Trip Report – Mongolia Photography Workshop – October 2023
Introduction To My Mongolia Photo WOrkshop
We began our journey into the heart of the Gobi Desert, where we met the traditional Bactrian camel herders. Bactrian camels are the lifeblood of the Gobi people—used for meat, milk, fur, and transportation. The ability of the camels to survive and thrive in arid conditions cemented their importance along the infamous Silk Road—the great movement of goods between ancient Europe and Asia—and earned them their prominent place in the art and literature of the region. Life here is little changed—the nomadic camel herders still live as they have for centuries. My group had the opportunity to compose portraits of the herders and their livestock in various lighting situations against the stunning backdrop of some of the longest sand dunes in the world at both sunset and sunrise.
We then traveled to Ölgii province to meet the Eagle Hunters, their families, and their eagles. Each year we are invited into the world of the Kazakh Eagle Hunters because of the trust we have built through nearly 10 years of visiting them. We followed them up into the mountains with them and watched them exercise and train their birds. After several days of photographing this community, we got to focus on quiet time with family visits to have meaningful discussions about their way of life!
This workshop was fully customized—We had simple but comfortable accommodations and our own private chef—so we could focus on the experience.
What’s Included
Double occupancy lodging. Single is available for a supplement. (Hotels only)
All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
Internal flights during the workshop (extra luggage weight included).
All transportation during the workshop. (airport transfers included)
Tips for the crew, drivers, and local guides.
English-speaking local guides throughout the workshop.
Photographic guiding and instruction from 1 pro
Image reviews and post-processing instructions.
Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
What Is Not Included
Travel to and from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
Items of a personal nature.
Alcoholic beverages.
Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
Anything else specifically not listed as included.
Single rooming is available for a supplement. (Hotels only.)
The Accommodations
From cozy and comfy in our ger tents set up for us in the Ulgii Province to decadent 5-star accommodation in Ulaanbaatar when we returned from the countryside, we saw both ends of the spectrum.
In Ulaanbaatar, we stayed in one of the best hotels in town; located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar city and 100 meters from Sukhbaatar square, the hotel provided excellent proximity to Ulaanbaatar’s museums, art galleries, concert halls, and shopping centers. The 5-Star Hotel features 198 contemporary rooms and suites, ranging from a King Deluxe room to Presidential Suite. Breakfasts were free and came with plentiful food, and the Le Cabernet coffee lounge or Premier Lounge overlooking the entire city on the top floor was a great place to wind down every night we were in Ulaanbaatar.
While in the Gobi we stayed with our host family who offered very basic yet comfortable accommodation that was very close to the sand dunes. After we left the dune area we stayed at Dream Gobi for a couple nights with private en-suite bathrooms. This location was in close proximity to the petroglyphs and exposed dinosaur bones in the Gobi desert area.
Our accommodation while we spend time with the Eagle hunters is basic ger tent accommodation. We put up extra tents so all the couples could have a tent to themselves. There are dorm-like bathrooms. There is also a common area tent that we used for cooking, eating, editing sessions, and night-time social settings where we could sit and laugh while discussing the day’s activities. Never short on coffee, soft drinks, water, beer, and wine, this tent became our area to chill out after a long day of photography in the foothills of the Altai mountains.
The weather during THe WOrkshop
I will not go as far and say, “we lucked out this year.” The forecast before we landed was for it to be extremely cold with snow on the ground. By the time we got there, it proved to be more seasonal. The average temperatures ranged from 10C to 15C during the days, warmer in the Gobi desert. The nighttime lows averaged between 5C and 10C, cooler again in the Gobi desert at night.
We experienced very little rain or snow during this trip; in fact, the days were mostly sunny, and many nights were clear for those that wanted to try their hand at night sky.
The Transportation During THe WOrkshop
We had two commercial in-country flights during this workshop. We also paid for extra weight allowances for everyone’s camera gear. I mention this because a lot of companies do not cover this. Sometimes, the amounts can be quite hefty for photographers. When driving, we were in comfortable new minivans, with three guests in a van, with plenty of room to stretch out. When off-road and when out at the eagle families, we were in Toyota Land Cruisers, again three guests to a vehicle with plenty of room for you and your gear. Once again, I was reminded that the roads could range from extremely bumpy dirt tracks to smooth paved highways. No wonder they call it a Mongolian massage during those long drives in the countryside. :-)
The PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
There are so many photographic opportunities during this trip to Mongolia. Let me list them for you.
1) Action Photography – Eagle hunters running on horseback, flying golden eagles, and running camels herders in the dunes
2) Portrait Photography – Intimate indoor portrait sessions and environmental portraiture.
3) Night Sky Photography – The Altai mountains and Gobi desert offers amazing night sky opportunities. This year we photographed the galactic core over the ger tents in the Altai Mountains.
4) Landscape Photography – The mountains in the Ulgii area are great for landscape photography during golden hour. Then there is the Gobi desert. Photographing the Gobi is fantastic both day and night. From bright sky days where we can capture black and white images of the desert to early in the mornings when the sun accentuates the curves in the dunes.
5) Cultural Photography – From the home visits we conduct to meet the families of the people we are photographing to the private night at the museum, where we rent out the entire museum and bring in entertainers to sing and dance for us, the cultural photography opportunities don’t even come close on any other trip that I run.
my Post-Trip Thoughts
Workshop number 19 is in the books. It was the largest group I had ever taken to Mongolia, but we laughed louder than a group of 10 quite a few times during our adventure across Mongolia. Staying with the Eagle Hunter families is still my favorite things to do in Mongolia. Living with people I consider friends while in Mongolia enriches the experience, and offers photographers more than posed portrait photos. Don’t get me wrong; I love taking those portraits; maybe it’s just that I am at a point in my life where photography is more than just taking a photo; its the memories that the image of a family or group laughing recalls in my brain long after the trip is over.
Testimonials From Workshop Attendees
“Seeing Mongolia and the Eagle Hunters with Kevin was a dream come true. The photography opportunities were plentiful! It was so much more than I expected. We were able to meet the locals, learn about their culture, and fully experience Mongolia. If you’re going to Mongolia, go with Kevin. His experience with the country and access to the locals are second to none. ” — Pam S.
“Kevin is a great person, down to earth, always eager to help and guide. I find his itineraries are different than many photographers. He always prioritizes your ability to take a photo over himself taking a photo..” – Sanjiv M.
My Next Mongolian Adventures
If you would like to join me on one of my next Mongolian adventures in the coming years, please see them here.