The Mongolia photo tour is a full travel experience around the nomad country. We will explore from the west, where we will live with the eagle hunters & travel around the Gobi desert living in Nomadic Ger Camps. A travel to photograph the landscapes of Mongolia. But also for portraits of the nomad culture of the country.
Guided by local guides all the time, we will fly to the East to drive around the Altai mountains, photographing the nomad’s lifestyle. During this half of our workshop, we will be able to take photographs of the Kazakh eagle hunters with horses. Discover their habits and experience the hospitality of this culture. We will do overnight in their camps in tents.
In the second half of the travel, we will be driving in the middle of the Gobi desert, close to China. During these days, we will photograph the dunes & rocky landscapes of this area. But also camel herds, nomads, and monasteries in the road.
During our stays in Ulaanbaatar, we will have time to experience the local culture. From here, we will flight to Ulgii, and start our travel to the Gobi desert. All necessary equipment, meals, internal flights, local guides, etc… are included in our package. Complete planning without any extra supplement that you will need during this travel.
Our Mongolia photo tour begins at the Ulan Bator airport, at a time that we will agree. On this first day, we will take the opportunity to get to know each other and rest. After a long journey here, and before the great adventure we will do overnight at our hotel at the capital of Mongolia.
Today, we will have time to visit Ulan Bator and the main sightseeings. It will be a day to acclimatize and get energy for next days. We will have time to visit places as Terelj National park where we will see the Turtle Rock, Aryapala Meditation temple and Genghis Khan Statue.
Today, we will take a flight to Ulgii (included in the price), to the first of the areas that we will explore in Mongolia. There we will live with the Mongol nomads in the steppe at the foot of the Altai mountains. As soon as we arrive at the airport, we will take our transport to move to the nomads camp.
From the moment of our arrival, we will have the possibility of both talking and photographing them in their daily tasks. In addition, we will have the possibility to carry out our first session at sunset, of these incredible landscapes with 3-5 eagle hunters. After that, we will come back to Ulgii where we will sleep in our hotel.
During this day, after getting up and have breakfast we will come back to spend the day with the Kazakh family. We will have a private eagle festival, with the nomads dressed in traditional Mongolian costumes and their horsesa. Also, riding on horseback carrying the golden eagles. During all day we will be able to capture the most iconic Mongolia photography with the nomads and their horses and eagles. We will have up to 20 eagle hunters with many opportunities to shoot at diverse locations: mountain ridges, river bends and grass marshlands with splashes and reflections.
Finally, at night we will return to our hotel to have a well deserved rest.
Today will be our last full day in the area with the nomads. We will spend the day with 5 eagle hunters, with Tsambagarav mountain at the background. It will complete our photo sessions of the eagle hunters with impressive 360 degrees views of the Altai mountains.
Today we will take a flight back to the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator, but before that we will start the day with sunrise session. Of course, a group of 3 eagle hunters will join us to capture portraits with beautiful morning lights. We will have breakfast in the area and drive to Khovd to enjoy the landscapes.
After that, we will move to the airport to take a flight back to Ulan Bator. Once there, we will drive to Mandalgobi where we will sleep tonight.
Today we will continue our route to the Gobi desert, stopping to photograph the Tsagaan Suvarga (white stupa). Singularly, erosion caused the rock to form these distinctive structures with purple, yellowish, and white colors.
For lunch we will arrive to Dalanzadgad city. There we will visit Yol Valley, a beautiful oasis of Gobi desert.
Once the tour is over, we will go to our camp where we will have dinner and rest.
Today, we will continue our journey through the Gobi desert until we reach the “Khongoryn Els” sand dunes. Besides, they are also known as the “singing dunes” since when it is windy the grains of sand rub against each other making a unique sound.
In these landscapes we will camp for two days. This afternoon, we will be able to take pictures of the desert landscapes with camels caravans for sunset. We will sleep at gers, with space for 4 persons and everything ready to sleep comfortable.
During this day, we will explore these impressive desert landscapes of the Gobi. We will walk through its dunes, to capture the camels and the wildest and most inhospitable nature of Mongolia. Throughout the day and especially at sunrise and sunset, we will have the possibility to photograph the most hidden and impressive landscapes. The Gobi desert is one of the largest deserts in the world and one of the popular Mongolia photography spots.
Also, at night, we will take night photography. These areas are perfect to capture starry skies due to its low light pollution.
Today, during our last full day in the Gobi desert, we will have our last sunrise session at Khongor sand dunes. After that, we will be approaching to photograph the Bayanzag area. The name is based on the tree-shaped bushes, similar to the American Joshua tree. It’s also known as the “flaming cliffs”, given the orange color that glows with the sunlight. The views will remind us of the landscapes of the American West. In addition, this area is known as the first where dinosaur eggs were found, in addition to their bones such as the velociraptor.
As always, we will photograph during sunset, when the rocks will take on even more intense colors. Given the rock formations in the area, we will be able to make magnificent compositions of this part of the Gobi desert. As well as be ready for night photography in the area, where we will camp our last night.
On our last day in the desert, we will take the road back to the capital. We will pick up the camp and head back to Ulan Bator, the capital. We will spend the last night of this workshop, and have time to buy some souvenirs.
We will go to the Genghis Khan airport where will finish our Mongolia photo tour.
Eduardo Fuster
Spanish photographer & teacher, diplomate in Art & specialized in Video & Photography. His photos were published in magazines such as National Geographic, Vogue, El Pais, Washington Post … Also worked in Real Estate photography for large luxury companies in the USA. He has also been working for the last 20 years in video design, collaborating on ads campaigns for Nike, Carrefour, Nivea, Hiberdrola, Tourism of Spain… His photographs were recognized in different international conquests. As an example the 1st place in Sunrises & Sunsets 35 awards 2019. Also get honorable mentions in the fine art photography awards 2018,2017,2016, Monochrome visions, 35 Awards 2018 & 2017 as an example.
Genghis Khan Ulan Bator airport, Mongolia
Price
The price of this Mongolia Photo Tour is based on the participation of a minimum of 12 participants. In case there are not enough participants, the possibility of making the trip will be offered with an increase proportional to the price, or a 100% refund of the total paid.
The last time of exchange rate calculation was January 1st, 2021, the final price can be modified up to 30 days before the tour start.
Accommodation
The accommodations offered are shared double rooms at Hotels with private bathrooms and breakfast, shared Yurts & tends.
You can book an individual room during the process of the book your place for the photo tour or writing us at [email protected]
Meals
This tour includes all meals from dinner Day 1 till breakfast Day 15. Extra snacks or alcohol are not included.
Insurance
Our tours include basic insurance, we suggest contracting full cover insurance. Contact us to expand your insurance coverage.
Transports
Our tours include all internal transports (cars, vans, trains, or flights). We don’t include international flights, but we will guide you at the moment of your booking the best options to arrive to the destiny from your home.
Itinerary
The itinerary mentioned can be changed due to a force major reasons like weather conditions or accidents for example.
Payment & Refunds
To book your place you need to pay 25% of the total cost. The total payment must be made 45 days before the trip.
This tour is done by Photography Workshops PhotoWorldTours SLU, due to illness or other reasons the trip may be made by another guide.
Cancellations
If the client cancel the trip will lose the deposit paid (25%), but refund other payments due this cancellation policy:
– More than 45 days but less than 60 days to the start of the tour: 50% of the total cost of the trip will be refunded.
– Less than 45 days before the trip start: There will be no refund.
Other considerations
Please, check the section “This tour include” and “This tour not include” to know more details about meals, guides or other services include.
The country is safe for foreigners. Anyway, you should pay attention if you move alone to big cities as Ulaanbaatar. Also, if you visit the country during the Naadam summer festival or the Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) we highly recommend you to move with local expert guides.
