Trip Report: 2025 Mongolia Eagle Hunters & Gobi Desert Workshop

Introduction to our Mongolia Photo Workshop Journey in 2025

Mongolia never fails to surprise me. This workshop was my 25th Mongolia photo workshop, and while the landscapes and portrait photos are timeless, each trip is shaped by the people that have become my friends —both the communities who welcome us and the travellers (old and new) who join me on these adventures. Over nearly two weeks, we traded tourist-packed hotspots for authentic remote experiences, laughed a lot, ate a little too much mutton (well, everyone but me), and came home with hard drives full of images that tell Mongolia’s story better than any brochure ever could.

The Ulaanbaatar Welcome

We gathered in Ulaanbaatar to kick off our Mongolia photo workshop, buzzing with excitement and jet lag in equal measure. Our hotel lobby became a meeting point where names turned into faces, and faces quickly turned into friends. Over a group dinner, we shared stories, checked gear, and mentally prepared for the adventure ahead. By the end of the night, it was clear: this wasn’t going to be a stiff “point-and-shoot” trip. This was going to be fun.

Into the Gobi Desert

We loaded into our trusty Lexus SUVs—three to a vehicle, plus camera bags that probably weighed more than the passengers—and set off for the Gobi Desert. En route, we had our first sunset shoot with horses and camels, and suddenly Mongolia’s vast horizons didn’t feel so intimidating.

The Khongor Sand Dunes, our next stop, were nothing short of spectacular. Rising up like natural cathedrals, they provided the perfect stage for photographing Bactrian camels and their herders. Our private sessions at sunrise and sunset gave us space to create images without a tourist bus in sight. At night, the stars put on a show that left most of us fumbling with tripods in awe.

Returning to UB (with a Twist)

After days of sand in our shoes, we returned to Ulaanbaatar to reset. But instead of simply catching our breath, we pulled out a surprise: we rented an entire theatre. Here, our group had the rare chance to photograph Tsam mask dancers in full costume and models dressed in regal, queenly attire. It wasn’t just a photo shoot—it was a cultural immersion where shutter clicks felt like applause.

Eagle Hunters of Ulgii

Then came the westward flight to Ulgii, home of the famed eagle hunters. For three nights, we lived alongside one of the hunter families, not as tourists but as guests. From dawn to dusk, we had private sessions with five eagle hunters on horseback, their golden eagles poised with the same dignity their ancestors carried centuries ago.

There were moments of high drama—silhouettes at sunrise, wings spread wide—and moments of quiet humanity, like sharing tea in a ger while the eagles perched outside. For me, these connections with families I’ve known for years are the heartbeat of this workshop, and I was proud to introduce my guests to these old friends.

Archers on Horseback

Back in UB, our final field day brought us face-to-face with another ancient tradition: mounted archery. Picture 10 archers in full traditional dress, galloping at full speed while firing arrows at targets. It was part history lesson, part adrenaline rush, and part “did I just get the shot of the trip?” moment.

We wrapped up the day with a little shopping spree at UB’s best cashmere stores (because your suitcase isn’t full until it’s lined with the softest sweaters in the world) and a celebratory dinner, where laughter came easy and the only stress was fitting all those new purchases into carry-ons.

Highlights

• Private access to camel herders and eagle hunters.

• Photographing the dunes of the Gobi at sunrise and sunset.

• Renting a theatre for Tsam mask dancers and traditional queen portraits.

• Living alongside an eagle hunter family in Sagsai.

• Exclusive mounted archery demonstration.

• Cultural experiences without the crowds.

• Endless opportunities for photography instruction, critique, and those “aha!” learning moments that make our Mongolia photo workshop so rewarding.

Reflections

This trip was a reminder that Mongolia is as much about its people as its landscapes. The eagle hunters, camel herders, dancers, and archers all welcomed us into their world, and in turn, we left with not just photographs but stories that will stay with us for years.

For me, leading my 25th Mongolia photo workshop wasn’t about numbers—it was about sharing a place I love with people who, by the end of the tour, felt more like family than clients. We came for the photographs. We left with laughter, friendships, and memories you can’t capture in megapixels.

Join us on a future Mongolia Photo Workshop. We run three separate trips that you might find interesting.