Day 1 – Welcome to Mongolia
Welcome to Mongolia, a land of vast horizons, nomadic traditions and extraordinary photographic opportunities. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll be met and transferred to our centrally located four-star hotel.
The remainder of the day is yours to relax after your international journey, explore the city at your own pace, or simply settle in before our photographic adventure begins.
As evening falls, take your first glimpse of Mongolia’s unique blend of modern life and ancient traditions.
Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Day 2 – Ulaanbaatar: Mongolia’s Cultural Heart
Today we begin our exploration of Mongolia’s fascinating history and culture with a guided walking tour through the capital city.
Photographic opportunities include the impressive Sükhbaatar Square, dominated by the monumental statue of Genghis Khan, along with government buildings, street scenes and daily city life.
We visit the National History Museum, providing valuable insight into Mongolia’s remarkable journey from ancient empires to modern nationhood. Depending on timing and interests, we may also explore the Choijin Lama Temple Museum or the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, both offering exceptional photographic opportunities and insight into Mongolia’s rich Buddhist heritage.
This evening we gather for a welcome dinner and tour briefing.
Meals: Dinner. Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Day 3 – Ulaanbaatar to Elsen Tasarkhai (The Little Gobi)
Leaving the city behind, we travel west towards the Khugnu Khan Mountains and Elsen Tasarkhai, often referred to as the “Little Gobi.”
The landscape begins to change dramatically as endless grasslands give way to rolling sand dunes stretching across the horizon.
After settling into a traditional Mongolian ger, we head into the dunes for our first dedicated photography session.
The area provides excellent opportunities to photograph Bactrian camels, local herders, livestock and traditional nomadic life against a backdrop of golden dunes and expansive skies.
Sunset photography here can be spectacular, with soft light creating beautiful textures across the sand.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Traditional Nomadic Ger
Day 4 – Ancient Karakorum & Erdene Zuu Monastery
Today’s journey takes us to Kharkhorin, the site of ancient Karakorum, once the capital of the Mongol Empire.
Founded by the descendants of Genghis Khan, this historic settlement played a pivotal role in world history during the height of the Mongol Empire.
Photographers will enjoy capturing the beautiful Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of Mongolia’s oldest surviving Buddhist monasteries. The monastery’s architecture, temples, prayer wheels and resident monks provide exceptional photographic opportunities.
We also explore the Karakorum Museum and surrounding archaeological remains.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ger Camp
Day 5 – Into the Gobi Desert & Ongi Monastery
Today marks our transition into the vast landscapes of the Gobi Desert.
Travelling south through increasingly dramatic terrain, we arrive at the ruins of Ongi Monastery, once one of Mongolia’s largest Buddhist complexes.
The atmospheric ruins sit alongside the Ongi River, creating a fascinating contrast between history, nature and resilience.
As the sun sets over the desert landscape, photographers can capture the warm tones and dramatic light that make this region so special.
With virtually no light pollution, tonight offers our first opportunity for astrophotography beneath Mongolia’s remarkable night skies.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ger Camp
Day 6 – Bayanzag: The Flaming Cliffs
One of Mongolia’s most iconic photographic locations awaits.
Bayanzag, known internationally as the Flaming Cliffs, is famous for the discovery of dinosaur eggs and fossils during early twentieth-century expeditions.
The vivid red sandstone formations glow brilliantly at sunrise and sunset, creating extraordinary photographic opportunities.
Throughout the day we’ll explore the cliffs, surrounding desert landscape and saxaul forests, searching for compositions that showcase the dramatic colours and textures of this remarkable location.
As darkness falls, the combination of red cliffs and star-filled skies creates exceptional astrophotography opportunities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ger Camp
Day 7 – The Khongor Singing Dunes
Today we arrive at one of Mongolia’s most spectacular natural wonders.
Stretching over 120 kilometres, the Khongor Sand Dunes are among the largest dunes in Asia and are known locally as the Singing Dunes due to the haunting sounds created by shifting sands.
Photographers can choose to photograph local camel herders, traditional nomadic families, vast dune landscapes and intricate sand patterns.
The late afternoon and sunset light here are simply extraordinary, transforming the dunes into flowing waves of gold and orange.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ger Camp
Day 8 – Full Day Photography at Khongor Dunes
Today is dedicated entirely to photography.
Sunrise, daytime, sunset and night photography opportunities abound as we continue exploring the dunes and surrounding desert environment.
This flexibility allows participants to focus on their individual photographic interests, whether landscapes, abstract patterns, people, wildlife or creative compositions.
For astrophotographers, this is one of the highlights of the expedition. The remote location, dry desert air and absence of artificial light create ideal conditions for photographing the Milky Way, star trails and dramatic nightscapes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ger Camp
Day 9 – Yol Valley (Eagle Canyon)
The landscape changes dramatically once again as we enter Yol Valley, nestled within the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains.
Known as Eagle Canyon, this spectacular gorge is home to towering cliffs, wildlife and, remarkably, lingering ice fields that can survive well into summer.
Photographic opportunities include dramatic canyon scenery, soaring birds of prey, mountain landscapes and unique geological formations.
This is one of the most visually diverse days of the expedition.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ger Camp
Day 10 – Tsagaan Suvarga
Today we visit one of Mongolia’s most extraordinary geological formations.
Tsagaan Suvarga, often referred to as the White Stupa, is a spectacular escarpment rising approximately 200 metres above the surrounding plains.
Its layered cliffs display millions of years of geological history through striking bands of colour that change throughout the day as the light shifts.
Photographers will enjoy exploring the interplay of colour, texture and shadow across this remarkable landscape.
Sunset photography here is often spectacular.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ger Camp
Day 11 – Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Our journey continues to the dramatic granite formations of Baga Gazriin Chuluu.
This rugged landscape provides endless opportunities for creative photography, from sweeping panoramas to intimate details among the weathered rock formations.
The region is also home to wildlife including ibex, marmots and wild sheep, while ancient rock formations create fascinating foreground subjects for both landscape and astrophotography.
As night falls, we enjoy one final opportunity to photograph Mongolia’s extraordinary dark skies.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ger Camp
Day 12 – Return to Ulaanbaatar
Today we make our way back to Ulaanbaatar.
Along the journey there will be opportunities for final landscape images and reflections on the remarkable experiences of the past twelve days.
Upon arrival, check into our hotel before enjoying a farewell dinner together, celebrating an unforgettable photographic journey across one of the world’s most fascinating destinations.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight: Ulaanbaatar
Day 13 – Departure Day
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
You depart with a portfolio of extraordinary images, new friendships, unforgettable cultural experiences and memories of one of the most visually rewarding photography destinations on Earth.
Meals: Breakfast.
