Mongolia’s Eagle Festival – October

Kazakh Golden Eagle Hunters, Ancient Traditions & Spectacular Competitions

The annual Mongolia Eagle Festival, held on October 3–4, is one of the country’s most iconic cultural events and a key highlight in the Best of Mongolia festival lineup. This unforgettable gathering takes place in Western Mongolia, where more than 100 Kazakh eagle hunters from surrounding soums come together to celebrate and preserve the ancient tradition of hunting with trained golden eagles.

The festival showcases Mongolia’s living heritage through a series of traditional competitions that highlight the bond, communication, and skill between hunter and eagle—an art practiced for thousands of years among Kazakh nomads.

Festival Highlights

• Best-Dressed Eagle Hunter Competition – Hunters appear in ornate Kazakh attire with beautifully decorated horses.
• Eagle Calling from a Distance – Witness eagles swoop from mountaintops to land on their trainer’s arm.
• Hunting Skills Demonstrations – Includes chasing fox furs or stuffed prey to test speed and agility.
• Live-Action Hunting Events* – Showcases real-world skill and teamwork between eagle and hunter. (*Varies year to year.)
• Kokpar (Goat-Skin Tug-of-War) on Horseback – A dramatic traditional sport of Kazakh riders.

Beyond the competitions, the Eagle Festival provides a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in Kazakh culture, nomadic craftsmanship, horse traditions, and Mongolia’s rugged western landscapes.

For travelers seeking the Best of Mongolia—iconic festivals, authentic nomadic heritage, and unforgettable photographic moments—the Eagle Festival is an absolute must-see.