How physically difficult is this tour?

This is an easy-level adventure tour. Most travel is by 4WD vehicles, with short walks and light activity involved. It is suitable for most travelers, including fit travelers aged 70+, as long as they are comfortable with basic walking and outdoor conditions.

What is the weather like during the festival?

Late September to early October is cool and crisp. Daytime temperatures are usually around 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F), while night temperatures can drop below 0°C (32°F). Warm layered clothing is essential. We will also email you a detailed packing list to help you prepare comfortably for this tour.

Will someone meet me at Ulaanbaatar airport when I arrive?

Yes. Our team will meet you at Ulaanbaatar International Airport upon arrival. A driver or guide will be waiting in the arrivals area holding a sign with your name and will transfer you comfortably to your hotel. Detailed arrival instructions will be sent to you in advance for a smooth and stress-free arrival.

Will I have internet or phone signal?

In Ulaanbaatar and Ulgii, phone signal and internet are generally available. In remote areas, signal may be limited or unavailable. This is part of the experience — disconnecting in nature. However, in case of emergencies, our team carries Starlink satellite internet, which can be used when needed.

How remote is Western Mongolia?

Western Mongolia is extremely remote — located about 1,700 km from Ulaanbaatar and reached by a domestic flight. Once in the region, most travel areas are within approximately 100 to 150 km from Ulgii, the provincial capital, allowing access to remote landscapes while still maintaining logistical support.

How early should I book?

As early as possible. Domestic flights and accommodations are limited and can sell out quickly during the festival season. We secure and reserve flight tickets for our confirmed groups in advance, so arrangements are handled smoothly. In many cases, early bookings made about one year ahead may also benefit from up to a 10% discount.

Is this suitable for solo travelers?

Yes. Many travelers join solo. You will be part of a small group and guided throughout the journey. We will match you with another traveler of the same gender for sharing twin rooms at hotels, and we do not charge a single supplement unless you prefer to stay in a private room.

What makes this tour different from others?

This tour offers direct access to real eagle hunters, deep cultural immersion, strong local expertise, and carefully organized logistics in a remote region. We grew up within the eagle hunting culture and know many of the hunters personally, which allows us to arrange warm, authentic visits with eagle hunter families that most operators cannot provide. We also align the tour with the real hunting season, giving guests a rare chance to witness true eagle hunting as part of real life in the Altai rather than a performance staged only for tourists.

Bill Gates Visits Bayan-Ölgii, Home of Mongolia’s Kazakh Eagle Hunters

Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates visited Bayan-Ölgii Province in western Mongolia in August 2026, bringing international attention to one of Mongolia’s most culturally unique and spectacular regions.

Gates arrived in Mongolia aboard his private Gulfstream jet and traveled to Bayan-Ölgii during his private journey through the country. His visit included the Tsambagarav Mountain area, known for its dramatic Altai landscapes, nomadic families, and traditional Kazakh culture.

Discovering Kazakh Culture in Western Mongolia

Bayan-Ölgii is Mongolia’s westernmost province and the heartland of Mongolia’s Kazakh community. Surrounded by the Altai Mountains, local families have preserved their language, traditional clothing, music, hospitality, nomadic lifestyle, and many customs for generations.

Perhaps the most famous of these traditions is hunting with Golden Eagles.

Kazakh eagle hunters, known as burkitshi, train Golden Eagles and traditionally hunt with them across the snow-covered Altai Mountains during winter. The knowledge and skills of eagle hunting are passed from generation to generation and remain an important part of Kazakh cultural heritage in western Mongolia.

Bill Gates’ visit to this remote region highlights the growing international interest in Bayan-Ölgii—not only for its extraordinary landscapes, but especially for its living Kazakh culture and eagle-hunting tradition.

Experience Real Eagle Hunting in Winter

The Golden Eagle Festival is a wonderful opportunity to see many eagle hunters together, but travelers who want to experience the real traditional life of an eagle hunter should consider visiting Bayan-Ölgii during winter.

From approximately November through February, eagle hunters traditionally ride into the mountains on horseback with their Golden Eagles in search of foxes and other quarry.

Kazakh Tour can arrange private and customized winter eagle-hunting tours, giving travelers the opportunity to stay with an eagle hunter’s family, experience everyday nomadic life, travel through the snowy Altai Mountains, and accompany eagle hunters during traditional hunting trips.

Rather than simply watching a demonstration, a customized winter journey offers the chance to experience the tradition in its natural environment and understand the relationship between the hunter, horse, eagle, family, and landscape.

Winter in western Mongolia can be extremely cold, but for adventurous travelers it is one of the most authentic cultural experiences available in Mongolia.

Travel to Western Mongolia with Local Experts

Kazakh Tour is based in Ölgii, Bayan-Ölgii Province, and organizes cultural, adventure, trekking, Golden Eagle Festival, and customized private tours throughout western Mongolia.

If you would like to experience Kazakh culture, stay with eagle-hunting families, or arrange a true winter eagle-hunting journey in the Mongolian Altai, contact us to create a customized itinerary.

Kazakh Tour LLC
Authentic Mongolia Experiences, Crafted by Local Experts

Website: www.kazakhtour.com
Email: dosjan@kazakhtour.com
WhatsApp: +976 99422006
Ölgii, Bayan-Ölgii Province, Mongolia

Bill Gates Visits Bayan-Ölgii, Home of Mongolia’s Kazakh Eagle Hunters

Bill Gates Visits Bayan-Ölgii, Home of Mongolia’s Kazakh Eagle Hunters

Discovering Kazakh Culture in Western Mongolia

Experience Real Eagle Hunting in Winter

Travel to Western Mongolia with Local Experts

Share this post

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Eagle hunting in Mongolia – Hunting with eagles

The Golden Eagle Festival

Altai Mixed Tour Scheduled Dates