Family hosting
Three days hosted by the Dauletkhan family in their working hunting camp, including the family's three-generation eagle-hunting tradition.
Overview
The Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii is the most internationally sought Mongolia festival product, and also the one most often produced badly. Mass-tourism operators bus groups in for a half day, photograph the eagle hunters at distance, and bus them out. Unveil's answer is opposite: three days hosted privately by the Dauletkhan family, two days at the festival with reserved positions, and the operational depth that only Aslan Dauletkhan — Unveil's Kazakh Cultural Liaison and a working hunter himself — can produce.
The journey runs by chartered flight to Ölgii rather than scheduled commercial, so timing is protected. Accommodation is at the Tolbo Lake luxury ger camp, with the family's home as the daily anchor and Aslan as the cultural and operational lead. The festival is the headline; the family days are the depth.
Reserved festival positions
Both festival days viewed from positions arranged through the Kazakh Eagle Hunters Association.
Working hunting demonstrations
Hunting falls on private mountain terrain rather than staged at the festival arena, with full participation from the family's eagles.
Tolbo Lake camp
Private ger camp on the lake's edge, fully insulated for autumn nights, with the Altai range visible from camp at sunrise.
What to expect
Real Altai cold
Daytime around 5°C, nights below freezing; expedition-grade kit is provided.
Cultural posture
This is Kazakh, not Khalkha Mongolian — different language, food, and customs. Aslan bridges the cultural register throughout.
Working hunters
The family's hunting demonstrations are not performances; they are real hunts with all the wildlife considerations that implies.
Charter timing
The chartered flight makes the schedule reliable; commercial alternatives exist but are not used for this product.
Itinerary
ArrivalDays 1+
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Dinner
Private transfer to Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar, welcome dinner with Tuvshin and a Western Mongolia briefing.
Overnight: Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
Into the AltaiDays 2+
Charter to Ölgii
BreakfastLunchDinner
Morning charter flight Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii, transfer to Tolbo Lake luxury ger camp, welcome by Aslan and the Dauletkhan family, hosted dinner.
Overnight: Tolbo Lake luxury ger camp
Family hostingDays 3+
Family hunting day
BreakfastLunchDinner
Morning hunting demonstration on the family's working terrain, midday hosted lunch in the family's main home, afternoon return to camp with eagle-handling session for guests who choose.
Overnight: Tolbo Lake luxury ger camp
Altai mountain day
BreakfastLunchDinner
Mounted ride into higher Altai pasture with the family, midday picnic at altitude, afternoon return for early dinner and pre-festival rest.
Overnight: Tolbo Lake luxury ger camp
FestivalDays 5+
Festival opening day (October 3)
BreakfastLunchDinner
Reserved-position viewing of the festival opening parade and eagle competition, midday warm-room lunch, afternoon competition viewing, hosted dinner with multiple eagle-hunting families at the camp.
Overnight: Tolbo Lake luxury ger camp
Festival closing and family farewell (October 4)
BreakfastLunchDinner
Festival closing events with reserved positions, late lunch at camp, farewell dinner with the Dauletkhan family in their family home.
Overnight: Tolbo Lake luxury ger camp
DepartureDays 7
Return and depart
Breakfast
Morning charter Ölgii – Ulaanbaatar, day-room at Shangri-La, private departure transfer.
Overnight: Departure day
Price & dates
2 guests
$17,000 / person
Best for couples wanting fully private family-anchored access.
Most requested
4 guests
$15,300 / person
Recommended balance for friends or photography pairs.
6 guests
$14,200 / person
For close groups; includes a private archery session and a commissioned Kazakh embroidery piece.
8 guests
$13,600 / person
Maximum group size; held smaller than other festival products to protect family hosting depth.
Private custom departures are available across the same operating season if you need a different pace or a bespoke family version of this route.
- ReserveSeptember 30 - October 6, 20267 daysFestival window October 3–4
What's included
Included
Private guiding throughout, led by Aslan Dauletkhan and Tuvshin
Charter flight Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii return
Accommodation at Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar and Tolbo Lake luxury ger camp
All meals including hosted family dinners
Reserved festival viewing positions both days
Family hunting hosting fee and gifts to the Dauletkhan family
Mounted Altai day with horses and pack support
Eagle-handling session for guests who choose
Starlink Wi-Fi at Tolbo Lake camp
Global Rescue medical evacuation membership
Not included
International airfare to and from Mongolia
Visa fees if applicable
Personal travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages beyond welcome and dinner service
Tips for the Dauletkhan family, guides, drivers, and camp staff
Optional commissioned Kazakh fur or embroidery work
Good to know
Pacing
Two festival days bookended by family days; demanding only on the festival days themselves.
Activity level
Mounted riding day, walking on uneven ground, cool to cold conditions; suitable for most reasonably fit guests.
Best fit
Photographers, returning Mongolia guests, HNW travelers seeking the most distinctive Mongolia festival.
Packing
Layered autumn outerwear, sturdy boots, gloves, and personal photography gear; expedition kit provided as needed.
