Eagle Festival Tours

The Eagle Festivals of Mongolia are the most spectacular cultural celebrations in western Mongolia, showcasing the ancient Kazakh tradition of hunting with trained golden eagles. These festivals bring together dozens of skilled eagle hunters dressed in traditional fur clothing, riding strong horses, and demonstrating their centuries-old bond with their birds.

They are among the top cultural experiences for travelers visiting Mongolia, especially photographers and adventure seekers.

Top Eagle festival tour packages

Golden Eagle festival 12 days Photography tour

Capture Mongolia’s ancient eagle hunting traditions, stunning landscapes, and nomadic life in this immersive 12-day Golden Eagle Festival photography tour.

Golden Eagle festival 5 days Photography tour

Experience Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival, a dazzling 5-day photography and cultural journey into the world of Kazakh eagle hunters in the Altai Mountains.

Altai Eagle festival & Altai mountains 9 days tour

Witness the majestic Altai Eagle Festival and explore the untouched beauty of the Altai Mountains in this immersive 9-day cultural and photography adventure.

Sagsai Eagle festival, Eagle hunter family 5 days tour

Experience the Sagsai Eagle Festival and stay with a real Kazakh Eagle Hunter family in Western Mongolia. A once-in-a-lifetime cultural journey.

🌅 Festival Highlights (All Festivals)

  • Golden eagle calling competitions

  • Speed & hunting displays

  • Horse games & archery

  • Camel races (in some festivals)

  • “Best Dressed Eagle Hunter”

  • Kazakh folk music & dancing

  • Beautiful cultural photography opportunities

  • Nomadic bazaar & handmade crafts

🌄 Why Attend an Eagle Festival?

  • Witness one of the world’s last living nomadic traditions

  • Get close to real eagle hunters and their majestic birds

  • Capture once-in-a-lifetime photographs

  • Experience authentic Kazakh culture

  • Support local families and cultural preservation

  • Combine the festival with Altai Tavan Bogd, Khoton & Khurgan Lakes, or Ulgii tours

🐫 Tour Pace

🟢 MODERATE TO ACTIVE

🛫 Includes domestic flights & overland travel

🚙 Some bumpy drives in remote areas

🚶‍♂️ Short hikes and photography walks

📷 Ample time for golden hour and festival shots

Suitable for photographers and travelers with a good fitness level and a love for the outdoors.

🛖Accommodation

We provide the highest range of ger camps, equivalent to 4-star accommodation, ensuring you experience traditional Mongolian hospitality with exceptional comfort. These premium ger camps offer private beds, modern sanitation, and hot meals—all while surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

✨Customize your Mongolia tour

Every traveler is different—and your tour should reflect that. We tailor each itinerary to your interests, whether it’s history, trekking, wildlife, or nomadic culture.

Contact us today to start designing your personalized Mongolian adventure. We’re excited to craft an unforgettable experience just for you!

❓ FAQs – Eagle Festivals in Mongolia

1. What are the Eagle Festivals in Mongolia?

Eagle Festivals are cultural events where Kazakh eagle hunters demonstrate their traditional skills with hunting golden eagles. The festivals include competitions, horse games, archery, and cultural performances.

2. When do the Eagle Festivals take place?

There are four main festivals:

  • Sagsai Eagle Festival: Mid-September

  • Golden Eagle Festival (Ulgii): First weekend of October

  • Tolbo Lake Eagle Festival: September

  • Altai Spring Eagle Festival: September

3. Where are the festivals held?

Most festivals are in Bayan-Ölgii Province, western Mongolia:

  • Ulgii city

  • Sagsai Valley

  • Tolbo Lake

    One festival (spring edition) is held near Ulaanbaatar.

4. What can I see at an Eagle Festival?

  • Eagle calling competitions

  • Speed and hunting demonstrations

  • Horse races & camel races

  • Kazakh archery

  • “Best Dressed Hunter” contest

  • Traditional Kazakh music & dance

  • Colorful fur costumes and decorated horses

  • Nomadic handicrafts and souvenir stalls

5. How long does each festival last?

Each festival typically lasts 2 days, with continuous events throughout the day.

6. Is it possible to meet real eagle hunters?

Yes! You can meet and photograph authentic Kazakh eagle hunters, learn about their lifestyle, training methods, and even stay with their families through additional tour programs.

7. Are the Eagle Festivals suitable for photographers?

Absolutely. These festivals are among the best photography events in Mongolia, offering dramatic landscapes, traditional costumes, action shots, and iconic eagle-hunter portraits.

8. Do I need tickets for the Eagle Festivals?

Yes, there is usually a small entrance fee.

Your tour operator will arrange tickets in advance.

9. Can I attend without a tour?

You can, but it is difficult due to:

  • Remote locations

  • No public transport

  • Limited accommodation

    A tour is highly recommended for comfort and accessibility.

10. How crowded are the festivals?

The Ulgii festival in October is the largest and busiest.

Sagsai and Tolbo Lake festivals are smaller and more intimate, better for photographers.

11. How close can I get to the action?

Very close. Visitors can stand near the ring where eagles fly, horses race, and competitions happen.

Photographers can get excellent angles.

12. Is it safe to attend?

Yes. The festivals are friendly, family-oriented, and well-organized.

Just follow safety instructions during eagle and horse events.

13. What should I bring?

  • Warm clothing (even in summer)

  • Windproof jacket

  • Camera & extra batteries

  • Sunglasses & sunscreen

  • Water & snacks

  • Cash for souvenirs

14. Can I combine the festival with other tours?

Yes. Popular combinations include:

  • Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

  • Khoton & Khurgan Lakes

  • Tolbo Lake

  • Nomadic eagle hunter home-stay

  • Western Mongolia photography tour

🌤️ Weather in the Altai Mountains (September & October)

🍂 SEPTEMBER – Early Autumn in the Altai

🌡️ Temperature

  • Day: +10°C to +18°C

  • Night: 0°C to +5°C

  • High mountain areas (Potanin Glacier / Tavan Bogd base):

    Day: +5°C to +10°C

    Night: –5°C to 0°C

🌦️ Weather Conditions

  • Clear, sunny days with mild temperatures

  • Cold mornings and evenings

  • Occasional rain showers

  • Snow is possible at higher altitudes

  • Beautiful golden colors around Khoton, Khurgan, and Dayan Lakes

📸 Best For

  • Eagle Hunter photography

  • Trekking (Malchin Peak, Base Camp)

  • Glacier photography

  • Lake scenery

September is one of the best months of the year to visit the Altai Mountains.

❄️ OCTOBER – Beginning of Winter

🌡️ Temperature

  • Day: 0°C to +8°C

  • Night: –8°C to –15°C

  • High mountain areas (Potanin / Base Camp):

    Day: –5°C to +3°C

    Night: –10°C to –20°C

🌨️ Weather Conditions

  • Frost in mornings and evenings

  • Snowfall becomes common in the mountains

  • Cold winds, especially around altitude

  • Glacier areas remain very cold

  • Clear skies with crisp autumn light

  • Ulgii city is milder (+2°C to +10°C daytime)

🦅 Best For

  • Golden Eagle Festival (first week of October)

  • Stunning snow-dusted landscapes

  • Cultural tours with eagle hunters

⚠️ Important

By mid–late October, many treks to Base Camp become difficult or closed due to early snow.

📌 Summary Table

Month

Day Temp

Night Temp

Conditions

September

+10°C to +18°C

0°C to +5°C

Golden autumn, stable weather, chilly nights

October

0°C to +8°C

–8°C to –15°C

Frosty, early snow, cold winds, festival season

🧭 Travel Advice

  • Pack layers, including thermal underwear, gloves, hat, down jacket.

  • Expect cold nights even in early September.

  • Weather can drop 10–15°C in minutes near the glacier.

  • October requires winter-level clothing.

Video of Eagle festival

⭐ Why Choose Kerege Travel for the Eagle Festival

  • 🦅 Genuine eagle hunter experience

  • 🚙 Safe 4×4 transport & skilled drivers

  • 📸 Great photography opportunities

  • 🤝 Friendly, knowledgeable local guides

  • 🏕️ Well-organized, comfortable tours

  • 🎒 Flexible itineraries to fit your needs

Pictures of Eagle festival

In TripAdvisor

Customer Reviews for Eagle festival

Rated 5 out of 5
Mongolian Golden Eagle festival 2025 I'm Domenico, a solo traveler, and I've just returned from my second trip to Mongolia, once again with FOUR SEASON TRAVEL. As with Nadaam, I also found the Golden Eagle Festival staff to be always ready and professional, accommodating my every need (photo stops, meals, overnight accommodations, transportation). I was also lucky enough to see the eagle festival over two days, even with the snow that fell overnight, allowing me to take some stunning photos. This trip, too, far exceeded my expectations; I certainly returned much richer than I left. I hope to return to Mongolia again in the future, it is a wonderful land that is worth visiting, always with FOUR SEASON TRAVEL. Highly recommended.
domenicoz797 Traveller
Rated 5 out of 5
Golden Eagle Festival with Kerege Travel Team If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing one of the most extraordinary cultural traditions in the world, the Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia is the experience you’ve been waiting for. Hosted annually in the western part of the country, this festival celebrates the centuries-old tradition of eagle hunting, and with Kerege Travel Team guiding the way, you’ll have a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. The Kerege Travel Team Experience: From the moment the tour starts, Kerege Travel Team’s expertise and attention to detail shine through. Their local guides, many of whom are from the regions they visit, offer invaluable insights into the culture, history, and significance of the festival. Their passion for Mongolia is evident in every step of the journey, making sure you get the most authentic and enriching experience possible.
akmaralu2025 Traveller