Where to see Eagle Hunting in Kyrgyzstan
You might’ve seen epic photos on Instagram. Someone on horseback, a golden eagle perched heavily on their arm, snow-covered mountains behind them. Or you might’ve even seen videos of men hunting with eagles through the wilderness. They look dramatic, ancient, almost unreal.
But eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan isn’t just something staged for Instagram. It’s a living tradition, deeply rooted in nomadic culture, identity, and pride, and has been for thousands of years. While it’s no longer essential for survival, the bond between hunter and eagle is very real. And seeing it up close gives you a rare insight into nomadic culture that goes far deeper than yurt stays and horse treks.
If anything, watching a golden eagle launch into the sky, lock onto its target, and return calmly to its handler is one of those travel moments that really sticks with you.
If you’re planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan, seeing eagle hunting should be high on your list. This guide breaks down where to see eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan, what’s ethical, what to expect, how much it costs, and how to organise it properly, all based on my own experience
What is eagle hunting?
Eagle hunting is a traditional form of falconry where trained golden eagles are used to hunt small animals such as foxes, hares, marmots, and rabbits. The hunters are known as berkutchi, and the relationship between hunter and eagle is based on mutual dependence rather than control. To gain this understanding, it requires years of training, trust and daily care.
Unlike birds kept purely for show, these eagles are active hunters. Even today, during the winter season, many berkutchi still take their birds into the mountains to hunt. This isn’t for sport, but as a continuation of an ancient way of life.
History of eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan
Eagle hunting across Central Asia dates back thousands of years, long before modern borders existed. Nomadic tribes across what is now Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and western China relied on golden eagles for warmth, food, and survival during brutal winters. Hence the deep tie to nomadic life.
In Kyrgyzstan, berkutchi were once heroes of their communities, bringing back fur and meat when resources were scarce during the harsh winters. The skills were passed from father to son for generations, and the eagle itself was treated with immense respect. So it was nice to see our guide’s son getting involved during our demonstration!
Although modern life has reduced the need for hunting, Kyrgyzstan has actively worked to preserve the tradition through festivals, training programs, and responsible demonstrations. Today, eagle hunting is as much about cultural preservation as it is about the hunt itself.
Where can you see Eagle Hunting in Kyrgyzstan
While eagle hunters exist across the country, there are only a few places where travellers can reliably and ethically see demonstrations in Kyrgyzstan:
- Bokonbaevo (Issyk-Kul’s south shore) – the most accessible and well-known place
- Naryn Region – more remote, less tourist-focused
- Chon Kemin Valley – occasional demonstrations near yurt camps
- Winter festivals – such as the Salburun games (seasonal) or World Nomad Games
Bokonbaevo is hands-down the best and most accessible place to see eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan. For most travellers, it strikes the best balance between authenticity, accessibility, and ethics.
The are is home to several respected berkutchi families and works closely with organisations like Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and the Salburun Federation, which helps ensure demonstrations are done responsibly and genuinely preserve the tradition.
Plus Bokonbaevo fits perfectly into an Issyk-Kul or Kyrgyzstan itinerary, and means you can pair it with nearby sights like Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon.
This is where I chose to see eagle hunting, and I’d make the same choice again.
What to expect: Eagle Hunting in Bokonbaevo
Bokonbaevo sits on the quieter southern shore of Issyk-Kul and feels far removed from Kyrgyzstan’s busier tourist hubs.
Our experience began with a short drive out of the village into the surrounding hills. It felt like the middle of nowhere, but was actually less than an hour away. Here, we met our berkutchi guide and his eagles ready for a demonstration.
There was no rush, no crowds, and no theme-park atmosphere. Just a calm, respectful introduction to the birds, their training, diet, daily care, and the relationship between eagle and hunter. We also learnt about the history of eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan and nomadic societies. All the while our guide casually held the eagle (I found out later how impressive that was given their weight).
Then came the demonstration.
Eagle Hunting
One man rode to the top of a hill with the eagle. At the bottom, our guide prepared the lure. When the signal was given, the eagle launched itself into the air, soared silently, and then dropped with astonishing speed and precision to collect its prey! It was very impressive, and all happened so quickly!
After learning a bit about the eagles, the relationship with their handlers, and the history of eagle hunting in Kyrgystan and nomadic societies, the first demonstration began. before watching it fly, hunt a lure, and return to the hunter’s arm.
Next, the same drill, but this time with a moving target, dragged behind a galloping horse. Beforehand, the guide even pointed out exactly where the eagle would strike. Sure enough, that’s exactly where it happened as the eagle swooped down to catch its prey.
Afterwards, the eagle was left to feed while our guide answered any questions we had about training, hunting seasons, and how they read the smallest movements of the bird.
Taigan Dogs and Archery
After the eagle demonstration, he brought out the hunting dogs. These beautiful breeds are actually called Taigan (the Kyrgyz sighthound) and are used for hunting on the ground.
Similar to Afghan hounds or greyhounds, these dogs have historically worked with the nomad community during their hunts as they’re super fast and agile.
We were able to witness this as our guide rode around on his horse, dragging behind him a carcass for the dogs to aim for.
We also tried out some traditional archery. It was good fun, and if there’s one thing I know about Kyrgyz people, is that despite their sometimes stern exterior, they’re some of the most fun people around!
We were using a hand-made bow which was really cool. But I’ll blame it for my terrible aim!
Holding the Eagle
To finish, we were shown how to safely hold the eagle. The weight was no joke! Holding it for more than a few moments really makes you appreciate the strength required by berkutchi.
On this occasion our guide put the hood on the eagle, though I have heard of other demonstrations where they don’t do this.
Expect the entire experience to last 1–2 hours, with plenty of time for questions and photos.
My Tip: If a place feels rushed, overly performative, or involves chained birds, walk away. Bokonbaevo’s best experiences never feel forced.
Booking and prices
- Who to book with:
- Booking an eagle hunting demonstration in Kyrgyzstan isn’t the most obvious, but it turned out to be pretty easy. It was as simple as messaging a company on Whatsapp, the day before to arrange. I used Visit Teskei (+996 705 001 723) but there are a few others around.
- Most accommodations in Kyrgyzstan have contacts for eagle hunters in the area, so if you’re not able to find anything – you should ask them.
- Avoid online bookings as they’re often overpriced.
- How much are eagle hunting demonstrations?
- Prices typically range from 2,000–5,000 KGS per person, depending on group size and whether transport is included. Paying directly supports the family and the eagle’s care.
- We paid 2500 Kyrgyz Som per person, which included transport to and from our accommodation in Bokonbaevo.
- Independently contacting people in the area will often get you the best prices, but it’s worth investigating.
If you are looking for the full experience, beyond a demonstration. The full-day eagle hunting tours are harder to come by, but sometimes run in season.
This is where you will go out on horses to witness real hunting in action – usually from 9am until 5pm. I’ve seen companies organise this for nearer $220 USD per person. This includes the eagle hunters, a guide, horses for riding (+ helmets), lunch as well as transport.
FAQs
Is it ethical?
When done traditionally, yes. The eagles are not domesticated pets; they are respected hunting partners. After around 8–10 years, many eagles are released back into the wild to breed. Ethical hunters prioritise the bird’s health, freedom, and well-being above performance.
Avoid places that:
- Chain birds
- Rush demonstrations
- Force out-of-season hunts
Do you need a tour or can you organise independently?
Yes, you can organise eagle-hunting independently or through a tour.
Many travellers arrange visits through guesthouses in Bokonbaevo, while others go via local guides from Karakol or Bishkek. Independent arrangements are often more personal and affordable than any that you’ll get online or from other cities.
What is the best time to see eagle hunting?
Whilst the best time of year to witness eagle hunting in its truest form is during the autumn and winter months, you can see demonstrations throughout the year.
This means you can see them during Kyrgyzstan’s best weather in the summer months of May-September. This is probably what I recommend, even though the eagles aren’t flying to hunt.
For a more authentic experience, try later in the year (October-February) when the hunters go hunting in the mountains with their eagles.
How do they train the eagles?
This was one of my first questions for the berkutchi, since this is a very rare phenomena.
Training begins when the eagle is young, focusing on trust, routine, and gradual exposure to hunting. The process is slow and patient. Forcing an eagle simply doesn’t work.
Many hunters spend every single day with their bird for decades. It was clear to see the trust between our guide and his bird.
How to get to Bokonbaevo
Bokonbaevo isn’t the most visited of destinations in Kyrgyzstan, despite its prime location on the south coast of Issyk-Kul. Most of the tourists were Russian, and there weren’t really any hostels – only homestays or guesthouses.
From Bishkek, take a marshrutka or shared taxi to Karakol, then continue to Bokonbaevo along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. Total travel time is around 6–7 hours. You can also reach Bokonbaevo from Karakol in about 3 hours.
Where to stay in Bokonbaevo
Most travellers stay in family-run guesthouses, which are affordable, friendly, and often help organise eagle hunting visits. Expect prices around 1,000–2,000 KGS per night, including meals.
Where to go after Bokonbaevo
Bokonbaevo fits perfectly into an Issyk-Kul loop. From here, you can continue east to Karakol for hiking and alpine scenery, head west toward Skazka Canyon, or loop back to Bishkek via the north shore. If you’re heading south, Bokonbaevo also works as a stepping stone toward Naryn and the high mountain pastures beyond.
Personally, I headed east towards Karakol so I could complete the Ala Kul trek. Though, on the way, I made sure to stop off a couple of sights along the way.
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