Eagle Hunter Mongolia Photography Workshop

Mongolia Eagle Hunter Photography Workshop

For hundreds of years the Eagle Hunters in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia have captured and trained Golden Eagles. The eagles help them get food and they also protect the sheep from predators like wolves. It’s a remarkable culture and the people are very warm and welcoming. It is a place that few see, but it is also a place you’ll never forget.

We will travel to Ölgii province to meet the Eagle Hunters, their families, and their eagles. We’ll journey up into the mountains with them and watch as they exercise their birds. After several days of photographing this community, we then travel into the heart of the Gobi Desert to meet the traditional Bactrian camel herders. Bactrian camels are the lifeblood of the Gobi people—used for meat, milk, fur, and transportation. The ability of the camels to survive and thrive in arid conditions cemented their importance along the infamous Silk Road.

You will get a private tour of the history of Mongolia, a private dinner, and a concert filled with traditional Mongolian music. Between these two excursions, we will visit some of the monasteries and museums in Mongolia. We have even rented out an entire museum for our group.

This trip is fully customized based on our extensive experience in the country. You will have efficient and comfortable accommodations and our own private chefs outside of Ulaanbaatar. In Ulaanbaatar, it’s decadence and a spa pampering experience at one of the best 5* hotels in Mongolia!

Are you ready for an epic adventure? Join us as we travel  deep into the Mongolian countryside to photograph the majesty of the Gold Eagle Hunters.

  • 11 Nights and 12 Days

  • Small-Group – 8 Clients

  • 2 Professional Instructors

  • Local Guides and Translators

  • All Inclusive

  • Difficulty – Easy unless you decide to climb the dunes

Camel Herder Gobi Desert Mongolia Photo Workshop
Eagle Hunter Horseback0Mongolia Photography Workshop

DATES

September 17-28, 2024

LOCATION

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

TUITION

$8495

SUBJECTS

People, Sand Dunes, Wildlife, Horses, Birds. Landscapes

Today you will arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (ULN airport code). You will be picked up by one of my drivers holding a “Jeff Wendorff  Photography” sign with your name on it. You will be taken directly to our 5 star hotel in downtown “UB.” The workshop starts with a group meeting at 5:30 PM in the lobby of our hotel in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, and then we will go for a group dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in UB. We’ll discuss the workshop and get to know each other better.

After breakfast, we’ll get settled into our comfortable Toyota minivans with plenty of room for you and your camera bag. We will head towards the Gobi Desert, stopping for lunch, and photographing along the way. It’s a long drive today, but the views constantly change, and you will see horses, camels, farms, and moon-like landscapes.

Today we will reach the Khongor sand dunes in the late morning. These are some of the most beautiful sand dunes in the world. They stretch for almost 170km. At the area we will be staying, 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 get to know them, share some food and drink, learn about their customs, and in turn share a little about ourselves. We will then discuss our private photoshoots of Bactrian Camels and camel herders in traditional Mongolian dress. Prior to sunset, we will gather with the camel herders to photograph them on camels in the dunes. After the sun sets, the photography won’t stop there. We will be photographing the night skies over the dunes. We will overnight at Ger camp. Heated Gers, comfy beds. Electricity for charging is in the main building. Toilet and shower facilities are in a separate building and are western-style.

Today we will have one final sunrise photoshoot with the camel herders at the Khongor sand dunes. After lunch, we will drive over to the Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs. This is the perfect location to visit the area where dinosaurs are being exposed, and the cliffs seem to light up like fire at sunset.

For the next two nights, we will stay in one of my favorite ger camps. Ensuite bathrooms, great food, and views of the open plains with wandering horse herds in the distance.

Today we take a break from all the serious photography and focus on the culture. Today we will visit the ancient Khavtsgait petroglyphs & spend time with a nomadic family. This is the perfect opportunity to spend more time with a wonderful family in rural Mongolia. It’s times like these that will create memories that last a lifetime. We will also conduct a cooking class. That’s right!!! You’re all going to learn how to cook a delicious Mongolian dish. What better way to appreciate the culture of a country than learning how to cook their food.

Today we do the reverse drive back to Ulaanbaatar. We will make many stops along the way, some for photography, some for food, some to just stretch our legs.

Today, we travel to the Ghandan monastery and have a private photoshoot with a few monks in one of the temples at the Ghandan Monastery. We will then have a private tour and discussion on the history of the location of the monastery and religion as it exists in Mongolia. You will witness Monks chanting with your cameras, an experience allowed to our groups that others do not get.

We are up very early so we can fly to Ulgii on a 6:00 AM flight. Once we arrive in Ulgii, we will visit and photograph at the local outdoor market. This is a great opportunity for us to pick up some gifts for our hosts for the next few nights. Afterward, we’ll grab a coffee in Ulgii, discuss the events of the coming days, and then have the first of many private photoshoots with 4 eagle hunters under the fading light of golden hour.

Tonight we will stay in our own ger tents with a nomadic family in the foothills of the Altai Mountains.

Today is a full day of photography in and around the mountains with our four eagle hunters. We will watch them as they fly their eagles as they would in a real hunting situation. We will also conduct environmental portraits, and set up a studio for more intimate portraits.

Tonight we will stay in our own ger tents with a nomadic family in the foothills of the Altai Mountains.

We will spend one final morning with our host eagle hunter family before we drive back to Ulgii. Tonight you will be treated to dinner at a local Turkish restaurant. (one of my favorite local haunts that I have been eating at for years).

Today we depart Ulgii for a flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Once back in Ulaanbaatar we will visit the Cashmere store where you can purchase some of the finest cashmere in the world, and grab a quick lunch. Then it’s a private celebration dinner prepared just for you in a museum in UB. We have rented out the entire cultural museum where you will be guided on a private tour of Mongolian history. After our tour, we will have a catered dinner by our private chefs inside one of the Museum halls while you enjoy a musical performance by local musicians. Throat singers, traditional music, and contortionists will entertain us. We can even join them while they are performing. :-) We’ll then head back to the hotel and overnight at the 5* Best Western.

Today is departure day. You can schedule your flights home or onward travels at any time. Airport transfers will be provided.

Exclusions: International air travel to/from Ulaanbaatar Mongolia, passport and visa fees (if applicable), items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages. Medical Evacuation Insurance (required). Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended). Anything else not listed as included.

Inclusions: Double occupancy lodging (Single available, just ask), All meals during the workshop, all ground transportation via land cruisers, small bus and minivans, two domestic flights during the workshop, cooking class, photographic guiding, and instruction, all airport transfers, and two English speaking local guides throughout the workshop.

Check back soon

Check back later, it’s way too soon to tell you what to expect.

I’ve been very passively advising my clients to purchase travel insurance for a while, but lately it seems like there have been multiple people having travel issues. Some have lost their deposits and sometimes even the cost of the entire trip!

Based on my client’s experience, I cannot stress more strongly how crucial it is to purchase travel insurance. Like I said before, and here it comes again, there is never a way to predict what is going to happen when you are booking trips months and years into the future.

You can read more about my thoughts about the importance of travel insurance in this blog post.

Or you can go get a free quote and book your vital travel insurance.

https://wildlifeworkshops.link/Travel_Insurance_Quote

Registration Information

Finances

The Mongolian Eagle Hunters Photography Workshop is $8495 and there are no single occupancy rooms available in the Gert (tents).

Deposit

A deposit of $1000 will reserve your spot. Balance due May 20, 2024.

Ready to Go?

The next step is to send me a deposit via an online registration. If you don’t like to pay online, you can send you deposit by mail. About 90 days before the workshop you will receive a bill for the balance.

There will be emails sent as we get closer with more specific details. Please feel free to check in at anytime with any questions that you have.

By submitting you agree to the workshops Terms and Conditions.

Send Your Deposit

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