MONGOLIA EAGLE HUNTERS AND GOBI DESERT PHOTO TOUR 10 – 20 SEPTEMBER 2026

General Information

Location:

Mongolia

Arrival / Departure:

Ulaanbaatar (UB) Airport

Schedule:

From 10 to 20 September 2026

Duration:

11 days

Difficulty Level:

Easy

Photography Style:

Travel and Landscape

Number of Photographers:

Max 8- 10 people

Health Status:

Good

Leader:

Zay Yar Lin

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB): 10 Sep 2026
  • Your journey begins as you touch down at Ulaanbaatar (UB) Airport. Upon your arrival, our friendly drivers will be there to greet you, and they’ll take you to your comfortable hotel.
  • In the evening, at 7 p.m., we’ll convene in the hotel lobby. From there, we’ll head to a local restaurant for a delightful dinner, where we’ll get better acquainted and have an in-depth discussion about the upcoming photo tour.
  • You’ll be staying overnight at a lovely hotel located just a short 5-minute drive from the heart of the city. (Dinner included)
Day 2 - Tsagaan Suvarga and Yol Valley: 11 Sep 2026
  • After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we embark on our journey to Tsagaan Suvarga, also known as the “White Stupa.” Along the way, we’ll make a pit stop for about an hour to capture the natural beauty of this unique landscape.
  • Our next destination is Dalanzadgad city, where we’ll have some time for shopping and exploration.
  • Continuing our adventure, we proceed to Yol Valley, a mesmerizing mountain chain within the Gobi Desert. Here, we’ll be staying in a ger guesthouse but without Wi-Fi. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Day 3 – Khongor Sand Dunes: 12 Sep 2026
  • After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll continue our exploration of the stunning Yol Valley.
  • Our journey then takes us to the renowned Khongor sand dunes, one of Mongolia’s most beautiful and expansive sandy areas. This evening, we’ll have the opportunity for a unique photo session as we capture caravans during the sunset amidst the dunes.
  • We’ll stay overnight in a ger guesthouse camp, which does offer access to electricity and showers. Each Ger accommodates 4-5 people and is furnished with a bed, bed linen, a blanket, and a pillow. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Day 4 - Khongor Sand Dunes: 13 Sep 2026
  • Rise and shine early in the morning for a captivating sunrise session at the Khongor sand dunes, which stretch for over 170 kilometers and are considered one of Mongolia’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.
  • Get ready for a unique experience as camels and their herders await us for a portrait session amidst the captivating sand dunes.
  • In the daytime, we’ll take a break and hold post-processing tutorials in the camp’s kitchen Ger.
  • We’ll spend another night at the same ger, which, once again, offers access to showers and electricity. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Day 5 - Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs): 14 Sep 2026
  • This day begins with an early rise for another spectacular sunrise photo opportunity at the Khongor sand dunes.
  • After breakfast, we’ll pack up and head towards Bayanzag, famously known as the “Flaming Cliffs.” This area is renowned for yielding the first discovery of dinosaur eggs, and it’s also home to various dinosaur specimens.
  • • We’ll spend the night in a comfortable tourist camp as we prepare to capture the stunning sunset over the Flaming Cliffs, which take on a deep red hue at dusk. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
Day 6 - Return to Ulaanbaatar: 15 Sep 2026
  • As we bid farewell to the Flaming Cliffs, we’ll make our way back to Ulaanbaatar.
  • Our long drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Once we arrive in the capital city, we’ll share a dinner at a local restaurant.
  • You’ll spend the night at a Ulaanbaatar hotel equipped with showers and Wi-Fi. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 7 – Olgii city and Eagle Photography: 16 Sep 2026
  • This morning, we’ll take a commercial flight from Ulaanbaatar to Olgii city, departing at 7:25 a.m.
  • Once we land in Ulgii, we’ll embark on a journey to a local Kazakh family’s residence. Here, you’ll have the unique opportunity to photograph locals in their traditional clothing.
  • We’ll also arrange for a captivating session with 3-5 eagle hunters against a backdrop of stunning sunsets, framed by picturesque mountains. After the sunsets, we’ll make our way back to Olgii to spend the night at a simple hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 8 - Private Eagle Festival: 17 Sep 2026
  • Today, we’ll take a break from early morning activities, allowing you to get some well-deserved rest.
  • After breakfast, we’ll return to the Kazakh family’s area for a very special day. You’ll be part of a private eagle festival, arranged exclusively for our group.
  • You’ll have the rare privilege of witnessing Kazakhs on horseback, adorned in their traditional fox coats and scarlet hats, each with a magnificent Golden Eagle on their arm. This festival is organized by locals who are dedicated to preserving their traditional heritage.
  • You’ll have a unique chance to get up close to the Golden Eagles and even have one perch on your arm for a remarkable photo opportunity.
  • During this spectacular day, you’ll capture countless images with up to 10 eagle hunters in diverse locations, including mountain ridges, river bends, and lush grass marshlands. Every eagle hunter will be ready for a private portrait session, and they are incredibly friendly to our group. It will be a day you’ll feel like you’re on a movie set, capturing hundreds of stunning images without the usual crowd in the background.
  • After this thrilling experience, we’ll return to Olgii to spend the night at the hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 9 - Altai Mountains and Eagle Hunters: 18 Sep 2026
  • Following a relaxing morning and a good night’s sleep, we’ll head to another picturesque location for a captivating sunset session. Here, we’ve arranged private sessions with a total of five eagle hunters against the backdrop of the Altai Mountains.
  • The backdrop for these sessions will be the holy Tsambagarav Mountain, rising to an impressive 4,208 meters. This location offers a breathtaking 360-degree view, with rocky, jagged mountains on one side and snow-capped peaks on the other.
  • We’ll then return to Olgii for the night. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 10 - Return to Ulaanbaatar: 19 Sep 2026
  • Early breakfast and fly back to Ulaanbaatar. 
  • Last day for shopping or relaxing in the hotel. 
  • Farewell dinner together. (Breakfast, lunch included)
Day 11 - Departure: 20 Sep 2026
  • Our drivers will take you to UB airport (code ULN). You can select any flight this day, a private transfer will be arranged this day and included in the tour. (B)

***Note: All the mentioned activities may be changed based on your flight time and current conditions.  

Total Cost Per Person

3000 USD/ PERSON

450 USD for Single Room Occupancy

What Do We Bring

Gear:
– DSLR camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm

– Drone if you have ( useful for taking aerial shots in Gobi desert )

Wear:
– Waterproof and windproof jacket (consider the average temperatures +8 to +15 C)
– Waterproof pants
– Warm down-jacket and thermal pants
– Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography workshops

Full list of recommended wear will be sent to participants.

 

 

Included Cost

  • Sharing twin accommodation in hotels (3 stars standard which are nice, clean and comfortable) where available
  • Ger camp /All accommodations/
  • All transportation: 2 Domestic flights and ground transport by modern Russian jeeps
  • Fuel
  • Photography Guides and Tour leaders services
  • National park fees
  • Meals
  • Chef’s services
  • Private Eagle hunting mini festival, Eagle hunting activity – all stages and model fees
  • Beverages (water)

Not Included Cost

  • Medical insurance
  • International Flights to and from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Visas (but we will prepare all needed documents for your visa – invitations, supporting letters etc) Visa fees (about 100 USD) will be paid by yourself. European nationalities will be visa free according to the Mongolian Immigration. Please check the visa status before you travel.
  • Single supplement in hotels (450 USD) , single supplement for hotel basis (Olgii, UB)
  • Extra baggage charge (Limit of baggage in Domestic flight is 15kg total carry on and check in), around 2-5 usd charge per extra kg paid by credit card at the airport

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS INFORMATION

2 domestic flights included. Extra baggage charge (Limit of baggage in Domestic flight is 15kg total carry on and check in), around 2-5 usd charge per extra kg paid by credit card at the airport.

VISA

PAYMENT

Within 2 working days of booking, you will be contacted to confirm your booking; with a request to deposit of 800 USD through direct bank transfer. The rest of payment to be settled through direct payment to me when the tour starts.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Account Name

:

Zay Yar Lin

Bank Name

:

BANGKOK BANK

Account Number

:

133 5 551261

Swift Code

:

BKKBTHBK

Bank Address

:

333 Silom Rd., Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500 Thailand.

Cancellation INFORMATION

Cancellation of service before departure

You have to give 90 days’ notice before the beginning date of the tour and you will be refunded your full deposit payment minus transaction charges.

75 days or more: 75% refund

60 days or more: 50% refund

Less than 60 days: no refund

Cancellation of service in case of force majeure

In case of force majeure such as natural disasters, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, wars, terrorism, epidemics. In order to ensure the safety of the trip, we reserve the right to unilaterally cancel the committed service. We will refund 100% of the tour cost that the customer has paid. We will not be responsible for related costs (e.g. travel expenses, airfare…).

Tour Leader Profile

Bayandorj Lkhagvadorj

Bayandorj Lkhagvadorj, a seasoned photography tour leader with over 10 years of experience, brings his deep expertise and love for Mongolia to every tour he guides. A skilled Nikon user, Bayandorj is passionate about capturing both the vast, rugged landscapes and the compelling portraits of the people who call Mongolia home. He specializes in landscape and portrait photography, and his work is characterized by its intimate, authentic connection to Mongolia’s natural beauty and cultural depth.

Fluent in English and French, Bayandorj offers his clients the unique benefit of a bilingual guide who can connect with a diverse range of travelers. He expertly combines his technical knowledge of photography with his deep cultural insight, making his tours a truly immersive experience. Whether leading travelers through Mongolia’s stunning steppes, the Gobi Desert, or nomadic communities, Bayandorj’s guidance is highly valued by both beginner and experienced photographers alike.

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