Golden Eagle Festival 2026: Results and Highlights from Western Mongolia

This October, the Golden Eagle Festival brought Kazakh eagle hunters together in Bayan-Ölgii, western Mongolia, for another year of competition. Among the hunters placing in this year’s results were a nine-year-old and a 71-year-old, a reminder of the generations taking part in the tradition today.

Co-founded in 1999 by Jalsa Urubshurow and Nomadic Expeditions in collaboration with local Kazakh communities, the festival has long been part of our connection to western Mongolia. At its heart are the eagle hunters themselves, whose knowledge and continued participation give the gathering its purpose.

This year, 105 eagle hunters registered and 71 participated, including two female eagle hunters. At least 2,000 local residents attended alongside more than 550 travelers, with attendance growing on the second day.

 

 

This Year’s Results

Thirty-five eagle hunters advanced to the next stage of competition, and seven received awards.

M. Ayethavil, 35, from Sagsai took first place with a two-year-old eagle. Fellow Sagsai hunter D. Tauekil, 58, placed second, also with a two-year-old eagle. Third place went to M. Erbol, 71, from Deluun, with a seven-year-old eagle.

The results also included nine-year-old S. Oljags from Sagsai in fourth place and 17-year-old D. Asilbek from Altai soum in seventh. Their participation alongside older hunters is one reason this year’s results are worth looking at beyond the rankings. Eagle hunting continues to have a place in the lives of people of very different ages.

Place	Hunter	Age	District	Eagle’s age
1st	M. Ayethavil	35	Sagsai	2
2nd	D. Tauekil	58	Sagsai	2
3rd	M. Erbol	71	Deluun	7
4th	S. Oljags	9	Sagsai	3
5th	Kh. Marat	28	Altantsugts	4
6th	B. Anarbek	48	Tolbo	3
7th	D. Asilbek	17	Altai	2

 

 

Recognizing the Hunters Who Make the Journey

This year, Jalsa Urubshurow and Nomadic Expeditions gave special recognition to older hunters and those who had traveled long distances to attend.

Zeykhan from Tolbo, Turganbek from Ulgii, and Muratkhan from Bugat, all aged 70, were recognized. Recognition for distance traveled went to Nurakhmed, 63, who came from Deluun, 250 kilometers away; Ardak, 59, from Altai, 180 kilometers away; and Chaimurat, 62, from Altantsugts, 70 kilometers away.

These awards acknowledge contributions that a competition ranking alone cannot capture. Continuing to participate into older age matters, as does making the journey from home to join the gathering. Both deserve recognition within a festival that depends on the hunters choosing to take part year after year.

 

 

A Gathering for the Local Community

The festival grounds had the feel of a country fair, with a bazaar featuring locally handmade goods and crafts, and food stands where visitors could try local foods. These were part of the experience alongside the competitions, giving travelers another way to get to know the region through its community.

With at least 2,000 local residents attending, the festival was also a gathering for the people who call this part of Mongolia home. Local participation extended beyond the eagle hunters to the craftspeople and food vendors who helped shape the event.

The festival also brought participants together for traditional games. Fifty people took part in Khukhbar, with all prizes going to participants from Sagsai. Tenge ilu, a coin-grabbing game, drew 42 participants, with first and second place going to Altai soum.

Seventy-six archers from Buyant, Bugat, Ulgii, and Sagsai participated in archery, and the program also included a children’s archery competition.

There were separate competitions for Kazakh and Mongolian ankle-bone shooting, with 16 people participating in the Kazakh competition and more than 20 in the Mongolian competition.

 

 

A Place to Gather Beyond the Festival

That connection now has a home beyond the annual event. October marked two years since the Eagle Hunter Cultural Center opened in Ölgii on October 4, 2024.

The Center was founded by the Cultural Sanctuaries Foundation in partnership with the eagle-hunting community, Nomadic Expeditions, the Kazakh Falconry Association, the Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia, and the local government of Bayan-Ölgii. Managed by the Kazakh Falconry Association, the nonprofit organization, it provides a place for the community to gather and for visitors to learn about eagle hunting and the region where it is practiced.

Learn More: Read how our golden eagle research and conservation partnerships support this tradition.

 

 

Golden Eagle Festival 2027: Looking Ahead

Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you to every hunter who took part. We look forward to returning to Bayan-Ölgii in 2027 and sharing this part of Mongolia with our travelers.

The 2027 Golden Eagle Festival takes place on October 2nd – 3rd in Bayan-Ölgii.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Golden Eagle Festival

Where is the Golden Eagle Festival held?

The festival takes place in Bayan-Ölgii province in western Mongolia, home to the country’s Kazakh eagle-hunting community.

When is the Golden Eagle Festival?

The 2026 festival took place on October 4th – 5th. The 2027 festival will take place on October 2nd – 3rd.

Who founded the Golden Eagle Festival?

Jalsa Urubshurow and Nomadic Expeditions co-founded the festival in 1999 in collaboration with local Kazakh communities.

Who won the 2026 Golden Eagle Festival?

M. Ayethavil, 35, from Sagsai took first place with a two-year-old eagle. D. Tauekil, 58, placed second, and M. Erbol, 71, placed third.

Can women compete in the Golden Eagle Festival?

Yes. Two female eagle hunters competed in 2026, among 71 participants.

What else happens at the festival besides eagle hunting?

The festival includes archery, traditional games such as Khukhbar and tenge ilu, ankle-bone shooting, a bazaar of local crafts, and local food stands.

Experience the Golden Eagle Festival with Us

Join us for the festival and stay at our private ger camp in the Altai Mountains. Choose our Golden Eagle Festival journey, or continue south into the Gobi Desert for a stay at Three Camel Lodge. Prefer to travel privately? Design a custom journey with our Mongolia experts.