Into Mongolia: From the Gobi Desert to the Kazakh Eagle Hunters

Dates: June 3-13, 2026

Mongolia is known for its last true nomads and its rich history, including the legacy of Chinggis Khaan! It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Mongolia is a unique and relatively unexplored travel destination, offering a perfect combination of scenic landscapes, nomadic lifestyle, and rich culture.

The first part of our adventure takes us to the Gobi Desert, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to photograph local Mongolians herding Bactrian camels across the Khongor sands in southern Mongolia.The second part of our journey is to the Eagle Hunters Festival in Western Mongolia. You’ll witness the cultural heritage of the Kazakh people, their ancient art of eagle falconry, and the breathtaking landscape of the Altai Mountain Range!

Get ready to be inspired by the beauty of Mongolia! Join us for an 11-day, 10-night photography workshop, and immerse yourself in a unique cultural experience while learning about portrait, landscape, and cultural photography with some of the world’s top photographers.

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) in Ulaanbaatar, we will transfer you to your hotel. Due to limited flight availability into Mongolia, you may arrive a day or two earlier to explore the beautiful city of Ulaanbaatar. On Day 1, we will meet in the hotel lobby early in the morning and embark on a trip to the Chinggis Khan Statue Complex, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, and downtown Ulaanbaatar.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where we’ll provide an overview of the exciting journey ahead.
Overnight at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2 – 4: Khongor Sand Dunes, Gobi Desert

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll take a domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad, which takes about 1.5 hours. If no flights are available, we will travel by car to Dalanzadgad at no additional cost. Depending on the arrival time, we may either stay in Dalanzadgad or head straight to the Khongor Sand Dunes.

Our main base for the next two days is the Khongor Sand Dunes, one of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia, covering over 900 square kilometers. Some dunes here rise up to 300 meters high! Locals refer to the Khongor Sand Dunes as “Singing Dunes” due to the “roaring” or “blooming” sound created when sand grains shift in the wind.

Bactrian camels will accompany us during our photography sessions. These double-hump camels are native to the Gobi Desert and are known for their adaptability to extreme temperatures and drought. Domesticated Bactrian camels have been used as pack animals for centuries, especially during the Silk Road era. We’ll have five camels and two local Mongolians in traditional costume, posing in the dunes for photography. You’ll capture stunning images of the shadows cast by the sand dunes and camels walking across the vast desert landscape.

We will be incorporating Milky Way photography with the camels after sunset. The skies here are incredibly dark (Bortle 1). Have you have ever tried to imagine how the nomadic camel herders would have navigated by the stars in the Gobi Desert? We will be photographing the Milky Way pouring down over dunes, with the camels to help us tell the story of life in the Gobi.

Overnight in a Tourist Ger Camp on Days 2 and 3, and in a hotel in Dalanzadon Day 4. The Ger Camp offers comfortable beds, clean public showers, and limited hours of electricity.

Day 5: Mongolian Nomadic Show & Mini Naadam Festival
After breakfast, we’ll catch a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we will visit the Mongolian Nomadic Show, which provides an immersive experience of Mongolia’s traditional nomadic lifestyle. Mongolia has preserved its nomadic culture, with families still raising livestock and migrating across the vast steppes in search of better pastures.

The show features performances of the Mongolian long song and the horsehead fiddle, followed by a mini version of the Naadam Festival, which includes traditional events such as archery, wrestling, and horse racing. The Mongols’ martial arts and horsemanship are legendary, dating back to Genghis Khan’s time. You’ll have the chance to meet and photograph local archers and wrestlers, and if you’re brave enough, perhaps even step into the wrestling ring with one of them!

In addition, a nomadic family will demonstrate daily activities like herding livestock, milking goats and sheep, making felt, setting up a traditional Ger, and preparing traditional foods such as dairy products and fermented airag. You can also enjoy traditional Mongolian games, throat singing, and folk performances.

Overnight in a hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 6 – 8: Kazakh Eagle Hunters
After breakfast, we will take a 2-hour domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Olgii. Our drivers will pick us up and drive us toward the Altantsugts Soum and Tsambagaraw Mountain, where we’ll base ourselves for the next few days. You’ll be welcomed by a Kazakh family and enjoy traditional meals in their Ger camp.

The tradition of eagle hunting dates back over a thousand years, with Genghis Khan believed to have practiced it. Kazakhs inherited this art from their Turkic and Mongol ancestors, and the tradition has been passed down through generations. The main prey for the eagles is fur, including foxes, wild cats, hares, and even wolves. Female golden eagles are trained from a young age and form a close bond with their handlers. When they reach breeding age, they are released, though their owners continue to monitor them.

During the day, we’ll photograph Kazakh people in their traditional costumes inside their Ger camps, using ambient light coming through the door for stunning portraits. If you’re brave, you may even have the rare opportunity to hold a golden eagle on your arm!

You’ll also experience Kazakh culture, enjoying meals with the family and being entertained by their epic music, dances, and vocal singing.
Overnights in Kazakh Ger Camps, with basic amenities including beds, toilets, heaters, and limited electricity.

Day 9: Golden Skies Eagle Hunters’ Festival
After breakfast, we’ll attend the Golden Skies Eagle Hunters’ Festival, a private event featuring 10 to 15 eagle hunters. Unlike public festivals, which can be overcrowded and challenging for photography, this private event gives you full access to photograph the eagle hunters in action. Capture stunning images of them performing eagle falconry on horseback, with the majestic Altai Mountain Range as the backdrop. You’ll also have the chance to photograph them in various locations, including mountain ridges, grasslands, rivers, and reflections under the Altai range.

This real eagle hunters’ festival has been approved by local authorities, and medals and trophies will be awarded to the winning hunters. The festival has been attended by local dignitaries, including the governor of Altantsugts and the director of the Mongolian Eagle Hunters’ Association.

Day 10: Olgii – Ulaanbaatar
After our final sunrise session with the Kazakh eagle hunters and breakfast, we’ll visit the town of Olgii for a quick city tour and last-minute shopping in the local market. Later, we’ll transfer you to Olgii Airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at a hotel in the city center, and in the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in a hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

More Details

Dates: June 3-13, 2026

The workshop starts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is $6799 for a double occupancy room, or $7598 for a single occupancy room. A deposit of $1000 is due at sign-up to hold your spot, or $1799 for a single occupancy deposit. You can use the ‘balance remaining’ buttons to pay the balance (due 90 days prior to the workshop start date). All prices are in USD.

If you wish to pay with e-transfer, please email me at rossrachel@mac.com. If you wish to pay via PayPal or credit card, a 3.5% PayPal fee will be added to the transaction fee.

Difficulty Level: Easy, no long hiking. Walking in the sand dunes, and short walking uphill to capture panoramic views with the eagle hunters. There will be some long drives (100-200km).

Maximum Group Size is 12 participants.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions to rachel@astralisphotography.com

Trip Add On! Pallas’s Cats

Dates: June 14-20, 2026

Join us to photograph the cutest felines in the known universe on our Pallas’s Cat Add On, June 14-20, 2026. These grumpy-faced little creatures completely stole my heart! Next year we will return when the kittens are small and still have their green eyes!

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Mongolia’s vast open wilderness in search of the elusive Pallas cat, also known as the manul. This fascinating small wild cat, famed for its cryptic coloration and exceptional camouflage, has long remained a mystery, with little data available on its population trends in Mongolia. Predominantly crepuscular, the Pallas cat is most active during dawn and dusk. Sir David Attenborough aptly described it as “the world’s grumpiest cat.” Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe and photograph the enigmatic Pallas cat in its natural habitat.

Itinerary

Day 1 (14th June):

Pick up in Ulaanbaatar or Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN) and drive to Manul Camp (500 km on a paved road and 70 km on an unpaved road).
Overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.

Days 2 – 5 (15th – 18th June):

Morning Routine:

Search and photograph Pallas’s cats, oriental plovers, eagle owls, steppe eagles, various small birds, steppe polecats (Mustela eversmanni) and corsac foxes, two sympatric carnivore species that inhabit the steppe zone.

Evening Routine:

After lunch, embark on Pallas’s cat observation. Visit the spot identified the previous day and continue observing until sunset.

Day 6 (19th June):

Drive to Ulaanbaatar (500 km on a paved road and 70 km on an unpaved road). Overnight in hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 7 (20th June):

Departure from Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN).

Accommodation and Food

Welcome to our eco-friendly ger camp, where you can experience a traditional nomadic lifestyle by staying in a cozy ger. Each ger accommodates three beds and includes bedding layers, blankets, sheets, pillows, and a handwashing sink. Modern conveniences are provided, with electric plugs in each ger powered by two on-site generators. Toilets and showers are located outside the gers, ensuring an authentic yet comfortable stay.

The kitchen and dining ger are separate from the living quarters, offering a dedicated space for meals. Manul Camp is conveniently situated 4 km from Halzan village, providing a stable 4G mobile and internet connection, including Wi-Fi. We use water from a deep well for food preparation, and bottled pure water is provided in the field. A knowledgeable, English-speaking biologist guide will accompany guests throughout their stay.

Meals:

Breakfast: Oatmeal, fried eggs, cheese, sausage, bread, and homemade traditional cookies.
Lunch: A mix of Russian and Mongolian cuisine, including eco-friendly meats (mutton, bacon, and chicken), rice, noodles, vegetables, and salads.
Dinner: Soups, main dishes, and desserts.
Beverages: Coca-Cola, coffee, bottled fruit juices.

If you have specific dietary preferences, please let us know in advance. We also cater to vegan diets, offering options like tofu, soy meat, and vegetables.

Experience the charm of Mongolia’s wilderness while enjoying a balance of tradition and comfort at our ger camps.

Additional Details:

The workshop starts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is $4399 for a double occupancy room, or $4599 for a single occupancy room. A deposit of $1000 is due at sign-up to hold your spot, or $1200 for a single occupancy deposit. You can use the ‘balance remaining’ buttons to pay the balance (due 90 days prior to the workshop start date). All prices are in USD.