The Legendary Kazakh Golden Eagle Hunting Festival 2024/2025
This video is a brief representation of the Kazakh golden eagle hunting festival expedition and does not represent the exact itinerary that is stated in the sign up article below
West Mongolia calls out to the adventurous soul, where nomadic traditions resonate through the sweeping landscapes, and the cultural mosaic is painted with vibrant hues of Kazakh influence.
From the Altai Mountains' snow-capped peaks to vast valleys and the stunning Khoton Lake, embrace nomadic traditions echoing through the sweeping landscapes, entwined with vibrant Kazakh influences. Witness the remarkable artistry of eagle hunters and immerse in ancient traditions.
This remote expanse bears witness to the unwavering resilience of both its people and its wildlife. It's a world where nature thrives untouched, and traditions endure the test of time, weaving a narrative of a land where authenticity prevails.
Join us on an expedition through West Mongolia, where the wind carries whispers of untamed stories, and each moment unfolds into a unique adventure, waiting for you to embrace it.
Day 1: From Metropolis Breeze to Mountain Breeze
Like most expeditions, the first day is a rather free and easy one. After a more than 11 hour long flight to Ulaanbaatar, you will be warmly welcomed by your trusty expedition driver, who has been waiting for your arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. Before being safely transported to a cosy hotel, you will spend your first few hours settling some necessary logistics such as but are not limited to: currency exchange, sim card.
Afterwhich, as the sun sets in Mongolia, it’s time to dig into Mongolia’s scrumptious local cuisine. The array of food available in Mongolia is sure to fill your stomachs to the brim, with delicacies such as Tsuivan — stir-fried noodles, as well as Khorkhog — an authentic Mongolian barbecue. These are merely examples of some of the food available in Ulaanbaatar, the options for you to choose from are, in reality, endless! To end off the day, you will be transported to your cosy hotel, which you may then wish to unpack and rewind from the long commute while enjoying the beautiful first sights of West Mongolia.
As the food coma starts to set in slowly after dinner, it’s lights out for you! While you’re happily snoring away on the soft sheets of Ulaanbaatar’s hotel linens, the sand dunes are busy getting themselves ready to greet you the next morning…
Day 2: Gentle Giants
Rise and shine, fellas! Day 2 starts with an early morning drive to the Mongol Sand Dunes (otherwise known as Mongol El Dunes), which is located in Central Mongolia. To help you ride the sandy waves of Mongol El Dunes, you will be riding on the backs of gentle beauties — Bactrian Camels (also known as Mongolian Double Humped Camels).
These reliable creatures stand tall and proud — and they have every right to do so. Being able to brave through high altitudes, droughts and the freezing cold, these hoofed mammals are the epitome of adaptability. Riding on these camels, it’s impossible not to feel safe and secure, knowing for sure that you will reach your destination safe and sound.
After conquering the sand dunes and bidding farewell to the camels, you will be driven to Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. There, you will not only get to spend the night at a tourist camp, you will also get to learn about the rich history of Karakorum. As the day comes to an end, you will fall asleep under the stars of Karakorum Ancient Capital.
Day 3: A Volcano that will Never Explode
Day 3’s itinerary really brings the phrase “work hard and you’ll be rewarded” to the next level. In order for you to experience the wonders of West Mongolia, you will first need to work for it. The day first starts off with a quick drive to Terhiin Tsagaan Nuur White Lake, where you will get to experience a 1 hour horseback ride on the most majestic horses you would've ever seen .
This lake is a freshwater lake filled with crystal clear waters, so clear you could see your own reflection in it. Coupled with a sandy shoreline, the Terhiin Tsagaan Nuur White Lake exudes beach vibes, and during the summer when the waters are warmer, you can even swim in it.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and we’re certain you enjoyed yourself at Terhiin Tsagaan Nuur White Lake. If the Sun is still up, you will be able to head to one more destination: the famous Khorgo Uul Volcano (dormant, of course). This is where things get challenging. For you to see the fruits of your labour, you will first need to hike all the way up the volcano — that’s a 200m tall volcano we’re talking about here. Feeling overwhelmed by the strenuous hike? Not to worry, for our guides will help to make the hike a lot more bearable by sharing stories of the volcano’s history and how it was formed. After an arduous hike up the volcano and to its crater, you’ll be greeted by the majestic masterpiece of the Mongolian skyline. If you’re in luck, you will be able to enjoy this view during sunset, where orange hues paint the blue skies with streams of vibrance, the last of what the sun has to offer for the day before the moon takes over for the night. Alternatively, if the Sun is about to set, you will get the chance to climb it on Day 4!
After sundown, it’s time to head back. With the help of your trusty expedition driver, you will be whisked to a traditional Mongolian Ger, where a feast awaits. With that, it’s lights out to you!
Day 4: Sweet Views, Salty Waters
After experiencing the sweet views from the past 3 days of Central Mongolia, it’s time to balance your taste buds out with some salt. On Day 4 of the expedition, you will be heading to — you guessed it — a saltwater lake! This saltwater lake is otherwise known as Telmen Lake, located in Zavkhan, Mongolia.
Telmen Lake is a whopping 28km long and a crazy 16km wide, with 3 different islands that are famous for being gathering points for migratory birds. Throughout the year, the temperature of Telmen Lake remains at an all time low, ranging from a freezing -32 degrees celsius to 12 degree celsius. So if you’re scared of the cold, remember to bring along heat packs or an extra jacket to keep yourself warm.
Walking around Telmen Lake and exploring the wonders of this bird-pitstop saltwater lake, you will need to pick a nice, comfortable spot, for that will be where you are going to spend the night. That’s right, you read that right, you’ll be setting up a tent, where you will stay overnight at Telmen Lake. With that, let’s prepare for Day 5 of the expedition.
Day 5: Rolling in the Deep… Deep… Sand Dunes?!
Our next activity for the day lies in Ulaagchiin Haar Nuur National Park. Reaching the park after a quick drive there from Telmen Lake, the first thing (or rather, two things) that would catch your eye would be two beautiful lakes, reflecting nature’s wonders on its surface. These two lakes are known as the Bayan Lake and the Ulaagchiin Khar Lake.
They are both freshwater lakes that are surrounded by sand dunes and mountains, making it look like one, gigantic beach. For anyone who’s wondering, you can swim in Ulaagchiin Haar Lake (for the adventurous), so make sure to bring along your swimsuit!
For the rest of the day, it will be free and easy for you to explore the wonders of Ulaagchinii Khar Nuur National Park, where you will set up camp there and spend the rest of Day 5 surrounded by mother nature’s beautiful creations.
Day 6: Bringing Out the Inner Geographer in You
As someone who loves studying aeolian processes, I can definitely assure you that this is the day the geographer in you will be awakened. The day commences with a drive to Senjit Khad rock formations, where you will get to see the very peculiar shapes of rocks that inhabited Gobi for years.
If you take a good look at the details of Senjit Khad’s rock formation, you will realise that not only does the rock appear to have multiple horizontal “layers”, but also that each “layer” is a different shade of brown. This is due to the erosion and weathering processes that took place throughout the years, causing the rock to be abraded and eroded, forming the horizontal layers you see today. On top of that, the different colours you see on the rock actually represent the different mineral components of the Senjit Khad rock! For example, if you come across any reddish-brown sediments in the rock, this is because the mineral composition of the Senjit Khad rock contains iron. Cool, right?
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room — the giant gaping hole in the middle of Senjit Khad rock. This is also due to weathering processes, causing the minerals in the rock to dissolve and dissipate away, creating an arch-like structure in the rock. Why only that particular area? Shouldn’t the whole rock dissolve then? That’s an excellent question! Due to the mineral composition of the Senjit Khad rock, the area that has dissolved comprises minerals that are comparatively more susceptible to dissolution, a form of chemical weathering process where rock minerals dissolve when in contact with water. Hence, the gaping hole.
After such an educational experience learning about Senjit Khad, it’s time for you to pick your sleeping spot for the night. Once you’ve set up your tent, it won’t be long till sleep takes over you.
Day 7: Welcome to the Land of the Eagle Hunters!
Welcome back to civilization! After many days of camping in the wilderness, it’s time to get back in touch with modernity. A drive to Bayan-Olgii province center should do the trick!
The one and only aimag (tribe) in West Mongolia whose majority population are Muslim and Kazakh, this tribe is famous for hunting with trained eagles, a traditional practice few in Mongolia still do. As the journey from Senjit Khad rock formation to Bayan-Olgii is a rather long one, by the time you reach the province, the only thing on your mind would be to take a nice, refreshing, hot shower. Once you’re all clean and fresh, you can start digging into your dinner. For dinner, indulge yourself in the authentic Turkish cuisine, where you can try the array of Turkish cuisine that screams nothing but Mediterranean. Afterwards, when your stomach is filled to the brim with hearty Turkish food, the night will be spent in a traditional Kazakh Ger. Be careful, your jaw might just drop at the sight of the spectacular embellishments of the ger and the vibrant colours that paint the rounded walls. With that, goodnight and have a wonderful sleep ahead!
Day 8: Golden Eagle Festival Day 1
Are you ready to party? Today marks the first day of the Golden Eagle Festival! This memorable occasion is organised and run by the Mongolian Eagle Hunters Association, with a plethora of activities and events there for you to participate in. Not only are there cultural exhibitions that allow you to learn more about the history of the Golden Eagle Festival as well as about Mongolia’s culture, there are also sports activities and competitions for Mongolia’s greatest athletes to show off their athletic skills!
The highlight of the Golden Eagle Festival are — no prizes for guessing this one — the majestic golden eagles. With wings that slice through the air like it's paper and eyes that might as well be called telescopes, these eagles are a force to be reckoned with. During the festival, you will get to witness these Golden Eagles in action, competing to catch small animals such as foxes and hares. Watch the chemistry between the eagles and their trainers unfold as each hunting skill is executed flawlessly.
That’s a wrap for day 1 of the Golden Eagle Festival. Dinner will be a scrumptious array of dishes that’s bound to fill your tummies. If you’re still hungry, you can try even more dishes that are considered trademarks of Turkish cuisine. Afterwhich, as the darkness of the night engulfs Mongolia, it’s time for the city to sleep.
Day 9: Golden Eagle Festival Day 2
Day 2 of Golden Eagle Festival, let’s get pumped! Bask in the rich nomadic ambience of the Golden Eagle Festival as they commence their closing ceremony. Afterwards, if you would like to take a picture with the Eagle Hunters, please feel free to ask them, they are very nice people.
After the festival comes to an end, the rest of the day will be spent roaming the streets of Bayan Olgii, strolling past the shops available and seeing what may catch your eye. You can even purchase a few things from the shops to serve as mementos of the trip! Alternatively, if souvenir shopping isn’t your cup of tea, you can always choose to patronise the cafés or small eateries that serve Mongolia's delicious and famous snacks. Munching on yummy goodness, what’s not to love? Don’t eat too much though, save some room for dinner!
The day has finally come to an end, seeking refuge back in the traditional Kazakh Ger. While you’re reading this article, I should warn you first, do ensure that your luggage has some extra space for souvenirs, otherwise you’re going to have a very difficult time Marie Kondo-ing your suitcase before going back to Singapore!
Day 10: I’m Not Crying, You Are.
It’s the second last day of the expedition, where you will bid goodbye to your guide and driver who took care of your wellbeing throughout the past 9 days. I’m not crying, you are.
From Bayan-Olgii province, you will be taking a less-than-an-hour domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar, checking into a hotel upon arrival. This hotel — which is the same hotel you stayed in on the first day of your expedition — will be where you spend your last night in Mongolia before heading back to metropolitan Singapore. The rest of the day is given to you to collect all your thoughts, experiences, and any questions you may have about Mongolia. Reflecting on the past 9 days of action-packed fun, one of the takeaways you may have would be to have been able to appreciate nature for its pure, authentic self. No concrete jungles, no human intervention, just plain ol’ Mother Nature doing her work to make the beauty of life known. If I might say so myself, I think she’s done a fantastic job at encapsulating the beauty of life.
Other than the soul-enhancing reflection that you may have done, this is also the time for you to catch up on your sleep. The previous few days were exhilarating, no doubt, but they were probably also quite physically exhausting. Now’s the time to catch up on that beauty sleep, you might even dream of Mongolia!
To celebrate the end of the expedition, there will be a celebratory dinner prepared for you to have your final feast before flying back to Singapore; then, it’ll be time for you to get a good night’s rest before the long flight the next day.
Day 11: Home (not so) Sweet Home
The day has come. It’s time to go home. Nobody wants this.
Depending on what time your flight back to Singapore is, your trusty expedition driver will chauffeur you one last time, from Ulaanbaatar to Chinggis Khaan International Airport. You will reach the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, leaving you more than enough time to do any last minute souvenir shopping, squeezing in a meal or two, and making as many memories of Mongolia as you can before going home.
With that, you’ve come to the end of Beyond Expeditions’ annual Legendary Kazakh Golden Eagle Festival. We can’t wait to see you on board our future expeditions, but till then, be like an eagle and keep a lookout for more updates!
Terms & Conditions
Upon payment of 50% non-refundable deposit, you will secure a spot for 1x The Legendary Kazakh Golden Eagle Hunting Festival group expedition. The total price for the trip is S$7,990 nett inclusive of flights. The remaining 50% is to be paid 8 weeks prior to tour commencement.
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Round-trip international flights (economy) from Singapore to Mongolia (check-in up to 23kg and carry-on up to 7kg)
One way domestic flight (economy) from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan Olgii vice-versa (check-in up to 15kg and carry-on up to 5kg)
All airport transfers
Accommodation for all nights (three-star twin-sharing hotel rooms in the capital, traditional gers/yurts, tourist ger camps, guesthouses in the countryside)
All-terrain expedition support vehicles, drivers and petrol
English-speaking, experienced local Mongolian expedition guides
All meals stated (breakfasts, lunches, dinners) and 1.5L of bottled water per day
All staff costs including their fees, insurance and equipment
All national park fees and government/local taxes
Golden eagle festival ticket
All activities stated including camel-riding, horse-riding and nomadic homestays
4-seasons sleeping bag for loan (made of pure Mongolian sheep wool)
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Excess luggage and hand carry fees for all flights
Additional incurred costs during layover
Personal expenses
Tips (optional)
Personal travel insurance
Emergency rescue flights (if needed)
