TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT…
Learning Focus: From wildlife photography in Hustai Nuruu National Park to portraiture of nomadic herders, each day has a unique theme, ensuring you gain a well-rounded experience.
Hands-on Guidance: The instructor will provide tailored feedback, allowing you to improve at your own pace in a small group setting, fostering an intimate learning environment.
Gear Recommendations: The tour covers a variety of photographic subjects, including wildlife, landscapes, portraits, and nightscapes. You’ll be guided on shutter speed, aperture, and composition techniques, all while being encouraged to experiment with different lenses and settings.
Cultural & Landscape Exploration: Expect to capture Mongolia’s vast grasslands, majestic sand dunes, ancient monasteries, and wildlife like the Przewalski horse, eagles, and camels—each offering a unique photography opportunity.
Night Photography: If interested, there will be opportunities for astrophotography under Mongolia’s clear skies, perfect for capturing the Milky Way and star trails.
Photo Reviews: At the end of each day, there will be a photo review session where participants can showcase their best shots and receive constructive feedback from the group and instructor.
This tour is a perfect blend of photography practice and cultural immersion, allowing you to capture the beauty of Mongolia while enhancing your photography skills in a supportive and engaging setting.
WHO IS TRIP PERFECT FOR?
•Beginners or those eager to transition from automatic to manual mode on their cameras.
•Intermediate photographers looking to refine their skills, explore new techniques, and learn how to shoot in different environments.
•Those passionate about photography and eager to immerse themselves in the landscapes, wildlife, and nomadic culture of Mongolia while developing their technical expertise.
•Photographers seeking hands-on guidance, with the opportunity to receive personalized feedback in a small group setting.
•Creative individuals who want to experiment and express their creativity while capturing the essence of Mongolia’s stunning surroundings.
By the end of the tour, you’ll feel confident using manual settings, mastering various photography techniques, and capturing beautiful shots across diverse landscapes.
Meet The Trip Leader
Stephan Cabibel is a French and Swiss freelance photographer with a deep passion for visual storytelling, shaped by his childhood in Africa and a career that took him across the globe. With a background in engineering and large-scale infrastructure, Stephan’s travels have exposed him to some of the world’s most extraordinary and remote places.
From photographing orangutans in Borneo to capturing the energy of Singapore’s streets, Stephan’s work reflects his unique ability to connect with both the natural world and diverse cultures. A year ago, he left behind his engineering career to fully pursue photography, working with luxury brands and prestigious hotels across Asia.
MAP & ITINERARY
Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, where your guide and driver will welcome you. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant featuring authentic Mongolian cuisine, followed by a Photography Tour Summary Presentation. Overnight at hotel (Hotel Bayangol or similar. (D)
After breakfast, visit the Chinggis Khan Museum to explore artifacts detailing the empire’s history. Then, head to the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, showcasing Buddhist art and Mongolian heritage. In the evening, enjoy a cultural performance featuring khuumii throat singing and morin khuur. Overnight at Hotel Bayangol (B, L, D).
After breakfast, drive to Hustai National Park to photograph the rare Przewalski’s horse, red deer, marmots, and raptors like black vultures and steppe eagles. Learn essential wildlife photography techniques, including shutter speed, focus modes, and capturing motion. In the evening, stay in a traditional ger camp, share dinner with a local family, and photograph the sunset. As night falls, enjoy astrophotography under Mongolia’s starry sky. (3 hrs, 100 km; Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Immerse yourself in Mongolia’s nomadic culture, experiencing activities like herding, milking livestock, and making airag (fermented mare’s milk). Ride horses through the scenic Hustai National Park, capturing candid portraits of locals and the stunning landscapes. Focus on portraiture, learning aperture techniques, depth of field, and using natural light to enhance your photos. For birdwatchers, enjoy spotting demoiselle cranes and raptors soaring above. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Explore the diverse landscapes of Khugnu Tarni National Park, where grasslands, forested mountains, and sand dunes converge. Visit the Ovgon Monastery, nestled in a scenic valley with panoramic views, before continuing to the striking Elsen Tasarkhai desert. Capture the textures and contrasts of the dunes, using wide-angle and telephoto lenses for depth and composition. Learn techniques for harsh light photography, depth of field, and composition (rule of thirds, leading lines, layering), with a sunset opportunity to capture the dunes’ changing hues. Nighttime astrophotography is also available under Mongolia’s pristine dark skies. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Today, explore Kharakhorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire, and uncover the history of this once-great city. Visit the ErdeneZuu Monastery, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery, built from Kharakhorum’s ruins. Surrounded by white stupas, the monastery offers a glimpse into Mongolia’s rich religious past and showcases stunning Buddhist art. Practice composition techniques like symmetry and leading lines, and focus on aperture priority mode to capture the architecture and cultural details. Overnight in a ger camp. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)
Today, capture Mongolia’s landscapes, wildlife, and people, blending different photography styles. Photograph herders, motion blur shots of horses, and candid portraits. Journey south to the Gobi Desert, stopping at a nomadic horse herder family and visiting Ongi Monastery, a former Silk Road hub. Explore the monastery ruins and stay at a ger camp by the Ongi River. (Ger Camp; B, L, D; 300 km)
Drive to the Flaming Cliffs, famous for dinosaur discoveries, and capture the dramatic landscape with sunset hues illuminating the red cliffs. Focus on composition, harsh light techniques, and using wide lenses for night photography, including opportunities to photograph the Milky Way. Stay overnight at a ger camp. (Ger Camp, B, L, D; 170 km)
Drive to Khongoryn Els, the Gobi’s largest sand dunes, where you’ll photograph camels with their herders against the stunning landscape. Along the way, explore Bayan Dalai and Zoulen mountain ranges, spotting desert wildlife like Goitered Gazelles and Mongolian Wild Ass. Capture portraits of herders and practice your wildlife and landscape photography skills. Overnight at a ger camp. (Ger Camp, B, L, D; 160 km driving)
After breakfast, drive to the mountains of Yolyn Am for a birding adventure. Hike through steep gorges and high meadows, focusing on birds like Chukar, Bearded Vulture, Saker Falcon, and the rare Kozlov’s Accentor. Capture action shots and explore natural framing with rock formations. Overnight at a ger camp. (B, L, D; 150 km)
In the early morning, we’ll drive to Tsagaan Suvarga, a striking cliff formation in Dundgobi Province, once part of an ancient seabed. As the sun rises, capture the shifting colors and dramatic landscape. This natural wonder, resembling the ruins of an ancient city, offers a perfect opportunity for sunrise photography, long exposure, and advanced bracketing techniques. Overnight at a ger camp. ( Ger Camp,B, L, D; 340 km driving)
In the morning, drive back to Ulaanbaatar. The remainder of the afternoon is for last minute sightseeing and shopping. In the evening, enjoy a fare well dinner at fine local restaurant.
(Bayangol or similar hotel; B, L, D)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
PRICING
- Land transportation as indicated in the itinerary
- based on using a Mitsubishi Delica Van for every 4-5 passengers;
- Land transportation as indicated in the itinerary based on using Land cruiser at the countryside;
- Accommodations in a standard room at Ger camps, based on a twin occupancy;
- All meals indicated as B, L or D;
- All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary;
- Museums fee;
- English speaking guide throughout your stay;
- Bottled water per person per day and unlimited supply of boiled waters.
- International and domestic airfare;
- Personal laundry;
- Drinks not mentioned in the itinerary;
- Travel insurance;
- Medical evacuation costs;
- Excess baggage charges;
- Visa fees;
- Gratuities;
- Photography and video fees in museums and any other item not mentioned as included (in museums and other indoor facilities).
- Any other item not mentioned as included.
