The Golden Eagle Festival (or Bürkitshi Festival) is a celebration of Kazakh eagle hunting. In the late 1990s the tradition was beginning to fade, so in 1999 the community organised the first festival to safeguard this “living history”. Today it is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This guide is for travellers who want to visit the festival. It has four parts: when and where it’s held, what happens, what you can do there, and how to get there.
We’ve hosted Eagle Festival travellers for decades. See our guest reviews. On our Golden Eagle Festival Tour, guests also go on real hunts with the eagle hunters after the festival.
When and where
The festival takes place in Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia’s westernmost province, usually in early October. Dates are announced early so visitors can plan.
Aim for the main festival in October: it’s the largest, with 120+ hunters. For smaller crowds, visit one of the September festivals.
| Festival | Location | 2027 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Altai Nomads Games | Altai village | 11 & 12 September |
| Sagsai Eagle Festival | Sagsai, near Ölgii | 17 & 18 September |
| Tolbo Eagle Festival | Tolbo Lake | 21 & 22 September |
| Main Golden Eagle Festival | Ölgii (Sayat Tolgoi) | 2 & 3 October |
Book early. Flights to Ölgii sell out fast around the festival dates.
What happens
The festival is a two-day event of ancient skills, culture and high-stakes games.
The hunters line up, and the games begin
The opening parade
All the hunters ride into the arena at once, in traditional coats of wolf or marmot fur, eagles on their right arms.
Judging: the hunters’ clothes and the silver decorations on their saddles.
The lure test (Chirgai)
This contest shows how the eagle hunts in the wild. A hunter gallops across the field dragging a piece of fox fur on a long rope. The eagle is released from the mountain and must dive down and grab the fur with its talons.
Judging: a stopwatch measures how fast the bird strikes.
The call (Bürkit)
This tests the bond between bird and owner. The eagle is taken to the top of a high cliff while the hunter waits in the valley below, calling it with a special whistle or shout.
Judging: the eagle must fly down and land perfectly on the hunter’s arm while he sits on his horse.
Kokpar (bushkashi)
A popular, rough sport: two riders try to grab a heavy goat skin and tug it away from each other. It takes great strength and shows how well they control their horses in a crowd.
Judging: whoever wins the tug-of-war.
The girl chase (Kyz Kuu)
A fun race between a man and a woman on horseback. He tries to lean over and kiss her at full gallop; if he misses, she chases him back across the field with her whip. The crowd always cheers and laughs.
Picking up coins (Tiyn Teru)
A rider gallops at full speed and leans all the way down to pick up small coins or flags from the ground, a show of the Kazakh riders’ flexibility and balance.
Judging: picking up the coins at full gallop.
Horseback games and traditional archery
Camel racing
The Altai is home to two-humped camels, and you can watch these big animals race: loud, and great for photos.
Traditional archery
Hunters show their skill with wooden bows, shooting at targets on the ground from a distance, an art practised in Mongolia for thousands of years.
Closing and awards
The best hunters receive medals, a high honour for their families. The youngest hunters get prizes too, encouraging the next generation to keep the art alive. In 2025, a nine-year-old boy won an award: the seventh generation of his family to do so.
Music and feasting at night
When the sun goes down, the competition ends for the day. Local musicians play the dombra, a stringed instrument, and people gather in felt gers to eat boiled mutton and fried dough. It’s the best time to talk with the hunters and hear their stories.
The “red rule” for visitors. Avoid bright red, orange or pink clothing. These colours can confuse the eagles, which are trained to recognise them.
What you can do
- Spend two days at the festival watching the games, events and culture.
- Meet the eagle hunters and learn about their way of life.
- Wear traditional hunter outfits.
- Try traditional archery.
- Hold a hunting eagle on your arm, and ride horses.
- Listen to traditional music.
- Eat local food at cultural feasts.
- Stay on for a real hunt with the eagle hunters in the mountains.
- Explore more of West Mongolia: untouched landscapes, trekking and horse riding.
After the festival: out on the hunt with the eagle hunters
Join us for the festival. Our Golden Eagle Festival Tour includes the festival and a real hunt with the eagle hunters, and we can extend your trip to explore more of West Mongolia. Talk to us to plan.
Getting there
Fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii. These are small planes and sell out months in advance, so book early. See Domestic Flights in Mongolia.
Going overland isn’t recommended unless you’re on a long road trip: crossing the country by 4WD takes 3–5 days. Public buses are possible, but take several stops and days.
Questions
When is the Golden Eagle Festival in 2027?
The main festival is on 2 and 3 October 2027 in Ölgii (Sayat Tolgoi). Smaller festivals run through September; see the dates table above.
How do I get to the Eagle Festival?
Fly from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii, about 3 hours. Flights sell out months ahead of the festival, so book early. More on domestic flights.
What should I wear to the Eagle Festival?
Warm layers, and avoid bright red, orange or pink. These colours can confuse the eagles, which are trained to recognise them.
