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- Destination: Mongolia
- Duration: 10 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Photography
About This Trip
Embark on an unforgettable Gobi Desert adventure with this 10-day Mongolia photography tour, designed for travelers who love capturing the world’s most stunning landscapes. From the vast Khongoryn Els sand dunes to the iconic Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, this journey immerses you in Mongolia’s dramatic natural beauty and unique nomadic culture. Witness the rare Przewalski’s horses roaming free in Hustai National Park, explore the historic Erdene Zuu Monastery in Karakorum, and photograph the deep, narrow ice-filled valley of Yolyn Am.
This tour is perfect for photography enthusiasts and adventure seekers who want to combine breathtaking landscapes with authentic cultural experiences. Explore the serene Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, capture the recognizable Turtle Rock, and witness Mongolia’s rich heritage through traditional ger camps, Buddhist monasteries, and local nomadic lifestyles. Every day offers golden-hour photography opportunities, giving you a chance to create lasting memories of the Gobi Desert and Mongolia’s wild, untouched beauty.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1
Ulaanbaatar
Arrival
2
Hustai National Park
Wildlife Hiking, Local Information Center, Mongol Nomadic Tourist Ger Camp
3
Karakorum
Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum Museum
4 - 7
Gobi
Ongi River Valley: Ongi Monastery
Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs: Saxaul Forest Walking
Khongor Sand Dunes
Yolyn Am Valley: Photo Hiking Tour, Search for Lammergeiers
8
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Turtle Rock, Ariyabal Meditation Temple
9 - 10
Ulaanbaatar
Gandan Monastery, National Museum, Sukhbaatar Square, Zaisan Hill
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar – Gateway to Mongolia
Arrive at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s vibrant capital, where you are warmly welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Spend the day acclimating, exploring the lively streets, shopping for local handicrafts, and tasting traditional Mongolian cuisine such as buuz (dumplings) or khuushuur (fried meat pastry). Capture street life, colorful markets, and urban architecture through your lens to start your Gobi Desert adventure.
Highlights: Ulaanbaatar city stroll, local markets, traditional cuisine, urban photography, Gobi Desert trip preparation.
- Ulaanbaatar
- Day 2: Hustai National Park – Wild Horses & Wildlife Photography
Drive 2–3 hours to Hustai National Park, home to the rare Przewalski’s horses, red deer, marmots, and steppe eagles. Visit the Mongol Nomadic Tourist Ger Camp to learn about traditional nomadic life, customs, and Mongolian horsemanship. Go on a guided wildlife hike to photograph the golden-hour light over rolling hills and capture stunning wildlife in their natural habitat. At night, enjoy a cozy ger camp experience under the starry Gobi Desert sky, ideal for astrophotography.
Highlights: Przewalski’s horses, wildlife photography, nomadic culture, night sky photography, Gobi Desert stargazing.
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- Hustai National Park
- Day 3: Karakorum – Ancient Monasteries & Cultural Heritage
Travel to Karakorum, once the capital of the Mongol Empire. Explore Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia’s oldest Buddhist monastery, and the Karakorum Museum, which houses artifacts from the 13th century and a scale model of the ancient city. Photograph intricate monastery architecture and local monks performing rituals. Optionally, ride a horse or hike in the surrounding hills to capture panoramic shots of the steppe and the monastery. This cultural day adds depth to your Gobi Desert photography journey.
Highlights: Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum Museum, steppe landscapes, cultural photography, horse riding, Gobi Desert cultural connection.
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- Karakorum
- Day 4: Ongi River Valley – Ruins & Scenic Landscapes
Drive south to the Ongi River Valley to explore the historic Ongi Monastery ruins, destroyed during the 1930s purges but still striking in the Gobi Desert landscape. Photograph the monastery ruins at sunrise or sunset for dramatic lighting. Explore surrounding desert hills and steppe, spotting wild gazelles or birds, and interact with local nomads maintaining traditional lifestyles. Overnight in a ger camp along the Ongi River.
Highlights: Ongi Monastery ruins, Gobi Desert landscapes, wildlife photography, nomadic lifestyle immersion.
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- Ongi River Valley
- Day 5: Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs – Dinosaur Fossils & Sunset Photography
Journey deeper into the Gobi Desert to Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, famous for dinosaur fossils, including the first discovered dinosaur eggs. Walk through the glowing red cliffs and unique saxaul forest, photographing the desert flora and fauna. Sunset photography here is spectacular, with the cliffs blazing in golden light. Optionally, hike around the cliffs or explore fossil sites with a local guide. Overnight in a ger camp.
Highlights: Flaming Cliffs, dinosaur fossil sites, saxaul forest, sunset photography, desert exploration, Gobi Desert photography.
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- Bayanzag
- Day 6: Khongoryn Els – The Singing Dunes of the Gobi Desert
Visit Khongoryn Els, Mongolia’s largest sand dunes, also called the “Singing Dunes.” Capture the golden dunes at sunrise, ride camels, or hike to the dune summits for panoramic shots of the surrounding Gobi Desert and distant mountains. Discover hidden green oases at the base of the dunes, providing beautiful contrast to the golden sands. Overnight in a ger camp.
Highlights: Khongoryn Els sand dunes, camel rides, sunrise and sunset photography, desert oasis photography, Gobi Desert landscapes.
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- Khongor
- Day 7: Yolyn Am Valley – Ice Fields & Lammergeiers
Drive to Yolyn Am Valley, a unique gorge in Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Photograph the valley’s ice fields, which persist even in summer, and search for lammergeier vultures soaring above. Explore the narrow gorge, streams, and lush flora surrounded by the Gobi Desert, creating dramatic photography contrasts. Evening shots with the setting sun offer extraordinary lighting opportunities. Overnight in a ger camp.
Highlights: Yolyn Am ice valley, lammergeiers, desert-meets-forest photography, hiking, sunset shots, Gobi Desert photography.
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- Yolyn Am
- Day 8: Gorkhi-Terelj National Park – Granite Mountains & Turtle Rock
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, set amidst granite mountains and flowing rivers. Photograph Turtle Rock, Ariyabal Meditation Temple, and enjoy optional outdoor activities like horseback riding, rock climbing, or flower and bird photography. This lush park provides a beautiful contrast to the arid landscapes of the Gobi Desert, perfect for diverse photography. Overnight in a ger camp.
Highlights: Turtle Rock, Ariyabal Temple, granite mountains, hiking, bird and flower photography, Gobi Desert vs green landscape comparison.
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- Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
- Day 9: Ulaanbaatar – Temples, Museums & City Views
Explore Ulaanbaatar’s cultural and historical highlights. Visit Gandan Monastery, the National Museum, and Sukhbaatar Square. Capture architecture and cityscapes, then climb Zaisan Hill for panoramic views. In the evening, enjoy traditional Mongolian music, dance, and “Khoomei” throat singing performances—perfect for low-light photography. Reflect on your Gobi Desert adventure while photographing cultural moments in the city.
Highlights: Gandan Monastery, National Museum, cityscape photography, Zaisan Hill, traditional performances, Gobi Desert reflections.
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- Ulaanbaatar
- Day 10: Departure from Ulaanbaatar
Spend a relaxed morning reflecting on your Gobi Desert adventure. Take a few final photographs of Ulaanbaatar before transferring to the airport. Return home with unforgettable memories and stunning images of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, nomadic culture, and diverse landscapes.
Highlights: Departure, final photography opportunities, Gobi Desert memories.
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