Tolbo Lake Eagle Festival & Gobi Highlights
$4750
per personIn the far western highlands of Mongolia, where sapphire lakes reflect glacier-cut peaks and the wind carries stories older than memory, Kazakh eagle hunters keep one of the world’s most extraordinary living traditions. This journey begins at the Tolbo Lake Eagle Festival, an intimate and culturally authentic gathering where hunters display centuries-old skills, horses thunder across open steppe, and golden eagles carve circles in the endless sky.
Spend a day with a master hunter, sit in a warm Kazakh family ger, sip tea and learn the sacred bond between hunter and eagle — a partnership built on trust, honor, and generational knowledge.From the mountains, drift into the vast stillness of the Gobi Desert. Walk the pastel cliffs of Tsagaan Suvarga, wander the legendary Flaming Cliffs, ride gentle Bactrian camels beneath the Khongor Dunes, and breathe crisp mountain air in Yolyn Am Gorge.
Each night, rest in thoughtfully selected boutique hotels and eco-lodges designed to offer comfort, character, and serenity. Crafted for travelers who seek authenticity wrapped in quiet luxury, this journey reveals Mongolia not only through landscapes — but through people, stories, and moments that linger.
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Season: September 19–29
Style: Tailor-Made / Comfort Eco Collection
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels & Ensuite Eco-Ger Lodges
Pace: Immersive & Unhurried
Tour Map
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PricingPer Person
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2 personUSD 4750
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3 to 4 personUSD 4280
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More than 4 personUSD 3930
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Include4WD vehicle transportationBottled waterAirport pick-up & drop-offMeals as indicatedFees for activitiesAdmission feesEnglish speaking guideAccommodation as indicated
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Not IncludedPersonal expensesTravel insuranceTipping(optional)Visa application & feesInternational airfares
From Our Gallery
From beautiful high ice-capped mountain, to the ice river, the Western Mongolian landscape is a patchwork of mind blowing natural beauty. Featuring the mountain summit of Mongolia, magical indigenous Kazakh people’s culture and Eagle hunting festival, this unique experience will take your breath away.
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19 September, Day 1 — Arrival in Ulaanbaatar | City of Blue Sky
- Welcome to Mongolia. Your private Travel Buddies driver meets you at Chinggis Khaan International Airport and escorts you to Khubilai Hotel, a boutique sanctuary blending natural textures and calm design. Settle in, unwind, and enjoy a peaceful first evening.
- Meals: – / D
- Accommodation: Khubilai Hotel (Deluxe Room)
- Driving time : 1.5 hours road (depending on traffic)
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20 September, Day 2 — Fly to Ulgii | Hunting with Eagle in the Mountain
- Fly west to Ulgii, the cultural capital of Mongolia’s Kazakh community. After checking in, head into the mountains to spend the day with a master eagle hunter. (Optional) Explore the wide valleys on horseback as your host demonstrates the remarkable bond between hunter and eagle — showing how these powerful birds are trained, cared for, and trusted in winter hunts.
- Step inside the family ger to sip warm Kazakh tea, hear stories of tradition and legacy, and experience an intimate glimpse into a way of life preserved through generations. A day filled with authenticity, connection, and unforgettable cultural depth.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Bayantsambagarav Hotel
- Driving time: 2 hours local flight and 1 hour drive and dirt road
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21 September, Day 3 — Tolbo Lake Eagle Festival | Competitions
- The festival begins with a vibrant parade of eagle hunters in richly embroidered coats, their golden eagles perched with calm, commanding presence. As the day unfolds, watch eagles answer long-distance calls, hunters display remarkable agility on horseback, and traditional competitions — including archery and kiz kuar — bring centuries-old customs to life.
- Move freely among families and hunters; here, you’re not just a spectator, but a welcomed guest invited into the heart of Kazakh culture.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Bayantsambagarav Hotel
- Driving time: 1.5 drive on paved road
4
22 September, Day 4 — Tolbo Lake Eagle Festival | Finals & Awards
- The festival begins with a vibrant parade of eagle hunters in richly embroidered coats, their golden eagles perched with calm, commanding presence. As the day unfolds, watch eagles answer long-distance calls, hunters display remarkable agility on horseback, and traditional competitions — including archery and kiz kuar — bring centuries-old customs to life.
- Move freely among families and hunters; here, you’re not just a spectator, but a welcomed guest invited into the heart of Kazakh culture.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Bayantsambagarav Hotel
- Driving time: 1.5 drive on paved road
5
23 September, Day 5 — Fly to Ulaanbaatar | Boutique Retreat
- Fly back to the capital and settle into the comfort of the Khubilai Hotel. Spend the evening unwinding after your journey — rest, enjoy a warm meal, or simply relax in the calm of your hotel as you ease back into city life.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Khubilai Hotel (Deluxe Room)
- Duration: 2 hours local flight
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24 September, Day 6 — White Stupa | Into the Southern Desert
- Head south by private 4×4, watching the scenery transform from rolling steppe to soft desert pastels. Arrive at Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), a dramatic canyon sculpted by ancient seas and layered with natural colors. Stroll along the rim as the setting sun washes the cliffs in gentle pinks and golds. In the evening, check into your elegant desert lodge and relax amid the quiet beauty of the Gobi.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Gobi Caravanserai Lodge (Ensuite Ger)
- Driving time: 5 hours drive on paved and dirt road
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25 September, Day 7 — Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag) | Dinosaur History & Desert Heat
- Travel to Bayanzag, the legendary Flaming Cliffs, where the world’s first dinosaur eggs were discovered in the 1920s. Explore the maze of sculpted red canyons and wind-carved formations, learning about the remarkable paleontological finds that once reshaped global science — as well as the nomadic stories that have surrounded this land for centuries.
- As the day softens, stay to witness the magical evening light: the cliffs deepening into shades of amber, copper, and gold, glowing as if lit from within by the desert itself.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Gobi Tour Eco Lodge (Eco Wooden House, Ensuite)
- Driving time: 4 hours drive on paved and dirt road
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26 September, Day 8 — Khongor Sand Dunes | Camel Caravan & Sunset Climb
- Drive to the magnificent Khongor Dunes, a sweeping wall of golden sand stretching for more than 100 km along the southern Gobi. Visit a local camel-herding family, share traditional milk tea, and learn about their life in one of Mongolia’s most remote desert regions. Then set out on a gentle ride atop Bactrian camels, wandering across the open steppe and the base of the towering dunes.
- As evening approaches, climb to a dune ridge for an unforgettable sunset — waves of sand glowing gold beneath you while distant mountains fade into soft violets and blues. It’s one of the most iconic and awe-inspiring moments in all of Mongolia.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Gobi Erdene Lodge (Ensuite)
- Driving time:
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27 September, Day 9 — Yolyn Am | Vulture Valley’s Cool Oasis
- Enter Yolyn Am Gorge, a dramatic mountain canyon nestled within Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. Walk along a narrow stream flanked by towering rock walls, where lammergeier vultures and eagles circle high overhead. In summer, the gorge remains cool and shaded — and in early spring or autumn, patches of lingering ice still glisten between the rocks.
- This serene mountain oasis offers a refreshing contrast to the vast desert plains, revealing yet another surprising side of the Gobi.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Grand Gobi Lodge (Ensuite Ger)
- Driving time: 4 hours drive on dirt road
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28 September, Day 10 — Fly to Ulaanbaatar | Final Reflections
- Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and enjoy a calm final evening in the capital. Spend the rest of the day at your own pace — browse a few shops, visit a museum or art gallery, or simply relax at your hotel and unwind after your desert journey.
- Meals: B / L / D
- Accommodation: Blue Sky hotel (Deluxe Room)
- Driving time: 1 hour local flight and 1.5 hours drive (depending on traffic)
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29 September, Day 11 — Departure | Until We Meet Again
- Private airport transfer. As you fly above the steppe, the golden wings of the west and the golden dunes of the Gobi travel with you — a whisper to return.
- Meals: B
- Driving time : 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic
FAQ
We provide excellent accommodation, transportation and quality of service as listed below.
Our Travel Philosophy
The Travel Buddies Tailor-Made Collection is created for travelers who seek harmony between comfort and authentic cultural immersion. We travel intentionally — choosing scenic drives, quiet moments, eco-conscious lodges, and meaningful encounters that reveal Mongolia’s soul. Eagle Culture at Tolbo Lake Around Tolbo Lake, Kazakh families maintain a living tradition that spans generations. Golden eagles are revered partners — trained with respect, flown with pride, and ultimately released back to the mountains. The Tolbo Lake Eagle Festival remains one of the most culturally sincere festivals in Mongolia:- Hunters in embroidered coats
- Silver-adorned saddles
- Youth and elders competing together
- Eagle call flights and horseback games
- A community gathering filled with authenticity and warmth
Accommodation: Comfort with Character
We choose properties for warmth, soul, and thoughtful amenities. In Ulaanbaatar, boutique four-star hotels balance modern design and local hospitality. In the west, you stay at the best-available regional property near the festival grounds. In the Gobi, eco-lodges and ensuite gers provide comfort in landscapes that reward stillness.🏨 Blue Sky Hotel – Ulaanbaatar
A modern tower overlooking Sukhbaatar Square, offering spacious rooms, panoramic city views, and elegant dining. A refined base to begin and conclude your journey.🌿 Khubilai Hotel – Ulaanbaatar
A boutique sanctuary blending natural textures, handmade furnishings, and filtered-water stations. Calm, stylish, and aligned with Travel Buddies’ conscious-comfort ethos.🦅 Bayantsambagarav Hotel – Ulgii/Sagsai Region
The best available option in western Mongolia, offering warm hospitality, private rooms, and the ideal location for attending the Eagle Festival and visiting hunter families.🏜 Gobi Caravanserai Lodge – White Stupa
A refined ger retreat inspired by Silk Road resting places.- Ensuite bathroom
- Solar lighting
- Peaceful desert terraces for stargazing
📍 Gobi Tour Eco Lodge – Flaming Cliffs
Eco-crafted wooden houses with ensuite bathrooms, warm interiors, and wide-sky serenity near the legendary Flaming Cliffs.🐫 Gobi Erdene Lodge – Khongor Dunes
Combining comfort and nomadic authenticity with ensuite rooms, hearty meals, and sweeping dune views.🏔 Grand Gobi Lodge – Yolyn Am Gorge
Ensuite gers at the foot of rocky peaks, offering mountain quiet, 24-hour electricity, and a cozy dining ger.Cuisine: Local Flavors, Thoughtful Preparation
Meals highlight local ingredients — fresh dairy, handmade noodles, organic vegetables, and grilled meats. In Ulaanbaatar, curated restaurant selections offer modern Mongolian and Asian-fusion cuisine. Filtered water is provided daily; reusable bottles encouraged. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free menus available with advance notice.Comfort in Motion
Private Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 vehicles ensure smooth travel across mixed terrain, equipped with:- A/C and heating
- Charging ports
- Cool box for drinks
Guides & Expertise
A professional Travel Buddies guide accompanies your journey — storyteller, cultural interpreter, and logistics expert. Kazakh eagle hunters, camel herders, and local wranglers join at key moments. All field staff are trained in first aid and responsible-travel practice, supported by a 24/7 operations team.When to Travel
September is ideal for eagle culture and the Gobi’s soft autumn light. Expect crisp mornings in the west, warm desert afternoons, clear skies, and golden sunsets. Fewer travelers make this season especially peaceful for photography and quiet exploration.Responsible Travel Promise
We believe true luxury honors place and people. This journey supports eagle-hunter families, local artisans, and eco-lodges. We minimize plastic, provide filtered water, partner with community hosts, and support carbon-offset projects benefiting Mongolia’s nature reserves.The Tailor-Made Signature
Created for travelers who value authenticity wrapped in comfort, this journey brings you into Mongolia’s living traditions and grand landscapes with time to listen, feel, and connect. Travel Slowly. Connect Deeply. Experience Authentically. Booking & Payment To confirm your booking, a 30% deposit is required, payable via online payment (Visa or Mastercard) or bank transfer. Please note that card payments incur a 3% processing fee, which is borne by the client. Bank transfers do not have any additional charges. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to your tour departure. There are no hidden fees beyond the card processing cost. Please review our Terms & Conditions for full details. Kindly note that bookings close one month before the tour departure date. 💛 Come as Guests, Leave as Buddies.Our Gallery
From beautiful high ice-capped mountain, to the ice river, the Western Mongolian landscape is a patchwork of mind blowing natural beauty. Featuring the mountain summit of Mongolia, magical indigenous Kazakh people’s culture and Eagle hunting festival, this unique experience will take your breath away.