JOIN OUR 2026 Golden Eagle Festival Mongolia Trip (October 2026)

Each year, I do a number of charity projects through our charity arm, Mudita Adventures. We’ve donated over $300,000 to date, funding projects from Ethiopia to the Philippines. It had been on my bucket list to visit the Eagle Festival in Mongolia for YEARS! So I finally organised a charity trip where we could give back and then finally visit one of the best festivals on our beautiful planet. Our 2024 trip is still happening (with 18 people!) BUT for personal reasons I can’t attend the Eagle Festival. Nooooo. Fear not, because of this, we’re going to run the whole trip again in 2026 so if you missed your chance in 2025, come with me in 2026!

The Golden Eagle Festival has been on my bucket list for over 10 years. So finally we’re going!

It’s a spectacular show of tradition, where Kazakh eagle hunters dazzle with their skills. Just us, the endless steppes, and these majestic birds soaring. A backdrop to a centuries-old tradition that celebrates the incredible bond between man and bird.

This isn’t just any festival; it’s a testament to the nomadic Kazakh people’s skill, culture, and heritage, where eagle hunters clad in traditional attire showcase their trained golden eagles’ prowess in hunting. Epic local costumes, the heart-pounding competitions, and the warm hospitality of the locals.

Join me, and let’s experience the raw, untamed spirit of Mongolia together at the Golden Eagle Festival.

As always with our Mudita Adventure trips, where other companies sell the tickets and use all the money as profit, we fund local projects. Here, in Mongolia, we’re working with a local NGO where we’ll be providing running water to a developing community currently living in gers/yurts (modified tents).

During our time in UlaanBaator, we’ll visit the projects that we’ve funded, hear from the local stakeholders just how your money has helped and witness the results of the work in action.

Arrive in Ulan Bataar any time you want. We’ll check into our hotel today, and have an evening briefing and group dinner with your fellow adventurers. 

(Many of you guys come back again and again for trips with me, and as you all know, I’ll be there a day or 2 early for anyone who wants a couple of cheeky drinks and chat before the trip starts!)

After breakfast we'll head out to Elsen Tasarkhai, also known as the "Little Gobi." This epic stretch of sand dunes spans 5 km wide and runs for 80 km—perfect for soaking in the desert vibes. 

Get ready to climb the dunes and experience the thrill of a camel ride (optional). Tonight we're spending the night in the desert, get ready for a sky full of stars before we set in for a night in ger tents.

We’ll journey back to Ulaanbaatar with a stop at Khustai National Park, renowned since the 1990s for its incredible success in reintroducing the wild Przewalski’s horse. 

Once native to the Central Asian steppes, these majestic creatures vanished from the wild in the 1960s but now roam free again. Enjoy a hearty lunch at a ger camp restaurant before we hit the road for the final stretch back to UB. 

Tonight it's back to the comforts of a hotel in the city before catching an early flight to the festival!

THE MAIN EVENT. A real bucket list day. We hop on a flight to waaaaaay West, to the extreme west of Mongolia, to Olgi. The country’s only Muslim and Kazakh-majority aimag, and just 40km from the Kazakhstan border

Here, we’ll dive into the heart of Mongolian culture with Day 1 of our 2 days at the November Eagle Festival. Our adventure begins with the awe-inspiring opening ceremony, featuring a procession of eagle hunters clad in their finest traditional Kazakh attire, setting the stage for what’s to come.

The first day is packed with competitions showcasing the hunters’ symbiotic relationship with their eagles, highlighting eagle calling and the artistry of hunting techniques against the backdrop of Mongolia’s stunning landscape.

The excitement builds on the second day, focusing on the eagles’ agility and speed, as they dive at incredible speeds to catch bait on command.

Between events, we’ll be deep in authentic Kazakh culture through folk music, dance performances, and storytelling sessions. We’ll hit up the nomadic ger tents for a glimpse into traditional living.

The festival concludes with a grand award ceremony, honoring the eagle hunters’ dedication and skill, leaving you with memories of Mongolia’s rich heritage and the majestic beauty of its eagles.

Catch a morning flight back to UB.  From there, we’ll head straight to the iconic Chinggis Khaan Statue, stopping for lunch along the way. 

After soaking in the sights, we’ll return to a comfy hotel in the city. In the evening, we’ll wrap up the day with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Finally, we get to actually check out the big city and get some insight into the heartbeat of the country. Get ready to dive into the heart of UB! 

We’ll kick things off at the peaceful Gandan Monastery, soak up some history at the National History Museum, and take a stroll through the lively Main Square and maybe have a cheeky rooftop beer. 

 In the evening, get ready to be wowed by an energetic folklore concert before we wrap things up with final meal and then probably off to one of Ulaanbaatar 100's of karaoke bars.

That's all folks. Until the next time.... 

P.S Wanna come to Mauritania with me in December?