Naadam Festival and the Cultures of Mongolia Photo Workshop

Day 1: Arrive in Mongolia

Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) before 3:00 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.

One of our drivers will pick you up holding an “Akari Photo Tours” sign with your name on it and take you directly to our hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar (UB). The workshop starts with a group meeting at 5:30 PM in our hotel lobby, where we’ll discuss the workshops and get to know one another. We will then go for a group dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in UB.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar – Hustai National Park

Our day starts with a morning visit to the Gandan Monastery. Here, you will have the exclusive opportunity to photograph monks during prayer and two young monks who will be available for private photoshoots for our group.

After lunch, we will head to Hustai National Park via private transfer so you can have your first photographic opportunity with the endangered Przewalski’s horse in the wild. 

Day 3: Hustai National Park

Today is a day dedicated to Przewalski’s horse. In the morning and early evening, we will track down the endangered horses with the help of a park ranger. 

Between wildlife photography sessions, we will learn how a global effort brought these endangered horses back from the brink of extinction.

Other wildlife we may see include red deer, roe deer, marmot, wild boar, wild sheep, gazelle, grey wolf, and corsac fox.

Day 4: Horse photography and return to Ulaanbaatar

Mongolia has a horse culture that dates back to the beginning of recorded time. We will visit a horse herder and photograph him as he herds his large group of horses near the sand dunes and small lakes.

Day 5–6: Ulaanbaatar Naadam Festival

From ground-level seats in the stadium, we will witness the three games of men for two days: horse racing, archery, and wrestling. From the exciting opening ceremony to the events, we will help you capture this celebration that started 700 years ago.

Day 7: Fly to Western Mongolia for eagle hunters

Today, we fly to Ulgii on a morning flight. Don’t worry about airline luggage allowances—we’ve taken care of that! Once we arrive, we will visit and take photographs at the local outdoor market. 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 two nights.

Day 8: Western Mongolia

We have private sessions with our host eagle hunters in the foothills of the mountains. You will photograph their methods of supplying food and fur for their families for over a thousand years. Throughout the day, we have various portrait sessions planned.

Day 9: Fly back to Ulaanbaatar

Catch our early afternoon flight back to UB from Ulgii. Upon arrival in UB, we will head to our hotel. We will visit the best cashmere store in UB, where you can purchase some of the finest cashmere in the world.

Then, we’ll have a celebratory dinner to say farewell at a local restaurant.

Day 10: Depart For home

You can book your return flight for anytime this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.