Adler hunt in Mongolia: Tradition meets adventure in the Altai!

Adler hunt in Mongolia: Tradition meets adventure in the Altai!

The Mongolia, a country of extremes, fascinates with its huge deserts, powerful mountains and endless steppe. The originality of this country has largely been preserved. The eagle hunters live in this impressive landscape, who chase their majestic birds of prey in close symbiosis. Directed by Christopher, who captures the beauty and traditions of the country in his pictures, as ARD Mediathek The tradition of eagle hunt, which is practiced in particular by the Kazakh population in the west of Mongolia, is particularly well known. This centuries -old art form, also called Berkutchi, is up to 4,000 years old and deeply rooted in the nomadic cultures of Central Asia. The eagle hunters use stone eagles to hunt small animals such as rabbits and foxes. This special relationship between hunter and eagle is based on respect and a deep understanding of nature, such as The Green Voyage Complement

tradition and respect

The tradition of eagle hunt came from the need to search for food and fur in rough landscapes. In the 20th century, however, this practice was not without challenges, especially through the Soviet influence. With the decay of the Soviet Union, however, the eagle hunting experienced a revival and is not only celebrated as a necessary lifestyle, but also as a sport and cultural heritage.

A highlight is the annual Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii, which shows the skills of the eagle hunters. Visitors have the opportunity to take part in traditional Kazakh games and enjoy cultural exhibitions. These experiences offer a deep insight into the way of life of the eagle hunter families and their traditions.

nature and adventure

The Altai Mountains, a central area for eagle hunting, invites adventurers to explore. The stay with an eagle hunter family enables travelers to get to know the nomadic lifestyle in winter. During this visits, photographs should be taken with respect and with permission from the family. A local travel guide can offer valuable support.

nature conservation efforts are also of great importance to ensure both the preservation of the stone eagle and the tradition of eagle hunt. The best travel times for the eagle hunt are in September and October when the Golden Eagle Festival takes place. Travelers usually fly to Ulaanbaatar before moving to Ölgii to reach the authentic hunting areas.