* (Tour dates may be adjusted based on group size and booking arrangements)
(Questions? Contact Our Team.)
Mongolia is a land of wild beauty, ancient culture, and unforgettable hospitality. This journey offers a unique blend of epic desert landscapes, nomadic traditions, and exclusive cultural encounters designed for photographers.
The first part of our adventure takes us through Central Mongolia, where we explore the legendary capital of the Mongol Empire, Karakorum. Along the way, we meet and photograph nomadic families, capturing portraits of daily life and immersing ourselves in authentic Ger camp experiences. Here, photography is not limited to landscapes—it’s a rich mix of nature and culture.
The second part of the tour brings us to Western Mongolia, home of the famed Kazakh Eagle Hunters. While a public Eagle Festival is held annually, we avoid the crowds by arranging a private festival exclusively for our small group of 8–10 photographers. This intimate event allows close interaction with eagle hunters in traditional attire, offering rare opportunities for portraits and cultural documentation. Beyond the festival, we travel with 3–5 eagle hunters into the dramatic Altai Mountains, photographing them against snow‑capped peaks and rugged ridges.
This expedition combines landscape, portrait, and cultural photography, giving participants the chance to practice diverse genres in extraordinary settings.
Logistics & Comfort
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UB) at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN), where you will be met by our drivers and transferred to your hotel. At 7:00 p.m., we gather in the hotel lobby for a light welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. This evening provides the perfect opportunity to discuss the upcoming photo tour and get to know your fellow travelers. Overnight at a comfortable 4‑star hotel.
Included: Dinner
Flight Options: You may choose any international flight arriving before 5:00 p.m. Routes are available via Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, or Istanbul.
Tip: We recommend arriving a day earlier to rest and enjoy a short city tour, depending on your arrival time.
Mongol Empire under Chinggis Khan. Founded in 1220 in the Orkhon Valley, Karakorum served as the empire’s center for more than 140 years before being destroyed in 1391 by Chinese troops. Today, only two granite turtle statues remain as silent witnesses to its past glory.
On the ruins of the old capital, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, Erdene Zuu, was established in 1586. The monastery is surrounded by a square wall, each side measuring 420 meters, adorned with 108 stupas. By 1792, it housed 62 temples and 10,000 lamas, making it one of the most significant spiritual centers in Mongolia.
En route to Karakorum, we stop at the Mongol Nomadic Camp to witness a traditional performance showcasing nomadic customs, followed by a Mongolian traditional lunch.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We rise early to capture the sunrise over the ancient city of Karakorum, then enjoy breakfast before checking out. Our journey continues to visit a real nomadic family, where horses, sheep, and goats are part of daily life. This is a wonderful opportunity to photograph authentic nomadic lifestyle scenes and create intimate portrait sessions with the herders.
We then travel through Övörkhangai Province, located in the heart of Mongolia. The region is framed by the Khangai Mountain Range, with landscapes that include mountains, the vast Orkhon Valley steppe, and open plains. Here, we will also photograph the spectacular Orkhon Waterfalls, a natural highlight of Central Mongolia. Overnight in a comfortable Ger camp.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we begin the long drive back to Ulaanbaatar (approx. 6 hours). Upon arrival in the evening, we check into a comfortable hotel in the city, where you can relax after the journey.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we take a commercial flight (approx. 3 hours, departing between 6:00–8:00 a.m., time to be announced) from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii, the cultural heart of Western Mongolia. After breakfast, we set out for an epic sunset photography location in the foothills of the Altai Mountains.
Here, private sessions are arranged with 3–5 Eagle Hunters, framed against the sacred Tsambagarav Mountain (4,208 m). The setting offers a breathtaking 360° panorama: sharp rocky peaks on one side and snow‑capped summits on the other, creating dramatic backdrops for portraits and landscape compositions.
Accommodation is in a simple local hotel equipped with showers and Wi‑Fi—comfortable enough to recharge yourself and your equipment after the day’s adventures.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We enjoy a relaxed morning and skip the sunrise session, saving energy for one of the most memorable experiences of the tour. Today is dedicated to an exclusive private Eagle Festival, arranged solely for our group. Kazakh hunters, dressed in traditional dark coats and scarlet hats, arrive on horseback with their majestic Golden Eagles perched on their arms. Organized by locals committed to preserving Kazakh heritage, this intimate event offers rare opportunities to view the eagles up close—and even to have one perch upon your arm.
Unlike the crowded public festival, our private gathering is designed specifically for photographers. With 4–6 eagle hunters participating, we enjoy unlimited access for portrait sessions and dynamic shoots across diverse landscapes: mountain ridges, river bends, and grasslands with reflections and splashes of water. Each hunter is welcoming and cooperative, ensuring a collaborative atmosphere that feels like stepping onto a film set.
By the end of the day, you’ll return with hundreds of striking images—without the distraction of crowds. In the evening, we drive back to Olgii (1–1.5 hours) and check into a hotel with shower and Wi‑Fi.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We enjoy a relaxed morning before departing after lunch in Olgii. A one‑hour drive on a paved road brings us to the strikingly blue Tolbo Lake, framed by panoramic rocky viewpoints.
This evening, two Eagle Hunters join us for another private photography session. As the sun sets, we capture portraits in the warm golden light and use figures in the vast landscape to create dramatic compositions with scale and atmosphere.
After the shoot, we return to Olgii for the night. Accommodation is in a local hotel with shower and Wi‑Fi.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we transfer to Olgii Airport for our flight back to Ulaanbaatar (approx. 3 hours, flight included). Upon arrival in the early afternoon (around 1:00–2:00 p.m.), we check into our hotel. The remainder of the day is free, giving you time to stroll through the city center, explore local shops, or simply relax after the journey.
Included: Breakfast
Today, a private transfer will take you from your hotel to Ulaanbaatar International Airport (ULN) for your departure. You may select any flight on this day, and the transfer is included in the tour.