Western Mongolia · Bayan-Ölgii
Eagle Hunters and the Golden Eagle Festival in Western Mongolia
Short answer
The Kazakh communities of Bayan-Ölgii in far-western Mongolia keep the tradition of hunting with golden eagles. Most visitors come for the Golden Eagle Festival near Ölgii, traditionally on the first weekend of October (3–4 October in 2026 per published listings), or the smaller Sagsai festival in mid-September. Fly to Ölgii, then stay with or visit eagle-hunter families. Book flights and accommodation early.
Key facts
- Main festival
- Golden Eagle Festival near Ölgii — first weekend of October (2026: 3–4 Oct, per listings)
- Smaller festival
- Sagsai Eagle Festival — mid-September
- Getting there
- Flight Ulaanbaatar → Ölgii (≈ 2 h), limited seats around festival dates
- Hunting season
- Winter; specialist trips only
Hunting with trained golden eagles is a centuries-old tradition among the Kazakhs of the Altai. In Mongolia, it lives on in Bayan-Ölgii province. The eagles are typically taken as young birds, trained, and later released back into the wild.
The festivals
Golden Eagle Festival (Ölgii). The big one: eagle hunters in traditional dress compete in calling their eagles to the lure, with horse games and Kazakh cultural events alongside. Traditionally on the first weekend of October; 2026 listings gave 3–4 October. The festival grounds are a short drive from Ölgii.
Sagsai Eagle Festival. A smaller, more local festival in mid-September in Sagsai soum. Fewer visitors, earlier in the season (warmer).
Dates can change — always confirm for your year before booking flights.
Visiting eagle-hunter families
Spending a night or two with an eagle-hunting family — seeing the birds, riding out with the hunter, sharing meals in a Kazakh home — is often the most rewarding part. This should be arranged through people with genuine relationships with families, with fair payment.
Logistics
- Flights Ulaanbaatar–Ölgii sell out around festival dates. Book early.
- Accommodation in Ölgii is limited; family homestays and ger camps are the norm.
- Vehicles are 4x4s or UAZ vans on unpaved roads.
- Combine with a few days in the Altai if you have time (expect cold at altitude).
Ethics
Photographing eagle hunters is the reason many people come. Ask before photographing people, pay fairly for staged photo sessions, and be aware that some “eagle hunter” photo stops elsewhere in Mongolia keep birds for tourists rather than for hunting.
Questions travelers ask
When is the Golden Eagle Festival in 2026 and 2027?
Published listings put the 2026 festival on 3–4 October near Ölgii; it's traditionally held on the first weekend of October. Confirm dates for 2027 when they're announced — we don't publish dates we can't verify.
Is the eagle festival touristy?
It's a real competition for local eagle hunters and also a major tourist event with many foreign visitors and photographers. Many travelers find the days spent with families before or after the festival more memorable than the festival grounds.
How cold is it in early October?
Cold. Days can be mild in the sun, but nights in Bayan-Ölgii are often below freezing and family homestays may have limited heating. Pack proper warm layers.
Sources and further reading
We link sources for facts that matter (prices, entry rules, dates, distances). Third-party prices are what those sources published, not quotes from us.
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