Welcome to Mongolia, a land of vast horizons and living traditions, where the celebrated Eagle Festival takes place against the dramatic backdrop of Western Mongolia's Altai Mountains near the shores of Tolbo Lake.
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Welcome to Mongolia, a land of vast horizons and living traditions, where the celebrated Eagle Festival takes place against the dramatic backdrop of Western Mongolia’s Altai Mountains near the shores of Tolbo Lake. Set within an alpine landscape of open steppe and rugged peaks, the festival offers a rare opportunity to witness the ancient partnership between eagle hunters and their magnificent golden eagles, as competitors dressed in traditional attire demonstrate skills refined over centuries. Read more about Mongolia’s festival traditions and what to expect.
Beyond the festival, the journey reveals the authentic nomadic life of Western Mongolia, with visits to local herder families living in traditional gers and maintaining customs passed down through generations. Travelling across Mongolia’s vast open spaces, from the haunting expanses of the Gobi Desert to the remote wilderness of the west, this tour showcases some of the country’s most striking landscapes. The Eagle Festival at Tolbo Lake is a powerful highlight, an unforgettable celebration of culture, heritage and natural beauty.
Mongolia – Eagle Festival
Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.
Mongolia's capital opens the tour with two days across its cultural and historical institutions. Gandan Monastery begins the morning with chanting ceremonies, followed by the National Museum of Mongolia and the Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum, whilst Sukhbaatar Square anchors the city's civic identity. A traditional Mongolian cultural performance — featuring throat singing, the horse head fiddle, and traditional dances — rounds off the capital's introduction before a drive east to the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue and museum at HS Khaan Resort in Töv Province, with optional horseback riding across the surrounding landscape.
A drive west reaches Kharkhorin — the 13th-century imperial capital of the Mongol Empire — and the UNESCO-listed Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia's oldest, built from the stones of the ruined city. The surrounding Orkhon Valley UNESCO cultural landscape provides two days of gentle walks, picnic stops, the dramatic Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall, and volcanic formations spread across wide open steppe. The ruined monastery complex at Ongiin Khiid — destroyed in the 1930s — closes this central Mongolia chapter with a contemplative sunset walk overlooking the river valley.
Three Camels Lodge in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park serves as base for three days of desert exploration. The Moltsog Els dune system delivers camel riding and a picnic among the sandscapes on the first full day, whilst Bayanzag — the Flaming Cliffs, one of the world's most significant dinosaur fossil discovery sites — and the narrow, high-cliffed passages of Yolyn Am gorge fill the second. Together these days cross some of the Gobi's most visually extraordinary terrain before the flight back to Ulaanbaatar.
The Eagle Festival in the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia is the defining event of the tour: two days of competition and ceremony in which Kazakh eagle hunters demonstrate their bond with trained golden eagles against the dramatic mountain backdrop. The eagles respond to their masters' calls, traditional equestrian games are contested, and cultural performances celebrate Kazakh nomadic heritage. An afternoon visit to a private Eagle Master's household — with close photography and cultural exchange — extends the encounter well beyond the festival grounds, with the Kazakh community settlement at Ulgii providing the wider context for this centuries-old tradition.
Key moments for Mongolia – Eagle Festival
Full itinerary · 15 days
Reserve your place with a 10% deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.
| Departs | Returns | Status | Price pp | Single supp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Sept 2026 | 16 Sept 2026 | Guaranteed | £4,695 | +£400 | Contact for availability |
| 1 Sept 2027 | 15 Sept 2027 | Guaranteed | £4,695 | +£400 | Book now |
Every one of our Mongolia journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
Before travelling, consult the latest UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mongolia. Mongolia is a safe destination for travellers; basic precautions against petty crime in Ulaanbaatar apply. US travellers should check travel.state.gov for current guidance.
Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Mongolia – Eagle Festival. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.
“I cannot recommend Undiscovered Destinations enough — this was our 13th trip with the operator over ten years. Up there amongst the very best in the market.”
Grete Howard
Mongolia
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
“I cannot recommend Undiscovered Destinations enough — this was our 13th trip with the operator over ten years. Up there amongst the very best in the market.”
Grete Howard
Mongolia
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
Make Mongolia – Eagle Festival your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Mongolia specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
Common questions
Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.
Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.
Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.
The next available departures are 2 September 2026; 1 September 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.
Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.
This tour visits Mongolia. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.
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