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Ulgii, Mongolia From 3 nights 4 days From $ 1,200.0

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL

Destination

Western Mongolia

Group size

Min 2 - Max 6

Activity level
(i)
Activities

Overview

This tour is crafted for travelers interested in Mongolian falconry and Kazakh heritage, with full focus on the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan Ulgii. Held each autumn in the dramatic Altai Mountains, the festival gathers over 100 eagle hunters who showcase their bond with golden eagles through thrilling events like eagle calling, fox-skin retrieval, and horsemanship challenges. The Kazakhs a proud Mongolian minority group bring their rich traditions to life through archery, camel races, and vibrant music and dance, creating a joyful, immersive atmosphere. As this is a festive tour, guests naturally slip into a celebratory rhythm open to cultural drinks, warm toasts, and shared laughter with locals and fellow travelers. Between events, travelers enjoy warm hospitality, visit local families, and explore vibrant market stalls selling crafts, textiles, and handmade gear. The tour includes guided cultural interpretation, comfortable accommodations, and scenic drives through the Altai region, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience from start to finish.

Highlights

  • Ulgii capital town
  • Golden Eagle Festival
  • Enjoy festive competitions
  • Visit kazakh eagle training nomad families
  • Chinggis Khaan Grand Statue

Itinerary

Duration

3 nights 4 days

Tour Price

USD 1500 per person based on 2 pax

USD 1350 per person based on 4 pax

USD 1200 per person based on 6 pax

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL
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Meet at the agreed location in Ulaanbaatar for a group briefing before flying to Bayan Ulgii, a 3-hour domestic flight. Upon arrival, transfer to a Ger camp near town and settle in. In the afternoon, drive into the steppe to visit a Kazakh nomadic family renowned for eagle training witness the bond between hunter and golden eagle, learn about their daily life, and enjoy warm hospitality in a traditional setting.

Accommodation: The Ger camp in the Ulgii area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

The Golden Eagle Festival unfolds over two vibrant days in the open steppe near Ulgii, gathering over 100 Kazakh eagle hunters from across the Altai region. It begins with a grand parade of hunters in full traditional attire, followed by thrilling competitions where golden eagles respond to their trainer’s call, chase fox-skin bait, and demonstrate agility and precision. Guests enjoy archery contests, camel and horse races, and playful horseback games like Kyz Kuar and Kokpar, all set to the backdrop of Kazakh folk music and dance. Throughout the festival, visitors mingle with eagle hunters, explore market stalls selling handmade crafts and falconry gear, and visit nomadic families to learn about daily life and eagle training traditions. The atmosphere is festive and welcoming, guests naturally join in with cultural drinks, warm toasts, and shared laughter. On the final afternoon, the festival culminates with a spirited awards ceremony honoring top eagle hunters, followed by a closing concert and farewell celebration that leaves guests with lasting memories of Kazakh pride, hospitality, and joy.

Accommodation: The Ger camp in the Ulgii area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner   

Drive to Ulgii Airport and take a flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival travel to the world’s largest equestrian statue, a seamless stainless steel monument of Chinggis Khaan. He sits astride his horse, facing southeast toward his birthplace, holding a golden whip linked to a local legend revealed on site. Return to Ulaanbaatar and conclude the tour. 

Meals: Breakfast

Price and departures

Starting Ending Status Prices from
2026/09/15 2026/09/18 Available $ 1,200.0
2 pax

$ 1,500.0

/per person

Travel van

JOIN TOUR
4 pax

$ 1,350.0

/per person

Travel van

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6 pax

$ 1,200.0

/per person

Travel van

JOIN TOUR
2026/10/02 2026/10/05 Available $ 1,200.0
2 pax

$ 1,500.0

/per person

Travel van

JOIN TOUR
4 pax

$ 1,350.0

/per person

Travel van

JOIN TOUR
6 pax

$ 1,200.0

/per person

Travel van

JOIN TOUR

Service included

  • Ger camps in the countryside (2-3 occupancy )
  • All transportation
  • English speaking tour guide
  • All meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • Road taxes and fees, NP & NR tickets
  • Travel drinking 1-2 L bottled water per day per person
  • Entry tickets to the festival ,local museums, temples and statue
  • Domestic flights 2 round
  • Animal riding

Service excluded

  • International transportation
  • International travel insurance
  • Single occupancy supplement
  • Taxes/Fees for photography and video recording in museums, sites, and entertainment venues
  • Alcoholic beverages, sodas, and professional-grade coffee
  • Extra activities are not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities :Tipping your guide and driver is optional but appreciated for excellent service. Recommended: $10 USD per person, per day.

Know Before You Go

<p>At Ger camps, you&rsquo;ll stay in traditional felt-covered dwellings called Ger&mdash;meaning &ldquo;home&rdquo; in Mongolian. Each Ger is typically furnished with 2&ndash;4 single beds or a double bed, plus basic furniture. Most camps offer hot showers and flush toilets in shared facilities located a short walk from your Ger. Meals are served in on-site restaurants, featuring both Mongolian and Western cuisine.</p> <p>Some camps offer Ensuite Gers with private bathrooms. Electricity is supplied either by the state grid, or by generators, solar panels, or wind turbines, depending on location. In camps relying on alternative power sources, device charging is limited to shared areas&mdash;usually in the restaurant or common spaces&mdash;and available only during designated hours. Camps connected to the grid allow unlimited charging directly in your Ger.</p> <p>Wi-Fi is typically available in common areas, often powered by Starlink for strong connectivity. However, in remote regions with no mobile reception, internet access may be unavailable.</p>

<p>Some our tours include airport transfers, while others do not&mdash;this depends on the tour type and logistical arrangements. Please review your itinerary carefully to understand what is included.</p> <p>If your tour includes an airport transfer, it applies only to arrivals on Day 1 of the scheduled program. To ensure a smooth pickup, please enter your flight details accurately in the How To Book form. Upon arrival, look for our representative holding a sign with your name in the Arrivals area&mdash;they will guide you to the designated vehicle or bus.</p> <p>If your tour does not include transfers, or if you arrive before Day 1, you&rsquo;ll need to arrange your own transportation to the hotel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In cities and towns, guests can enjoy a wide range of familiar foods and drinks. At Ger camps, meals are prepared based on your booking and location&mdash;meats may include sheep, goat, camel, yak, horse, or cow, depending on the region. Mongolian livestock graze freely, making the meat naturally healthy and flavorful. Dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, lactose intolerance etc.) must be submitted in writing during booking, as they cannot be arranged on arrival. Tea, water, and morning coffee (instant or brewed) are served; espresso drinks may cost extra. Camp bars offer alcoholic beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, and canned sodas for purchase.</p>

<p>During our tours, overland travel is arranged using vehicles suited to group size and terrain. We use Japanese 4x4 off-road jeeps for up to 4 people total (including driver), larger jeeps for up to 5, travel vans for 6&ndash;7, and buses for up to 16. All vehicles are equipped with left-hand steering, in line with Mongolia&rsquo;s right-side driving regulations.</p> <p>Our drivers are responsible for maintaining daily cleanliness and tidiness of the vehicles, managing luggage loading, and ensuring water supplies are stocked. Any forgotten belongings are carefully returned to their owners by our team.</p>

<p>We recommend carrying Mongolian Tugrug (MNT) during your tour, as it is widely accepted at markets, shops, ger camp bars, and souvenir stalls. Debit and credit cards are generally usable in cities and towns and Ger camps but POS machines may be unreliable in remote areas. For convenience, it&rsquo;s best to carry both cash and cards. While prices are shown in foreign currency for reference, payments should be made in Tugrug, as foreign currencies are not commonly accepted.</p> <p>As a guide for the 2026 season:<br /> - A handmade souvenir may cost around USD 7<br /> - A loaf of bread USD 1,5&nbsp;<br /> - A cashmere scarf USD 35<br /> - A 500 ml beer at a ger camp bar around USD 4</p>

<p>Our tours include optional riding experiences on horses, camels, or yaks, depending on the region and itinerary. When mounting, guests should approach the animal from the left side, place one foot in the stirrup and hold the reins securely, and sit balanced on the saddle or carpet. The reins are used to guide the animal&mdash;pulling left turns the head left, pulling right turns the head right,&nbsp; releasing allows free movement, and gently pulling inward signals the animal to stop.</p> <p>For safety and comfort, we kindly ask guests to avoid loud noises, waving scarves, or loose hats. Flip-flops and shorts are not recommended; closed shoes and long trousers are preferred. Please apply insect repellent and handle cameras or phones carefully, as sudden drops may startle the animal.</p>

<p>You&rsquo;ll find a comprehensive packing guide in our Mongolia Travel Guide section. Experienced travelers with established packing routines and gear preferences are welcome to follow their own setup.</p> <p><!--{C}%3C!%2D%2DStartFragment%20%2D%2D%3E-->Since this is a festival tour, guests are encouraged to bring small items from their home country like flags, pins, travel bumper stickers, or souvenirs. They&rsquo;re great for exchanging with locals and spark friendly conversations during gatherings and celebrations.</p>

<p>For your domestic flight between Ulaanbaatar-Ulgii-Ulaanbaatar, please arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before departure, check-in closes 30 minutes prior. Baggage allowance is 10&ndash;15 kg for checked luggage and one small carry-on under 5 kg. Excess weight is charged at around $3 USD per kilo, so pack minimalistic&nbsp;but practical. Ulgii is one hour behind Ulaanbaatar. The airport is small and basic, so clearly label your bags, keep valuables in your carry-on, and have your passport ready. Flight time is approximately 2&nbsp;hour and 30&nbsp;minutes.</p>