Hunting with golden eagle tour
Hunting with golden eagle in the Altai
Taste an exciting hunting with golden eagle adventure in the Altai mountains of Mongolia, where old traditions are still practiced. Hunting with golden eagles is an old and dying away activity passed on from father to son. Take the opportunity to meet true eagle hunters and experience this awe-inspiring eagle falconry activity that can make you forget the world. Conclude your trip with a wildlife spotting activity visiting another nomad herder family.
Itinerary
Day 1. Ulgii, Western Mongolia
Take the flight to Ulgii town from Ulaanbaatar. We will welcome you at the Ulgii airport and transfer you to one of the best hotels in Ulgii. After some rest, you will be taken to a restaurant for lunch and then taken on town exploration which includes visiting local town museum (offers insight into culture, flora and fauna of the region) and a hill top lookout (provides a panoramic view of the town). Free time to walk around the town square till the dinner at a restaurant.
Accommodation: hotel
Meals: L+D
Day 2. At golden eagle falconer
Drive to meet a true eagle hunter and his family who live in the mountains close to a village called Altai (110km). Surrounded by mountains that are full of foxes and hares, the area is a perfect place for hunting with golden eagle. Taste the hospitality of these nomad herder people. The family lives in a small wooden house in winter and during in a yurt in summer.
#Accommodation: wooden house
#Meals: B+L+D
#Driving time: 3-4 hour
Day 3. Eagle falconry day 1 (hunting with golden eagle)
In the morning, you will mount on our small Mongolian horses and go to nearby mountain tops to experience amazing ancient eagle hunting activity along with true eagle hunters. Hunting real animals will require days sometimes. Enjoy the view from the mountain tops while getting high in search of a red fox. Return for late lunch. Enjoy the evening with the family, by sitting at their expansive dinner table along with local music (throat singing included).
#Accommodation: wooden house
#Meals: B+L+D
#Horse riding time: 2-3 hour in total
Day 4. Photo session, Eagle hunting culture & Nomadic life
After an active eagle hunting experience in the mountains, the previous day, today is more relaxed and cultural immersion with some horse riding on flat ground if preferred.
Start the day with mini a photo session. Photograph the eagle hunters who look like warriors from ancient time in their traditional attires, and film them to demonstrate the eagle training process, as the eagle master calls his bird to his hand and drags a fox or hare fur lure for the eagle to chase and catch. Opportunity to get dressed in eagle hunter outfit and hold the majestic golden eagle for a memory photo. Learn about eagle hunting culture.
After lunch, enjoy a gentle horseback riding on flat terrain, perfect for beginners and those who want ride comfortably.
#Accommodation: wooden house
#Meals: B+L+D
Day 5. Eagle Falconry Day 2
Follow the eagle hunters to the nearby mountain tops one more time for eagle hunting. As you spend more time with the family, observe the daily life of mountain nomadic herders – their routines, traditions, and close relationship with the nature and livestock.
#Accommodation: wooden house
#Meals: B+L+D
#Horse riding & hunting time: 2-3 hour in total (can be extended if requested)
Day 6. Blue Goat mountains
Drive to Blue Goat Mountains for wildlife watching. Since the area is protected, it is guaranteed to see wildlife such as wild sheep (Altai argali), wild goat (Siberian ibex), fox, even wolf and some birds of prey. Driving via Tolbo and Deluun villages, arrive in the late afternoon at another nomad herder family. Receive the warm welcome of the family.
#Accommodation: Yurt or small wooden house
#Meals: B+L+D
#Driving time: 5-6 hour
Day 7. Wildlife watching
In the morning mounting on our horses we’ll follow our host into the mountains. Living his life in these mountains he’ll take us to the right places where the wildlife will be. Return in the late afternoon and free time to observe the way of life and culture of steppe people.
#Accommodation: Yurt or small wooden house
#Meals: B+L+D
Day 8. Back to Ulgii
Our adventures in the mountains had come to an end. We’ll drive back to Ulgii giving a break by a large freshwater lake called Tolbo. Check in your hotel. Have some rest and hot shower. Take leisurely stroll in the town center. Shop for colorfully embroidered Kazakh handicrafts. In the evening we’ll gather for a farewell dinner.
#Accommodation: Hotel
#Meals: B+L+D
#Driving time: 3-4 hour
Day 9. Departure day
We will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. End of the tour.
Price
1pax – $
2pax – $
3-4pax – $
+5pax – $
Why this tour
– Eagle hunting
– Kazakh people
– Wildlife watching
– Star gazing
– Breathtaking
– mountain nature
Related video
Photo galery
FAQs
Eagle hunting is a type of falconry to hunt wild animals such as foxes, hares, Pallas cats, and even wolves using a carnivorous eagle especially golden eagle instead of falcons and hawks. Eagle hunters take a baby eaglet from the nest or capture an adult mountain eagle from the wild. There are several ways to capture an adult eagle. Of course, before going hunting with a golden eagle, eagle hunters need to tame and train their just captured bird. The taming and training an eagle takes several months before going for a try.
According to the historic sources, central Asian nomads used this way of hunting as early as 2500 years ago. Today, the best place to see this old dying tradition is Bayan-Olgii province that is situated in the remote western corner of Mongolia.