty and Landscape

  • Scenic Views: The White River flows through some of Mongolia's most stunning and diverse landscapes, ranging from mountainous terrains to vast steppes and river valleys. The river is surrounded by rugged cliffs, deep canyons, and forests, providing spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and lush greenery during the summer months.
  • Wildlife: The region around the White River is home to a variety of wildlife, including wild goats, marmots, foxes, and eagles, which can be spotted by travelers exploring the area.
  • Glaciers: The upper reaches of the White River are fed by glaciers, making this a unique spot for those interested in glacial geology. Tavan Bogd is a glacier-rich area, providing a dramatic and stunning backdrop for the river.
  • Staying with the Kazakh ger
Day6. Driving towards to the Mongolian highest place Altai Tavan bogd

Altai Tavan bogd with the snow caped mountains and Glaciers. Staying in the Ger.

The Altai 5 Bold (also known as the Five Sacred Peaks of the Altai Mountains) is a revered mountain range in the western part of Mongolia, near the border with Kazakhstan and China. This stunning area, part of the Altai Mountains, is considered sacred by both local Kazakh and Mongolian cultures. The five peaks are known for their majestic beauty, spiritual significance, and rugged, remote landscapes. he Altai 5 Bold (Tavan Bogd) region in western Mongolia is an awe-inspiring destination for nature lovers, trekkers, climbers, and those interested in exploring nomadic culture and spiritual traditions. With its majestic peaks, glaciers, and sacred significance, it is a place where nature and culture intersect in one of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes in the world. Whether you’re trekking to Khuiten Peak or simply exploring the Tavan Bogd National Park, the Altai 5 Bold offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The peaks are not only a natural wonder but also hold deep cultural and spiritual importance to the people living in the region. They are associated with various shamanistic beliefs and have been central to the traditional lives of Kazakh and Mongolian herders, who live in the surrounding area.

Day7. Drive back to Ulgii

Say in a Nomad family. day after drive to the airport to UB

thanks for the journey

More information

When to Visit

  • Timing: The festival is held in early October, typically the first weekend of the month. Weather can be quite cold, so it’s important to pack warm clothing, as temperatures can drop below freezing, especially in the mornings and evenings.
  • Weather: The region’s high altitude (Ulgii is around 1,800 meters above sea level) means that the weather can be unpredictable, with clear, sunny days followed by cold nights. Expect chilly winds and occasional rain or snow.

What to Pack

  • Warm clothing: Including a good jacket, hat, gloves, and layers, as it can get quite cold in the mornings and evenings.
  • Comfortable footwear: Good for walking on uneven terrain.
  • Camera: To capture the unique culture and stunning landscapes.
  • Binoculars: If you’re particularly interested in the eagle demonstrations or bird watching.
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses: The sun at high altitudes can be intense.

Tips for the Festival

  • Respect Local Traditions: The Kazakh people are very proud of their eagle hunting tradition, so be sure to ask permission before taking photos, especially of the hunters or their eagles.
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: While not as large as some other festivals, the Eagle Festival does attract visitors from all over the world, so it’s a good idea to book tours and accommodations in advance.

Conclusion

The Ulgii Eagle Festival is an incredible cultural experience that allows you to witness the ancient practice of eagle hunting while immersing yourself in the nomadic traditions of the Kazakh people. With its stunning landscapes, breathtaking performances, and rich cultural displays, it’s a truly unique event for travelers seeking something off the beaten path.

 Services included in the price

  • Sleeping bag if you don't have one
  • Transportation
    Horse
  • Private Transfers on each day:
    4x4 off road van, Highly skilled driver, Airports pick up and drop service
    Allow only 4 passengers for 5 passenger seats - Your comfort is our priority!
  • Guides
    English speaking guiding service throughout the entire time
    Local horse keeper
  • Meals
    Cook, All meals as listed in the itinerary, Daily supply of bottled water
  • Entrance fees
    To all scenic spots as listed in the itinerary such as Naadam festival, horse racing site, museums, monasteries, strictly protected areas, parks, and concert and road fees
    Invitation letter for entry visa to Mongolia. 
  • All service charge, local and Gov’t tax
  • Airline ticket

Services not included in the price

  • International airfare or train tickets
    Mongolia-Guide offer cheap international airfares and train tickets for our clients upon request
  • Mongolia entry visa fee
  • Excess luggage charges
  • Personal expenses
    Such as laundry, beverages, alcoholic drinks, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary.
  • Travel insurance
    Our clients are recommended to get travel insurance coverage from their local insurance companies before traveling.
  • Tips

No information

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October 2025
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