Tolbo Eagle Festival

Day 01 — Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii (September 20)

Fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii Province.

Flights are NOT included in the tour. We can help you book your flights. See this guide for domestic flights.

Upon arrival at Ölgii Airport, you will be met by our local team and transferred to the city.

Enjoy brunch before checking into your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your flight or explore Ölgii at your own pace.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ölgii

Meals: Brunch & Dinner

Day 02 — Ölgii – Tolbo Lake – Tolbo Eagle Festival (September 21)

After breakfast, drive from Ölgii toward Tolbo Lake, one of the most scenic areas in Bayan-Ölgii Province. Upon arrival, attend the Tolbo Eagle Festival, a spectacular celebration of Kazakh culture and the ancient tradition of golden eagle hunting.

Watch skilled eagle hunters demonstrate their abilities with their trained golden eagles and experience traditional Kazakh horsemanship, competitions and cultural activities. In the evening, settle into your accommodation at the lakeside tourist camp.

Accommodation: Yurt camp at Tolbo Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03 — Tolbo Eagle Festival – Ölgii (September 22)

Continue enjoying the Tolbo Eagle Festival today. Spend the day watching traditional eagle-hunting competitions and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of this important Kazakh cultural celebration.

In the afternoon, drive back to Ölgii. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening in town.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ölgii

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04 — Ölgii – Tavan Bogd Ranger Station (September 23)

After breakfast, depart Ölgii and travel toward Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Drive through the spectacular landscapes of Western Mongolia toward the Tavan Bogd Ranger Station.

Upon arrival, settle into your traditional ger accommodation and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Altai Mountains.

Accommodation: Traditional ger

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05 — Horse Riding to Tavan Bogd Base Camp – Potanin Glacier (September 24)

After breakfast, begin an unforgettable horse-riding journey toward Tavan Bogd Base Camp. Ride through the magnificent Altai mountain landscape toward Potanin Glacier, surrounded by spectacular snow-capped peaks.

Enjoy panoramic views of the high mountains and glaciers before beginning the return journey on horseback. Ride back to the ranger station in the evening.

Accommodation: Traditional ger

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06 — Tavan Bogd – Shiveet Khairkhan – Khoton & Khurgan Lakes (September 25)

After breakfast, depart Tavan Bogd and drive toward the beautiful Khoton and Khurgan Lakes region. En route, stop at Shiveet Khairkhan Mountain, an important archaeological site known for its ancient Bronze Age rock art. Continue through the spectacular Altai landscape toward the lakes.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a Kazakh nomadic family at their traditional camp. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Five Fingers feast, a communal Kazakh meal shared with your hosts and travel team.

Accommodation: Traditional Kazakh yurt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07 — Baga Turgen Waterfall – Ancient Turkic Heritage (September 26)

Today, explore the spectacular landscapes around Khoton and Khurgan Lakes. Drive and hike toward Baga Turgen Waterfall, enjoying the surrounding mountains, rivers and valleys.

In the afternoon, continue exploring the historical heritage of the area around Khurgan Lake.

Visit ancient burial mounds, balbals and Turkic stone figures, offering a fascinating glimpse into the ancient civilizations of the Altai region. Return to the nomadic camp in the evening.

Accommodation: Traditional Kazakh yurt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 08 — Khoton & Khurgan Lakes – Sagsai Village – Eagle Hunter Family (September 27)

Today, leave the Khoton and Khurgan Lakes region and travel toward Sagsai Village, one of the most important areas for Kazakh eagle-hunting traditions. Upon arrival, meet your host Kazakh eagle hunter and his family.

You will be warmly welcomed into their traditional nomadic home and introduced to their way of life. Spend the afternoon getting to know the eagle hunter, his family and his trained golden eagle.

Accommodation: Traditional Kazakh yurt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 09 — Horseback Eagle Hunting Experience – Ölgii – Cultural Evening (September 28)

Today, experience an authentic Kazakh eagle-hunting demonstration on horseback with your host eagle hunter. Ride into the surrounding countryside with the eagle hunter and witness traditional hunting techniques using his trained golden eagle. This immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to see how Kazakh eagle hunters work with their birds in the open landscape and to learn about a tradition passed down through generations.

After the experience, drive back to Ölgii. In the evening, enjoy a special cultural program featuring:

• Mongolian throat singing

• Traditional Kazakh music and family performances

• Cultural entertainment

• A special farewell dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Ölgii

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Farewell Dinner

Day 10 — Ölgii – Ulaanbaatar (September 29)

After breakfast, transfer to Ölgii Airport for your domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Your Western Mongolia adventure comes to an end.

Meals: Breakfast

End of Tour