What is the best time of year to visit Eagle Hunters and the Gobi Desert in Mongolia?
People always ask us why we visit Mongolia in the fall... here is why we choose to go in September or October.
In the western province, the weather is cooler. IMO, after 11 years of travelling to see the Eagle Hunter community, it makes for a better Eagle Hunter experience. The Mongolian eagle hunting season is between the end of October and the beginning of February. Going in the fall means the Eagle Hunters have their bird in peak hunting form. Sure, we can go in the off-season during the summer months from June to August, but our guests expect to get the best photo opportunities they can. The fall season ensures this for our guests.
It also means the Eagle Hunters can spend more time with our groups. They are not rushed because they have other groups to see. They spend entire days with our groups. My groups are also guaranteed to get the best Eagle Hunters who know how to work with photo groups. They understand lighting, the poses photographers like, and they always wear authentic clothing.
For all the reasons above, the September and October time of year offers more cultural immersion and the opportunity to get to know our subjects as people, not just as strangers in front of our cameras.
In the south of Mongolia, we visit the Gobi desert. The summer months can bring rain (July being the heaviest rainfall month), high winds, heat, and many tourists trampling over the dunes we all love to photograph.
In September and October, the tourists are gone, the dunes are clear of footprints, and our groups can play like kids in a candy store without worrying about tourists walking through our scenes.
The camel herders also have more time to spend with my groups. Tourists are not waiting for camel rides, families do not overrun the camps, and influencers walking around with their selfie sticks are nowhere in sight.
The weather in the Gobi is also cooler, the rainfall has subsided, and the possible harsh winds that can wreak havoc on your camera are few and far between.
You should join us on a Mongolian adventure. We have been leading photographers in Mongolia for over a decade. Check out all our Mongolian tours here. https://akariphototours.com/destinations/asia/mongolia/