If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing a culture where courage, artistry, and nature unite, the Golden Eagle Festival in western Mongolia offers that rare experience. Every October, the sweeping steppe of Bayan-Ölgii Province becomes a gathering place for eagle hunters, travelers, and storytellers who share a passion for tradition and discovery.
The festival exists today because of Jalsa Urubshurow, founder of both Nomadic Expeditions and the Golden Eagle Festival itself. Guided by a mission to preserve Mongolia’s nomadic heritage, Jalsa collaborated directly with local Kazakh communities to create a platform that celebrates and safeguards the centuries-old practice of eagle hunting. What began as an act of cultural preservation has grown into one of the most extraordinary festivals in Asia.
Held on October 4 and 5, this year’s celebration drew around 700 visitors and more than 60 eagle hunters to the Altai Mountains for two days of competition, culture, and connection.
Here’s how the 2025 festival unfolded—and why you should start planning to join us for the 2026 Golden Eagle Festival.
A Legacy of Vision and Culture
The Golden Eagle Festival began with a vision to preserve Mongolia’s Kazakh eagle-hunting tradition, one of the world’s oldest and most awe-inspiring cultural practices. For centuries, Kazakh hunters, or bürkitshi, have trained golden eagles to hunt across the frozen steppe, passing down their knowledge through generations.
When Jalsa Urubshurow, founder of Nomadic Expeditions, learned that modernization was putting many nomadic traditions at risk, he made it his mission to safeguard this living heritage. His idea was not to recreate the past but to keep it alive. Working closely with Kazakh elders and local leaders in Bayan-Ölgii, Jalsa established the Golden Eagle Festival as a celebration of skill, culture, and identity. It quickly became a symbol of pride for Mongolia’s Kazakh community and a bridge between travelers and tradition.
Through the years, the festival has grown into a global event that welcomes visitors from every corner of the world. Yet its purpose has never changed: to honor the bond between eagle and hunter, to share the artistry behind this ancient practice, and to remind travelers that Mongolia’s heritage continues to thrive in the hands of its people.
Highlights from 2025
The 2025 Golden Eagle Festival, held on October 4 and 5 in Bayan-Ölgii Province, gathered around 700 visitors and just over 60 eagle hunters in the heart of the Altai Mountains. The opening day featured lively music and dance by the Ulgii Musical Theater, setting a joyful tone as hunters paraded on horseback, their eagles perched proudly and their traditional attire shimmering under the autumn sun.
On the second day, a gentle snowfall transformed the steppe into a scene of pure beauty. Even as temperatures dipped to –22°C, spirits stayed high. The competitions showcased both precision and partnership: eagles launching into the sky at their master’s call, gliding over the valley, then returning in a perfect arc to the hunter’s glove. Every flight reflected years of patience and trust.
Among the participants stood nine-year-old Den-Islam Bazarbai, a seventh-generation bürkitshi who captured the crowd’s attention with his calm focus and strong connection to his eagle. His performance earned him the title of champion and made him the youngest winner in the festival’s history.
Beyond the competitions, the festival grounds buzzed with activity. Artisans displayed colorful textiles, embroidered wall hangings, and handmade jewelry. Visitors gathered for traditional games such as Kukbar, Kizquar, and Tinge Ilu, each filled with laughter and local pride. A new singing contest, Aides, brought the community together through poetic verses that celebrated love, courage, and friendship.
All in all, the 2025 festival captured the very essence of the Golden Eagle Festival’s purpose by uniting past and present while preserving a proud tradition that welcomes the world into Mongolia’s enduring spirit.
Be Part of the Tradition
The 2025 Golden Eagle Festival reminded us that tradition survives through connection. For Jalsa Urubshurow and our team at Nomadic Expeditions, that connection is personal. From the festival’s founding to every journey we lead, our purpose has always been to protect and share Mongolia’s living heritage.
Standing on the steppe among eagle hunters and travelers from across the globe, we saw how culture thrives when it’s celebrated together. That spirit continues to move us—and it’s one we hope you’ll experience for yourself.
Join us in 2026 and witness it firsthand! Contact Nomadic Expeditions to plan your journey and feel the power of Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival.
