Golden Eagle festival 5 days Photography tour

GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 5 DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Experience Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival, a dazzling 5-day photography and cultural journey into the world of Kazakh eagle hunters in the Altai Mountains.


📌 QUICK FACTS FOR VISITORS

📍 LOCATION: Western Mongolia – Ulgii City & Altai Mountains region

📅 DURATION: 6 days / 5 nights

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 GROUP SIZE: Private & small group tours available (1–16+ pax)

🎉 TOUR TYPE: Event & Festival TourCultural & Photography Focus

📸 IDEAL FOR: Photographers, filmmakers, adventurers, cultural travelers

📆 BEST TIME TO VISIT: October – when the Golden Eagle Festival takes place

🏞️ ELEVATION: Ulgii sits at approx. 1,710 meters (5,610 ft)

🧳 PACKING NEEDS: Warm clothes, camera gear, sturdy shoes, sun protection

🏨 ACCOMMODATION: Hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Ulgii

✈️ ARRIVAL CITY: Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), Ulaanbaatar and Nest day flight to Ulgii


✨ ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Explore Ulaanbaatar’s Gandan Monastery and National Museum

Fly to Ulgii, heart of Kazakh culture in Mongolia

Attend the world-famous Golden Eagle Festival in the Altai Mountains

Photograph eagle hunting competitions and traditional Kazakh games

Capture rare cultural portraits and nomadic lifestyle scenes

Experience folk music, costume parades, and archery events

Return to Ulaanbaatar with cultural insight and stunning images


🦅 ABOUT THE GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL

The Golden Eagle Festival is a breathtaking display of Kazakh tradition where over 100 eagle hunters gather to compete in falconry skills, horse games, and cultural contests. Held in October near Ulgii, the event is a photographer’s dream, capturing the unique bond between hunter and eagle, majestic mountain backdrops, and vivid traditional attire. Competitions include eagle hunting trials, horse races, archery, and goat-skin tug-of-war. This festival is more than a spectacle—it’s a cultural preservation event that shares the soul of Kazakh nomadic life with the world.

 

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


👳‍♂️ 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.


🐎 TOUR PACE: MODERATE & CULTURAL

This tour is ideal for photographers and cultural explorers. Daily activities include moderate walking, attending outdoor events, and occasional horseback-based games (as a spectator). Altitude and weather in the Altai can be variable, so flexibility is key. No intense physical demands, but prepare for full, immersive days with lots of visual stimulation and interaction.


❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

When is the Golden Eagle Festival held?

The main festival in Ulgii usually takes place in early October each year.

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

 

What is the focus of this tour?

This tour is designed for photographers, cultural enthusiasts, and festival-goers wanting to witness and capture authentic eagle hunting traditions.

 

Do I need horseback riding experience?

No. You’ll be observing—not riding—during the competitions.

 

Are vegetarian or special meals available?

Yes, dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.

 

What is the weather like in October in Western Mongolia?

Days are crisp and sunny (5°C to 15°C), nights can drop below freezing. Warm layers are essential.


🎒 WHAT TO BRING FOR THE TOUR

DSLR or mirrorless camera, zoom & wide lenses

Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots

Warm clothing (thermal base layers, fleece, down jacket)

Hat, gloves, and scarf

Sunglasses & sunscreen (for high elevation)

Portable power bank or extra batteries

Reusable water bottle

Personal medications and toiletries

Notebook or journal


GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL 5 DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR PACKAGE PRICE

Group size1 pax2-3 pax4-6 pax7-9 pax10-12 pax13-15 paxMore than 16 pax
Price/Per person3230$2720$2650$2580$2490$2400$2300$
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 5 DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR ITINERARY


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