Altai Eagle Festival Tour

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Altai Nomad Games eagle festival

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Mongolia’s alpine crown jewel. In rugged 4x4s, discover crystal-clear lakes, towering peaks, and winding rivers, set against a living tapestry of semi-nomadic herder families. This itinerary blends camping beneath star-filled skies, guided non-technical hikes to sweeping viewpoints, and a non-technical ascent of Malchin Mountain for panoramic rewards. You’ll meet Kazakh and Tuvan communities and encounter a spectrum of wildlife—including snow leopards, argali, ibex, and the Altai snowcock—with the majestic Tavan Bogd massif as your backdrop. Along the way, visit an eagle-hunter family to glimpse enduring steppe traditions.

After the festival, immerse yourself in the fascinating world of golden eagle falconry by staying with a real eagle hunter family. Spend time learning about their ancient techniques, handling majestic eagles, and experiencing the rich cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations.

Join us on this unforgettable adventure and experience the true spirit of eagle hunters of Mongolia, far from the crowds and in the company of local traditions that are as ancient as the land itself.

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Theme: Festival, Cultural
Available: September
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Group size: 8-10
Join for: $1850
Booking: open (seats available)

Fixed departure

9th-16th September

future eagle hunters of western Mongolia

Malaysan clients at Altai Eagle Festival

itinerary

Take the early morning flight to Ulgii town from Ulaanbaatar, the capital. Our tour crew will meet you at Ulgii airport and your tour starts with a scenic drive over desert mountain landscapes to the highest elevated corner of Altai Tavan Bogd NP where Mongolia’s the highest mountains are located. After 5 to 6 hour drive on gravel road, you will arrive in beautiful Oigor valley, the gateway to the majestic Tavan Bogd mountains. The valley is resided by Kazakh (ethinc group) herder people during the summer. Settle in a larger Kazakh ger (yurt). Overnight is at this valley.
#Accommodation: Yurt (felt tent)
#Meals: L+D
#Driving time: 5-6 hour

After hearty breakfast, you will take a short drive to valley top to view the peaks and glaciers of majestic Tavan Bogd. Upon reaching the valley top you will be rewarded with high Alpine mountain panorama. Enjoy and photograph the landscape. Return to the camp for late lunch. You will have free time to enjoy and explore the valley. Overnight.
#Accommodation: Yurt
#Meals: B+L+D

Drive back to Ulgii town. Check in your hotel. Hot shower and good rest. Dinner at a restaurant. Take a leisurely walk in the town center.
#Accommodation: Hotel
#Meals: B+L+D

Early in the morning (around 07:30), you will drive to Altai village (110km) where Altai Nomad Games Eagle Festival will be held. The festival site is just 1km away from village center with beautiful landscape. By mixing with the locals from the village and eagle hunters gathered from nearby mountains, experience and enjoy this authentic festival and get entertained by traditional games and contests such as horse race, wrestling, tug of war etc.

In the late afternoon, after the festival day 1 is over, you will drive into the mountains to meet a true eagle hunter and his family. The family lives in 15km away from Altai village. Surrounded by mountains that are full of foxes and hares, the area is a perfect place for hunting with a golden eagle. You will be staying at this humble, hospitable nomad family during the falconry part of our tour and will be tasting their hospitality. The family will be living in their egg like white yurts in their Autumn camp.
#Accommodation: Yurt
#Meals: B+L+D
#Driving: 3 hour

After breakfast, drive to the festival site one more time to see the best eagle hunters who performed well on Day 1. Today’s main contest for the eagle hunters is called Shyrga. Shyrga is a competition in which the fur of a fox or hare is dragged by the eagle master, and the eagle swoops down to catch the fur after it has been released from the hill top. The quicker the catch, the higher the score for the contestant.

In the late afternoon, drive back to the camp.
#Accommodation: Yurt
#Meals: B+L+D

In the mornings we will mount on our small Mongolian horses and go to nearby mountain tops to experience this amazing hunting activity, an old tradition of the steppe people. Hunting real animals will require days sometimes. Return in the late afternoon. Enjoy the evenings with the family sitting at their expansive dinner table along with local music (throat singing included). While staying with this family you will have the opportunity to observe the daily lifestyle of mountain nomad people.

In the afternoon of day 7, you will drive back to Ulgii town. Check in your hotel. You can go souvenir shopping for colorfully hand embroidered Kazakh hand crafts. We will gather for farewell dinner.
#Accommodation: Hotel
#Meals: B+L+D

We will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. End of the tour.
#Driving time: 15min

FLIGHT: Mongolia’s national carrier (MIAT) operated three weekly flights from Ulaanbaatar, the capital, to Ulgii (Western Mongolia) in 2025.
The flight days were Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and the 2026 flights are expected to follow the same schedule on those days.

There is a nearby town called Khovd, about 220 km away, and MIAT operates three weekly flights there as well. However, the flight days are different: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It is possible to fly to Khovd if the flights to Ulgii are full.

FAMILY STAY: It is apparent that eagle hunter family can’t provide each tour guest with a private yurt (ger) because Kazakh yurts are large tents that can hold 5 to 6 people. However, the eagle hunter family will provide us two or three yurts and tour guests will share a yurt (ger) with other guests (up to 5 guests in one yurt).

TIPPING: Tipping is not common in Mongolia; however, it is customary and appreciated in tourism industry, especially by tour crews, eagle hunter/host family. The minimum recommended tip is $30, with higher amounts depending on your generosity, tour length and crew effort)

WEATHER: September is usually warm with temperature fluctuating between +1 to +15 during the day time.

-Meet real Kazakh eagle hunters
– Front-row access to the Golden Eagle Festival
-Stay with nomadic family in yurt
-Local traditional concert
-Ride sturdy Mongolian horses through Altai mountains
– Local guides, comfortable transport, and full-service support