Mongolia · Homestay Experiences

8-Day Eagle Hunting Tour in Western Mongolia with Nomadic Stay

8 Days Round trip from Bayan-Ölgii Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Look out over the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia
02 Stay with a nomadic eagle hunter's family
03 Assist eagle hunters in training their birds and join local eagle festivities
04 Immerse yourself in nomadic life and help with everyday herding duties on horseback

Embark on this trip to a famous eagle hunting area in Western Mongolia, where you will stay with a nomadic eagle hunter's family, assist in training eagles, and take part in local eagle festivities. Immerse yourself in the nomadic life of the herders and help with everyday duties such as milking yaks, horses, and camels, and herding them on horseback. You will also have the chance to enjoy horseback riding and capture gorgeous nighttime shots of the Milky Way, as well as sunset and sunrise.

Embark on this trip to a famous eagle hunting area in Western Mongolia, where you will stay with a nomadic eagle hunter's family, assist in training eagles, and take part in local eagle festivities.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Olgiy, Ulan Bator

Languages English, Kazakh, Mongolian, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar and Flight to Ulgii

Today, you will catch a flight from UB to Ulgii, which will take about 3 hours. Upon arrival, you will meet your tour crew, including your English-speaking tour guide, cook, and driver, along with the tour supplies.

Day 02

Watch Eagle Hunting in Action

After breakfast, we will prepare our gear and follow the eagle hunter, who will be on horseback. Eagle hunters ride with their eagle in their arms and shepherd their animals, such as goats and sheep, toward a nearby mountain.
We will watch him hunting and training with his eagle, and then visit his eagle hunter friends.

Day 03

First Day of Sayat

Today is the first day of Sayat. After breakfast, we will get ready and meet our other four eagle hunters, whom we will follow over the next few days. The plan is to ride toward the mountains, where the chances of catching an animal are higher. The hunting strategy will be based on the location and wind direction. It will be a full day of hunting and training the eagles.

Day 04

Sayat Journey into the Mountains

Today, we will continue our Sayat journey as we head to the nearby mountains and ride up the hills in pursuit of prey. Any photographers will try to stay close to the hunters in the right position and help spot the prey.
Then, we will spend a full day hunting and working with the eagles. This will be a good opportunity for young hunters to learn more from the veterans. Today's journey will take 4-5 hours.

Day 05

Camp Transfer on the Sayat Journey

Today, we will continue our Sayat journey and change location. Our next location will be about 15 km farther on. With the support of camels and our vehicle, we will pack and transfer everything. Hunters will lead loaded camels carrying a small Ger and grass.
Our gers will be ready by the time we reach camp. However, the eagle hunters will assemble their small Khos yurt in much the same way as in ancient times. A "Khos yurt" is a small-sized yurt or Ger used for temporary accommodation while nomads migrate from one place to another. Today's journey will take 4-5 hours. We can picnic for lunch at any time.

Day 06

Learn Eagle Hunting Techniques

Today, we will spend a full day hunting, working with the eagles, and learning more in depth about their special hunting techniques. This will be a good opportunity for young hunters to learn more from the veterans. Today's journey will take 4-5 hours.

Day 07

Return to Ulgii and City Visit

Today, our guests will have free time to work with eagle hunters for photography.
After lunch, our team will disassemble the camp, and the hunters will ride back with their eagles.
We will drive back to Ulgii and transfer to a hotel with Wi-Fi and hot showers.
After you settle in at the hotel, your guide will take you on a short city tour, including a visit to a local museum and bazaar (black market).

Day 08

Departure to Ulaanbaatar

Catch your flight back to UB or other regional destinations to conclude the trip.

Where this trip takes you

Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, Khos yurt camp, the Milky Way

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Bayan-Ölgii 2 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation
Transportation
Meals - 3 times daily

What's Not Included

Insurance
Single supplement
International flights
Alcohol drinks

What to bring

Medium to large backpack
Duffel bag for extras
Small locks for bags
Rain jacket
Comfortable light boots or walking shoes
Rubber slippers or down-filled booties for camp or Ger use
Warm wind-breaking coat or down jacket
Sun hat
Beanie
Warm gloves
Thinner glove liners for winter months
Casual pants
Fleece pullover
Short-sleeved baselayer shirts or T-shirts
Long-sleeved sweater or mid-layer
Long johns or thermals
Thin quick-drying hiking pants, shorts, or skirt
Hiking socks
Sock liners
Gaiters
Underwear
Scarf to cover head and neck
Sleeping bag suitable for the season
Sleeping bag liner
Sleeping pad (optional)
Small travel pillow or camping pillow
Daily-use water bottle
Backpack liner
Ziplock bag for toiletries and liquids
Sunglasses with cover
Additional eyeglasses
Extra water bottle or 1-2L hydration pack
Trekking poles
Pocket knife
Sanitation items, including nature-safe face soap
Quick-drying small to medium towel
Jacklight or headlamp with batteries
Travel alarm clock with extra batteries
Power bank or solar charger
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Hand sanitizer
Prescription medicine box
Compass
Emergency whistle
Lighter or waterproof matches
Camera, film, tripod, and spare battery
Drone camera
Binoculars
Books, magazines, notebooks, tabouret box
Money belt
Favourite snacks or special foods

Know before you go

Baggage: We recommend that each guest bring a medium to large backpack and a duffel bag for extras. If possible, the material should be nylon with long zippers and handles, as well as waterproof or water-resistant. You may also bring a small lock for each bag, especially when travelling through airports.
Clothes:
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable light boots or shoes for walking
- Rubber slippers or down-filled booties to wear at camp or in the Ger
- Warm wind-breaking coat or down jacket
- Sun hat, beanie, warm gloves, thinner glove liners for winter months
- Casual pants and fleece pullover for wearing in town
- Short-sleeved baselayer shirt or T-shirt: 2-3 pcs
- Long-sleeved sweater or mid-layer: 1-2 pcs
- Long johns or thermals: 1 pair of pants and 1 top
- Thin, quick-drying hiking pants, shorts, or skirt: 2 pairs
- Hiking socks, sock liners, gaiters
- Underwear (merino wool recommended)
- Scarf to cover head and neck: 1-2 pcs
Technical supplies:
- Sleeping bag with a temperature rating appropriate to the season
- Sleeping bag liner
- Sleeping pad (optional)
- Small travel pillow or camping pillow
- Daily-use water bottle
- Backpack liner to protect water-vulnerable items
- Ziplock bag for basic toiletries and liquids
- Sunglasses (with cover)
- Additional eyeglasses
- Extra water bottle or hydration pack of 1-2L
- Trekking poles
- Pocket knife
- Sanitation items, including face soap that is harmless to nature
- Quick-drying thin small- to medium-sized towel for washing, wiping, and drying
- Jacklight or headlamp with batteries
- Travel alarm clock with extra batteries
- Power bank or solar charger
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Hand sanitizer
- Prescription medicine box
- Compass
- Emergency whistle
- Lighter or waterproof matches
Others:
- Camera and film, tripod, spare battery
- Drone camera (allowed in Mongolia)
- Binoculars
- Books, magazines, notebooks, tabouret box
- Money belt
- Travel food is delicious, but you may bring your favourite snacks or special foods you would like us to cook on the journey