Private Eagle Festival Photography Tour — 10 Days

Welcome to Mongolia. Your guide and driver will meet you at Chinggis Khaan International Airport and transfer you to your centrally located hotel in Ulaanbaatar. After checking in, enjoy a welcome lunch and meet your guide for a detailed tour briefing. We will review the domestic flight schedule, photography equipment, weather conditions and arrangements for the private eagle festival. The remainder of the day is available for rest after your international journey. If time permits, you may take a short orientation walk through central Ulaanbaatar.

Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Ölgii, the capital of Bayan-Ölgii Province. The flight crosses Mongolia’s immense steppe and mountain landscapes before reaching the far west. Upon arrival, meet the local team and continue by private vehicle toward Altantsögts and Tsambagarav Mountain. The road passes through wide valleys, rocky hills and the summer pastures of Kazakh nomadic families. Arrive at our private seasonal ger camp, settle into your ger and explore the surrounding landscape. In the evening, enjoy your first sunset photography session around the camp and the Tsambagarav mountain range.

Today is dedicated to meeting Shai Murat, a champion Kazakh eagle hunter whose summer grazing land is home to our seasonal camp. Learn about the relationship between an eagle hunter and his golden eagle, including traditional training methods, voice commands, equipment and the role of eagle hunting in Kazakh culture. The photography program may include: Portraits of Shai Murat with his golden eagle Traditional Kazakh clothing and hunting equipment Horseback photography Eagle handling and training demonstrations Environmental portraits around the camp Sunset photography beneath Tsambagarav Mountain We will also scout the main locations for the following day’s private eagle festival and discuss the best positions for photographers.

Today, approximately 10–15 Kazakh eagle hunters gather exclusively for your group. Unlike a large public festival, this privately arranged event allows more time for interaction, photography and carefully planned scenes. Activities are adapted to the group’s interests, available light, weather conditions and photography objectives. The program may include: Mounted parade of eagle hunters Traditional Kazakh clothing and hunting costumes Golden eagle calling and landing demonstrations Individual and group portraits Horseback action photography Eagle training explanations Kazakh music and cultural performances Traditional local food Supervised opportunity to hold a golden eagle The day concludes with golden-hour photography of the hunters, horses and eagles against the mountain landscape.

After an early breakfast, enjoy a final photography session around Tsambagarav Mountain. Depending on the weather and local conditions, we may photograph eagle hunters on horseback, nomadic families, wildlife, and the dramatic Altai landscape. Later, say goodbye to Shai Murat’s family and drive back to Ölgii. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening. Staying overnight in Ölgii ensures convenient access to the airport for the following day’s flight. Photography: Eagle hunters, nomadic life and Altai landscapes Driving: Approximately 2–3 hours, depending on road conditions

After breakfast, transfer to Ölgii Airport for your domestic flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for rest, shopping or independent exploration.

Depart Ulaanbaatar after breakfast and travel west toward Elsen Tasarkhai, a scenic area where sand dunes meet grassland, rocky hills and nomadic pastures. The drive covers approximately 280 kilometers and normally takes 4.5–5 hours, depending on road and traffic conditions. In the late afternoon, meet local camel herders for a privately arranged photography session. Photograph two-humped Bactrian camels walking across the dunes during the warm evening light. Possible scenes include: Camel caravan crossing the dunes Portraits of camel herders Traditional clothing Camels resting beside the dunes Sunset silhouettes Wide landscape compositions

Rise early for a second camel photography session at sunrise, when the dunes are quiet and the light creates long shadows across the sand. After breakfast, continue approximately 90 kilometers to Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongol Empire. Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, founded in 1586 and recognized as Mongolia’s oldest surviving Buddhist monastery. Photograph its white stupas, temples, monks and surrounding Orkhon Valley landscape. If time permits, visit the Kharkhorum Museum and local market to learn more about the ancient capital and daily life in modern Kharkhorin.

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Kharkhorin with time for additional photography around Erdene Zuu Monastery or the surrounding Orkhon Valley. After breakfast, begin the return journey to Ulaanbaatar. The drive covers approximately 360 kilometers and generally takes 5–6 hours. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner with your guide and fellow travelers.

After breakfast, transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport for your departure flight. Your airport transfer will be arranged according to your international flight schedule.