Scheduled · 15–22 July 2027
Off-road days with herding families in the wild landscapes of northern Mongolia.
This journey takes you north by overnight train to Bulgan, a land of forest, mountains and rivers. From Erdenet we travel off-road in small jeeps, three guests to a vehicle, through mud, river crossings and steep forest tracks, camping on the banks of the Selenge River and in the wild valleys beyond. Along the way we visit a nomadic herding family, cook over an open fire and follow the light at the start and end of each day. The journey ends with a night in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and a final evening in Ulaanbaatar.
Proposed Itinerary
The journey begins at 18:00 at Ulaanbaatar Railway Station. We can pick you up from your hotel in the afternoon, or you can meet us at the station. The overnight train departs at 18:40 and arrives in Erdenet at 07:40.
Overnight: train (sleeper).
Arrive in Erdenet early morning. Rest, free time and photography nearby.
Overnight: comfortable lodge or ger camp near Erdenet (hot showers).
Off-road to the banks of the Selenge River. An evening by the water: fishing where permitted, dinner from our field kitchen and an open campfire under the sky.
Overnight: Photolink field camp on the riverbank, or a local ger camp in bad weather.
Off-road through the wild landscapes of northern Bulgan, with a visit to a nomadic herding family.
Overnight: Photolink field camp, or a local ger camp in bad weather.
Last day in the countryside, then back to Erdenet for the overnight train at 20:40.
Overnight: train (sleeper).
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar early morning. Breakfast, then straight to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park for a day among its granite valleys and evening light.
Overnight: ger camp in Terelj.
Morning light in Terelj, then back to Ulaanbaatar for free time and a farewell dinner.
Overnight: hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Airport transfer for your onward flight.
We plan each day around the best light: sunrise and evening on the river, misty mornings in the forest. Weather in northern Mongolia changes quickly, so our photographer adjusts the schedule on the ground to make the most of it.
Photographers, Storytellers, and Curious Travellers
Travellers and photographers who want real time in wild nature and nomadic country, are comfortable with simple field camps and rough off-road tracks, and want their journey photographed by a professional.
Moderate to Active — true off-road country of forest, mountains and rivers. Shorter driving days, but with mud, river crossings and steep climbs and descents, plus field camps and two nights on sleeper trains.
Expect long days on rough off-road tracks through forest, mountains and river valleys, river crossings by jeep and short walks on uneven ground. Nights are spent in field camps by the river, a lodge with hot showers on Day 2, a ger camp in Terelj and a hotel in Ulaanbaatar. July days are warm, and nights by the river can be cool.
Stay, Eat & Travel
In good weather, we set up our own camp under open skies in wild nature, including a night on the banks of the Selenge River. When wind, storms or rain move in, we stay in local ger camps instead. We visit a nomadic herding family but do not stay overnight with them.
In the countryside, meals are cooked by our own field kitchen, with dinners around the campfire. On the train and in Ulaanbaatar we eat at local restaurants and hotels. All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.
Guests travel in off-road jeeps, three guests per vehicle. Two support vehicles carry our field camp and kitchen. Between Ulaanbaatar and Erdenet we travel by overnight sleeper train.
Up to 12 guests
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| per person (seat in a shared jeep, 3 guests per jeep) | $1,950 |
| Jeep for two | +$350 per person |
|---|---|
| Private jeep for one | +$900 |
| Single supplement | +$250 |
Good to Know
A wide-angle and a mid-telephoto lens, spare batteries and memory cards, a light tripod for evening light and campfire scenes, layers for cool nights, waterproof outerwear and boots that can handle mud and water.
We meet your flight at Chinggis Khaan International Airport and drive you to your hotel. Most international flights arrive at night, so we recommend arriving at least one night before 15 July. We are happy to book a hotel for you; hotel nights before the journey are at your own cost.
Booking terms for this tour
General terms: Cancellation & Payment Policy
True off-road country with river crossings and forest tracks. Jeeps travel in convoy with two support vehicles. River crossings are made only when our drivers judge them safe, and fishing is from the bank, where permitted. The nearest hospital is in Erdenet. Travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation is required.
Photography Highlights
Bulgan is northern Mongolia at its most unhurried: larch forests, wildflower meadows and the wide Selenge River. We camp on the riverbank, spend time with a herding family and travel the back tracks by jeep, with our photographer capturing every moment, and you in it.