Mongolian Steppe Eagle Festival

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Cultural & TraditionalBayan-Olgii
Dates19–20 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration2 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsEagle hunters compete on precise technical
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: MNT
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Mongolian Steppe Eagle Festival in Bayan-Olgii

Mongolian Steppe Eagle Festival refers to the Golden Eagle Festival tradition of Bayan-Olgii Province, the UNESCO-recognized celebration of Kazakh eagle-hunting heritage held in late September and early October in and around Olgii. Eagles and their hunters are judged on speed, agility, target-hitting, diving speed and gripping technique in one of the world's largest gatherings of eagle hunters.

Bayan-Olgii Province, in Mongolia's far west near the borders with Russia and China, is home to the country's ethnic Kazakh minority and to one of the most distinctive hunting traditions still actively practiced anywhere: training golden eagles to hunt foxes and hares across open steppe and mountain terrain.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Eagle hunters compete on precise technical criteria: speed, agility, accuracy in hitting a target, diving speed and gripping technique, giving the judging a level of specificity that reflects generations of accumulated Kazakh hunting knowledge

02

The mystery stays covered

Since Bugat first hosted a Golden Eagle Festival in 1999, the tradition has expanded to three related festivals held across Bayan-Olgii Province, making the province home to the largest concentration of eagle hunters and their birds gathering anywhere in the world

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Kazakh eagle-hunting heritage

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural practice in which golden eagles are trained over years to hunt foxes and hares on the steppe

The sacred route

Living ritual

The festival preserves hunting

The local code

Living ritual

training and judging knowledge passed through Kazakh families in western Mongolia

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

19–20 September 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Warm layered clothing is essential, since late September and October in Bayan-Olgii is cold, especially at altitude; a windproof outer layer and sturdy boots for uneven ground are...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

MNT

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map48.55 N, 89.85 EOpen in Google Maps

Bayan-Olgii, East Asia, Mongolia

Nearest airportULG — Ölgii Mongolei
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Bayan-Olgii via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Bayan-Olgii, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearWarm layered clothing is essential, since late September and October in Bayan-Olgii is cold, especially at altitude; a windproof outer layer and sturdy boots for uneven ground are recommended.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Mongolia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Mongolian Steppe Eagle Festival?

Mongolian Steppe Eagle Festival is listed for 19–20 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Mongolian Steppe Eagle Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Bayan-Olgii, Mongolia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

2 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Bayan-Olgii, East Asia, Mongolia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLwestern-mongolia.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates19–20 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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