Photography expedition
- Region
- The Gobi · Central Mongolia
- Duration
- 15 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate Half-day hikes or rides, some rough roads and simple camps.
- Season
- Autumn · Sep, Oct
- Style
- Small group or Private · Max 8 photographers
- Per person
- From $6,450Plan this adventure
The adventure
You are up before dawn on the crest of a dune, tripod planted, as the first light rakes across the sand. Every day is shaped around the light, with time to wait for the shot and to get to know the people in it.
- 01Dawn and dusk shoots on the dunes of Khongoryn Els
- 02Night skies and star trails in the Gobi
- 03Bayanzag's Flaming Cliffs at sunset
- 04Autumn larches and the Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall
- 05Portraits with herding families, made with consent and time
- 06Takhi at dusk in Khustai National Park
- 07Daily editing sessions with a photographer guide
Day by day
Every itinerary is a starting point. Your specialist can add rest days, swap camps or change the pace.
Airport welcome and transfer to your hotel. Meet your photographer guide and local guide over dinner and talk through the plan and kit.
- Activities
- Airport welcome
- Photography briefing
- Welcome dinner
- Tonight
- 4-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar
- Meals
- Dinner
The route
Distances in Mongolia are big and roads are often tracks. Expect some long days in the 4x4, broken up by stops with herders, picnics and leg-stretching walks.
- 1Ulaanbaatar
- 2Yolyn Am
- 3Khongoryn Els
- 4Bayanzag
- 5Ongi
- 6Kharkhorin
- 7Orkhon waterfall
- 8Khustai
Where you'll sleep
A mix of family gers, small ger camps and a city hotel, chosen for their hosts, their setting and how well they look after the land.
What's included
- Photographer guide and English-speaking local guide
- Driver and 4x4 (Land Cruiser), with no more than three photographers per vehicle
- Domestic flight Ulaanbaatar–Dalanzadgad
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- Hotel, ger camp and family ger nights
- Entrance fees, national park permits and monastery photography fees
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- A dedicated Steppe & Sky specialist to plan your trip before you go
Not included
- International flights
- Visa, if required for your nationality
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover, and cover for your camera gear
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Single supplement
Good to know
- Suits photographers of any level with a camera they know well. Bring a tripod, a long lens for wildlife and plenty of batteries.
- Early starts and late finishes are the norm, with rest in the middle of the day.
- Autumn is cold at night: below freezing in the Orkhon by late September, and the last ger camps close in early October.
- Charging is limited at some camps; bring power banks and a car charger.
Dates & prices
Per person sharing, excluding international flights. Private trips run on any date you choose.
| Dates | Style | Availability | Per person | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Sept – 26 Sept 2027 | Small group | Limited spaces | From $6,450 | Enquire |
| 26 Sept – 10 Oct 2027 | Small group | Available | From $6,450 | Enquire |
| 5 Sept – 19 Sept 2027Private photography trip, September to early October. Price per person for two travellers. | Private | Available | From $7,950 | Enquire |
Experiences on this adventure
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Ready when you are
Tell us your dates and dreams. One specialist plans everything and replies within two working days.