Golden Eagle festival 12 days Photography tour

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 12 DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Capture Mongolia’s ancient eagle hunting traditions, stunning landscapes, and nomadic life in this immersive 12-day Golden Eagle Festival photography tour.


🔍 QUICK FACTS

🗓 DURATION12 Days / 11 Nights
📍 DESTINATIONWestern Mongolia (Ulgii, Altai Mountains)
🎭 EVENT TYPECultural & Photography Adventure
🚶‍♂️ TOUR PACEModerate to Active
🦅 MAIN ATTRACTIONGolden Eagle Festival (October)
🏔 HIGHLIGHTSPotanin Glacier, Khoton Lake
🧭 GROUP SIZEPrivate & small group options (1–16+ pax)
🛫 INCLUSIONSDomestic flights, local transport, meals
📸 PHOTO SUBJECTSEagles, Nomads, Games, Landscapes

📸 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

🦅 Golden Eagle Festival – Experience Mongolia’s most celebrated cultural event with over 70 eagle hunters.

🏡 Eagle Hunter Homestay – Stay with a Kazakh family in Sagsai and photograph authentic nomadic life.

🏔 Altai Tavan Bogd National Park – Explore Potanin Glacier, snowcapped peaks, and alpine lakes.

🐎 Kazakh Games & Music – Capture horse games, camel races, and traditional Kazakh music performances.

🧭 Photographer-Focused Itinerary – Timed for golden hour lighting and unique action shots.

🌌 Nomadic Wilderness Adventure – Travel through Mongolia’s remote west in comfort and style.


🦅 ABOUT THE GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL

Held every October in Bayan-Ulgii, this UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage event celebrates Kazakh eagle hunting traditions. Highlights include:

Golden Eagle Festival will be held on 4th, 5th of October, 2025 “Sary Kul” site of Bugat village of Bayan-Ulgii province.

 

🦊 Eagle hunting displays with fox-skin dummies

🎯 Return-to-arm accuracy competitions

🐫 Camel races and Tiyn Teru (coin pickup on horseback)

👩‍🦰 Kyz Kuar (“girl chase”) and Kokpar (goat tug-of-war)

🎶 Evening concerts of Kazakh folk music

 

This is the ultimate cultural photography experience in Mongolia.


👳‍♂️ MONGOLIA’S EAGLE HUNTERS

🏔 Reside in the Altai Mountains of Bayan-Ulgii Province

🦅 Train female golden eagles to hunt red and corsac foxes

🧬 Pass down eagle hunting skills from generation to generation

🐾 Form deep bonds with eagles before releasing them into the wild

 

This tour gives you rare access to photograph these incredible people and their majestic birds.


🏞 ABOUT ALTAI TAVAN BOGD NATIONAL PARK

🗻 Home to Mongolia’s highest peaks and Potanin Glacier

🏕 Camps near Khoton Lake, known for mirror-like reflections and rich birdlife

⛺️ Pristine trekking routes, wildlife, and ancient petroglyphs

🌲 Untouched alpine wilderness and Kazakh nomadic encampments

 

A dream location for landscape photographers and adventurers alike.


⚖️ TOUR PACE

🟢 MODERATE TO ACTIVE

 

🛫 Includes domestic flights & overland travel

🚙 Some bumpy drives in remote areas

🚶‍♂️ Short hikes and photography walks

📷 Ample time for golden hour and festival shots

 

Suitable for photographers and travelers with a good fitness level and a love for the outdoors.


❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

📆 When is the Golden Eagle Festival?

The first weekend of October annually in Ulgii city.It will be held on 4th, 5th of October, 2025 “Sary Kul” site of Bugat village of Bayan-Ulgii province

 

📷 Is this a photography-friendly tour?

Yes! Designed with photography in mind—golden hour access, action shots, and cultural immersion.

 

🏨 What’s the accommodation like?

Hotels in cities, Ger camps, and authentic eagle hunter homestays.

 

🛬 Are flights included?

Yes, roundtrip domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Ulgii are included.

 

👨‍👩‍👧 Is this tour family-friendly?

It’s best for adults or older teens interested in wildlife, culture, and photography.


🎒 WHAT TO BRING

📸 DSLR or mirrorless camera with extra batteries

🔭 Telephoto & wide-angle lenses

🧥 Warm, layered clothing (nights can drop below freezing)

🥾 Waterproof hiking boots and thermal socks

🕶 Sunglasses & high-SPF sunscreen

💊 Personal first aid kit & medications

🔌 Power bank & universal adapter (220V)


VIDEO OF GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL


GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 12 DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR PACKAGE PRICE

Group size1 pax2-3 pax4-6 pax7-9 pax10-12 pax13-15 paxMore than 16 pax
Price/Per person4230$3520$3450$3380$3290$3200$3100$
NoInclude serviceExclude serviceInclude service of Meals
1Vehicle with a driver.Items of personal natureBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2English speaking guideBeverages, alcoholic drinks, bar bills, laundryPer day 3 bottle water for per person /1,5 liter/
3Accommodation/Ger camps and Hotel/Travel and insuranceOne time Mongolian traditional food  /lamb with vegetables/
4Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerInternational transportation 
5All cooking and camping gears.Taxi 
6Airport shuttleOptional activities 
7National park and border office permits (area you will go is close to China and Russia border)Single supplement /For hotel or Ger camp/ 
8Domestic flight ticketsGratuity for the tour team 


GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 12 DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR ITINERARY


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