In Mongolia's far western Altai Mountains, Kazakh eagle hunters continue one of Central Asia's most remarkable living traditions: hunting with trained golden eagles.
Each autumn, eagle hunters from across Bayan-Olgii Province gather to celebrate their skills, heritage and relationship with these magnificent birds at the Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia.
For travelers, the festival is much more than a competition. It is an opportunity to experience Kazakh culture, traditional clothing, horsemanship and the dramatic landscapes of western Mongolia.
If you are considering visiting the Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia in 2027, this guide explains what to expect, how to get there, what the weather is like and how to plan your journey.
What Is the Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia?
Golden eagle hunting has been practiced among Kazakh communities of Central Asia for generations. In western Mongolia, the tradition remains particularly strong among families living throughout Bayan-Olgii Province.
Known locally as burkitshi, eagle hunters traditionally train golden eagles to assist with hunting in the mountains.
The festival brings these hunters together for competitions designed to demonstrate the connection between hunter, horse and eagle.
Visitors may see eagle hunters dressed in traditional clothing riding across the steppe carrying their golden eagles on heavily protected gloves.
Competitions can include tests of how quickly an eagle recognizes its owner, how successfully it responds to calls from a distance and demonstrations of traditional horsemanship.
Where Is the Golden Eagle Festival Held?
The most famous Golden Eagle Festival takes place near Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Olgii Province in western Mongolia.
Bayan-Olgii is Mongolia's westernmost province and is very different from the central steppe and Gobi Desert.
Here you will find snow-capped Altai peaks, broad valleys, mountain lakes and predominantly Kazakh communities whose language, food and traditions create a distinctive cultural experience.
Ulgii lies roughly 1,600 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar by road, so most international travelers reach the region by domestic flight.
When Is the Golden Eagle Festival 2027?
The main Golden Eagle Festival is traditionally held during the first weekend of October near Ulgii.
Another important eagle festival is held in Altantsogts in late September, offering travelers another opportunity to experience the tradition.
Because festival arrangements and domestic flight schedules can change, travelers should confirm exact dates before booking international flights.
What Happens During the Eagle Festival?
The festival usually begins with one of its most impressive sights: dozens of eagle hunters arriving on horseback wearing traditional Kazakh clothing and carrying golden eagles.
Hunters and eagles then participate in different competitions.
Visitors may see events testing the eagle's response to its hunter, demonstrations of hunting techniques and traditional horseback competitions.
But some of the most memorable moments happen outside the competition itself.
Meeting eagle hunters, seeing traditional embroidered clothing, speaking with local families and watching riders cross the Altai landscape often become highlights of the journey.
Meet a Real Kazakh Eagle Hunter Family
This is something we strongly recommend.
Attending the festival gives you an excellent introduction to eagle hunting culture, but visiting an eagle hunter family provides a much deeper understanding of the tradition.
Guests can learn how hunters raise and train their eagles, how the knowledge passes between generations and how families live in the remote landscapes of western Mongolia.
Golden eagles used by Kazakh hunters are traditionally female because females are larger and more powerful than males.
Responsible hunters traditionally release their eagles back into the wild after years of partnership, allowing them to return to their natural life and reproduce.
How Do You Get to Bayan-Olgii?
For most travelers, flying from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii is the easiest option.
The flight takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, depending on the aircraft and schedule.
Domestic flight availability can become limited around festival dates because both international travelers and Mongolian visitors travel west for the event.
For this reason, early booking is particularly important.
Overland travel is possible, but western Mongolia is extremely far from Ulaanbaatar. An overland expedition should therefore be treated as part of the adventure rather than simply transportation.
What Is the Weather Like?
October in western Mongolia can already feel like winter.
Daytime conditions can range from cool and sunny to windy and cold, while temperatures can fall below freezing at night.
Mountain weather can change quickly.
Travelers should bring warm layers, thermal underwear, a windproof outer layer, gloves, a warm hat and comfortable footwear.
The colder conditions are part of the character of the festival. Snow on the surrounding Altai Mountains can make the landscape especially spectacular.
What Should You Pack?
For an October Golden Eagle Festival journey, we recommend bringing:
Warm thermal base layers
Fleece or insulated mid-layers
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Warm hat and gloves
Comfortable walking boots
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Small daypack
Camera with spare batteries
Portable power bank
Personal medication
Photographers should bring additional batteries because cold weather can reduce battery life considerably.
Is the Golden Eagle Festival Good for Photography?
Absolutely.
The combination of golden eagles, horses, traditional Kazakh clothing and the Altai Mountains makes this one of Mongolia's most distinctive photography experiences.
Portrait photography can be particularly rewarding.
However, travelers should remember that eagle hunters and their families are real people rather than photography props. Asking permission and treating families respectfully is essential.
A well-organized journey can also arrange time with eagle hunter families away from the crowds of the main festival.
Can You Combine the Eagle Festival With the Gobi Desert?
Yes — and this is one of the best ways to experience Mongolia if you have enough time.
Western Mongolia and the Gobi are completely different landscapes.
A combined journey can include the Golden Eagle Festival and Kazakh culture in Bayan-Olgii together with destinations such as the Khongor Sand Dunes, Yolyn Am and Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs.
Why Travel With a Registered Mongolian Tour Operator?
Remote travel in Mongolia requires considerably more logistical planning than many visitors expect.
Domestic flights can change, distances are long, accommodation capacity is limited and weather can affect transportation.
Working with an established Mongolian tour operator also means there is a responsible local organization behind your journey if plans need to change.
Nomadic of the Blue Sky has been organizing journeys in Mongolia since 2010, including expeditions to remote regions of the country.
Rather than simply attending the festival, we aim to combine it with meaningful encounters with local communities and carefully planned travel through Mongolia.
Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia FAQ
Is the Golden Eagle Festival worth visiting?
Yes. It is particularly worthwhile for travelers interested in culture, photography, traditional lifestyles and remote landscapes.
How many days do I need?
Allowing several days in Bayan-Olgii is much better than flying in only for the competition. This gives you time to attend the festival and visit an eagle hunter family.
Can I see eagle hunters outside the festival?
Yes. Eagle hunting culture exists throughout the region, and private visits with eagle hunter families can be arranged at other times of the year.
Is October too cold for Mongolia?
It can be cold, especially at night, but appropriate winter clothing makes travel entirely possible. The autumn and early-winter scenery is also one of the attractions.
Should I book early?
Yes. Festival-period accommodation, vehicles, guides and especially domestic flights can become limited.
Experience the Golden Eagle Festival With Us
The Golden Eagle Festival is not simply an event to photograph.
It is an opportunity to enter one of Mongolia's most distinctive cultural landscapes and meet people who continue a tradition passed through generations.
Our Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia tours combine the festival with local experiences, eagle hunter family visits and carefully planned journeys through western Mongolia.
For travelers wanting to experience more of the country, our longer expedition combines the Golden Eagle Festival with the Gobi Desert, creating a journey from the Altai Mountains to some of southern Mongolia's most spectacular landscapes.
