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25th September 2024
Travel Associates advisor Gill Woodley shares her Mongolian Eagle Festival experience.
Mongolia holds a special kind of magic, a place that feels both unknown and undiscovered. It’s vast, raw, and untouched, stretching endlessly under its famous "eternal blue sky."
I've just returned from two weeks in this incredible country, and it’s difficult to put into words the richness of my experience. But let me try, starting with one of the most unforgettable moments—attending Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival.
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Mongolia's capital city, Ulaanbaatar.
A land of legends and traditions
Mongolia is the world’s 18th largest country, yet with only 3 million people, it feels open and wild. Nestled between Russia and China, it’s a land steeped in history, myth, and tradition. You can feel the past in every corner, whether walking through Ulaanbaatar’s new Genghis Khan Museum or travelling across the Gobi Desert, where remnants of ancient times are still palpable.
Mongolia is a place where life is dictated by the seasons and the land. This philosophy is embodied by the Kazakh eagle hunters, and during my visit to the 2024 Eagle Festival, I was privileged to witness a way of life that has existed for generations. These people are not merely surviving but thriving in one of the harshest environments on Earth. For them, living off the land isn’t a trend—it’s a necessity.
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Gill Woodley at the Mongolian Eagle Festival.
The Eagle Festival, an annual celebration, takes place in the remote Bayan-Ölgiiaimag region of western Mongolia.
The journey to the festival is an adventure in itself. A four-hour flight transports us to the Altai Mountains, where the landscape shifts from expansive plains to breathtaking peaks. From there, we embark on a scenic 4WD ride to a remote ger camp nestled in the valley.
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A traditional Mongolian ger.
At the festival, Kazakh hunters proudly display their age-old eagle hunting skills, passed down through generations. Highlighting Kazakh culture, skilled falconers compete and demonstrate their bird's abilities, with traditional music, games, horsemanship and stunning landscapes as a backdrop.
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Eagle Hunters, Mongolia.
As I stood there, watching a hunter on horseback call his eagle down from the mountains, I was utterly transfixed. The grace and speed of the eagle’s flight, the precision with which it landed on its master's arm was extraordinary. These eagle hunters weren't just competing; they are showing the world a way of life, a bond between man and bird that is like no other, and it was a one of a kind experience to witness in person.
After the festival, we were invited to visit an eagle hunter’s home to witness the unique relationship between bird and master. Welcomed like old friends, we sat down to an incredible array of home-cooked dishes while the hunter shared stories of his eagle and what it means to him and his family.
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Travel Associates advisor Gill Woodley at the Mongolian Eagle Festival.
He explained that hunters only have two eagles in their lifetime, making the bond between them incredibly strong. The eagles are shown the deepest respect and care - while the eagle can live up to 40 years, they will only spend half their lifetime together as the hunter releases them back into the wild after 20 years.
I had the opportunity to hold the eagle on my arm, feeling its immense strength and presence. It was awe-inspiring, and in that moment, I realised how much respect and reverence the Kazakh people have for these majestic birds. The eagle is not just a hunting companion—it’s a symbol of strength, courage, and freedom.
For anyone seeking something more than just a holiday, Mongolia offers a way of being that is both grounding and awe-inspiring. This journey, with its incredible experiences and one of a kind moments, reminded me that sometimes the best things in life are those that take us off the beaten path and into the heart of something truly extraordinary.
If you get the chance, go. It will change you in ways you never expected. I’m already planning my next trip.
