This eagle hunter homestay in Mongolia is built around people. Over six nights you stay with two different Kazakh eagle hunter families near Ölgii, share their daily life and learn about the care, training and hunting traditions of the golden eagle.
Photography runs through every day, from sunrise over the mountain hills to sunset over the Altai. It is designed as a cultural experience rather than a commercial photography workshop, so you have time to be a guest in each home, with a local team from Western Mongolia.
Highlights
- Stay with two different Kazakh eagle hunter families, each in a separate winter house
- Photograph daily nomadic life indoors and outdoors, including milking and herding, always with permission
- Learn about golden eagle care and training; a hunting attempt may be witnessed when conditions allow, but it is never guaranteed
- A short, optional horseback ride with the eagle hunter, included in the price
- A traditional archery demonstration and horseback games performed by young members of the family
- Sunrise and sunset photography in the Altai Mountains near Ölgii
Stay with two Kazakh eagle hunter families
Five nights are spent with two Kazakh eagle hunter families and one night in a hotel in Ölgii. Both families are separate from the host family on our Kazakh Nomad Homestay & Western Mongolia Tour.
First family · Nights 1–3
A well-heated private room in a separate winter house. Guests have a bathroom for washing and brushing teeth.
Second family · Nights 4–5
A well-heated private room in a separate winter house, with bathroom facilities.
Ölgii hotel · Night 6
A clean, comfortable hotel in Ölgii with breakfast included.
Kazakh hospitality and food
Traditional Kazakh meals are part of the homestay. During your visit you may be served a traditional sheep-head dish as a gesture of hospitality. It is an important cultural tradition, and we ask you to receive it with respect. If you have dietary requirements, please tell us in advance so we can plan with your hosts.
Golden eagle traditions and the hunting season
September to March is the main eagle hunting season. Depending on the season and conditions, you may have the opportunity to witness a real hunting attempt. Eagle hunting cannot be guaranteed: it depends on the season, weather, wildlife and the hunter’s decision, and we do not promise a successful hunt or specific wildlife sightings.
In April and May, the focus is on eagle training, photography and cultural experiences with the families, and hunting is not promised in these months.
Photography with respect
We always ask permission before photographing family members and other people. If we meet someone unexpectedly, we ask first. Our guide helps you follow respectful photography practices throughout the trip, and you can photograph daily routines when your hosts are comfortable with it.
7-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ölgii and the first eagle hunter family
Day 2: Eagle hunter photography and family life
Day 3: Horseback riding and eagle training
Day 4: Traditional archery and the second family
Day 5: Nomadic life and traditional horseback games
Day 6: Traditional cooking and Altai landscape photography
Day 7: Departure from Ölgii
Trip details
Activities
Family homestays, eagle hunter photography, an optional short horseback ride, a traditional archery demonstration, horseback games and Altai landscape photography.
Accommodation
Five nights in separate winter houses with two eagle hunter families and one night in a clean, comfortable hotel in Ölgii with breakfast.
Transfers
Ölgii airport pickup on Day 1 and drop-off on Day 7 are included. Domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii are not included.
Meals
Traditional Kazakh meals are part of the homestay; please ask us about the meal arrangements for your dates. Breakfast is included at the Ölgii hotel.
What’s included
Included
- Five nights with two Kazakh eagle hunter families in separate winter houses
- One hotel night in Ölgii, with breakfast
- Ölgii airport pickup on Day 1 and airport drop-off on Day 7
- A short, optional horseback ride
- A traditional archery demonstration
- Local arrangements and experiences described in the itinerary
Not included
- International flights
- Domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii
- Accommodation and transport in Ulaanbaatar
- Personal purchases in Ölgii, such as from a supermarket
- Visa fees and other personal expenses
- Comprehensive travel insurance, which is required
Price: USD 2,250 per person. Comprehensive travel insurance is required. Cancellation and refund terms are set out in Section 3 of our Terms & Conditions.
Practical information
Start and end
Ölgii, Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia.
Season
September to May. September to March is the main eagle hunting season. April and May are for eagle training, photography and cultural experiences, and hunting is not promised in these months.
Group size and departures
2–10 guests. Private and scheduled small-group departures; contact us for dates.
Difficulty
Moderate. Horseback riding is optional and can be a short introductory experience.
Weather and clothing
September and October: daytime generally above freezing. November to March: daytime often around -5°C, sometimes near 0°C on sunny, calm days; early morning and night can fall to about -15°C to -20°C. Bring warm layered clothing, a winter jacket, gloves, a warm hat, suitable footwear and protection for camera equipment.
Permits
Most areas do not require special permits. If a permit is needed for a particular location, Sayat Travel arranges it.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Is eagle hunting guaranteed?
No. Eagle hunting depends on the season, weather, wildlife and the hunter’s decision. You may have the opportunity to witness a real hunting attempt when conditions are suitable, but we do not promise a successful hunt or specific wildlife sightings.
When is the best time for this eagle hunter homestay?
The tour runs from September to May. September to March is the main eagle hunting season, when you may have the chance to witness a hunting attempt (never guaranteed). April and May focus on eagle training, photography and cultural experiences with the families, and hunting is not promised in those months.
Will I stay with the same family as on the Kazakh Nomad Homestay tour?
No. Both host families on this tour are separate from the host family on our Kazakh Nomad Homestay & Western Mongolia Tour.
Is horseback riding included?
Yes. A short horseback ride is included in the tour price at no extra charge. It is optional and depends on weather, conditions and your preference.
How cold is it?
September and October daytime temperatures are generally above freezing. From November to March, daytime temperatures are often around -5°C, sometimes near 0°C on sunny, calm days, and early mornings and nights can fall to about -15°C to -20°C. Wind can make it feel colder.
Do I need permits?
Most areas do not require special permits. If a permit is needed for a particular location, Sayat Travel arranges it.
Can I buy things in Ölgii?
Yes. You can visit a supermarket in Ölgii to buy personal necessities at your own expense.
What happens if the weather changes my plans?
Weather-related changes are handled according to our existing company policy, set out in our Terms & Conditions.
What is the cancellation policy?
Our cancellation and refund terms are set out in Section 3 of our Terms & Conditions.
Is this the same as the Eagle Hunters Migration Photography Expedition?
No. This is a 7-day homestay with two eagle hunter families. For a longer photography journey following the winter migration, see our Eagle Hunters Migration Photography Expedition.
Home of the Kazakh eagle hunters, in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia.
