Mongolia Photo Expedition

With Abhishek Hajela

31st July - 08th August 2026

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Twin sharing: USD 3900/-

(GST and TCS extra)

Group Size: 06 - 08

Spots Open: 05

Trip Highlights

🦅 Private Encounters with Kazakh Eagle Hunters
Spend multiple days photographing Mongolia’s legendary Kazakh eagle hunters in the Altai Mountains. Work closely with different families and birds, allowing time for powerful portraits, action sequences, and intimate documentary moments—without rushing or repetition.

🌄 Slow Travel, Deeper Stories

By staying longer in one region, the trip allows you to return to locations in different light and weather conditions. This creates stronger visual storytelling and more cohesive bodies of work, rather than disconnected “photo stops.”

🐎 Authentic Nomadic Life in Western Mongolia

Live alongside Kazakh nomadic families, documenting daily life with horses, livestock, and traditional gers. This is real, working nomadic culture—unfiltered, personal, and deeply photographic.

🏔️ Remote Altai Landscapes & Sacred Peaks

Photograph vast mountain valleys, snow-capped peaks, river systems, and high ridgelines around Tavan Bogd, Tsambagarav, Hoton Lake, and Dayan Lake—some of the most dramatic and least-visited regions in Mongolia.

📷 Photography-Focused, Crowd-Free Access

This journey avoids public festivals and tourist routes. All eagle hunter sessions are arranged privately, allowing photographers complete freedom to work with light, location, and composition—without crowds or time pressure.

🔥 A True Expedition Experience

Travel by 4x4 across remote terrain, stay in traditional ger camps, and work in raw, untouched landscapes. This is not a sightseeing tour—it’s a serious photographic journey for those seeking depth, authenticity, and creative growth.

Mongolia Photo Expedition – The Altai & Eagle Hunters

This immersive photography expedition takes you deep into Western Mongolia, one of the most remote and visually powerful regions in Central Asia. Traveling slowly through the Altai Mountains, we spend extended time with Kazakh eagle hunters and nomadic families, photographing daily life, portraits, and action in dramatic mountain landscapes. By focusing on a single region rather than covering distance, the journey allows for richer storytelling, better light, and a deeper cultural connection—making this a true expedition rather than a sightseeing tour.

Trip Itinerary

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar (UB) on your international flight. You will be met at the airport by our driver and transferred to a centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your journey.
This morning, fly to Ölgii in Western Mongolia. Upon arrival, meet your local team—guide and drivers—and begin a scenic drive of approximately 150 km (5–6 hours) toward Tavan Bogd National Park.
We stay in private traditional gers located beside a Kazakh eagle hunter family. After settling in, spend the evening getting to know the family and observing their daily routines—your first introduction to nomadic life in the Altai.
Meals included: Late breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Shared private gers
An immersive photography day with the Kazakh eagle hunters.
In the early morning, we photograph hunters on nearby hillsides with sweeping views of snow-capped mountains.
During the afternoon, focus on documentary photography and portraits—inside and around beautifully decorated Kazakh gers, capturing hunters in traditional attire and daily nomadic life. In the evening, we move to a new location for additional shooting, ensuring variety in scenery and light.
Overnight in private gers.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, drive approximately 3 hours (100 km) to the stunning Hoton Lake region. Surrounded by larch forests, alpine lakes, and snow-covered peaks, this area offers rich opportunities for landscape and lifestyle photography.
We visit a local Kazakh nomadic family and photograph daily life in the soft evening light.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Private gers near the nomadic family
A full day dedicated to nomadic life photography. Morning and evening sessions focus on daily activities, family interactions, livestock, and portraits.
During the day, enjoy a short hike into the Akhsu River Valley (White Water Valley) and visit nearby nomadic families to capture varied perspectives and intimate portraits.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Private gers near the nomadic family
Today we drive approximately 200 km (around 7 hours) via Ölgii to the dramatic landscapes of Tsambagarav National Park. Here, we visit one of the region’s most respected and experienced eagle hunters.
After settling in, we photograph sunset scenes with eagle hunters against towering snow-capped peaks.
Overnight in private gers beside the nomadic family.
Begin the day with sunrise photography, capturing eagle hunters with the majestic Tsambagarav mountains as a backdrop. The rest of the day is dedicated to portraits, daily life, and visits to Uriankhai Mongolian nomadic families, offering a different cultural perspective.
In the late afternoon, drive back to Ölgii (approx. 2.5 hours / 90 km). In the evening, enjoy traditional Kazakh music during dinner.
Early morning flight back to Ulaanbaatar. In the afternoon, visit Gandan Monastery, and if time permits, the Chinggis Khaan Museum. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at a hotel.
Transfer to the airport for your onward international flight.

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What's Included:

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar (twin-share) for 2 nights, at a well-located 4-star hotel
Hotel accommodation in Ölgii for 1 night
Private ger accommodation for 4 nights, located beside eagle hunter and nomadic families
(shared gers, 3–4 guests per ger)
One night in a ger camp at Elsen Tasarkhai (Central Mongolia)

Transportation & Flights

Round-trip domestic flights: Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii – Ulaanbaatar
All airport transfers in Ulaanbaatar
All ground transportation in 4WD support vehicles throughout the expedition

Photography Access & Local Support

Private access to Kazakh eagle hunters for photography sessions
Visits to host nomadic families
All required local access and community fees

Meals

Three meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout the expedition
Snacks during travel and shooting days
Bottled drinking water throughout the trip

Expedition Team

English-speaking guide
Professional local drivers
Chef and assistant cooks
Camp assistant

Camping & Camp Facilities

Private gers located beside nomadic families (shared basis)
Dedicated dining ger
Shower tent and toilet tent
Generator in the evenings for charging camera batteries and essential devices

Logistics in Ulaanbaatar

All Ulaanbaatar airport transfers
Domestic flight coordination and handling
Ground logistics and support in the city

What's Not Included:

GST 5% + TCS 5% (TCS is refundable)
International and domestic travel insurance (mandatory and to be arranged independently)
International flights to and from Ulaanbaatar
Visa fees and related charges (visas can be applied for online in advance, where applicable)
Alcoholic beverages
Meals not specified in the itinerary (including meals in Ulaanbaatar)
Personal expenses, room service, and minibar items
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities for drivers, guides, hotel staff, and local hosts
Excess baggage charges
Any costs arising from flight delays, schedule changes, weather conditions, or force majeure
Medical expenses and emergency evacuation, if required
Early check-in or late check-out at hotels, unless otherwise stated
Any item not specifically listed under “Price Includes”

About Abhishek

The founder of Unique Photo Adventures, Abhishek Hajela, is a National Geographic Travel Photographer based in New Delhi and recipient of the prestigious International Nikon Award.

Mentored by John Isaac, former Head of the UN Photo Department, Abhishek refined both his artistic vision and technical depth, transforming his passion into a distinguished career. Today, he curates and leads photography journeys and bespoke travel experiences in collaboration with respected global partners.

His work has appeared with leading brands and publications including National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet, Nikon, and Outdoor Photography, with features across major Indian publications such as The Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Mail Today, and Mint Lounge.

Abhishek’s photography has been exhibited at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (Mumbai), the Indian Photography Festival (Hyderabad), JPD Gallery in Vienna, Museo Camera (Gurgaon), and Travancore House (New Delhi).

Through Unique Photo Adventures, he goes beyond capturing images — creating immersive photographic experiences for travelers worldwide.

More Details

- At Unique Photo Adventures, we strive to ensure a smooth and safe journey. However, please understand that we cannot be held responsible for delays, program alterations, or indirect expenses caused by unforeseen circumstances such as natural hazards, accidents, machinery breakdown, adverse weather conditions, landslides, political closures, or any other unpredictable incidents. Our itineraries are meticulously planned based on long-range weather forecasts, but necessary changes may occur for your safety, comfort, and well-being. Any such adjustments will be communicated promptly via the WhatsApp group. For detailed weather information, we recommend referring to Google weather.
- Travel Insurance: For Indian citizens, comprehensive travel insurance is included in this package, with the policy document shared before your trip begins. For international travelers, insurance is not included; we highly recommend arranging your own travel insurance in advance. We can assist you in securing coverage at an additional cost if needed.
- Minimum Group Size: This trip requires a minimum group size to proceed as guaranteed. If this minimum is not met, resulting in trip cancellation, a full refund of any advance payments will be issued.
- Luggage Policy: Travelers are kindly requested to limit their baggage to a maximum of 1 checked luggage and 1 cabin/hand luggage.
- Visas & Permits: Please ensure you arrange all necessary visas and permits for entry into the country well in advance of your trip.
- Cancellation Policy: Your booking amount is 100% refundable if a cancellation is made 21 days prior to the trip's commencement date.
- Respectful Travel: We kindly request all travelers to respect nature, the local culture, and the sentimental values of the communities we visit. Please refrain from littering, public intoxication, and disrespecting people, animals, or places of worship at all times. For health and safety, we strictly discourage drinking and smoking during our trips, ensuring everyone can fully enjoy their adventure.
- 21+ Days Before Trip: Enjoy free cancellation and a full refund (after deducting payment gateway transaction fee).
- Within 21 Days of Trip: No modifications or cancellations are allowed.
- If the bookings don’t meet our minimum group requirement, the trip may stand cancelled. Full refund will be issued in such a case.
Bookings & Payments
Q: How do I book a trip?
A: You can book directly on our website, call us, or email our team. We’ll guide you through the itinerary, answer any questions, and help finalize your booking.
Q: Do I need to pay the full amount upfront?
A: We require a full payment before the trip. For cancellations, refer to our cancellation policy
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: We accept major credit/debit cards, UPI, bank transfers, and PayPal (for international travelers).
Trip Planning & Customization
Q: Can you help me customize an itinerary?
A: Yes! We love crafting personalized group experiences—let us know your interests, preferred dates, and budget, and we’ll create a trip tailored just for you.
Q: Do you offer trips for solo travelers?
A: Absolutely. Most of our guests travel solo, and we design our group trips to be friendly and inclusive.
Q: Are flights included in the trip cost?
A: Flights are not usually included, but our ticketing partner can assist you with booking flights if needed.
Safety & Health
Q: Is it safe to travel with your company?
A: Your safety is our top priority. All destinations and activities are vetted, we work with trusted local partners, and our guides are trained in emergency protocols.
Q: What happens if I get sick or injured during the trip?
A: Our team will assist you in getting medical attention immediately. We strongly recommend travel insurance to cover unexpected health issues. Many trips include travel insurance (refer to trip inclusions/exclusions to know more)
What’s Included & What to Pack
Q: What’s included in the package?
A: Accommodation, ground transport, meals as listed in the itinerary, guided tours, and entry fees are included. Flights, visas, insurance, and personal expenses are typically not included.
Q: Do you provide a packing list?
A: Yes! We send a detailed packing list tailored to your destination and season after booking.
Q: Can I bring my camera equipment/laptop?
A: Absolutely. We recommend carrying essential electronics in your hand luggage; we’ll share tips on protecting gear during travel.
Cancellations & Changes
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Cancellation policies vary by trip. Generally, deposits are refundable if booking is cancelled more than 21 days prior to the travel date.
Q: Can I change my travel dates after booking?
A: We’ll do our best to accommodate changes, subject to availability and possible fees from hotels or local partners but is not guaranteed.
Visas & Travel Documents
Q: Do I need a visa?
A: Visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination. We’ll provide guidance and necessary documents to support your visa application.
Q: Do you help with travel insurance?
A: We do not sell insurance but it is included in the trip cost, unless stated otherwise. (Not applicable for Non-resident Indians/Foreigners). We can suggest trusted insurance providers if needed.
Miscellaneous
Q: Will I have free time during the trip?
A: Yes. Our itineraries balance guided activities with free time for you to explore or relax at your own pace.
Q: What kind of travelers join your trips?
A: Our groups include solo travelers, couples, and friends, typically ages 20–55+, who love adventure, photography, and cultural discovery.
Q: How many people are in a group?
A: We keep groups small—usually 6–12 people—to ensure personalized attention and a more intimate experience.