Day 1: ARRIVE IN ULAAN BAATAR
We start our adventure today as we are met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. After check-in, we’ll start with a quick tour of the Mongolian Capital.
Ulaanbaatar, which means Red City in the native language, is a weird and aesthetically interesting mix of then and now. We’ll start out with a more spontaneous photo session in the streets, taking in the mix of modern westernized houses with the lingering vestiges of the Soviet Era, mostly in the form of drab, uniform row homes.
After a tour around the major sites and back alleys, we’ll head over to the Chojin temple. There we have a set photo session with two models in traditional Mongolian dress. Besides that, the Chojin temple itself is of great photographic interest. It is a sprawling temple complex which Stalin had converted into a museum in the late 1930s.
After our photo sessions we will have a photo session with models dressed in typical outfit.
Overnight in hotel. (L/D)
Day 2: ULGII, THE KAZAKS , EAGLE TRAINING
We will meet at the hotel and transfer by car to the airport to catch our flight to Ulgii. This town is centrally located in the far western province of the country of Bayan-Ulgii. It’s a small town with a high population of Kazaks – a nationally recognized minority. They live very traditionally and are known best for carefully preserving their culture and traditions. If the time permits, visit the local market, museum and climb a hill to see the panoramic views of Ulgii town.
We will move around the town as we explore the atmosphere with local people
Overnight in a local hotel
Day 3: GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL
The impressive Golden Eagle Festival starts with a parade of eagle hunters dressed in traditional hunting clothes, riding horses and holding their eagles on their right arm. There are up to 80 eagle hunters participate in the festival. Spend the whole day seeing the eagle hunting festival, competitions, hunting techniques, the Eagles’ agility, and ability. The October Eagle Festival has been celebrated since 2000 and is the largest celebration that attracts numerous travelers and eagle hunters.
Accommodation: Local Hotel
Day 4: GOLDEN EAGLE FESTIVAL AND VISIT EAGLE HUNTER KAZAKH NOMADS
Continue to attend the Eagle Festival and photograph. After lunch, a 3 hours trip on our 4WD’s we will reach the home of a family of eagle trainers that I have been visiting for years. They will show us how they train the eagles and then use them for hunting, and we will meet a multi-time champion of various eagle hunting contests.
We will spend the evening documenting the Eagle Hunters’ lifestyle.
Accommodation: Extra ger at the Kazakhs/ in the tent
Day 5: EAGLE TRAINING WITH THE KAZAKH FAMILY
We will be spending the first half of the day photographing the training and then hunting process of these great birds, and have plenty of time with the trainer and the family as well, getting to know him, and telling the story not only of his process, but his rich and storied history with these animals, the land, and their culture.
Accommodation: Extra ger at the Kazakhs/ in the tent
Day 6: FLY TO ULAAN BAATAR- ULAAN BAATAR
Return to Ulgii and Fly back Ulaanbaatar and check-in our hotel. Once in the City we will be wandering around enjoying the town and the street photography.
Accommodation: Hotel. (B/L)
Day 7: HERDING NOMADS
Today we’ll head northwards to another Ger camp in the wilds of Mongolia. Our destination is the encampment of a nomad family.
Once we arrive we will have several photography sessions throughout the day including an up close and personal experience with horse training and breaking – watching the expert tamers weave around and rein the wild geldings in their care, and some portrait work with the nomads as they go about their daily life alongside their ever present animals.
We will stay and eat and have accommodation in the Ger camp.
Day 8: KHARKORIN / ERDENEZUU MONASTERY
We will wake up early and, after breakfast we will head to the ancient and breath-taking monastery of Erdenezuu. A unique photographic experience, this monastery is over 400 years old but situated in the distinctly modern atmosphere of Kharkorin. The temple’s name means Hundred Treasures, and it certainly is worth that many, having been built from the bricks of the ancient city of Kharkorum which once stood here. We will be also visiting an active temple section where monks still practice, chanting and burning incense.
After our visit and session at the temple, we’ll continue with a Private Set Photo session.
Accomodation in the Ger camp.
Day 9: ULAAN BAATAR
Today we start the long drive back to Ulaan Baatar. Once we arrive in the Red City we will check in at the hotel and have a little rest.
During the afternoon we will have another chance to do some spontaneous shooting along the streets of the city, looking for opportunities we may have missed before.
Overnight at Hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 10: ULAAN BAATAR -DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport and end of services. (B).
