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Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition

Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition
Likely to sell out soon
Likely to sell out soon
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition
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Travel details

Dates
Time
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Travelers
1
From: Khubilai Hotel, Ulaanbaatar

Description

Summary

Tour starts
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Duration:
8 days & 7 nights
Difficulty:
Easy
Languages:
English
Available:
September
Minimum age:
None
301 reviews

Description

Step beyond the main Mongolia journey and into the country’s remote northern frontier. This eight-day photography expedition takes you from Ulaanbaatar to the pristine taiga forests, alpine lakes, and high mountain valleys where the Tsaatan reindeer herders still live a nomadic way of life. Along the way, you’ll capture intimate portraits of reindeer at dawn, witness nomadic traditions unchanged for centuries, and frame landscapes where vast steppe meets snow-capped peaks. From Murun to Tugul, from hidden encampments to the shimmering “Blue Pearl” of Lake Khuvsgul, every day offers rare opportunities for both cultural encounters and breathtaking photography. Designed as a seamless continuation of the main Mongolia tour, this extension immerses you deeper into the untouched wilderness and disappearing traditions of the far north.

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Included

All accommodations (hotels & ger camps)
All transportation (domestic flights and ground transport by well-prepared Toyota Land Cruisers)
Photography guide
Local guides
Meals
Power generators for remote places with no electricity

Activities

Photo Tours
Photo Workshop

Daily itinerary

Day 1
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition - day 1

Day 1 - Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Guests arrive in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, where they will be welcomed at the Khubilai Hotel. The city lies in a valley surrounded by rolling steppe and forested hills, offering a striking first impression of Mongolia’s vast landscapes. In the evening, a welcome dinner will set the stage for the journey ahead, giving everyone a chance to meet fellow travelers and discuss the upcoming adventure. For those continuing directly from the main tour, this day provides a smooth transition into the northern extension, allowing time to rest and prepare before venturing deeper into remote regions.
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Day 2
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition - day 2

Day 2 -

Depending on schedules released closer to the season, the group will either fly to Murun or travel by road. A flight typically takes one hour, while the drive can last most of the day across sweeping steppe dotted with nomadic gers, herds of horses, and eagles soaring on the thermals. If flights arrive late in the day (around 5–6 pm or later), the group will overnight at a local hotel to recharge before continuing north. Murun, the administrative center of Khuvsgul province, serves as the last outpost before the wilderness begins.
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Day 3
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition - day 3

Day 3 -

A long travel day lies ahead, with approximately 7–8 hours of driving to reach Tugul. Along the way, breaks will be taken for lunch and photography as the landscape gradually shifts from open steppe to forested valleys and mountain ranges. This is the frontier where roads grow rougher and nomadic life more pronounced. By evening, we arrive in Tugul, a remote village that provides access to Tsaatan lands. Sunset offers the chance to photograph surrounding mountains bathed in evening light, capturing wilderness that has changed little for centuries.
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Day 4
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition - day 4

Day 4 -

The first full day with the Tsaatan reindeer herders begins before sunrise, with a hike or short ride to a viewpoint overlooking the encampment and surrounding mountains. Golden light illuminates mist rising from the valleys while reindeer graze quietly around the tipis. After lunch with the community, we spend the afternoon documenting daily life—herders tending their animals, children moving between tipis, and smoke drifting from open fires. At sunset, we capture portraits of nomads against dramatic alpine scenery, reflecting a way of life that is rapidly disappearing.
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Day 5
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition - day 5

Day 5 -

Another sunrise session focuses on a nearby river, where reflections and morning mist create a magical atmosphere. After two to three hours photographing reindeer in their natural setting, the group returns for a final meal with the nomads before departing. In the afternoon, we travel to Jargant Lodge, nestled in mountain landscapes. Evening light here is especially beautiful, with herds moving across meadows as the last rays strike the ridgelines. Overnight at Jargant Lodge.
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Day 6
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition - day 6

Day 6 -

An early morning outing captures sunrise around Jargant, often with frosted grass sparkling in the first light. After breakfast, we cross a rugged mountain pass toward Lake Khuvsgul, one of Mongolia’s natural wonders. Known as the “Blue Pearl,” this alpine lake is the country’s largest freshwater reserve and sacred to local people. Its deep-blue waters, framed by taiga forest and snowcapped peaks, make it a remarkable subject for landscape photography. We settle into Toilogt Camp along the shore, with sunset photography at the water’s edge.
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Day 7
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition - day 7

Day 7 -

The day begins with sunrise at the lake, when calm waters reflect the surrounding mountains in perfect mirror images. After breakfast, we drive three hours along a paved road back to Murun, where onward logistics depend on the 2026 flight schedule. From here, a flight will return us to Ulaanbaatar, where we gather for a farewell dinner. This evening is a chance to reflect on an extraordinary journey—from intimate encounters with Tsaatan nomads to the grandeur of Mongolia’s northern wilderness.
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Day 8
Mongolia’s Reindeer Herders and Northern Wilderness Photography Expedition - day 8

Day 8 -

Guests depart Ulaanbaatar at their convenience for international flights. For many, the images captured during this expedition—reindeer silhouetted at mountain dawns, nomadic families tending fires, and vast alpine lakes glowing under northern skies—will remain as lasting testaments to Mongolia’s untouched beauty and the resilience of its people.
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Good to know

What to bring

Gear:
– camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm

Wear:
– Waterproof and windproof jacket (consider the average temperatures +5  – 20 C)
– Waterproof pants
– Warm down-jacket and thermal pants
– Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography workshops

Full list of recommended wear will be sent to participants.

Accommodation and food

Throughout the journey, guests will stay in a variety of accommodations that reflect both comfort and Mongolia’s frontier spirit:

- Khubilai Hotel, Ulaanbaatar – A comfortable city hotel providing a welcoming base at the start and end of the expedition.

- Local Hotel, Murun – If required by flight schedules, the group will overnight in Murun, the provincial capital of Khuvsgul.

- Tugul Village Stay – Rustic accommodations in a remote settlement at the edge of the Tsaatan lands.

- Jargant Lodge – A mountain lodge surrounded by valleys and meadows, ideal for sunrise and sunset photography.

- Toilogt Camp, Lake Khuvsgul – A lakeside camp along the shores of Mongolia’s “Blue Pearl,” offering direct access to the region’s most stunning scenery.

Please note that we bring our amazing cook for this trip. So even vegetarian options are available. It’s hard to get veggies in Mongolia, but you can be sure that we take care of good food during this trip. Let’s say for breakfast we have bacon and eggs, toasts with nutella, sausages, juice, coffee etc. For lunch and dinner we have salads, nice soup and meat/pasta/rice various nice dishes.

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Guides

Andy Marty

Andy Marty

Originally from Australia, Andy Marty has called Dubai home since 2009. With a passion for travel at the heart of his work, Andy uses photography as a means to inspire others to explore the world — capturing everything from the bustling bazaars of India and the sweeping landscapes of Iceland to the iconic skyline of New York City.

Over the years, Andy has built a diverse portfolio spanning cityscapes, wildlife, portraiture and time-lapse, creating content for internationally recognised brands including Audi, Fairmont Group, One&Only, Visit Rwanda and flydubai. He is a firm believer that the best photographs deserve to be printed and hung on the wall — and he shoots with that in mind.

Through his Dubai-based agency, Andy and his team deliver end-to-end content and strategy for travel brands — from stunning imagery and social media reels to bespoke Virtual Reality experiences.

In a world overflowing with images, Andy's focus remains the same: capturing that perfect shot.

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