Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, where your guide and driver will welcome you. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant featuring authentic Mongolian cuisine, followed by a Photography Tour Summary Presentation. Overnight at hotel (Hotel Bayangol or similar. (D)

After breakfast, visit the Chinggis Khan Museum to explore artifacts detailing the empire’s history. Then, head to the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, showcasing Buddhist art and Mongolian heritage. In the evening, enjoy a cultural performance featuring khuumii throat singing and morin khuur. Overnight at Hotel Bayangol (B, L, D).

After breakfast, drive to Hustai National Park to photograph the rare Przewalski’s horse, red deer, marmots, and raptors like black vultures and steppe eagles. Learn essential wildlife photography techniques, including shutter speed, focus modes, and capturing motion. In the evening, stay in a traditional ger camp, share dinner with a local family, and photograph the sunset. As night falls, enjoy astrophotography under Mongolia’s starry sky. (3 hrs, 100 km; Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Immerse yourself in Mongolia’s nomadic culture, experiencing activities like herding, milking livestock, and making airag (fermented mare’s milk). Ride horses through the scenic Hustai National Park, capturing candid portraits of locals and the stunning landscapes. Focus on portraiture, learning aperture techniques, depth of field, and using natural light to enhance your photos. For birdwatchers, enjoy spotting demoiselle cranes and raptors soaring above. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Explore the diverse landscapes of Khugnu Tarni National Park, where grasslands, forested mountains, and sand dunes converge. Visit the Ovgon Monastery, nestled in a scenic valley with panoramic views, before continuing to the striking Elsen Tasarkhai desert. Capture the textures and contrasts of the dunes, using wide-angle and telephoto lenses for depth and composition. Learn techniques for harsh light photography, depth of field, and composition (rule of thirds, leading lines, layering), with a sunset opportunity to capture the dunes’ changing hues. Nighttime astrophotography is also available under Mongolia’s pristine dark skies. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Today, explore Kharakhorum, the former capital of the Mongol Empire, and uncover the history of this once-great city. Visit the ErdeneZuu Monastery, Mongolia’s first Buddhist monastery, built from Kharakhorum’s ruins. Surrounded by white stupas, the monastery offers a glimpse into Mongolia’s rich religious past and showcases stunning Buddhist art. Practice composition techniques like symmetry and leading lines, and focus on aperture priority mode to capture the architecture and cultural details. Overnight in a ger camp. (Ger Camp; B, L, D)

Today, capture Mongolia’s landscapes, wildlife, and people, blending different photography styles. Photograph herders, motion blur shots of horses, and candid portraits. Journey south to the Gobi Desert, stopping at a nomadic horse herder family and visiting Ongi Monastery, a former Silk Road hub. Explore the monastery ruins and stay at a ger camp by the Ongi River. (Ger Camp; B, L, D; 300 km)

Drive to the Flaming Cliffs, famous for dinosaur discoveries, and capture the dramatic landscape with sunset hues illuminating the red cliffs. Focus on composition, harsh light techniques, and using wide lenses for night photography, including opportunities to photograph the Milky Way. Stay overnight at a ger camp. (Ger Camp, B, L, D; 170 km)

Drive to Khongoryn Els, the Gobi’s largest sand dunes, where you’ll photograph camels with their herders against the stunning landscape. Along the way, explore Bayan Dalai and Zoulen mountain ranges, spotting desert wildlife like Goitered Gazelles and Mongolian Wild Ass. Capture portraits of herders and practice your wildlife and landscape photography skills. Overnight at a ger camp. (Ger Camp, B, L, D; 160 km driving)

After breakfast, drive to the mountains of Yolyn Am for a birding adventure. Hike through steep gorges and high meadows, focusing on birds like Chukar, Bearded Vulture, Saker Falcon, and the rare Kozlov’s Accentor. Capture action shots and explore natural framing with rock formations. Overnight at a ger camp. (B, L, D; 150 km)

In the early morning, we’ll drive to Tsagaan Suvarga, a striking cliff formation in Dundgobi Province, once part of an ancient seabed. As the sun rises, capture the shifting colors and dramatic landscape. This natural wonder, resembling the ruins of an ancient city, offers a perfect opportunity for sunrise photography, long exposure, and advanced bracketing techniques. Overnight at a ger camp. ( Ger Camp,B, L, D; 340 km driving)

In the morning, drive back to Ulaanbaatar. The remainder of the afternoon is for last minute sightseeing and shopping. In the evening, enjoy a fare well dinner at fine local restaurant.

(Bayangol or similar hotel; B, L, D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)