Golden Eagle Festival and Altai Mountain Tour 2026

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, where our team will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After some rest, enjoy a short city tour including Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, and Chinggis Khaan Square to discover Mongolia’s history, culture, and Buddhist traditions.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

This morning, take a domestic flight to Khovd in Western Mongolia, then continue driving to Sagsai Village in Bayan-Ulgii, the westernmost province of Mongolia. Upon arrival, meet a local Kazakh eagle hunter’s family and experience authentic nomadic life in the Mongolian Altai Mountains.

This remote region is home to Mongolia’s Kazakh community, known for their rich culture, unique language, and ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles. Spend time with the family, learn about their daily lifestyle, experience eagle hunting culture firsthand, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Altai landscape. Overnight in a traditional Kazakh ger/yurt beside the host family.

Accommodation: Host family ger
Meals: Full board

Today we head to the Altai Mountains and enter the high mountain area of 2500-3000 meters. Stop at Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain to discover the UNESCO Heritage Site with over 10,000 petroglyphs and ancient statues. Uncover the transition from ancient hunters to nomadic societies through vivid rock art expressions. Arrive at the entrance gate of the Altai Tavan Bogd NP and visit the Kazakh family to explore their lives as well as rent horses for our further trip. Prepare our luggage for the next trek to the Altai peaks.

Accommodation: Ger/yurt at the entrance gate 
Meals: Full board  

Today we explore the spectacular Altai Tavan Bogd Mountains, home to Mongolia’s highest snow-capped peaks rising up to 4374 meters. Leaving the vehicles behind, we begin our adventure on horseback and on foot through the rugged mountain landscapes of Western Mongolia. /12 km/

Our journey takes us to the sacred “President Ovoo,” one of the best viewpoints overlooking the holy Altai peaks. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery before continuing toward the impressive Potanin Glacier, the largest glacier in Mongolia.

After exploring the glacier area, we descend back to the entrance gate and drive to Tsagaan Gol (White River), known for its milky glacial waters flowing from the Altai Mountains. Along the way, enjoy opportunities to photograph the dramatic landscapes and experience the nomadic culture of the region.

Depending on weather conditions, overnight stay will be with a local nomadic family or at a ger camp near the entrance area. During early autumn, some nomadic families may move to lower winter pastures because of snow and colder temperatures.

Trekking & riding: 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Host family ger or Ger/yurt at the entrance gate 
Meals: Full board

Today we drive back to Ulgii town through the beautiful landscapes of the Mongolian Altai. Along the way, enjoy great opportunities for photography, including dramatic mountain scenery, nomadic families, and traditional Kazakh life.

During this season, many Kazakh families begin moving toward their winter homes and pastures, offering a unique glimpse into their traditional seasonal migration lifestyle.

Upon arrival in Ulgii, check in at Pamuk Resort and relax after the mountain adventure.

Accommodation: Pamuk Resort
Meals: Full board

The first day of the Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival is to experience the culture and lifestyle of nomadic eagle hunters. Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia have been living in both pastoral and eagle falconer ways. Pastoral living is summertime, and eagle falconry is living in the wintertime. This lifestyle makes them true nomadic eagle falconers and heritage keepers in this modern world. Today, we will learn all about their life and culture. The procedure of assembly of the Kazak Ger (yurt) and the Migration of nomadic families will be the highlights of the first day of the festival.

Accommodation: Pamuk Resort
Meals: Full board

The second day of the Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival starts with its opening parades and competitions for costuming and hunting techniques. This is the day of eagle hunting competitions. The eagle hunters try to land their eagles on their hands; eagles are released from the top of the mountain, and points are given for their speed and gripping ability. The eagle chases fox skins dragged by their masters on horseback. Other events, such as Tenge-Ilu (Coin grabbing while riding a horse), the best costume competition, Kokbar (Thug of War), and Kizkhuar (Traditional Kazakh Couples Game), take place. Festival winners are announced at the closing ceremony. Today, after the festival, we drive to Khovd town for an overnight stay due to the 19th September flight to Ulaanbaatar. Stay in a local hotel in Khovd town. (B/L/D)

Take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar and relax at the hotel. Option to go shopping for souvenirs and cashmere products. Farewell dinner together. (B/L/D)

Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport or Train station and depart Mongolia. (B)