MONGOLIA PHOTO EXPEDITION

28TH JANUARY – 6TH FEBRUARY 2027

ABOUT MONGOLIA

As a travel destination, Mongolia is a special place for those seeking adventure, traditional culture and unrivalled hospitality. It is a magical place to visit, especially in winter when the landscape in dusted with snow, and remains one of the last unspoiled travel destinations in Asia.

Around 25% of the population are still truly nomadic, moving around 2-4 times a year depending on the area and weather. Around 25% are semi-nomadic, moving from villages at the end of winter to the vast open Steppe to find new pasture for their livestock. You may be lucky enough to witness a traditional migration using yak-drawn wooden carts! These nomad families are extremely friendly & welcoming, whose relentless sense of hospitality can at times be overwhelming.

Mongolia is one of my favourite destinations in the world which offers the chance to step back in time to a simpler, age old way of life, making it an ideal destination for a photo expedition.

ABOUT THE PHOTO EXPEDITION

The highlight of the expedition will be the Thousand Camel Festival in the Gobi Desert, a magnificent winter festival and cultural introduction to the life of Mongolian camel herders. This is not a typical tourist event, but a traditional gathering of nomadic herding families to get together to celebrate their beloved Camels and enjoy numerous traditional games such as Camel Polo, Camel Racing, Ice Anklebone Shooting and Archery.

This photo expedition is not a typical ‘Mongolia tour’ where you are whisked from one place to another every day, but a slow paced journey where you have enough time to experience and photograph the traditional culture. Accommodations will combine comfortable hotels and authentic nomadic homestays, with a pace designed for winter travel and cultural immersion.

The photo expedition is limited to a maximum of 4 photographers (excluding myself). This will ensure that you receive the best tuition, are able to maximize the photographic opportunities offered and minimize the impact on our surroundings.

It is suitable for all levels of photographers who are keen to learn, passionate about travel & photography, and like to immerse themselves in traditional cultures in lesser travelled destinations.

In addition to the expert photography guidance during shoots, there will be plenty of time for feedback, post production advice and valuable insights into the photographic industry.

Charging camera batteries, laptops, phones etc. will not be a problem as there will be solar chargers on hand to provide power if required.

ITINERARY

The Camel Festival is a two day affair and takes place in a village in Southgobi province, a days drive from the capital, Ulaanbaatar. The Camel Festival location is close to many of the photogenic locations in the Gobi desert such as Khongor & Moltsog dunes, Flaming Cliffs and Eagle Valley in Gobi Gurban Saikhan Mountains.

For our return journey back to Ulaanbaatar, we will travel through Kharkhorin and Orkhon Valley, where you will experience yet more authentic nomadic life and incredibly beautiful snow-covered landscapes.

We will travel in a classic Russian minivan which is built like a tank, extremely reliable and; really quite comfortable given the state of some of the roads.

COST

The cost of the expedition is US$4,350 / £3,250 per person (no single supplement charged)

which includes:

Ger Accommodation · All meals · English speaking Mongolian guide · Cook · Photographic tuition and guidance · Surface transportation · Airport transfers.

and excludes:

International flights · Travel insurance · Camera insurance · Passport, Visa · Vaccination charges · Private excursions · Alcoholic drinks or extra snacks · Laundry · Telephone calls & items of a personal nature.

INFORMATION

You will need to equip yourself with the following gear:-

SLR Camera (digital or film) · Memory cards or film · Spare Batteries · Tripod (not essential) · Filters (not essential) · Cable release (not essential)· Laptop computer (not essential) · Warm Clothing · Photos (either printed or digital) to use for critiquing.