Local Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia - 8 Days

Eagle Master
Ger at Golden Eagle Festival
Great Eagle Hunters Mongolia
Altay horse ride
IMG_9664
Local Golden Eagle Festival ger camp
Golden eagle masters big
Golden Eagle Hunter
Ger at Festival
Kazak Family
Horse Archery in Altai
Golden Eagle Festival locals
Local Golden Eagle Festival- Crowd
Local Golden Eagle Festival Crowd2
Local Golden Eagle Festival- Picking up coin
Golden Eagle Festival- Women Horse competition
Golden Eagle Hunter
Local Golden Eagle Festival-award giving ceremony
Golden Eagle Hunter
Golden Eagle Hunter
Ulgii Restaurant breakfast

General Info:

Golden Eagle Festival takes Western Part of Mongolia in 3 different places in the mid, end of September, and the beginning of October in Mongolia.

1. 15-16 September 2021     Local Golden Eagle Festival

2. End of September 2021

3. October 2021                     Main Golden Eagle Festival

Why Local Golden Eagle Festival?

For this specific tour, you will be a part of the “15-16 September 2021 with up to 35-40 Kazakh participants and their magnificent golden eagles in Altai village in Western Mongolia.

Among those three Golden Eagle Festivals, this “Nomadic Games” festival is the youngest but enjoyed locally in Altai town (5 000 inhabitants), Mongolia. It is organized by Nomadic Trails company in collaboration with the local Eagle Hunters community the 5th time now in 2021.

For those who enjoy more local/smaller festivals with fewer tourists, this is the perfect trip.

This festival is smaller in size than the other two Festival, with more equine games such as Horse archery, female horse riders competitions. This festival for sure will allow you a much more up-close experience and local feeling by walking in the crowds of locals than tourists with big cameras. Be a part of this colorful festival full of traditional costumes with Kazakh and Mongolian tribes.

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For more information:

Please visit Local Golden Eagle Festival FAQ section for more info.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Overview

Trip Highlights

  • Enjoy the epic scenery of Western Mongolia
  • Enjoy an evening with a traditional folk concert, with talented throat singers, skilled dancers and enchanting contortionist.
  • Exprience the hospitality of a local nomad family
  • Be a part of a local Golden Eagle Festival of the Great eagle Masters
  • Witness unique games such as Horse archery and female horse riders competitions.

Itinerary

Day 1
Ulaanbaatar City

This day is our international arrival day. Depending on your arrival time we can visit the National history museum with priceless treasures of Mongolian history. We will also visit and explore around the main square of Ulaanbaatar city called Sukhbaatar square located a short walking distance away from our hotel.

📍 Overnight Khuvsgul Lake Hotel

Day 2
Ulgii town-Altai town

After breakfast, we transfer to the local airport and take a flight to Ulgii town (please bear in mind, flight time is only an estimate). Have lunch at a local Turkish restaurant. We visit the Ulgii town open market and the local museum. Dinner at the camp.

📍 Overnight ger camp.

Day 3
Altai town

After breakfast, we drive through the mountains and arrive at Altay town. We ride a horse to Golden Eagle Hunters and do some photo shooting with them. All-day with Golden Eagle Masters. We head to our gers in the evening. Dinner with Golden Eagle masters.

/If anyone would like to ride a car, it is doable. Horse riding is not mandatory./

📍 Overnight ger stay.

Day 4
Golden Eagle Festival - Day 1

After breakfast, we drive to Altay Golden Eagle a festival.
The competition begins with a parade by eagle hunters with their hunting outfits and accessories. The most elaborate and beautiful adornments receive the highest marks. It’s followed by thrilling competitions. The Golden Eagles are evaluated for their speed, agility, and accuracy. The festival provides a unique opportunity to be up-close and be part of the festivity and to photograph.
This festival is continued for 2 days. We organize lunch at the festival area and dinner in Ulgii town.

📍 Overnight ger stay.

Day 5
Golden Eagle Festival - Day 2

Today, another day with more equine games such as mounted horse archery, woman horse competitions, and of course Eagle competitions.
Afterward, there will be award-giving ceremonies. With the closing ceremony, the Golden Eagle Festival will be concluded.

📍 Overnight ger stay.

Day 6
Ulgii town

After an early morning photo shooting with the Eagle hunters, we drive to Ulgii town. Do take some nature photographs on our way back as the mountainous scenery that we pass through is simply stunning. After lunch in the town, we have an opportunity to visit the local market.

📍 Overnight ger camp.

Day 7
Ulgii town - Ulaanbaatar city

This morning we take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. After transferring to the hotel we have a free evening with some souvenir shopping.

📍 Overnight Khuvsgul Lake Hotel

Day 8
International departure

This day we transfer you to your international departure.

Inclusions

  • • All meals mentioned
  • • All Transports mentioned
  • • All accommodation mentioned, including local flights
  • • Trip Leader/Guides: Professional English speaking tour guide
  • • Airport transfers
  • • Staff meals, accommodation, and other expenses where applicable
  • • Entrance fees: Entry fees to museums, concerts, monasteries, national parks, and road charges for tourists, staff, and vehicles are also included
  • • Others: Company support letter to apply for Mongolian visas.

Exlusions

  • • Airport taxes and excess baggage charges
  • • Alcoholic beverages and special diets
  • • Inoculations and personal insurances
  • • International flights and cost of visas
  • • Optional tours and extensions
  • • Personal expenses i.e. telephone calls, laundry, email, fax, room services.
  • • Personal items and sleeping bags if camping
  • • Single room supplement and sleeping bags
  • • Tips and gratuities
  • • Video recording or photography fees at sights

Our most asked questions and answers

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What is the baggage allowance for the local flight?

The baggage allowance for the local flight is 15kgs in total:
10kg for check-in luggage and 5kg for hand luggage.

How much do I have to pay for excess luggage weight?

For extra luggage, you pay 3000-5000 Tugriks (local currency) per extra kilogram.

What electrical adapter plug is used in Mongolia?

In Mongolia, electrical plug types vary. Most are Type C and Type E with 2 round holes. For this specific trip, you will be able to charge your phones in the car while we drive from one location to another or at a ger camp. For ger stays, you might not have many opportunities on charging your electronics, so please make sure to bring extra sets of batteries for your camera as well as power banks in your hand luggage.

Do we need to bring our own sleeping bags?

For your own comfort and usage, please make sure to bring sleeping bags. However, as the local flight baggage limit is only 15kg, you can rent a sleeping bag from us. Please make sure to check with us beforehand.

Will there be an opportunity to take private photos of the Eagle Hunters and their Eagles?

For day 3 of the trip, you will have several opportunities to take photos of and with the Eagle Masters.
As we will be staying right near the festival site, many Eagle hunters can also visit us for dinner as well as take photos.

Can I try holding an eagle of the Eagle hunters?

Yes. On each Nomadic Trails trip, we offer our clients the best experience possible. Our guides and Eagle Masters would give you instructions on how to hold an eagle properly.

Can I buy local handcrafts in Ulgii town/Altai town/Festival site?

Western Mongolia has a wide range of handicrafts or souvenirs made by Mongolians and Kazakhs. There are local souvenir shops are available in Ulgii town.
Not so much available at this specific Altai festival, so it is better to buy them in Ulgii town.

How long will be the photoshoots on day 3 in Altai town?

It is one of the amazing experiences working with 3-5, maybe more Eagle Hunters for photo shootings. Usually, we work 2-3 hours at most. If we think we may need more work, always available.

Do I need to pay the Eagle Hunters after I take their photos? If so, how much is advised?

Photo shooting after of before the festival is available. Normally it costs by hour or daily. It will be from 15 USD by hour 40 USD per day per Eagle Hunter.

LOCAL GOLDEN EAGLE TOUR MAP

Price From
USD 2,125 Per Person
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Adult
USD 2,125 Per Adult

Trip Facts

  • 4x4 Jeep
  • 2
  • Hotel, Ger and Ger camp
  • Moderate
  • September 12th, 2021
  • September 19th, 2021
  • Autumn, /March also possible/
  • Not mandatory /2-3hours/ on day 3 Altai town
  • Two local flights