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JOIN OUR Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia Trip October 2024

Each year, I do a number of charity projects through our charity arm, Mudita Adventures. We’ve donated over $300,000 to date, funding projects from Ethiopia to the Philippines. This year, in 2024, we’re going skiing in Afghanistan to fund a food donation there, and also funding a pop-up clinic in Pakistan, before roadtripping through kashmir, and on into China (EPIC TRIP, YOU CAN ALSO STILL JOIN THAT HERE IF YOU WANT!). Next up, we’re off to check out the epic GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL MONGOLIA in October 2024.

What is The Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia?

The Golden Eagle Festival has been on my bucket list for over 10 years. So finally we’re going!

It’s a spectacular show of tradition, where Kazakh eagle hunters dazzle with their skills. Just us, the endless steppes, and these majestic birds soaring. A backdrop to a centuries-old tradition that celebrates the incredible bond between man and bird.

This isn’t just any festival; it’s a testament to the nomadic Kazakh people’s skill, culture, and heritage, where eagle hunters clad in traditional attire showcase their trained golden eagles’ prowess in hunting. Epic local costumes, the heart-pounding competitions, and the warm hospitality of the locals.

Join me, and let’s experience the raw, untamed spirit of Mongolia together at the Golden Eagle Festival.

How about the charity aspect of this trip?

As always with our Mudita Adventure trips, where other companies sell the tickets and use all the money as profit, we fund local projects. Here, in Mongolia, we’re working with a local NGO where we’ll be providing running water to a developing community currently living in gers/yurts (modified tents).

During our time in Ulan Bator, we’ll visit the projects that we’ve funded, hear from the local stakeholders just how your money has helped and witness the results of the work in action.

The Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia Itinerary

OCTOBER 2ND, DAY 1:

Arrive in Ulan Bataar any time you want. We’ll check into our hotel today, and have an evening briefing and group dinner with your fellow adventurers. (Many of you guys come back again and again for trips with me, and as you all know, I’ll be there a day or 2 early for anyone who wants a couple of cheeky drinks and chat before the trip starts!)

OCTOBER 3RD, DAY 2:

Today is our project day. We’ll be taken care of by our partner NGO today, where we’ll visit the community where we’re funding the new running water and toilets for.

We’ll have a tour of the real side of Mongolia, that tourists don’t get to visit. And we’ll witness the amazing work our partner NGO is doing here. As well as, of course, seeing the actual projects we’ve funded. Responsible tourism in action. Thank you everyone.

OCTOBER 4TH, DAY 3:

After what is often an emotional day at our projects, it’s time to begin to explore Mongolia. First up, is a full day tour of Ulan Bataar.

We’ll start with the majestic Gandantegchinlen Monastery, soak in history at the National Museum of Mongolia, and marvel at the grandeur of Sukhbaatar Square. We’ll have a traditional Mongolian lunch, then explore the Zaisan Memorial for panoramic city views.

Ending our day browsing through the State Department Store, a perfect spot for cool handicrafts. A finish up in a local Mongolian bar no doubt!

OCTOBER 5TH, DAY 4:

THE MAIN EVENT. A real bucket list day. We hop on a flight to waaaaaay West, to the extreme west of Mongolia, to Olgi. The country’s only Muslim and Kazakh-majority aimag, and just 40km from the Kazakhstan border

Here, we’ll dive into the heart of Mongolian culture with Day 1 of our 2 days at the November Eagle Festival. Our adventure begins with the awe-inspiring opening ceremony, featuring a procession of eagle hunters clad in their finest traditional Kazakh attire, setting the stage for what’s to come.

The first day is packed with competitions showcasing the hunters’ symbiotic relationship with their eagles, highlighting eagle calling and the artistry of hunting techniques against the backdrop of Mongolia’s stunning landscape.

OCTOBER 6TH, DAY 5:

The excitement builds on the second day, focusing on the eagles’ agility and speed, as they dive at incredible speeds to catch bait on command.

Between events, we’ll be deep in authentic Kazakh culture through folk music, dance performances, and storytelling sessions. We’ll hit up the nomadic ger tents for a glimpse into traditional living.

The festival concludes with a grand award ceremony, honoring the eagle hunters’ dedication and skill, leaving you with memories of Mongolia’s rich heritage and the majestic beauty of its eagles.

OCTOBER 7TH, DAY 6:

We’re not done yet! Now we’re out here in Western Mongolia, we want to make the most of it. So we’re heading to the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, a national park that almost zero foreigners get to.

Today we will drive to Oigor valley gateway of Altai tavan bogd national park En-
route we will have lunch on the way. Today we will stay at local nomad family guest
ger. We will visit their home and see how Mongolia’s Kazakh nomadic herders are
living nowadays and get a peek into their lifestyle

OCTOBER 8TH, DAY 7:

Drive to Tavan Bogd National Park, named after Mongolia’s highest peaks. Tavan
Bogd literally means “Five Saints” and these peaks form part of the Altai Mountain
range, where Mongolia, China, Russia, and Kazakhstan converge. Here we can
get a panoramic view of these majestic snowcapped peaks. Mongolia’s highest
point is the Khuiten summit standing at 4,374 meters above sea level. After visit,
we will drive back to Ulgii town.

OCTOBER 9TH, DAY 8:

Morning flight back to Ulan Bataar today team. And we’re done!

Our Golden Eagle Festival Trip Dates

October 2nd to October 9th.

Starts and finishes in Ulaan Baatar (so that’s where you want to book your return flight in and out of)

Our Golden Eagle Festival Trip Price

$3199

What’s included

• All National Park Entrance Fees
• All Breakfasts
• 4 dinners and 4 lunches
• Project Donation
• All Accommodations in Hotels and Gers
• Ground Transportation
• Domestic return Flight to Western Mongolia
• Entrance and attendance into the Eagle Festival
• Ulaanbaatar City Tour
• Experienced Guide 24/7
• Visit to eagle hunters
• Western Guides

What’s not included

• Visa if applicable
• International airfare
• Travel insurance
• Airport transfer on arrival/departure (we can assist if you need help)

Final thoughts on our Mongolia Golden Eagle Festival Trip

One of the coolest festivals in the world, in a country that most people never get to visit. If you want a REAL adventure, this is it. Sleeping in gers, with an epic group of travelers, watching the ancient art of Eagle Hunting, amidts some of the countries highest peaks. It’s everything.

Combine that with the fact that we’re installing running water and toilets for a community and this is the trip to hop on in 2024. This one, and our epic Pakistan/Kashmir/China one. See you in both I hope!

FAQs about the golden Eagle Festival Mongolia

1. What is the Golden Eagle Festival?

The Golden Eagle Festival is an annual event held in the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, celebrating the ancient tradition of eagle hunting. It showcases the skills of Kazakh eagle hunters who use golden eagles to hunt for game.

2. When is the Golden Eagle Festival held?

The festival typically takes place during the first weekend of October each year. There is also a smaller festival held in March, known as the “Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival.”

3. Where is the festival held?

The main festival is held in Bayan-Ölgii Province, near the town of Ölgii, which is the largest town in western Mongolia. The event takes place in the rugged and picturesque Altai Mountains.

4. What activities take place during the festival?

The festival features a variety of competitions and activities, including:

• Eagle hunting demonstrations and contests.

• Traditional Kazakh games such as horseback riding, archery, and tug-of-war.

• Cultural performances including traditional music, dance, and costume displays.

• An awards ceremony for the best eagle and hunter.

5. How do eagle hunters train their eagles?

Hunters, known as “berkutchi,” typically capture young eagles from the wild and train them over several years. The training involves building a strong bond between the hunter and the eagle, teaching the bird to hunt small animals, and honing its skills in controlled settings before taking it on actual hunts.

6. Can visitors participate in the festival?

While visitors cannot participate in the competitions, they are welcome to observe the events, interact with the eagle hunters, and learn about Kazakh culture. There are often opportunities for tourists to handle the eagles and take photographs.