Hate overtourism? Here’s an idea for your next trip 👀 Overtourism isn’t just a buzz word; it’s a real issue for many frequently touristed spots around the world. 🚫 What’s one incredible locale that wants more international travelers? Mongolia! 🇲🇳 Mongolia was long at the top of my list, so it was a dream to travel there for the Golden Eagle Festival two years ago. Centered around the Mongolian Kazakh tradition of eagle hunting on horseback, this festival draws attendees from around the world, all of whom make the long trek to the far western province of Bayan-Ölgii to witness the eye-popping spectacle. 🦅 From competitions based on golden eagles’ prowess to archery and camel-racing competitions, the early October event is unlike anything else I’ve attended. 🙌 ➡️ FESTIVAL TIPS ➡️ 🌏 Because the festival is so remote, attendees can either fly (which is more expensive) or make the multi-day drive (which is cheaper) between the capital city of Ulaanbaatar and Ölgii. I opted for flying since I was short on time, with just 10 days total to travel within Mongolia. This allowed me to also explore other regions of the country, which are beautiful, vast, and varied. ✈️ Hotels and flights tend to book up well in advance of the festival, so it’s smart to book tickets/rooms as soon as bookings open for each. 🍫 Infrastructure at the festival grounds is limited, so bringing your own comfort items (e.g. warm clothes, filtered water, snacks, TP, etc) is smart—and practicing Leave no Trace is essential. 📸 Taking photographs of eagle hunters while they engage in competition is appropriate, but taking pictures of them without their permission *outside* of competition time is not. The best practice is to engage in conversation first, request permission to take portraits or action shots, and offer a small bit of money as a gesture of thanks. These small offers of thanks help support their journeys to/from the festival, support their elaborate festival costumes, and *also* support the maintenance of their cultural heritage. 🚌 If you’d like to attend the Golden Eagle Festival in 2025 or beyond, I loved traveling with @elsewhere.io. They planned an incredible adventure for me and a friend, from the capital city to the festival and beyond.
