Accommodation & Camping
Most nights in our own field camp, set where the light is best; two nights in ger camps at Dadal and Dariganga, and two in hotels in Choibalsan and Baruun-Urt.
Inaugural Expedition · 6–17 September 2027
Eastern Mongolia: Chinggis Khaan's Homeland and the Cradle of Birds
The steppe turns gold in September. Gazelle herds gather, cranes and swans fill the lakes, and almost no one else is there.
Overview
Few travellers reach eastern Mongolia. That is its gift. This is our first scheduled departure to the far east, a loop through Khentii, Dornod and Sukhbaatar with a professional photographer beside you the whole way. We begin in the forested hills of Khentii, at the lake where Temüjin was proclaimed Chinggis Khaan and the valley where he is said to have been born. Then the land opens into the Menen steppe, one of the last great unfenced grasslands on earth, home to herds of Mongolian gazelle. Its lakes and wetlands are a cradle of migratory birds: cranes, swans and wild geese raise their young here and gather in their thousands before flying south. We finish among the extinct volcanoes of Dariganga, with sunrise from the sacred summit of Shiliin Bogd and swans on Ganga Lake. Our own camp travels with us, so we sleep where the light is best, not where the hotels are.
Who This Is For
Photographers, Storytellers and Curious Travellers
For those who prefer wide, empty landscapes, wildlife and history to crowds and comfort, and are happy with long drives on dirt tracks, early starts and cold September nights in a well-equipped camp.
Physical & Comfort Level
Moderate
Long driving days on dirt tracks, early starts for sunrise and frosty nights in camp.
Proposed Itinerary
Itinerary
Drive east to Öndörkhaan and its Chinggis Khaan statue, then to Khödöö Aral and the site of his great camp at Avarga. Sunset over the Kherlen meanders. Field camp.
The forest lake where Temüjin was proclaimed Chinggis Khaan in 1189. Evening and sunrise reflections. Field camp.
Ruins, a living temple and Buddhist figures carved into the cliffs, in a bowl of four mountains. Field camp below the monastery.
Petroglyphs at Rashaan Khad, then the Onon River and Deluun Boldog, by tradition the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan. Log-cabin village and larch forest. Ger camp.
A long day east along river valleys and lakes, crane country in late summer. Hotel in Choibalsan.
The great unfenced grassland; our first search for gazelle. Sunset on the largest lake in the east. Field camp on the shore.
Waterbirds at dawn, the giant hillside image of Janraisig, and the memorials of the 1939 battle. Field camp by the Khalkh Gol.
A full, flexible day with herders and rangers to find gazelle herds and cranes on steppe lakes. Wild camp.
Ancient stone figures, Dariganga silversmiths and sunset from Altan Ovoo. Ger camp.
Pre-dawn climb for sunrise over the crater, where pilgrims circle the summit cairn (please follow local custom on the mountain). Taliin Agui lava cave, then swans on Ganga Lake at sunset. Field camp.
Swans in morning mist, dune-and-lake compositions, an editing session with your photographer. Hotel in Baruun-Urt.
Paved road west with a portfolio review on the way. Farewell dinner.
Planned Light, Not Guaranteed Light
In early September the sun rises around 6:00 and sets around 19:00 in the east. We drive through the middle of the day and choose camps for sunrise and sunset, so the best light finds us on location.
Photography Highlights
What You Will Photograph
- The golden September steppe under huge skies, from sunrise to the last light
- Cranes, swans, wild geese and shelducks gathering on eastern lakes before migration
- Mongolian gazelle on the Menen steppe (herds move freely; sightings are likely but never guaranteed)
- Chinggis Khaan's coronation lake, birthplace and the ruins of his great camp at Avarga
- Sunrise from Shiliin Bogd, a sacred volcano on the edge of the Gobi
- Herders, horses and Dariganga silversmiths
Dates, Price & What's Included
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1–3 guests | $4,000 |
| 4–6 guests | $3,500 |
| 7–8 guests | $3,100 |
| Single supplement | +$350 |
|---|
Group pricing: the more guests who join, the lower the price for everyone. Your final price is set by the final group size and confirmed when booking closes on 1 July 2027. This departure is guaranteed. It runs even with one guest.
Included
- Professional photographer and English-speaking guide with the group, plus your photos and video
- Airport pickup on arrival; airport drop-off after the tour
- 4WD vehicles and experienced drivers; support vehicle with Photolink field camp and kitchen
- 7 nights field camp, 2 nights ger camp, 2 nights hotel (twin share)
- All meals from Day 1 lunch to the farewell dinner on Day 12
- Border-zone permits and protected-area fees
- Satellite communicator and first-aid kit on every departure
Not Included
- International flights
- Mongolian visa (if required)
- Travel insurance
- Hotel nights before the journey
- Personal gear
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities
- Optional local activities (camel or horse rides), paid directly to local providers
Prefer your own dates?
This journey is also available as a private trip for your group, on dates that suit you.
Private journeys from $450 per person per day.
Stay, Eat & Travel
How the Expedition Runs
Meals & Field Kitchen
Our field kitchen cooks for the group on the road, with dinners around camp and a farewell dinner on Day 12.
Transport
4WD vehicles with experienced drivers; our UAZ Hunter and pickup carry the field camp and kitchen.
Good to Know
Equipment, Preparation & Cancellation
Recommended Equipment
A long lens (400–600mm) for birds and gazelle, a wide lens for steppe and night sky, and a sturdy tripod. Bring spare batteries and memory cards; charging is available in the vehicles and at hotels. Pack warm layers, a down jacket, hat and gloves: September nights can fall below freezing.
Practical Preparation
Send us a copy of your passport by 1 July 2027 so we can apply for border-zone permits. Plan to arrive in Ulaanbaatar at least one day before departure. Mobile signal is good in towns but patchy on the open steppe.
Cancellation & Payment
Booking terms for this tour
- Deposit: $750 per person. Cancellation charges on the deposit follow the general policy.
- Booking closes 1 July 2027 (border-zone permits).
- We apply for border-zone permits for Shiliin Bogd and the Khalkh Gol area. We need a passport copy from every guest by 1 July 2027.
- Wildlife and birds move freely; numbers vary from year to year. Gazelle herds and swan numbers are likely, never guaranteed.
- Route details may change after our August 2027 scouting trip (lake levels, access, fire warnings).
- Travel insurance covering medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation is a condition of booking (recommended cover: USD 100,000 or more). Proof is due 30 days before departure.
General terms: Cancellation & Payment Policy
Safety on this tour
Two crew members trained in first aid travel with every group. We carry a satellite communicator, a full first-aid kit and vehicle recovery gear, and we do not drive off-road after dark. Hospitals are in the provincial centres of Öndörkhaan, Choibalsan and Baruun-Urt; serious cases are evacuated to Ulaanbaatar, so travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is required.
More from our journeys
Mongolian Gobi Photography Expedition
15–22 June 2027
Bulgan: Nomadic Life and Wild Nature
15–21 July 2027
Central Mongolia: Wild Horses, Dunes and the Ancient Capital
15–21 August 2027
