Some journeys don’t just take you to a new place; they take you into a completely different way of life. Our recent private tour into the far west of Mongolia was one of them.
Travelling alongside the Kazakh eagle hunters during their winter migration, we witnessed families on the move from their winter shelters toward the promise of spring grazing lands. It’s a journey shaped by the seasons, tradition, and survival.
The Altai Mountains of western Mongolia are home to the country’s ethnic Kazakh population. They are renowned for their horsemanship, craftsmanship, and centuries-old eagle hunting traditions.
Eagle hunting is not a performance or cultural display. It is a deeply rooted way of life which has been passed down through generations, where knowledge, skill, and respect for the land are essential. Families live nomadically, moving with the seasons, raising livestock, and maintaining traditions that have remained largely unchanged despite the modern world pressing in around them.
To spend time with these families is to step into something authentic where daily life, culture, and survival are closely intertwined.
Golden eagles are central to this way of life. Trained from a young age, they become both hunting partners and companions, working alongside their handlers with remarkable precision.
Traditionally, these eagles were used to hunt small animals such as foxes and hares. These provide both food and fur, essential resources for surviving Mongolia’s harsh winters. While modern life has reduced the reliance on hunting for survival, the practice continues as a meaningful cultural tradition, carried out with pride and skill.
Life here is shaped by movement. Each year, families undertake a seasonal migration across the Altai landscape, travelling with their livestock, belongings, and eagles toward more suitable grazing grounds.
During the winter migration, this journey becomes even more demanding. Days are spent moving across snow-covered valleys, frozen lakes, and mountain passes, often covering 10–20 km on foot or horseback.
This movement is not optional for these families, but an essential journey that is accepted and deeply woven into their way of life. Livestock require fresh grazing, shelter must be found from harsh winds, and the rhythm of life follows the land. Camps are temporary, shifting daily with the herd, reinforcing a lifestyle built on adaptability and resilience.
Travelling with the eagle hunters during winter is raw, demanding, and deeply immersive. Conditions are extreme as temperatures regularly drop between –15°C and –25°C, with long days spent outdoors in snow and wind. Comfort is limited, and the journey unfolds according to the needs of the families rather than a fixed schedule. THIS is what makes the experience so powerful!
You are not observing from a distance, because you are part of the movement happening in real time. Walking alongside herds of camels and livestock, sharing fireside meals, and witnessing daily routines as they unfold naturally. Evenings are spent in heated winter homes or simple shelters, where stories are shared, allowing for a connection with the very families you’re following.
Golden eagles perched on horseback, caravans of camels moving through snow, and vast, open landscapes create scenes that feel both timeless and cinematic. The ability to move ahead or fall behind the caravan allows for a variety of perspectives, offering creative freedom rarely found in more structured environments.
There are no staged moments here, only real life unfolding naturally in real time. It will require patience and endurance. But in return, it offers images with depth, context, and meaning. Return home with images that tell a story rather than simply capture a moment.
This experience is an invitation into a world few will ever witness. And for those willing to embrace the cold, the pace, and the unpredictability, Mongolia’s winter migration offers something rare, an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Due to the nature of this journey and the access required, opportunities to experience it are limited. We are planning a scheduled small-group departure in February 2028. Spaces will be limited, so please get in touch to be added to the waitlist.
The imagery in this post was captured by Emma Kandelaars, whose work beautifully reflects the spirit of this journey. To see more, follow her on Instagram at @emmakandelaars.
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