Mongolia attracted a record 808,000 international visitors in 2024, drawing travelers to Ulaanbaatar and vast grassy steppes rich in traditions. The Golden Eagle Festival began in 1999 after Jalsa Urubshurow observed Kazakh nomads hunting on horseback with golden eagles and sought to preserve the practice. Held over two days each October in Bayan-Ulgii, the festival gathers 100–150 Kazakh eagle hunters to compete and demonstrate the speed, agility, and precision of their birds, share stories with visitors, and present horsemanship, traditional archery, and other cultural displays. Eagle falconry is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Mongolia is regarded as one of Asia's most compelling travel destinations. In 2024, the north eastern country saw a record-breaking 808,000 international visitors. From the bustling capital of Ulaanbaatar to its expansive grassy steppes (flat, unforested grassland), Mongolia is sure to sweep you away with its well-preserved traditions. One of the main draws to this country is the Golden Eagle Festival, a cultural event for Kazakh hunters to gather and showcase their falconry skills, foster community pride, and inspire younger generations.
Jalsa Urubshurow, the founder of Nomadic Expeditions-who was recruited to advise the nation's first democratically elected prime minister-was exploring the country's westernmost province of Bayan-Ölgii, when he encountered a remarkable yet waning tradition. He witnessed Kazakh nomads hunting on horseback with golden eagles. Recognizing both the cultural significance and risk of this tradition's decline, he envisioned a way to preserve and celebrate this ancient practice. The result was the Golden Eagle Festival, created in 1999 in collaboration with three local Kazakh leaders.
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