Pre-MTP Chengdu 2027 group trip
Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival Eagles, horsemen and gers, out in the far west
MTP festival trip
Golden eagles and Kazakh horsemen. Not a bad way to start October.
Six days in Mongolia: two at the Golden Eagle Festival in the far west, two nights in gers, and Ulaanbaatar either side. Fancy more? Add the Gobi.
Kazakh eagle hunters gather in Bayan-Ölgii with their birds and horses, and we’re going to be there for it. We fly west on the first festival day, spend the whole of the next one there and sleep in gers around Ölgii, rather than flying in for a few photos and disappearing again.
Then it’s back to the capital for the Chinggis Khan statue and a proper day in Ulaanbaatar. If you’ve come all this way, stay on for the optional Gobi extension: Yol Valley, the Khongor dunes and the Flaming Cliffs, until 11 October.
Tour highlights
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Golden Eagle Festival
Two days with the Kazakh eagle hunters
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Ger Nights
Two nights in gers around Ölgii
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Chinggis Khan Statue
The giant on horseback outside the capital
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Optional Gobi
Yol Valley, Khongor dunes, Flaming Cliffs
Trip facts
- Dates
- Trip length
- Start and finish
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Festival
- 2–3 October 2027, in the Ölgii area of Bayan-Ölgii
- Gobi extension
- Optional, 6–11 October 2027: US$5,199 for the festival trip plus the Gobi (US$5,598 at the separate prices)
- Then MTP
- Summit in Chengdu 21–24 October; getting there is up to you
Day by day
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
· Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Land in Ulaanbaatar and settle into the hotel. This is our meeting point before heading west, so today is all about getting everyone together and easing in after the long-haul flights.
In the evening, dinner and drinks with the group, and a chat through the days ahead.
Day 2: Fly to Ölgii and the Golden Eagle Festival
Ölgii, Bayan-Ölgii
We fly right across the country from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii, into Mongolia’s Kazakh west, and head to the festival after we land.
We spend the time we have watching the eagles and their handlers, then settle into our ger for the first night. And there’s a whole festival day still to come.
Day 3: A Full Day at the Festival
Ölgii, Bayan-Ölgii
No flight to catch, so today is all eagles. Follow the competitions, soak up the atmosphere on the festival grounds, and take more photographs than you’ll ever look at again.
Then back to the ger for a second night in western Mongolia, with plenty to talk about.
Day 4: Back to Ulaanbaatar and the Chinggis Khan Statue
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
We fly back to Ulaanbaatar, with a visit later in the day to the Chinggis Khan statue, the enormous figure on horseback standing outside the capital.
Then some downtime at the hotel. Sort through the camera roll, catch up on sleep, or head out for drinks if you fancy it.
Day 5: Explore Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
A full day for the capital. A city tour gets us well beyond the airport and the hotel, followed by an evening activity together.
It’s the last full day for anyone on the festival trip only. The Gobi crew get ready to head south tomorrow.
Day 6: Finish or Continue to the Gobi
· Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The six-day Golden Eagle Festival trip finishes in Ulaanbaatar today. Heading home or travelling on? This is where the main itinerary ends.
Staying for the optional Gobi extension? Then the adventure continues with a flight south to Dalanzadgad, and five more nights in the desert.
Who’s behind it
Johnny Ward
Irish guy, been to every country in the world and completed the Ultimate Explorer’s Grand Slam. I’ve spent years organising group adventures through the contacts I made along the way, and these trips are a big part of what I do now.
I’m also an MTP GrandMaster and a sponsor of the Chengdu 2027 Summit. This Mongolia trip is part of the group-travel programme we’re putting together around the conference.
A different Mongolia
Why the Golden Eagle Festival?
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Eagles and horsemen
Kazakh hunters and their birds compete on skill, with traditional clothing and horsemanship part of the show.
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Nights in a ger
Two nights in the traditional felt-covered round tents, right where the action is.
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Add the Gobi
Stay on for Yol Valley, the Khongor sand dunes and the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag.
Before you book
Good to Know
How does this fit with MTP Chengdu 2027?
It runs well before the Summit (21–24 October). Finish on 6 October and you have two weeks to play with; finish the Gobi on 11 October and you still have ten days. The trip ends in Ulaanbaatar and doesn’t include getting to Chengdu or a Summit ticket, so arrange those separately.
Thinking of combining trips? The Pakistan to China overland (10–19 October) overlaps the Gobi extension, and Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan starts on 12 October, one day after it ends, so check connections first.
Can I join the festival trip without the Gobi?
Yes. The main trip finishes in Ulaanbaatar on 6 October. The Gobi is an optional extension until 11 October: US$5,199 for the festival trip plus the Gobi (US$5,598 at the separate prices).
What’s on the Gobi extension?
Five more nights: fly to Dalanzadgad, drive through Yol Valley to the Khongor dunes for two nights, then on to the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag and the Gobi Museum, before flying back to Ulaanbaatar on 11 October. Mostly ger camps, some long drives, and camel riding is optional (check any extra cost first).
What is the accommodation like?
Hotels in Ulaanbaatar and two nights in gers around Ölgii, so a mix rather than the same setup every night. Got particular rooming or bathroom needs? Get in touch before booking.
How active is the trip?
It’s festival visits, sightseeing, flights and road travel rather than anything strenuous. Tell us about any mobility or access needs before booking so the walking, vehicles and accommodation can be checked.
Should I book my flights now?
Not yet. Wait for the final arrangements and domestic flight schedule before buying non-refundable tickets, especially for the flight to Ölgii on the first festival day (Day 2) and for onward travel after the Gobi flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Leave room for delays.
Price and what’s planned
What’s planned
- Hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar
- Flights Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii and back
- Two days at the Golden Eagle Festival
- Two nights in gers around Ölgii
- Chinggis Khan statue visit
- Ulaanbaatar city tour and an evening activity
What’s not included
- Travel from Ulaanbaatar to Chengdu
- MTP Summit ticket
Tour price
$3,299
Per person, 1–6 October 2027
- Optional Gobi extension, 6–11 October 2027: US$5,199 for the festival trip plus the Gobi (US$5,598 at the separate prices)
- Book online through WeTravel
MTP Chengdu 2027
Make 2027 the year you get to Mongolia.
Come for the six-day festival trip, or add the Gobi and give yourself eleven days. Book online in a couple of minutes, or message me with any questions.
Rather email? johnny@onestep4ward.com
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