Mongolia "Look, have you seen that guy? He's so handsome", Timur looked at Jenisbek Tserik, the famous eagle hunter on the steppe.

Tserik sat on a racing horse, galloping toward Timur, a Mongolian guide to Mark Daffey, CNN reporter.

"Look at his eyebrows and cheeks," Timur said.

"That's right," said Bata, Timur's wife, blushing slightly.

Tserik sat on horseback, beside four other hunters.

Tserik is a horse riding master, always winning wrestling competitions.

26 years old, unmarried, Tserik said he has five girlfriends, including one in Dubai and one in Kazakhstan.

As well as wrestling, Tserik is a champion archer, winning countless awards for hawk hunting in Bayan-Ölgii, where this hobby has existed for centuries and is more popular than anywhere else on

The habit of hunting with falcons originated in an ancient kingdom in Central Asia, where Genghis Khan's descendants settled by the sea of Lake Aral until the Russian Empire brought invaders to force them to flee to the Altai mountains.

Later, when the Soviet Union and China divided the border of this area in the early 20th century, the Kazakhs were divided and unable to return.

"The Mongols have always been proud of their skills in training horses. The Kazakhs have always been proud of their skills in training hawks of prey," explained Bata.

This is evident in the way they walk and behave.

The first Eagle Festival was held in the capital Ölgii in 1999. But until now, few foreigners come here.

"How much is much?"

"About 800," replied Timur.

The festival starts in early October. Another smaller festival was held in Sagsai two weeks ago.

In addition, there was a contest to see which hunter was chased by the most girls.

However, the hunting season only begins when the tourists are over.

The hunt can last for several days, requiring the patience of both hunter and eagle.

"When all unmarried women in the valley are waiting in line for you, like waiting for Jenisbek, who still needs a wife?", He shrugged.