Twelve-year-old nomad Bazarbai lives in the Altai mountains on the border between Mongolia and Kazakhstan. He is reluctant to follow the family line of highly-skilled eagle handlers and dreams of living in the wealthy and glamorous city of Ulan Bator. When his brother is given the opportunity to move to the city, Bazarbai's sense of abandonment is rewarded by a trip to a renowned Eagle Festival. The disappearance of his father's prized eagle kick-starts a chain of events that lead to a journey of self-discovery for our young hero. As he pursues the prized eagle, he is forced to confront his position in life and learn the value of loyalty, tradition and heritage.