Live the Ancient Kazakh Falconry Tradition in the Altai Mountains

Experience one of the world’s most extraordinary cultural adventures in the remote mountains of Western Mongolia. Travel deep into the homeland of Mongolia’s Kazakh eagle hunters, stay with local nomadic families, ride horseback across the Altai Mountains, and learn the centuries-old art of hunting with magnificent Golden Eagles.

This immersive journey offers far more than sightseeing. Guests become part of the daily life of an eagle hunter’s family, learning how eagles are trained, cared for, and used during traditional winter hunting expeditions. You will witness an ancient partnership between human and bird that has survived for generations among the Kazakh people of Bayan-Ölgii Province.

Tour Highlights

Stay with a traditional Kazakh eagle hunter family
Learn the history and techniques of eagle hunting
Hold and fly a trained Golden Eagle
Ride horseback through the Altai Mountains
Participate in authentic hunting expeditions
Experience traditional Kazakh hospitality
Discover nomadic life in Western Mongolia
Enjoy traditional music and local cuisine
Explore spectacular mountain landscapes
Photograph Mongolia’s most iconic cultural tradition

Tour Overview

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Region: Bayan-Ölgii Province, Western Mongolia

Best Season: Mid-September to March, during the eagle hunting season.

Accommodation:

Eagle Hunter Family Ger
Local Hotel in Ölgii

Activity Level: Moderate

Detailed Itinerary

Upon arrival in Ölgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii Province, begin a scenic drive into the Altai Mountains to the home of a local eagle hunter.

Meet your host family, enjoy traditional Kazakh hospitality, and get your first introduction to the magnificent Golden Eagle. Spend the evening learning about the family’s history, culture, and eagle hunting traditions.

Activities

Airport pickup in Ölgii
Scenic drive to eagle hunter’s camp
Meet the eagle hunter and family
Introduction to Golden Eagles
Traditional family dinner

Overnight

Kazakh Family Ger

Meals

Dinner

Today is dedicated to learning the foundations of eagle hunting.

Observe how hunters prepare their birds for hunting, understand training techniques, and discover the importance of the eagle within Kazakh culture. Guests will learn how to safely hold the eagle and how hunters carry these powerful birds while riding horseback.

Activities

Eagle training demonstration
Learn hunting equipment and clothing
Hold a Golden Eagle
Learn basic falconry techniques
Cultural exchange with the family

Overnight

Kazakh Family Ger

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride into the foothills and valleys of the Altai Mountains alongside the eagle hunter.

Learn how hunters read the terrain, identify prey, and select hunting locations. Watch as the hunter works closely with the eagle in the vast mountain wilderness. The day offers outstanding opportunities for photography and cultural immersion.

Activities

Horseback riding
Mountain exploration
Hunting demonstration
Wildlife observation
Landscape photography

Overnight

Kazakh Family Ger

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue deeper into the hunting experience.

Travel through remote valleys and mountain ridges while observing the techniques used by experienced eagle hunters. Learn how eagles locate prey and how hunters communicate with their birds during the hunt.

Activities

Full-day hunting excursion
Traditional tracking techniques
Eagle release demonstrations
Explore the Altai wilderness

Overnight

Kazakh Family Ger

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

One of the most memorable days of the tour.

Under the supervision of an experienced eagle hunter, guests have the opportunity to practice basic eagle-handling techniques and experience calling the eagle to their arm. This unique hands-on activity provides a deeper appreciation of the bond between hunter and bird.

Activities

Eagle handling practice
Call and receive the eagle
Photography session
Learn advanced hunting traditions

Overnight

Kazakh Family Ger

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Say farewell to your host family and return to Ölgii.

Spend the evening enjoying local Kazakh cuisine and traditional folk music while reflecting on your adventure in the Altai Mountains.

Activities

Farewell ceremony
Drive back to Ölgii
Explore local town
Traditional music performance

Overnight

Hotel

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Ölgii Airport for your onward flight.

Leave Western Mongolia with unforgettable memories of one of the world’s oldest hunting traditions and the warm hospitality of the Kazakh nomads.

Activities

Airport transfer
Departure flight

Meals

Breakfast

What Makes This Tour Special?

Golden Eagle hunting is one of Mongolia’s most remarkable living traditions. Practiced primarily by the Kazakh people of Western Mongolia, it represents a unique relationship between humans, horses, and birds of prey that has been preserved for centuries. Today only a small number of eagle hunters continue this lifestyle, making it one of the most authentic cultural experiences available in Mongolia.

This tour is not simply a cultural demonstration—it is an opportunity to live alongside an eagle hunter family, learn their traditions firsthand, and experience the breathtaking landscapes of the Altai Mountains while participating in an ancient way of life.