Mongolia Altai Golden Eagle Festival
Mongolia Altai Golden Eagle Festival
13 Days
Visiting: Mongolia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EAG1
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Interests:
From:
$5244 (USD)Tour Overview
Blessed with a gentle nomadic hospitality and vast, open vistas, Mongolia remains one of the most fascinating destinations in Asia. And each year, beneath its expansive skies and before the towering peaks of the majestic Altai Mountains, it plays host to a spectacular Golden Eagle Hunters Festival. This stunning 13-day journey takes us from its bustling capital and deep into the heart of the breath-taking western wilderness.
Here, amongst the traditional tribal lands of the Kazakhs, we will discover a wealth of natural and cultural treasures that can trace their origins back millennia. We’ll visit the stunning ancient rock art of Aral Tolgoi and glory in the beauty of alpine lakes and dazzling glaciers. We’ll have a chance to hike across the endless steppes. Spending our nights in ger encampments, our adventure culminates with a two-day visit to a colourful Golden Eagle Hunters Festival, a more intimate festival, where we will experience one of the last great nomadic spectacles.
A journey to inspire and captivate, each day offers up a glimpse of a legacy and a landscape that is as timeless as it is transient.
Please note that the routing of this itinerary differs depending on the date of departure. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary on your chosen departure date for more details.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Ulaanbaatar
Accommodation: Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Starting this morning, we’ll have an introductory meeting at the hotel before paying a visit to the Gandan Monastery, the largest and most important in Mongolia. You can wander around this fascinating site as we explore the different temples, including that of the Mijig Janraisig with its huge golden Buddha statue. In the old temple complex we can listen to the chanting ceremonies which happen mid-morning. This afternoon we then take a walk across the expansive Sukhbaatar Square to the National History Museum which is a great introduction to the country's past. In the early evening, we enjoy a music and dance performance by the Tumen Ekh Ensemble. The hour-long performance shows us traditional Mongolian dance, singing and music with various instruments including the horse fiddle and singers along with traditional throat singers.
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar - Ölgii
Accommodation: Hotel Makhsum or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a morning flight to Ölgii, we will check-in to our hotel and have breakfast. We will then take a stroll around the low-rise town of Ölgii - a mix of soviet-style buildings and traditional clay brick dwellings. We will visit the Olgii museum and find out more about the region. We will explore Ölgii's bazaar where you may wish to purchase some handmade Kazakh textiles at a variety of small local outlets. Rugs, wall hangings, fur hats, hunting accessories, wooden carvings, bags, cushion covers and much more. There will be an opportunity to visit the local bazaar and supermarket to buy any last minute items before heading south. In the evening enjoy a small traditional concert by traditional dombra players before dinner.
*Please note that should the domestic flight schedules change the sightseeing on this day may need to be revised.
Day 3: Olgii - Lake Dayan
Accommodation: Eagle Hunter Ger Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we head south through the open countryside and wild Altai landscape to Lake Dayan where we will be staying for the next 3 nights in a ger next to a local eagle hunter, Shokan, and his family. Enroute we will see the Turkic 'man-stone' locally known as a a 'balbal', some ancient petroglyphs and Khar Nuu, the Black Lake. On arrival to our ger camp we will enjoy the Kazakh hospitality. Inside the family's colourfully adorned ger we learn more about the tradition of this small ethnic group. Arrival day is often spent with guests being introduced to the family and their way of life, which will include sampling some milk tea, homemade curds, yoghurt, milk vodka and other delicacies. Time also for an afternoon walk in the surrounding countryside before a welcome dinner.
*Approx 5hrs driving time.
Day 4: Lake Dayan
Accommodation: Eagle Hunter Ger Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will learn about our host's fascinating tradition of hunting with his golden eagle as we head off either on horseback alongside Shokan or by vehicle close by. There are an estimated 250 eagle hunters living in the region that still hunt with eagles to this day. The females tend to be the birds of choice as they are bigger and more aggressive than the males. Eagles can live up to 50 years, but hunters tend to keep them for around ten years before releasing them back into the wild. This is a great opportunity to delve deeper into these traditions and also get involved with other daily activities, distilling homemade vodka, herding and corralling animals, milking goats and sheep, and other daily nomadic tasks that need doing.
Day 5: Lake Dayan
Accommodation: Eagle Hunter Ger Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There are also other nomadic families who live in this area and there will be an opportunity to visit them and experience traditional nomadic hospitality and local community life, as well as witness some more hunting and eagle training.
Day 6: Lake Dayan - Khuites Valley
Accommodation: Wilderness Ger Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we head north-west up to a secluded forested valley where nomadic families have their autumn encampments and take their animals to shelter from the oncoming winter. We will be staying in a private wilderness camp complete with sleeping gers and dining and kitchen gers. From here we will explore this stunning area over the next 2 days. On arrival we can take an afternoon hike up to the top of a nearby viewpoint where there are stunning views south over the Altai Mountains in the distance, with Khoton and Khurgan Lakes in the foreground.
*Approx 3-4hrs driving
Day 7: Khuites Valley
Accommodation: Wilderness Ger Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we have a full day exploring the area, we will head off on a mountain hike to a location overlooking the Khoton and Khurgan Lake. We will enjoy nomadic hospitality in local's gers and enjoy feast of traditional Kazakh beshparmak in the evening.
Day 8: Khuites Valley - Aral Tolgoi - Baga Turgen Waterfall - Khuites Valley
Accommodation: Wilderness Ger Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lying at the northern end of the Altai Mountain Range, the Lakes Region presents us with some of the most spectacular scenery of the journey. We begin the morning with a drive out to Aral Tolgoi, whose Bronze Age petroglyphs lie along the eastern shores of the lakes. We then can enjoy a 2-3 hour hike to Baga Turgen Waterfall, a 36-metre high cascade that lies at the end of a lovely walk. Please note that the waterfall walk is weather dependent.
Day 9: Khuites Valley - Turgen Valley
Accommodation: Festival Ger Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will have the opportunity to relax or if you prefer participate in more activities. In the afternoon we drive towards Altantsogts, where the eagle festival will be held. We will continue into the nearby Turgen Valley, where the group will be staying in a specially erected ger camp not far from the Hovd River. This evening we'll arrange another eagle hunter photo session.
*Approx driving time: 5.5hrs
Day 10: Turgen Valley - Altantsogts Eagle Festival - Turgen Valley
Accommodation: Festival Ger Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning provides us with the first opportunity to experience the remarkable colour and pageantry of the Golden Eagle Hunters Festival of Altantsogts. Altantsogts more intimate celebrations provide a chance to enjoy the splendour and spectacle of the festival without the crowds. Today's events include the opening ceremony with a parade of the eagle hunters, competitions to test the agility and mastery of bird and hunter and equestrian games that include horse archery. We will be only a few kilometres from the festival site so those of you who would like to ride there can do so.
Day 11: Turgen Valley - Altantsogts Eagle Festival - Turgen Valley
Accommodation: Festival Ger Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A second day of festivities provides more games and ceremonies on the high desert steppes. Returning to the festival this morning we will enjoy more spectacular photo opportunities as we take in another day of competition and colour. Today’s offerings provide more chances to watch the eagles put through their paces, as they are called by the hunters to land on their arms or attack dragged bait.
Day 12: Ölgii - Bayanzurkh Mountain - Ulaanbaatar
Accommodation: Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we will drive about 80km to Bayanzurkh Mountain to spot wildlife. This time of the year the Argali, the world's largest wild sheep species, gather together and they can be spotted in the mountains. If you are lucky they can be seen very close up. We will spend a couple of hours hiking and exploring in the area before heading back to Ölgii in time for your flight to Ulaanbaatar.
*Please note that should the domestic flight schedules change the sightseeing on this day may need to be revised.
Day 13: Tour Ends In Ulaanbaatar
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour officially ends after breakfast those on the suggested group flights will have an early breakfast and will then be transferred to the airport.
What's Included
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MEALS
12 x Breakfasts12 x Lunches12 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use domestic flights and sturdy UAZ 4WD minibuses for the whole of the journey.
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Low / Moderate
What's Not Included
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Visas
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Mongolia if staying for up to 30 days.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Mongolia.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as all the walks are optional. The Baga Turgen Waterfall walk is over loose and rocky terrain with some inclines/declines. Those with a good level of fitness should be able to cope with this walk. Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be very limited, therefore we recommend packing a few extra bits to fill the gaps!
There are some long drives to be taken (please refer to day-by-day itinerary) but that is part of the Mongolian experience, and there will always be time for walks, photos and local encounters. Horse riding is available on some days of the tour, as an optional extra but only for those with previous riding experience.
Currently the Sagsai Eagle Festival is scheduled for the 17th and 18th of September and the Altantsogts Eagle Festival is scheduled for the 28th and 29th September.
Travelling Solo and single supplements
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you only for the nights in Ulaanbaatar and Olgii.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Check out our Q&As
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Thursday - Tuesday
Sep 18, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise
You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**
We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
Tourist visas (if required) are available.
There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****
** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
**** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
*****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.