We organize a very special event this October in Mongolia. Every year Eagle Hunters festival takes place in Mongolia. But we decided not to be in the crowd, but bring our own festival to just a private group of 12 photographers. Moreover, after a private festival we visit the most stunning mountain locations with 3-5 eagle hunters to make beautiful photos of West Mongolia. It’ll be a trip where you can mix a cultural experience, portrait and genre photography plus practice in landscape. Mongolia is the land of wild beauty and untouched nature. We will stay in traditional Ger camps and photograph not only landscapes – it’s a great mix of nature&cultural experience.
Day 1 (Sep/23)
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. We will pick up at the airport and transfer to hotel. Group meeting and dinner at 6p.m. We will discuss our photo tour and get to know each other. Stay overnight at hotel. /D/
Day 2 (Sep/24)
Fly on commercial airplane (3 hours) to Ulgii city from Ulaanbaatar. Drive to local Kazakh family (host) so we can photograph locals and their portraits. Stay overnight at Ger camp prepared by locals. /B,L,D/
Ger camp prepared by locals: No electricity, no shower, remote area. But we prepare electric line powered by generator
Day 3 (Sep/25)
It’s a very special day for us. Private eagle festival just for us, Kazakhs on horseback, dressed in their traditional dark coats and scarlet hats, with Golden Eagles hovering on their arms. The Festival is arranged by locals that are committed to preserve traditional Kazakh heritage. Enjoy the rare opportunity to view Golden Eagles close up and allow one to perch upon your arm. We will be able to ask any of them fora private portrait session. The whole event is just for 12 photographers. There’s a public festival happening around this time, but last years it’s totally crowded with almost no possibility to make a good photo.
Stay overnight at Tourist camp. /B,L,D/
Camp: Has a shower and electricity
Day 4 (Sep/26)
We arrange private sessions with a total of five eagle hunters in the foothills of the Altai mountains. Background will be holy Tsambagarav (4208m) mountain. Stay overnight at hotel. /B,L,D/
Hotel with shower, wi-fi
Day 5 (Sep/27)
We take 3-5 eagle hunters photo shoot in Tolbo lake. There are plenty of nice locations near Tolbo lake. Stay overnight at hotel. /B,L,D/
Hotel with shower, wi-fi
Day 6 (Sep/28)
Drive to Khoton and Khurgan lakes connected by a wide channel. The lakes are situated at an elevation of more than 2.000m next to beautiful Altai mountains. Stay overnight at ger camp prepared by locals. /B,L,D/ /Landscape photos, no eagle hunters today/
Ger camp prepared by locals: No electricity, no shower, remote area. Electricity by generator for a limited time.
Day 7 (Sep/29)
Photo shooting around beautiful Baga turgen waterfall and Khoton, Khurgan lakes. We’ll hike to beautiful Baga Turgen waterfall. Hiking distance depends on road condition. Stay overnight at ger camp prepared by locals. /B,L,D/ /Landscape photos, no eagle hunters today/
Ger camp prepared by locals: No electricity, no shower, remote area. Electricity by generator for a limited time
Day 8 (Sep/30)
Back to Olgiy. Stay overnight at hotel. /B,L,D/
Day 9 (Oct/1)
Return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Shopping for souvenirs, farewell dinner. Stay overnight in hotel. /B,L,D/
Day 10 (Oct/2)
Departure from UB airport – shuttle to airport is included /B,L/
Included in the price:
- 2 persons stay in Hotel
- Tourist camp, Ger camp /All accommodations/
- All transportation: Domestic flights and ground transport by Toyota Land Cruisers
- Drivers
- Fuel
- Photography Guides and Tour leaders – 3 persons listed below
- National park fees
- Meals
- Chef’s services
- Private Eagle hunting festival, Eagle hunting activity
- Beverages (water)
- Additionally we prepare reflectors for photography, electric cord line, power generators for remote places with no electricity
Not included in the price:
-
- Medical insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Visas (but we will prepare all needed documents for your visa – invitations, supporting letters etc)
- Single supplement
- Sleeping bag
- Extra baggage charge (Limit of baggage in Domestic flight is 15kg)
Price: 3900 USD
Join both South Mongolia and East Mongolia photo adventures and receive a 300 USD discount
What to bring
Gear:
– DSLR camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm
Wear:
– Waterproof and windproof jacket (consider the average temperatures 0 – 10 C)
– Waterproof pants
– Warm down-jacket and thermal pants
– Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography workshops
Full list of recommended wear will be sent to participants.
Accommodation
Amazing hotel in UB, in the fields – comfortable and warm traditional Ger tents. Men in one tent, woman in the other. Electricity in every tent. Facilities camp-style. Dining in a special Ger tent.
Weather: (Averages in Sep – Oct)
Coldest: -5°C to -8°C
Normal: 0.1°C to +2°C
Warmest: +7°C to +10°C
It’s Altai mountains region so condition is mostly windy and feels colder in October. We will send a packing list to our group 2-3 months before the trip start.
Tour leaders
Daniel Kordan
Daniel was born in Moscow area. In his childhood he graduated the art school. After that, he is studied in Moscow institute of Physics and Technology and became an optics physicist. During the study he gain experience not only in physics, but also in mountain climbing and hiking, guiding tourist groups in winter and in summer in Russian mountains. Right after graduation he became a guide of photo-workshops and chief editor of “Continent expedition” magazine. This magazine is about travel and adventures all over the world. He has got several awards in photography: Golden Turtle’ 13 Nature nomination winner, National Geographic Russia contest 2013 and 2014 finalist, Best of Russia’13 and ’14 winner, best photographer’13 finalist and others. He is spending most of his time in Norway, Lofoten islands and in Tuscany at villa Gaia, guiding groups of photographers.
I consider Baikal lake as top place for photographers from all over the world. I will help you to reveal its beauty.
BAYAR BALGANTSEREN
Bayar graduated with a degree in economy and he took on photography in 2007. He taught himself through online study and relentless practice.
Bayar uses mostly Nikon equipment and specializes in nature, wildlife, landscape, and traditional Mongolian nomadic lifestyle photography.
His first photography book, Bayar’s Photography Impressions, was published in 2013.
- An exhibition to celebrate his work was held in Mongolia at the Blue Moon gallery in January 2013.
- In February 2014, Bayar showcased his work in three Japanese cities – Tokyo, Saitamo, and Yokohama – with an exhibition called Beautiful Sceneries of Mongolia
- Also he held exhibition in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, Irkutsk, Yakutsk, Chita cities Russia, in January 2015 and 2016
- His exhibitions were in Bassano del Grappa on 19 September – 8 November 2015, 2017 Italy.
- And in Dolo city on 28 February – 6 March 2016 in Italy.
- Arxian city on15-30 December in 2016 China.
- “Beautiful Mongolia” Ottawa 2-15 March 2017 in Canada.
- “Beauty of Mongolia” Krakow city 25-30 October Poland
In the past four years, Bayar’s travel photography has been featured in multiple Mongolia magazines: National Geographic Traveler, Deejis, Goodali, Mongolian Photo, and Wonderful Life.
Awards:
- Won First Place at the Glowing Sunsets Photography Competition organized
by Canon in 2014
- Very Popular Photo at the Mongolian Photography exhibition held by
Cresc. 5. Japan, 2013
- Nominated First Place for Nature Photography at the Mongolian Press Photo competition, 2012
- Won Third Place at the Mongolian Birds Photography Contest organized by the Mongolian Centre for Wildlife Protection, 2012
- Best Participant in the EZNis Contest My Beautiful country – 2012
- Nominated one of the 40 best photos of the Mongolian Flickr group 2012
- Won Best Photo at the CIS corporate photography competition aimed at promoting Mongolia worldwide, 2011
Erdenebulgan Battsengel
Erdenebulgan is a landscape, travel photographer. He took photograph since 2011.
In the past years, Erdenebulgan’s photography has been featured in multiple magazines: Lonely Planet, Viewbug, Deejis, Goodali, National Geographic Mongolia etc…
2015: Feeling Chain – Photo exhibition
Awards:
- Winner in the EZNis Contest My Beautiful country – 2012
- Winner in the “Hureelen” Best of Mongolia photo contest – 2014
- Winner in the Delta outfitters photo contest – 2015
- Also many 3rd place awards and best participants..
