Golden Eagle Festival & Gobi Desert Expedition

Experience the best of Mongolia on an unforgettable journey combining the world-famous Golden Eagle Festival in Western Mongolia with an extraordinary overland adventure through the Gobi Desert and Central Mongolia.

This unique journey brings together two very different sides of Mongolia: the centuries-old traditions of Kazakh eagle hunters in the remote Altai Mountains and the vast desert landscapes, historic sites, and nomadic culture of the Gobi and Central Mongolia.

For the Golden Eagle Festival portion of the tour, round-trip domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Bayan-Ulgii Province are included, providing convenient access to Mongolia’s far western region, home to the legendary Kazakh eagle hunters. During the festival, travelers can witness skilled hunters competing with their magnificent golden eagles, experience traditional Kazakh culture, and capture remarkable photography against the dramatic Altai landscape.

After returning to Ulaanbaatar, the adventure continues overland through the Gobi Desert. Traveling by road allows you to experience much more of Mongolia along the way rather than simply flying between destinations. The route takes you through the granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, the spectacular White Stupa (Tsagaan Suvarga), the dramatic Yol Valley, the towering Khongor Sand Dunes, the historic ruins of Ongi Monastery, and onward into Central Mongolia to the ancient capital of Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu Monastery.

The overland journey also offers opportunities to experience Mongolia beyond its famous landmarks—meeting local nomadic families, observing everyday rural life, crossing vast steppe and desert landscapes, and discovering how dramatically the scenery changes from the Gobi to the green valleys of Central Mongolia.

From photographing majestic eagle hunters in traditional clothing to walking among towering sand dunes, exploring dramatic canyons, ancient monasteries, and historic Silk Road landscapes, this journey offers an exceptional combination of culture, photography, history, adventure, and authentic nomadic life across some of Mongolia’s most spectacular regions.

Domestic flights to Bayan-Ulgii are limited and demand is especially high during the Golden Eagle Festival season. Early booking is therefore strongly recommended to secure flight availability and participation in this extraordinary Mongolia adventure.