Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia
Meet the Kazakh hunters in Western Mongolia
Footage of Kazakh eagle hunters riding on horseback across the vast landscape of Mongolia’s Altai Mountains inspired gasps of awe when shown as part of the BBC’s Human Planet series in 2011. Clad in animal skins to ward off the sub-zero temperatures, the weathered-faced father and son each rode with one arm outstretched and a huge, blindfolded golden eagle perched on their hands. As a fox sprinted across the plains below, the blindfolds were removed and the eagles soared down to hunt the prey – the ultimate test of the eagle handler’s skill. The scene barely looked real, much less like something you might find in the 21st century.
Indeed, the Kazakh practice of hunting with birds of prey is hardly a modern one. Cave paintings depict falconry practices dating back to the Bronze Age, Genghis Khan was said to be a fan, and Marco Polo described eagle hunting with Khan’s grandson in the 1100s.
Any intrepid travelers who were awestruck by the Human Planet footage will be thrilled to learn that the Kazakh eagle hunters (berkutchi) are now opening their doors to guests, who can learn about their lives and observe these falconry skills. And modern festivals in Western Mongolia showcase the unique relationship between the hunters and their eagles, along with traditional horsemanship and other aspects of the Kazakh culture.
Indeed, the Kazakh practice of hunting with birds of prey is hardly a modern one. Cave paintings depict falconry practices dating back to the Bronze Age, Genghis Khan was said to be a fan, and Marco Polo described eagle hunting with Khan’s grandson in the 1100s.
Any intrepid travelers who were awestruck by the Human Planet footage will be thrilled to learn that the Kazakh eagle hunters (berkutchi) are now opening their doors to guests, who can learn about their lives and observe these falconry skills. And modern festivals in Western Mongolia showcase the unique relationship between the hunters and their eagles, along with traditional horsemanship and other aspects of the Kazakh culture.
Our Mongolia Vacations
Mongolia adventure vacation
Off the beaten track adventure through spectacular Mongolia
From
US $3070
23 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian railway vacation
Ride the Iconic Trans-Mongolian Railway in all it's glory.
From
£2710 to £2780
16 days
ex flights
Mongolia adventure vacation, off the beaten track
An insight into local life in spring time Mongolia
From
US $2500
14 days
ex flights
Western Mongolia tour, the Altai mountains & eagles
Culture and adventure in the landscapes of western Mongolia
From
US $2345 to US $2945
13 days
ex flights
Winter dog sledding tour in Mongolia
Dog sled expedition in Mongolia's stunning winter landscapes
From
US $1901 to US $2165
8 days
ex flights
Mongolia tour, hunting with Eagles
Eagle hunter homestays & hunting with eagles, west Mongolia
From
US $1560 to US $2425
9 days
ex flights
Mongolia family vacation for all ages
Journey through stunning Mongolia with your family
From
US $2500 to US $2600
15 days
ex flights
Mongolia adventure vacation, small group
Discover the remote Mongolian countryside
From
US $3255 to US $5195
15 days
ex flights
Mongolia tour, winter landscapes and Khovsgol ice festival
Winter discovery tour with ice festival in northern Mongolia
From
US $1090 to US $1695
9 days
ex flights
Mongolia family adventure vacation
Life-enhancing local Mongolian adventure for all the family
From
US $2527
16 days
ex flights
Exploratory horse trekking vacation in Mongolia
An adventurous cultural experience in northern Mongolia
From
US $2225 to US $3490
13 days
ex flights
Mongolia cultural tour, Nomads of Khangai Mountains
Local insight into landscapes & culture of Khangai Mountains
From
US $2185 to US $3175
16 days
ex flights
Mongolia cultural vacation & Naadam Festival
Summer based slow paced journey through nomadic Mongolia
From
US $2375 to US $3160
15 days
ex flights
Mongolia horse riding vacation, Zavkhan Classic
Horse trekking in Mongolia's remote Zavkhan Province
From
NZ $4290
17 days
ex flights
Mongolia tour, mountains & nomads
Slow travel through Mongolia's northern & central landscapes
From
US $2165 to US $2350
13 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian vacation, tailor made
Ride the Iconic Trans-Mongolian Railway in all it's glory.
From
£2430
16 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation & research expedition in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Wildlife research & conservation in Mongolia's Gobi Desert
From
US $1385 to US $2250
11 days
ex flights
Mongolia adventure trekking vacation & Naadam Festival
Summer time trekking and Naadam adventure through Mongolia
From
US $2450 to US $3640
16 days
ex flights
Mongolia tour, food of the Nomads
Local Mongolia with homestays & family led cookery lessons
From
US $1800 to US $2955
14 days
ex flights
Mongolia cycling vacation
The mountains & steppes home to Genghis Khan
From
US $3485 to US $4025
15 days
ex flights
Mongolian Eagle adventure vacation
Dramatic scenery and fascinating culture in western Mongolia
From
£2199
13 days
ex flights
Mountain biking vacation in Mongolia
Bike exploration of Mongolia's land, people & way of life
From
US $1140 to US $2315
6 days
ex flights
Mongolia wilderness trek in the Altai Mountains
Culture & trekking trip with the Kazakhs of western Mongolia
From
US $2415 to US $3530
14 days
ex flights
Grand Trans Siberian Railway, tailor made
Japan to Russia overland on the Trans-Siberian Railway
From
£6265
30 days
ex flights
Mongolia eagle hunting festival vacation
Altai Mountains glaciers, nature & eagle hunting festival
From
£2615
13 days
ex flights
Mongolia Gobi Desert tour
Experience the raw beauty of this remote region
From
£2877
13 days
ex flights
Adventure vacations in Mongolia
Experience the traditional nomadic lifestyle
From
£2495
13 days
ex flights
West Mongolia tour, 14 days
Exploration of the way of life & landscapes of west Mongolia
From
US $2015 to US $2865
14 days
ex flights
Mongolia and Beyond (shell)
Overland rail venturing into the rolling steppe of Mongolia
From
£3020 to £3260
19 days
ex flights
Trans Mongolian Eastbound with the Naadam Festival
Celebrate Mongolia’s most colourful festival by rail
From
£4735
24 days
ex flights
Why are eagles used for hunting?
Hunting with golden eagles is primarily a source not of meat, but of fur. The main prey species are red and Corsac foxes, hares, wild cats and the occasional wolf; no match for the powerful golden eagle. The Siberian golden eagle, known as berkut, is one of the largest subspecies, and the huge females, which are used for hunting, have wingspans of 2m, with 6cm-long talons. They can weigh over 6kg; hunting with them requires skill, strength and no little courage. Only around 240 Kazakhs actually practice eagle hunting; it’s a skill usually passed down through semi nomadic herder families, and is carried out in winter.
Another reason for hunting with eagles is the sense of identity. There are around 100,000 Kazakhs in Western Mongolia, mostly in the semi autonomous province of Bayan-Ulgii. They distinguish themselves from Mongolians by speaking Kazakh and practising Islam; most Mongolians are Buddhist. Eagle hunting is a uniquely Kazakh tradition, which also provides them with traditional fox skin clothing. In 2011, UNESCO added Kazakh eagle hunting to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as an example of living human heritage.
Eagle hunting in Mongolia
How to catch & keep an eagle
Traditionally, female eagles are captured from their nests while a few months old – old enough to survive away from the nest, but not yet able to fly. They are nurtured and trained by their hunter-owner, and a close relationship develops. Hunting only takes place in the winter months, when the vast landscapes are blanketed in snow; once spring arrives the prey species give birth, the eagles are moulting, and hunting ceases. Throughout the summer, the eagles will be chained to a wooden stand, or sometimes a rock, and will be fed to boost their strength. Kazakh eagle hunters are also livestock herders, so there is a constant supply of meat. The eagle will stay with her owner for anywhere between four and 10 years, when she is of breeding age. She is then released as far as possible from her ‘home’ in order to discourage her from returning. Her owner will continue to check up on her to ensure she is feeding and reintegrating.
To Western eyes, the relationship may seem cruel, or cold, but it is important to remember that these are not pets; they are working animals. The relationship can be compared with that of a farmer and working sheepdog, rather than the cuddly mutts we keep in our homes. The Kazakh hunters have an incredibly close connection with their eagles, they are virtually family members, but it is sometimes hard for outsiders to recognise this.
What can be tricky for the eagle, however, is the influx of tourists. As many of the Kazakh families open their homes to paying guests, or welcome day visitors, the eagles may be crowded by tourists, and by snapping cameras. The eagle is more than used to being left on her rock; she is not used to crowds of strangers.
Our top Mongolia Vacation
Mongolia adventure vacation
Off the beaten track adventure through spectacular Mongolia
From
US $3070
23 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Jun, 20 Jul
2019: 1 Jun, 20 Jul
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Mongolia or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Hunting with the berkutchi
Join a Kazakh eagle hunter in Mongolia
During the Golden Eagle Festivals each spring and autumn, you can stay with local families as you visit the festivals to witness falconry displays and traditional Kazakh games, played on horseback. But to experience real Kazakh eagle hunting, you need to head out into the remote Altai Mountains – and you need to visit in the Mongolian winter.
Out here, all schedules go out of the window. You’re on nomad time, and the daily activities depend on your host family, the eagle hunter, and the weather conditions. Days are spent trekking in the mountains, or heading out on horseback. You’ll witness the eagle hunt, and the close relationship and communication needed between hunter and eagle. Returning home in the evenings, you may be treated to performances by local musicians playing the dombro – a Kazakh lute.
Visiting Mongolia in winter is a special experience in itself. These semi nomadic families stay close to home during the iciest months rather than grazing their animals out in the pastures, so you’ll have a much more intimate experience of Kazakh herder life.
Responsible tourism in Western Mongolia
Many tours in Western Mongolia offer the chance to meet or stay with Kazakh eagle hunters. Responsible vacation companies will know this region well, are friends with the Kazakh families, and offer very small group tours in a way which benefits the eagle hunters, rather than disrupting their lives. They will employ local guides who have personal connections with these communities, and can check with the families to ensure they are happy to host tourists at certain times. They also safeguard the wellbeing of the younger eagle hunters, which includes a new generation of girls who are taking up the practice for the first time.
Jessica Brooks, founder of our leading Mongolia supplier, Eternal Landscapes:
“We ask, ‘it is ok to bring people now?’ And sometimes they say ‘no, we’re busy, can you work with another family?’ They are all personal contacts that we have sought out. What we never do is just turn up, find a guy with an eagle and stay with him. You can do that, but we prefer to have a relationship with the families. The girls are early to mid teens. I think that’s got to impact on them sometimes, so we tend to stay with the older Kazakh hunters, the ones that are typically granddads. When it comes to the younger hunters, we may only stay there one evening then we move on the next day, otherwise it will then impact on their school life and that is the one thing we don’t want to do.”
More about Mongolia
From Ulaanbaatar and the Gobi Desert to the dense forest lands of the Zavkhan Province, we offer advice on the best time to visit Mongolia...
Our Mongolia travel guide offers honest insights into the world's least densely populated country, covering steppe and ger camp, camel treks and eagle festivals...
Whether you're traveling by train, on foot or by horse or camel, find the best places to visit in Mongolia with our interactive map and highlights...
We offer plenty of suggestions for things to do in Mongolia, including traveling like a local on horseback and channelling your inner Genghis Khan...
Traveling in Mongolia with kids is a great idea. Read our advice from experts who have been there, done that and got the mare's milk stained t-shirt...
If traveling off peak in Mongolia, you'll find herders and livestock stay close to the safety and warmth of ger camps, giving a unique insight into rural life...
Find out more about Mongolia's eagle festivals, their not-so-ancient origins, and their impacts upon wildlife, golden eagles, and Kazakh communities...
Our Mongolia travel advice page is packed full of tips from our friends in Mongolia as well as cultural advice and a handy health & safety guide...
From poverty and modernisation, to mining and conservation , find out more about responsible travel in Mongolia before visiting this incredible country...
Mongolia draws travelers for its vast landscapes and semi nomadic herder culture, but don’t be fooled into thinking that the 21st century has not touched this country.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Altaihunters] [Intro Box: Mark Robinson]
[Why are eagles used for hunting? 1: Neil McIntosh]
[Why are eagles used for hunting? 2: Ceyhun Kavakci]
[How to catch & keep an eagle 1: Ceyhun Kavakci]
[How to catch & keep an eagle 2: Ceyhun Kavakci]
[How to catch & keep an eagle 3: Ceyhun Kavakci]
[Hunting with the berkutchi 1: eimoberg]
[Hunting with the berkutchi 2: Altaihunters]
[Hunting with the berkutchi 3: Partnership for Action on Green Economy]
[Responsible Tourism: Chelsea Marie Hicks]
[Jessica Brooks Quote: John Pannell]
- Recently viewed
