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JOIN OUR 2025 Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia Trip (October 2025)

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. It had been on my bucket list to visit the Eagle Festival in Mongolia for YEARS! So I finally organised a charity trip where we could give back and then finally visit one of the best festivals on our beautiful planet. Our 2024 trip is still happening (with 18 people!) BUT for personal reasons I can’t attend the Eagle Festival. Nooooo. Fear not, because of this, we’re going to run the whole trip again in 2025 so if you missed your chance in 2024, come with me in 2025!

TLDR? If you wanna book, you can do that HERE. Or you can click this button:

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 1st, 2025, 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 2ND, 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 3RD, DAY 3:

Depending on the flight time to Western Mongolia, we may have time for a quick morning tour to UlaaN Bataar. We’ll try start with the majestic Gandantegchinlen Monastery, soak in history at the National Museum of Mongolia, and marvel at the grandeur of Sukhbaatar Square. Then we fly to Olgii.

OCTOBER 4TH, 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 5TH, 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 6TH, DAY 6:

A morning flight back to UB should bring us back to the Capital for lunch. We’ll drop our bags, have a GLORIOUS shower after 4 days in the outback. We have factored in another half-day in Ulaan Bataar in case we didn’t have a chance to visit the city when we first arrived.

It’s a fascinating place, where we’ll hear of the conquests of Gengis Khan, and also explore the more recent history of the former Soviet Union.

OCTOBER 7TH, DAY 7:

Drive to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, a stunning nature reserve located just a short distance from Ulaanbaatar. The park is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, featuring lush valleys, rugged mountains, and unique rock formations. One of the park’s most famous landmarks is Turtle Rock, a natural rock formation that resembles a giant turtle.

As part of the day trip, we will visit the imposing Genghis Khan Statue, a massive equestrian statue of the legendary Mongolian leader. Standing at 40 meters tall, this statue is the largest of its kind in the world. From the observation deck atop the horse’s head, we can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.

After exploring the statue complex, we will continue our journey to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Here, we can hike through scenic trails, visit the Ariyabal Meditation Temple, and experience the tranquil beauty of the Mongolian wilderness. The park is also home to traditional nomadic families, offering a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle.

OCTOBER 8TH, DAY 8:

Home time folks. Anyone flying to Chiang Mai for Round 2?!

Our Golden Eagle Festival Trip Dates

October 1st to October 8th.

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
• 3 dinners and 3 lunches
• Project Donation
• All Accommodations in Hotels and Gers
• Ground Transportation
• Domestic return flights 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)

HOW DO I BOOK MY SPOT? HOW MUCH IS THE DEPOSIT?

The non-refundable deposit is just $300, full payment is due 2 months before the trip (so August 1, 2025). You can book HERE. Or by clicking this button:

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 2025.

THIS IS EPIC! WHAT OTHER INSANE TRIPS ARE YOU RUNNING?!

You can see all my trips here:

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.