The Kazakh people hold one of the most spectacular and ancient events, called Eagle Hunting, which is recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The festival was organised not far from the capital on the 8th of March, 2025. It is visited by a lot of foreign tourists to enjoy and explore this event. This event is filled with traditional songs, dances, and horse events. It has become one of the most popular events in Mongolia, drawing the attention of both the locals and the foreign travellers. Kazakhs are nomads who train Golden Eagles for hunting, compete to show off whose eagle is the most skilled at catching prey and follow the command of their owners.

The festival begins with a parade of hunters holding their eagles, marching with their horses. The competition of the best traditional costume and equipment is followed by games to test the best communication techniques between the eagle and the hunter. The other main competition involves the fastest and most attractive descent of an eagle from the top of the mountain to the owner on the valley floor. Other authentic games are enjoyed by the Kazakhs, such as kukbar (tug of war on horseback), archery and horse racing. Hunters put on their best costumes while decorating their eagles with the traditional “eagle costumes”. The Eagle Festival is one of the best opportunities to catch a glimpse into the area’s unique culture, which is different to other parts of Mongolia.

Organizers: Ulaanbaatar City Tourism Department, Ulaanbaatar Tourism Association, Mongolian Eagle hunters Association