Golden Eagle Festival 2026: 3–4 October in Ölgii, and Sagsai Sets Its 2027 Dates
Short answer: the main Golden Eagle Festival near Ölgii in western Mongolia is listed for 3–4 October 2026, nine days from now. Eagle-festival season in Bayan-Ölgii is already under way: the Sagsai festival wrapped up on 17–18 September with about 80 eagle hunters, and organisers have already fixed its 2027 dates. If you want to go this year, sort out flights and a festival-ground transfer now, and pack for below-freezing nights.
What's new this week: Sagsai is done, and 2027 is already on the calendar
On 24 September the Mongolia Tourism Organization (MTO) reported that the Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival 2026 took place on 17–18 September in Sagsai soum, Bayan-Ölgii. Around 80 eagle hunters from six soums took part: Sagsai, Buyant, Ulaankhus, Nogoonnuur, Tolbo and Altantsögts. It was organised jointly by a tour company, the local eagle hunters' association and the Sagsai soum administration. MTO says local families earned money from handicraft sales, homestays, guiding and transport during the festival.
Two details stand out. The top eagle-hunting prize went to a 15-year-old, and third place went to a 10-year-old, a good sign that the tradition is being passed on. And MTO says the 2027 Sagsai festival is already set for 17–18 September, at the same venue. That gives travelers a year's notice, which is rare for a Mongolian rural event.
The main event: Golden Eagle Festival, 3–4 October 2026
The bigger and better-known festival, organised by the Mongolian Eagle Hunters' Association according to background sources, is held on the steppe just outside Ölgii, the provincial centre. Several Ölgii-based operators list 3–4 October 2026: Discover Altai, Altai Mount Travel and Kazakh Tour. As of 24 September we have not found a written announcement from a government body, so treat these dates as firm but confirm them with your operator before you book flights.
One thing to watch: Kazakh Tour reports that two separate eagle festivals take place near Ölgii on the same weekend, at different grounds roughly 10 km and 25 km from town. Both are genuine events, but they are not the same one. If a particular festival matters to you, ask which ground your itinerary goes to.
The same Kazakh Tour calendar lists smaller festivals earlier in the season, including Altantsögts on 26–27 September, this coming weekend. If you're already in the west, it's a quieter, more local alternative.
What you'll see
Altai Mount Travel describes a two-day programme. Day one has the opening parade of hunters on horseback, the eagle-calling contest and judging of traditional dress. Day two has accuracy tests and horseback games such as kokpar, a tug-of-war over a goatskin, followed by the awards. Discover Altai also mentions eagles swooping on a fox-skin lure dragged behind a rider, archery and camel racing. The best moment is usually the call: a hunter gallops down to the valley floor and the eagle is released from a ridge high above him.
Getting there, and how cold it gets
Ölgii is about 1,250 km west of Ulaanbaatar. Flying is the practical option. FlightConnections lists MIAT and Hunnu Air on the route, with a small number of flights a week. Kazakh Tour's flight guide warns that domestic flights "often sell out quickly" in festival season. With the festival nine days away, check seats today and allow a spare day at each end in case the weather delays a flight.
Take the cold seriously. Altai Mount Travel gives daytime temperatures of about 5–12°C during the festival and nights of −5 to −10°C, and Discover Altai gives an October range of 0 to −10°C. You'll spend hours standing on an open, windy hillside. On our own autumn trips in the Altai we've had fresh snow on the ground.
What this means for your trip: a quick checklist
Confirm the date and the venue with your operator (3–4 October; there are two grounds that weekend).
Book flights now, and build in a buffer day before your international connection.
Dress in layers: thermal base layers, a down jacket, a windproof shell, a warm hat, gloves and insulated boots. Bring spare camera batteries, because the cold drains them fast.
Bring cash: Altai Mount Travel quotes general entry at roughly 30,000–50,000 MNT. Confirm the amount on the day.
Ask before you photograph hunters up close, and give the eagles space. They are working birds, not props.
Check your entry rules: see our visa-free entry update for what applies in 2026 and 2027.
How Enza Tours can help
We run a 5-day eagle hunting tour that flies from Ulaanbaatar to Ölgii and combines time with eagle-hunter families and the Altai Tavan Bogd mountains. We can build it around either festival weekend, or around the quieter 2027 Sagsai dates if you'd rather plan a year ahead. For the full background on the tradition, read our complete Golden Eagle Festival guide.
FAQ
When is the Golden Eagle Festival 2026?
Local operators list 3–4 October 2026, near Ölgii in Bayan-Ölgii province. Confirm the date and venue with your operator, because two eagle festivals run near Ölgii that weekend.
Is there an eagle festival in September?
Yes. The Sagsai festival took place on 17–18 September 2026, and MTO says the 2027 edition is set for 17–18 September. Smaller festivals, such as Altantsögts (26–27 September 2026), fill the weeks in between.
How cold is it at the festival?
Operators give daytime highs of about 5–12°C and nights of −5 to −10°C. Wind makes it feel colder, so dress for winter.
Is October a good time to visit Mongolia otherwise?
It's quiet, cold and clear, and very good for the west. For how it compares with summer, see our guide to the best season for Mongolia tours.
