Mongolia Eagle Hunters and Gobi Desert Photo Workshop
- 12 Days
From $8,395 - Interests
- Culture & People
- Activity Level
- Easy
- Group Size
- 6–10
Photograph Mongolia’s Eagle Hunters and Camel Herders in a Land That Still Feels Wild
Mongolia is one of those rare places that stays with you long after you leave. The landscapes are vast, the traditions run deep, and the experience has a way of making the photographs feel more important because what you are witnessing is more important.
For more than ten years, we have led 33 workshops here, returning season after season not only to improve the journey for our guests, but to build deep and lasting relationships with the people we meet along the way. Those relationships are at the heart of this workshop. We are not passing through for a few quick pictures and moving on. We are welcomed back by families we have known for years, and that trust allows our guests to experience moments that feel genuine, respectful, and deeply human.
From the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia to the sweeping dunes of the Gobi Desert, we photograph eagle hunters, camel herders, and horse archers in places that still feel open, remote, and connected to an older way of life. The result is more than a portfolio of striking images. It is a rare chance to photograph real people, real traditions, and real emotion in a place that still feels wonderfully untouched by the modern world.
This is a workshop for photographers who want more than pretty pictures. It is for those who want depth, connection, and the kind of experience that reminds you why you picked up a camera in the first place.
Highlights
- Rare Cultural Access – Our long-standing relationships with eagle hunter and camel herder families give this workshop a level of access that is difficult to create without years of trust.
- Private Photo Opportunities – From eagle hunters on horseback in the Altai to camel herders in the Khongor dunes, we create private sessions designed specifically for photographers.
- Mongolia Done Comfortably – Remote does not have to mean rough. With spacious vehicles, strong local support, and excellent food, this trip is designed to feel smooth in a very challenging landscape.
- Teaching in the Field – The Akari team help you with composition, timing, portrait direction, and how to work with people and animals in the moment.
- A Workshop Built Around Story – This is not just about photographing striking outfits and dramatic scenery. It is about making images that say something about the people, traditions, and landscapes of Mongolia.
- Led by People Who Know Mongolia Well – Our experience in Mongolia, and the recognition we have received there, reflect years of commitment to the destination and the people who make this trip possible.
What You'll Learn
- Learn How To Photograph People – Our leaders will be right beside you, teaching you how to create cultural portraits that feel respectful, intentional, and rooted in place
- Learn How to Create Effective Environmental Portraits – We will show you how to use landscape to strengthen your cultural storytelling of people in places.
- Learn Action Photography – Photograph running horses, flying eagles, and camels running in sand dunes in fast-changing light and motion
- Learn Post-Processing Techniques – There will be post-processing sessions that will help you create better Mongolian images. These skills will stay with you long after the tour is over.
Your Guides
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Kevin Pepper
Sep 27–Oct 8, 2026Oct 9–20, 2026Oct 4–15, 2027Oct 18–29, 2027Oct 1–12, 2028 -
James Begeman
Sep 27–Oct 8, 2026Oct 18–29, 2027 -
Mindy Huston
Sep 27–Oct 8, 2026Oct 18–29, 2027 -
David Topping
Oct 1–12, 2028
Activity Level
During our time with the eagle hunters, the walks are usually less than 325 yards (300 meters) from the vehicle and involve only minor elevation changes. Some of the sessions in the Gobi will require you to climb up or down low sand dunes. Optionally, you can climb some of the largest dunes on Earth!
This tour has an activity level of Easy. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) before 2:00 PM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
You will be picked up by one of our drivers holding an “Akari Photo Tours” sign with your name on it and taken directly to our hotel in downtown “UB.” The workshop starts with a group meeting at 5:30 PM in our hotel lobby. We will then go for a group dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in UB. We’ll discuss the workshop and get to know each other better.
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Day 2: Depart for the Gobi Desert
After breakfast, we’ll get settled into our comfortable Toyota minivans. There will only be three participants per vehicle to allow plenty of room for you and your camera bag. We will head towards the Gobi Desert, photographing along the way, with a photo session of horses and/or camels at sunset.
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Day 3: Khongor Sand Dunes
We will reach the Khongor sand dunes late in the morning. These are the most substantial and beautiful Mongolian sand dunes, stretching for 170 km. At the Khongor Oasis area, the dunes reach a height of about 200 meters, and locals call them “The Singing Dunes.” Upon arrival, we will check into our ger camp. We will visit the camel herder’s family to discuss our private photo sessions of Bactrian camels and camel herders in traditional Mongolian dress.
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Day 4: Khongor Sand Dunes and camel herders
Today, we are at the Khongor sand dunes, photographing the dunes and camel herders. It is a full day with exclusive access to the camel herders and camels at sunrise and sunset, walking and riding on the dunes. After our sunset shoot and visit with the camel herder family, we’ll take a short drive back to our ger camp for dinner and to download images.
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Day 5: Depart sand dunes
After a sunrise photo shoot at the sand dunes, we will drive back to Dalanzadgad, where we will review your images from the Gobi Desert.
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Day 6: Dalanzadgad to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, we drive back to UB. We’re in our comfortable Toyota or Lexus SUVs, and you can stretch out and enjoy a nice nap. We reach UB by late afternoon, check into our hotel, and have dinner.
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Day 7: Depart for Ulgii
We’re up very early to catch a 6:00 AM flight to Ulgii. Don’t worry about airline luggage allowances. We’ve taken care of that! Once we arrive in Ulgii, we can visit the local outdoor market and take photographs. Afterward, we’ll grab a coffee in Ulgii, discuss upcoming events, and have the first of many private photo sessions with our host eagle hunter family. We will live alongside an actual eagle hunter family for the next three nights.
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Day 8–9: Eagle hunters
We have private sessions with five eagle hunters in the foothills. You will photograph the eagle hunters’ methods to supply food and fur for their families for over a thousand years. We’ll have five eagle hunters on horseback with their golden eagles at sunrise and sunset. Throughout the day, we have various photo sessions and portrait sessions planned.
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Day 10: Ulgii to Ulaanbaatar
Catch our early afternoon flight back to UB. Upon arrival in UB, we will head to our hotel for dinner.
We can schedule an image review for anyone who would like some time with your instructor to go through the images you have taken so far.
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Day 11: Archers on horseback
Today, we travel to a remote location to photograph 10-20 archers dressed in traditional attire on horseback. During our private archer photography session, you will capture images of archers running on horses at full speed as they shoot arrows at various targets—the art of archery on horseback dates as far back as Attila the Hun.
We will visit the best cashmere stores in UB, where you can purchase some of the finest cashmere in the world and grab a quick lunch. Then, it’s a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant.
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Day 12: Departure
Departure from Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). You can book your return flight for anytime this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Accommodations
We stay in multiple locations throughout the workshop, and each one fits the part of Mongolia we are exploring.
In Ulaanbaatar, we stay in a 5-star hotel in the heart of downtown, giving you a comfortable and polished start and finish to the trip. In the Gobi and western Mongolia, we stay in comfortable ger camps that place us close to the families and landscapes we have come to photograph.
This is a trip that balances remote access with thoughtful comfort. Some locations are naturally more rustic than others, especially when staying near the eagle hunters, but the goal throughout is to keep you close to the experience without losing the support and care that make long days in the field more enjoyable.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Testimonials
I would travel again with Kevin in a heartbeat. His patience is second to none. He creates endless opportunities to capture photographs others can only dream about and in doing so, I walked away with the most memorable experience and portfolio to share.
Kevin ran a fantastic tour. His knowledge of the area and connections with the locals made for many great photo opportunities and awesome memories.
I've just returned from a trip to Mongolia with Kevin Pepper. It was absolutely fantastic! Kevin knows Mongolia and it's wonderful people, we were immersed in the culture of the region and had a great time taking some awesome photographs. I'd absolutely recommend Akari Photo Tours to anyone considering a trip to Mongolia, or any of their other tours. This was my 5th trip with Kevin - and it won't be my last.
An excellent photo tour professionally run with exceptional local Mongolian contacts to ensure your trip is fully comfortable and you get all the photo opportunities as advertised with flexibile arrangements delivered.
Dates & Prices
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Sep 27–Oct 8, 2026$8,395 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$849 USDSingle SupplementIn ProgressGroup Size: 8Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDBalance Due: May 30, 2026
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Oct 9–20, 2026$8,395 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$849 USDSingle SupplementRegister2 Spots LeftGuides: Kevin PepperGroup Size: 6Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDBalance Due: Jun 11, 2026
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Oct 4–15, 2027$8,595 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$899 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin PepperGroup Size: 7Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDBalance Due: Jun 6, 2027
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Oct 18–29, 2027$8,595 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$899 USDSingle SupplementRegister3 Spots LeftGroup Size: 8Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDBalance Due: Jun 20, 2027
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Oct 1–12, 2028$9,495 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$895 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin Pepper, David ToppingGroup Size: 10Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDBalance Due: Jun 3, 2028
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- Single rooms only available at hotels for four nights.
- All transportation during the tour, including internal flights.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure and during the tour.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- English-speaking local guides.
- All model fees and model releases.
- Exclusive Mongolian souvenir.
- Gratuities for local guides & crew included.
- Extra weight allowance for each person on internal flights.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.