The Altai Eagle Festival
This spectacular event includes competitions based on speed, agility, and accuracy of these magnificent Golden Eagles and some great Kazakh traditional games such as Bushkashi, Tiyn Ter, archery and traditional camel racing etc are also organized on the festival days.
This fantastic festival celebrating the Kazakhs' honoured Eagle is also a celebration of Kazakh traditional heritage. In order to maintain the event as a festival for the Kazakhs themselves, attendance is limited. The highlight of this fantastic trip is interacting with the Kazakhs and other ethnic groups and living with them for a couple of days to take part in the eagle training and get to know about the unique Kazakh culture. Landscape and cultural sightseeing blend easily in Mongolia – you will have the chance to visit families of nomads, remote Buddhist monasteries and traditional events, and to take part in horse-riding or guided walking if you wish – there are also endless opportunities for photography.
- 4W Drive
- 1-12 guests
- 7-Day, 6-Night
- Fulltime English Speaking Tour Guide
- Available June - September
INCLUTIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Inclusions:
- Full-time services of your English-speaking local guide throughout the tour
- Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the itinerary
- Private transfer (Comfortable van/bus+ Experienced driver) in Ulaanbaatar
- Private transfer (4WD Russian vans + Experienced drivers) in Olgii
- Airport transfers
- Twin/double share at centrally located 4* hotel in Ulaanbaatar- 3 nights
- Twin/double share at local hotel in Olgii – 4 nights
- Meals as listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
- Altai Eagle Festival ticket and arrangement
- Olgii- Ulaanbaatar RT ticket + tax (15 + 5 kg luggage free)
- 5 l x 3 bottled water per day
- Visa support invitation letter where applicable
- Exclusive Altai Eagle Festival tour souvenir!
Exclusions:
- International Airfare/train tickets + Tax
- Travel insurance & Visa fees
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, camera or video fees at any sites etc.
- Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary)
- Optional activities: horse/camel riding, archery, etc.
from our gallery
Upon landing at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) in the Khushig Valley, you will be met for your transfer into the heart of Ulaanbaatar. The drive takes you across the rolling grasslands that surround the city, providing a scenic introduction to the Mongolian landscape before you enter the capital’s energetic urban sprawl. Ulaanbaatar itself is a striking blend of the old and the new, where modern commercial districts and grand Soviet-era boulevards are framed by the Bogd Khan mountain range and the Tuul River. It is a city defined by its vibrant contrasts, from the quiet dignity of historic temples to the bustling pace of a fast-growing central hub. After reaching the city center and finalizing your check-in at the hotel, you will have time to refresh and settle into your room, allowing you to catch your breath and prepare for the cultural immersion that awaits in this mountain-ringed metropolis.
Your Mongolian journey begins in the morning, where you will meet your local guide in the hotel lobby to commence a deep dive into the history and soul of Ulaanbaatar. The tour starts at the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, the spiritual heart of the nation and a living monument to Mongolian Buddhism. As you wander through the sprawling complex, you will experience the serene atmosphere of spinning prayer wheels and the aromatic scent of juniper incense while monks perform their morning chants. The highlight of the visit is the Megjid Janraisig Temple, which houses a breathtaking 26-meter-high gilded statue of Avalokiteśvara, adorned with precious stones and standing as a magnificent symbol of national pride and religious revival.
Next, you will move from spiritual heights to imperial history at the Chinggis Khaan Museum. This world-class facility is the largest of its kind in Central Asia, offering a comprehensive look at over 2,000 years of Mongolian statehood. Across its meticulously curated galleries, you will explore the legacy of the Great Mongol Empire and the Golden Lineage of the Khans through rare artifacts, exquisite royal regalia, and immersive displays that chart the rise of the world’s largest contiguous land empire. Following this cultural immersion, you will enjoy a welcome lunch at a premier Mongolian restaurant, sampling traditional dishes that have sustained nomadic people for centuries.
In the afternoon, the tour heads out of the city toward the vast eastern steppe to visit the Chinggis Khaan Statue complex at Tsonjin Boldog. Rising 40 meters high in gleaming stainless steel, this is the tallest equestrian statue in the world, marking the legendary spot where the Great Khan is said to have found a golden whip. You can take an elevator through the tail of the horse to emerge on its mane, where you are rewarded with a panoramic view of the rolling hills and the Tuul River valley. You will drive back to Ulaanbaatar in the early evening, with the rest of the night free for an independent dinner to explore the city’s vibrant modern culinary scene.
This morning, we catch a flight to Ulgii, the capital of Bayan-Ulgii province. Located in the westernmost reaches of Mongolia, Bayan-Ulgii is a stunning high-altitude frontier dominated by the snow-capped Altai Mountains and is unique for being the country’s only Muslim-majority province, home to the ethnic Kazakh people. As you travel west, you will cross time zones and gain one hour (Ulgii is one hour behind Ulaanbaatar), giving you a bit of extra time to settle into the rugged pace of the Altai.
Upon landing, you will be met by your local driver and taken directly to the Eagle Hunter Cultural Center. This visit provides an essential introduction to the ancient “Berkutchi” tradition, where you will learn about the history, equipment, and deep spiritual bond between the Kazakh hunters and their Golden Eagles.
After checking into your local hotel, the afternoon is dedicated to exploring the distinct character of Ulgii town. You will visit the Ulgii Museum to see exhibits on the region’s unique flora, fauna, and nomadic history, followed by a visit to the local mosque and the vibrant local bazaar, a hub of trade for intricately embroidered Kazakh felt crafts. To conclude your first day in the west, you will visit Nairamdal Tolgoi hill, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Ulgii town nestled against the backdrop of the majestic Altai peaks.
Following your time in the west, you will take a three-hour domestic flight from Ulgii back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, a private transfer will bring you back into the city, where the afternoon is reserved for a more relaxed pace and optional shopping. This is the ideal time to pick up world-class cashmere at the factory outlets or browse the State Department Store for unique souvenirs, leather goods, and traditional felt crafts.
As the sun begins to set, you will attend a traditional folklore concert, a captivating performance featuring the deep vibrations of khoomei (throat singing), the melodic strings of the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), and the incredible grace of Mongolian contortionists. This artistic showcase offers a final, soul-stirring connection to the country’s ancient heritage. To conclude your journey, we will enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Ulaanbaatar’s premier restaurants. The city’s culinary scene has expanded rapidly, and your final meal can be chosen from a variety of international or fusion cuisines, allowing you to toast to your adventures over a sophisticated menu of your choice. Your final night will be spent in the comfort of your city hotel.
