Unleash your adventure spirit, explore Mongolia on your own terms
VISIT MONGOLIAN EAGLE HUNTER
VISIT MONGOLIAN EAGLE HUNTER’S FAMILY IN THE REMOTE ALTAI MOUNTAINS
7 DAYS – 6 NIGHTS (FROM 1200 USD)
- Duration: 7 days 6 nights
- Price from: 1200 USD
- Best Time: All year round
- Group size: 1-12
- Destination: Western Mongolia
- Difficulty: Moderate, Easy
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OVERVIEW
Bayan-Olgii province has the most active Mongolian eagle hunters in the world. Nomadic Kazakh people in this region have kept their ancient Kazakh culture for thousands of years. The main reason they can keep the traditions alive is the “nomadic lifestyle”.
They migrate 4 times a year. Their way of living is truly amazing but at the same time can be very difficult. From the early morning, they take care of their animals, and it continues till late evening.
The Nomad’s children start to help the family from a young age and simultaneously learn nomadic traditions and skills. Eagle hunting is in their blood. The Kazakh eagle hunters learn eagle training from their father, and it is passed from one generation to another.
Nowadays there are over 200 Mongolian eagle hunters in the Bayan-Olgii province. Our Discover Altai team offers you the unique experience to visit a Kazakh eagle hunter’s family in this remote corner of the world.
You will have the opportunity to stay with a family and explore a lot of ancient traditions. Be a part of real golden eagle hunting. The Kazakh eagle hunters will show us how he trains his eagle.
Enjoy the stunning Altai mountains and feel free to take pictures and film the scenery. Once-in-a-lifetime experience guaranteed!
Golden Eagle Facts:
- Female eagles are bigger bodies and are braver than male
- Eagle Huntress prefer female eagles because they are strong and powerful
- Eagles have great speed, far from eyesight, and powerful feet with sharp talons
- Eagles generally hunt mammals but can hunt bigger ones as they want
Tour Itinerary:
DAY 1: Arrive to Bayan-Olgii province
Welcome to the land of the magnificent Altai Mountains and nomadic Mongolian eagle hunters. Over 90% of the population of the province are ethnic Kazakh people who have the ancient tradition of hunting golden eagles.
At the airport, you will be welcomed by your local support team.
This includes an English-speaking tour guide, driver, and cook. We will drive to the Golden eagle hunter’s family.
They will prepare the traditional Kazakh meal “Bes Barmakh” which is a big plate of meat from different parts of the animal with potatoes and noodles. The name of the meal literally means “five fingers” so you will eat it with your hands instead of a fork. Enjoy the hospitality of nomadic people.
Accommodation: Stay overnight at Kazakh eagle hunters family
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total drive: 3-4 hours
DAY 2: Golden Eagles Real hunting
Today you have an opportunity to be a part of real hunting. You can learn some traditional customs from the family as well. We will be riding horses in the Altai mountains, so you need to be dressed in as many layers as you can to keep warm.
Before you ride a horse, our guide will give you some instructions on horse riding just to be safe. Enjoy the stunning nature of Altai Mountain.
Accommodation: Stay overnight at Kazakh eagle hunters family
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total horse trek: 4-5 hours
DAY 3: Mongolian Eagle Hunters Photography
Today we will go to a different spot than yesterday. Feel free to take photos during the eagle hunting. You are always welcome to ask the golden eagle hunter to pose for different kinds of pictures. Also, we can arrange to invite a couple more Golden eagle hunters to film and participate in a photo shoot.
We are happy to arrange that. We hope that you can witness how the Golden eagles catch the fox or rabbit. At the end of the hunting, the Golden eagle hunters will demonstrate their authentic eagle hunting experience. The eagles will fly up the hillside and come all the way down when the Mongolian eagle hunters call. Finally, we will return to the family.
Accommodation: Stay overnight at Kazakh eagle hunters family
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total eagle hunting: 3-4 hours
DAY 4: Drive to another eagle hunters family
After having breakfast we will drive to the other side of the province of western Mongolia. Here you can meet another eagle hunter and his family. You will learn more about nomadic life and their traditions. Also, you can hike around and climb to the hillside to enjoy the surrounding views.
Accommodation: Stay overnight at eagle hunters family
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total drive: 3-4 hours.
DAY 5: Golden Eagle hunting
Today is another day of eagle hunting by horseback. Go up to the mountains and enjoy the stunning nature. You can have a memorable picture on horseback with the eagle landed on your arm like a real eagle hunter.
Western Mongolia is full of unique experiences. The Discover Altai team will try to include as many highlights as possible. For example, we can visit a nomadic family who has a wolf you can pet, go ice fishing, and attend a traditional concert.
We can arrange to organize a short concert where you can enjoy traditional throat singing or Kazakh Folk songs.
Accommodation: Stay overnight at eagle hunters family
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: Drive back to Olgii
Arrive in Olgii. On the way back we will stop at the archaeological site where you can see the ancient Stone Man monuments from the IX-XII century. Transfer to the hotel. Visit the main highlights of the city such as the Traditional Museum and an open-air market. We will have a farewell dinner at the restaurant.
DAY 7: Departure
After breakfast, the Discover Altai team will drop you off at the airport. Thank you for coming! I hope you as eagle hunters travel.
Everything You Need To Know
Tour information
Tour Price includes
Tour price excludes
Please Come & Enjoy the Best-planned Mongolian Adventure
Tour Price
1 PAX – 1900 USD
2 PAX – 1400 USD p / p
+3 PAX- 1200 USD p / p
Cancellation Policy:
· Cancellation more than two months fee would be 400 USD
· Cancellation more than 45 days fee would be 500 USD
· Cancellation less than a month before departure will 600 USD
· And rest of the payments will be return back.
How to BOOK?
- Confirm with our tour itinerary
- Agree with terms and conditions
- Set the tour departure date
- Deposit 600 USD per person
- Send us a copy of your passports
So, Ladies and Gentlemen! The Discover Altai team is looking forward to meeting you and providing unforgettable expeditions to this remote corner of the world!
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of eagles are in Mongolia?
Booted eagles, Greater Spotted Eagle, steppe eagles, Golden eagles, Imperial eagle, white-tailed eagle and mountain-hawk eagle are seven of the dark colored Eagles that live in Mongolia. However only Golden Eagles are used for hunting purposes.
How to train an eagle to hunt ?
Hunters seek young birds that have not yet been independent, as they will be more likely to adapt to living with humans. The ideal candidate is an eagle that is about four years old which has experience living and hunting in the wild. Only female eagles are captured, as they typically grow larger than males – up to 2.5 meters in wingspan and 7 kilograms in weight when full grown – while still being just as powerful and aggressive.
Why are eagles blindfolded?
Eagles are blindfolded with hoods because they feel safer and more calm this way. Hunters use the hoods during hunting and feeding times.
Where do Kazakh eagle Hunters live?
The Kazakh eagle hunters reside near the Altai Mountains. With the frozen air and the endless plains below cloudy skies, one can feel small and lost. But despite these conditions,-40 Celsius winters included- there are still men who hunt with eagles here.