Mongolia and The Golden Eagle Festival 2024

October 2024, I came to Mongolia with a group of like-minded photography enthusiasts, now friends, led by professional photographer William Chua and local guide Lkhagva Suren from Zendmen Travel. Before setting foot in Mongolia, I knew almost nothing about this stunning country. It was somewhat a deliberate act to visit as a blank piece of canvas because I knew it would be filled with vibrant colours, stories, and memories at the end of the trip. We explored the wild beauty of Hustai National Park with Przewalski's horses roaming free, embraced the history at Zaisan Monument, learned the grand achievements of Chinggis Khan and found serenity at Terelj National Park’s Aryabal Temple. We also stayed with Sailou and his family - a Kazakh eagle hunter who accommodated us with genuine hospitality, sharing their stories and offering insights into their nomadic culture. The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the Golden Eagle Festival, where the eagle hunters (also known as Berkutchi) proudly showcase the deep bond with their majestic birds in centuries-old traditions that dates back over 2,000 years. The festival not only highlights their exceptional hunting skills, but also the mastery and confidence with their horsemanship; which is why it is important to keep this unique cultural heritage alive and pass the knowledge down to their younger generations and enlighten the world.

The contrast between the vast, serene outback and the congestion of the city was striking; but what left the deepest impression were the Mongolian people, who naturally exude such pride in their ancient culture. Despite the strong sense of identity though, Mongolians welcomed us with open arms—warm, friendly, and eager to share their way of life. Its history, culture, and landscapes are now etched in my heart forever.