Private Eagle Festival Photography Tour — 10 Days

The Private Eagle Festival Photography Tour is a tailor-made 10-day journey created for photographers, filmmakers and cultural travelers seeking a more personal alternative to Mongolia’s crowded public eagle festivals.

The centerpiece of the journey is an exclusively arranged gathering of approximately 10–15 Kazakh eagle hunters at our seasonal 11-ger camp near Tsambagarav Mountain in Bayan-Ölgii Province. The camp stands on the summer grazing land of Shai Murat, a champion Kazakh eagle hunter and respected guardian of this remarkable tradition.

Because the event is arranged for one private group, photographers have more control over timing, locations, light and composition. The program includes mounted eagle hunters in traditional Kazakh clothing, golden eagle calling and landing demonstrations, portrait sessions, horseback scenes and opportunities to document the relationship between the hunters and their eagles.

An additional photography day in the Tsambagarav region provides time for sunrise and sunset sessions, nomadic family encounters and environmental portraits. This day also serves as a weather contingency, allowing the most important photography activities to be rescheduled if conditions are unfavorable.

After returning to Ulaanbaatar, the journey continues into Central Mongolia. At Elsen Tasarkhai, a privately arranged camel photography session captures Bactrian camels and their herders among the dunes during the soft light of sunset and sunrise. The tour then visits Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongol Empire, and Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest surviving Buddhist monastery.

Combining the Altai Mountains, Kazakh eagle hunter culture, camel photography, nomadic life and Mongolia’s imperial history, this journey offers exceptional visual variety without the long overland distances of a full Gobi Desert expedition.

Domestic flights, private transportation, accommodation, meals, an English-speaking guide and local photography arrangements are included. The itinerary can be adapted for private travelers, photography clubs, documentary teams and professional filmmakers.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Exclusively arranged private eagle festival for one group

• Approximately 10–15 Kazakh eagle hunters

• Stay at our seasonal 11-ger camp near Tsambagarav Mountain

• Meet champion eagle hunter Shai Murat

• Photograph mounted hunters in traditional Kazakh clothing

• Golden eagle calling and landing demonstrations

• Dedicated portrait, action and landscape photography sessions

• Additional weather contingency and photography day

• Visit Kazakh nomadic families in Bayan-Ölgii

• Sunset and sunrise camel photography at Elsen Tasarkhai

• Explore Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongol Empire

• Visit historic Erdene Zuu Monastery

• Intimate private group size of 2–8 travelers

• Led by an experienced English-speaking Mongolian guide