Eagles Over the Altai: Horseback Journey to Mongolia’s Great Festival

Difficulty

Challenging

Comfort

Basic

Midscale

Weight limit

Group size

5-10 tourists,
over 18 y.o.

Imagine riding beneath snow-dusted peaks while golden eagles circle above the valleys of Western Mongolia. This journey combines a demanding horse trek through the Altai Mountains with two unforgettable days at the Eagle Festival in Ulgii, one of Central Asia’s most striking cultural celebrations.

The route crosses dry plains, mountain passes, alpine meadows and forest trails near the Chinese border. You will camp beside Chigertei Lake and Swan Lake, follow paths used by local horsemen and border patrols, and ride hardy Mongolian horses through terrain where roads quickly disappear. Before returning to Ulgii, the group also joins a small eagle festival and horse games.

At the main festival, eagle hunters test the speed and skill of their birds while riders compete in fast, dramatic games across the steppe. Stay in simple tents during the trek, then move to a ger camp near Ulgii for the celebrations. Join this rare journey and experience the wild Altai from the saddle before seeing its proudest traditions come alive!

John W. is the provider of this trip

5.0 7 reviews

The provider speaks: English

I am based in New Zealand, and have been travelling to Mongolia, and the wider Central Asian region, since 2000. Over the past 24 years I have built up a wonderful local team who are the heart of our trips. Two of my great passions are horse riding, and travelling off the beaten track. I have the perfect job, combining these two activities and exploring parts of the world that most people don't get to experience. Over the years I have lead horse treks in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Siberia and Ethiopia. Changing geopolitics means some countries open up to tourism, as others close down. We aim to create sustainable livelihoods for local people, to help them weather the changes affecting their traditional ways of living.

View John`s tours

Tour highlights

Horse Games Like Nowhere Else

Watch Kyz Kuar, bushkazi and daring riding contests where speed, balance and courage turn the steppe into a living arena

Eagles Falling from the Sky

Watch golden eagles dive from the hillside at speeds of up to 130 km/h and land on their hunters’ arms

Inside the Eagle Festival

Meet local eagle hunters, see their birds up close and experience two days of vivid costumes, crafts and fierce competitions

Route details

As with all our treks, the exact route depends on the weather and the group. We may also explore new trails when conditions allow. This plan is an example of the journey rather than a fixed itinerary.

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, where you will be met at the airport or train station and transferred to your hotel. You will have free time to explore the city before meeting the other riders over dinner in the evening.

3 more photos

Difficulty

Challenging

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape

Tour provider's comments

Time in the saddle: 10 days.
This area is remote and mountainous, with demanding terrain. Therefore it is essential that you are fit and active and willing to take on a challenge

The pace is generally slower than our other treks, due to the terrain, so is suitable for less experienced riders. But for experienced riders there are some spots that are great for a gallop.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic

Midscale

Hotel

2 nights

Tent

14 nights

In Ulaanbaatar we use a comfortable centrally located hotel, within walking distance of the city center. You will have a twin-share room. If you require extra nights in Ulaanbaatar, we can arrange this at our hotel.

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Conditions

Included

English-speaking trip leader;
return transfers from the airport/train station, including arrivals before Day 1;
return flights from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii;
transport within Mongolia, including a support vehicle for the duration of the trip;
two nights’ accommodation in Ulaanbaatar on a twin-share basis. Extra accommodation can be arranged on request;
accommodation outside Ulaanbaatar, mainly in private hiking tents with no single supplement, or other accommodation when required;
all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 17, including snacks, tea and coffee;
local horse wranglers;
National Park and border permits;
Festival tickets.

Extras

We know you've got common sense, so we don't need to list the obvious exclusions such as visas, travel insurance and your international flights! If in doubt, please ask.

tips - this is optional and minor, and we can advise;
excess baggage charges on domestic flights.

It's important to know

The Festival treks in September are similar to our earlier treks, but there are two less days in the saddle (you have two days at the festival instead). The planned route is the same. The main focus of the September trips is still the horse trek, but with the added bonus of the festival. If your main aim is just to see the festival, you should talk to us about alternative options.

The other main difference when coming on a September trek is the weather - as Autumn starts, temperatures begin to drop rapidly. You can expect crisp sunny days, but there may be snow too. Camping becomes more challenging. John swears this is the best time to visit the Altai area, as the forests turn golden, the elk are bugling, and fresh snow on the mountains just adds to the beauty of the place!

Reviews

5.0

Based on 7 reviews

L
louise

about provider

11 Oct, 2023

Thoughtfully planned, secure, and enjoyable. Beyond just a journey, it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The team, including the guide, wranglers, drivers, and cook, were fantastic. Interacting with the locals during the three visits was a highlight, especially playing with the children. My horse was well-behaved, leading to a safe and enjoyable experience with no falls, plenty of rides, and great weather. I was grateful for the lessons that helped me feel at ease on the horse. Camping in stunning locations was a favorite part of the trip. Having traveled to over 50 countries, this experience ranks among the top three, if not the very best.
W
wjen9237

about provider

29 Sep, 2023

Describing this trip as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would be entirely accurate! My sister and I embarked on this adventure with high hopes after reading glowing reviews on TA, and we were delighted to discover that those testimonials were spot on. The professionalism and attentiveness impressed us from start to finish. From the informative program to the patient and thorough responses from John, Jen, and the rest of the team, we felt fully supported every step of the way. While my sister and I both had some horseback riding experience, we were novices when it came to camping. Nevertheless, with a spirit of adventure, we embraced the learning curve and had a blast discovering the ins and outs of camping. The trip delivered on all its promises - magnificent Mongolian horses that became our companions, a warm and friendly local team of wranglers, opportunities to connect with local families, breathtaking landscapes, a sky full of stars, and an epic journey from beginning to end. We were fortunate to share this experience with a fantastic group of fellow travelers and forged friendships that we hope will endure. For future travelers, I recommend packing plenty of layers for the chilly weather on the late September Altai trip, including long johns and thermals. Don't hesitate to request extra blankets and hot water bottles if needed for warmth at night. Make an effort to socialize and bond with your group and the wranglers - we regret not staying up later to enjoy their company more. A special mention goes out to our translator Hamza, our exceptional trip leader Janni (Lansi! Lansi! Lansi!), our patient head wrangler Muikthan, and the entire team. They consistently prioritized our safety and comfort, ensuring that we had a fantastic time throughout the journey.
N
NZ86kilo

about provider

22 Sep, 2023

I used to work as a guide in Alaska, Hawaii, and New Zealand. I have experience recognizing a good crew and a great trip leader. Haldee and his crew really made the trip memorable. It was quite challenging, with a wasp attack, flat tires on the vans (common on Mongolian roads), flight delays, lack of showers for 10 days, and managing riders of different skill levels on semi-wild horses. Despite all the challenges, Haldee and his team remained calm and handled everything well. The wrangler crew led by Dondov ensured our safety on the horses, which was no easy task given that they were semi-wild. Dagee and her team cooked amazing food for us, and Bimba was able to fix anything that broke, whether it was a chainsaw or the van's gearbox. They even showed us how to slaughter and cook a sheep purchased from a local family. We had the opportunity to interact with real locals in their ger houses and learn about the local culture from Haldee, who really made the tour special. The only downsides were the rough hotel in UB where we stayed, and the lack of communication due to remote locations with no phone signal. It would have been helpful to have radios for the vans to communicate. Some suggestions for enhancing the experience would be learning how to set up a Ger and witnessing traditional Mongolian wrestling. Overall, despite these minor issues, it was an incredible adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. From horseback riding through high cliffs and swimming in cold rivers, it was the true adventure I had been seeking.