Out on the furthest fringes of western Mongolia, in the shadow of the mighty Altai Mountains, a remarkable sporting tournament takes place each year: the Golden Eagle Festival. This annual gathering and celebration of the burkitshi (eagle hunters) is a lively carnival featuring two full days of thrilling contests designed to exhibit the eagles’ speed and accuracy while showcasing the hunters’ prowess and resolve. It’s an extraordinary demonstration of the connection that can exist between man and bird. An ancient Kazakh proverb says, “Fine horses and fierce eagles are the wings of the Kazakh.” What an honour to witness them soar.

See my cover feature for Singapore Airlines’ PPS Club Priority Magazine about the burkitshi and the Golden Eagle Festival.