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Altai Photo Tour: eagles, glaciers and nomads
Eight days for photographers, bloggers and video creators in Bayan-Ölgii: Altai Tavan Bogd, Khoton and Khurgan lakes, Baga Turgen Waterfall and a full day with a Kazakh eagle hunter family.
8 Days / 7 Nights
Max 8 travellers
Made for photographers
Flights UB ⇄ Ölgii included
DURATION
8 days / 7 nights
DIFFICULTY
Easy to moderate
FOCUS
Photo & video
GROUP SIZE
Max 10
SEASON
May – September
PRICE FROM
$1,120 pp
OVERVIEW
A creative journey through the Altai
Walk mountain passes and the Oigor Valley, camp by clear alpine lakes under a sky full of stars and spend a full day with a Kazakh eagle hunter family. The pace leaves time to shoot, and every stop gives you new stories for photos, videos or blog posts.
✓
Kazakh eagle hunters: close portraits and golden eagles in flight
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Altai Tavan Bogd base camp, glacial valleys and the Potanin Glacier (optional)
✓
Khoton and Khurgan lakes for sunrise, sunset and the Milky Way
✓
Baga Turgen Waterfall, alpine meadows and wildlife
✓
Nomad life: gers, felt-making, herding and Kazakh meals
✓
Small group of up to 8, so you rarely compete for a shot
THE ROUTE
Ölgii to Altai Tavan Bogd and back
1
2
4
3
5
6
7
8
Ölgii
Oigor Valley
Base Camp
Khoton Lake
Baga Turgen
Eagle hunters
Ölgii
Ulaanbaatar
Fly in from UB
Drive, ride
Walk 4–6 h
Night sky
Waterfall hike
Portrait day
Cultural evening
Fly back
ITINERARY
Day by day
Open all days
DAY 1
Fly to Bayan-Ölgii
Fly from Ulaanbaatar, meet your driver and Kazakh guide and get to know Ölgii town.
✈ Domestic flight
Flight ~2 h
Hotel or ger in Ölgii
Day details +
Morning domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ölgii (about 2 hours)
Meet your driver and local Kazakh guide at Ölgii airport
Bayan-Ölgii Museum: Kazakh culture, history and wildlife
Local bazaar (open market) for handicrafts and souvenirs
Welcome dinner with traditional Kazakh cuisine
DAY 2
Drive to Oigor Valley and ride
Drive over mountain passes to Oigor Valley, meet your horse guides and ride through the valley.
Drive 4–5 h
Tent or ger
Day details +
Morning departure from Ölgii through mountain passes and river valleys (about 4–5 hours)
Picnic lunch with views of the snow-capped Altai Mountains
Meet your local horse guides and get matched with your horse
First horse ride through the scenic Oigor Valley
DAY 3
Altai Tavan Bogd base camp to White River Valley
Walk from base camp through alpine meadows and glacial streams — big mountain landscapes all day.
Walk 4–6 h
Tent
Day details +
Morning departure from Altai Tavan Bogd base camp (about 4–6 hours)
Alpine meadows, rivers and glacial streams
Learn about the Tavan Bogd massif (“Five Saint Peaks”) and its significance
Optional Side trek to the Potanin Glacier if weather and trail conditions allow
DAY 4
Drive to Khoton & Khurgan lakes
Drive deeper into the park to the lakes, with photo stops, a campfire and night-sky shooting.
Drive 4–5 h
Lakeside ger or tent
Day details +
Drive deeper into the park (about 4–5 hours)
Optional Short lakeshore walks and photo stops
Picnic or packed lunch on the way or at the lakes
Evening campfire by the lake with dinner and hot drinks
Optional Stargazing and astrophotography in the clear Altai sky
DAY 5
Hike to Baga Turgen Waterfall
A round-trip hike to the waterfall through forested slopes, with time for wildlife and meadows.
Hike 3–4 h
Lakeside ger or tent
Day details +
Morning hike to Baga Turgen Waterfall (about 3–4 hours round trip)
Picnic lunch at the waterfall, surrounded by forested slopes and streams
Optional Alpine meadows and wildlife spotting (marmots, eagles)
Evening campfire with dinner and hot drinks
Optional Visit a nearby nomad family
DAY 6
A full day with the eagle hunter family
Close, unhurried access to a Kazakh eagle hunter family and their golden eagles — the highlight for most photographers.
Eagle hunters
Camp or ger
Day details +
A day with a Kazakh eagle hunter and his family in their ger camp
Watch the golden eagle being fed, groomed and trained
Help herd goats, sheep and yaks across the open steppe
Visit neighbouring families for felt-making, embroidery and saddle craft
Help prepare traditional Kazakh dishes such as beshbarmak, with tea and homemade dairy
DAY 7
Return to Ölgii and Kazakh cultural evening
Drive back to Ölgii, upload your work, shop for crafts and end the day with Kazakh music and dance.
Drive back
Camp or ger
Day details +
Drive back to Ölgii through mountain and steppe landscapes
Local bazaar and craft shops for souvenirs
Stroll through town and see everyday local life
Evening cultural show with traditional Kazakh music and dance
DAY 8
Fly to Ulaanbaatar
Fly back to the capital, transfer to your hotel and shop for souvenirs.
✈ Domestic flight
Flight ~2 h
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Day details +
Transfer to Ölgii airport
Return flight to Ulaanbaatar (about 2 hours)
Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel
State Department Store for souvenirs
Optional Dinner show with Mongolian throat singing and dance
PRICES
Price per person
How much does the Altai photo tour cost? This 8-day tour costs from $1,120 per person for groups of 7–8, $1,600 per person for two travellers and $2,358 for a solo traveller. The price includes return flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii, ground transport with fuel, meals, an English-speaking guide, a cook and park permits. International flights, travel insurance and a sleeping bag are not included.
TRAVELLERS
PER PERSON (USD)
1 traveller
$2,358
2 travellers
$1,600
3–4 travellers
$1,258
5–6 travellers
$1,213
7–8 travellers
$1,120
The more people travel together, the lower the price per person. All prices include domestic flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii, ground transport with fuel, meals, guide, cook and park permits.
Departure dates
Private departures on your own dates, May to September.
June and September offer the best light for photography.
The tour runs for 8 days. Up to 8 travellers per group.
Contact us to check availability.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Included and not included
Included
✓ Accommodation throughout the journey, including camping tents and traditional gers
✓ Round-trip domestic flights Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii – Ulaanbaatar
✓ All ground transportation with fuel
✓ Arrival and departure airport transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
✓ Professional English-speaking tour guide
✓ Experienced local driver
✓ Dedicated expedition cook
✓ Full-board meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
✓ Bottled drinking water and snacks
✓ All necessary camping and cooking equipment
✓ Camel support with professional camel handlers
✓ Visit to a traditional Kazakh eagle hunter family
✓ National park permits and local fees
✓ All sightseeing activities and entrance fees
✓ Visa support with an official invitation letter
Not included
✕ International airfare
✕ Visa fees
✕ Travel insurance
✕ Personal expenses and individual equipment
✕ Sleeping bag
✕ Excess baggage on domestic flights (over 15 kg allowance)
✕ Airport taxes (if applicable)
✕ Alcoholic beverages
✕ Drinks and additional charges at hotels, inns or restaurants
✕ Any services not listed under Included
✕ Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and staff
IS IT FOR ME?
Easy to moderate, made for photographers
Difficulty: easy to moderate
4–6 h
longest walking day
8 days
Ölgii to Ölgii
Max 8
small group
6 nights
in tents or gers
A good fit if you…
Want time to shoot rather than rush
Are happy camping with basic facilities
Want close access to Kazakh eagle hunters
Create photos, videos or blog content
Talk to us first if you…
Plan to bring a large camera kit (15 kg domestic flight limit)
Have a heart or respiratory condition
GOOD TO KNOW
Before you go
Best time
May to September. June and September offer the best light: June has up to 16 hours of daylight and green valleys, and September brings golden colours on the steppe. July and August are busiest, with wildflowers and the warmest weather.
Accommodation
Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii, tents and lakeside gers in the national park, a ger camp with the eagle hunter family and a hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Tourist ger camps sleep 2–4 people per ger, with 220 V electricity, showers and basic amenities.
Meals
Hearty meals based on traditional ingredients — mutton, beef, rice, noodles and fresh vegetables — plus home-cooked Kazakh food with the eagle hunter family. Vegetarian options on request. Alcohol is not included, but you are free to bring your own.
Transport
Private 4WD vehicles with an experienced local driver; in the mountains your gear is carried by pack animals. Daily drives cover around 200–250 km.
What to bring
Camera kit: 16–35 mm for landscapes, 70–200 mm or 100–500 mm for eagles and wildlife, 50 mm f/1.4 for portraits, polarising and ND filters, spare batteries for 3–4 days, a power bank, a dust-proof bag and a travel tripod. Plus warm layers, a waterproof jacket, sun protection and a sleeping bag.
Phone and internet
Signal in Ölgii town only (Days 1, 7 and 8). No connectivity in the mountains (Days 2–6), so plan to upload in Ölgii.
REVIEWS
What our guests say
★ 5.0 on TripAdvisor (8 reviews, October 2026)
What reviewers mention (summary, not quotes):
Ritvik S (July 2026, travelled with a friend): a one-week expedition in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, including hiking Malchin Peak. Praised the guide, driver, host families, food and smooth organisation.
matej l (August 2026, solo): camped at Khoton Lake and describes it as remote, quiet and worth the long 4x4 drive. Notes basic conditions and no facilities at the lake.
Guille C, Spain (September 2026, solo): a great adventure with local guides; would recommend it.
Marina F, United Arab Emirates (June 2026, with a friend): the route was changed to avoid areas under quarantine; thanked the driver and guide for difficult mountain roads. Says to expect a very basic level of comfort.
Vacations Mongolia is listed on TripAdvisor as Vacations in Mongolia.
Read honest reviews from our guests on our reviews page, TripAdvisor and Google. Read all reviews →
FAQ
Questions photographers ask
What are the best photography subjects on this tour?
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Six distinct categories: (1) Kazakh eagle hunters — portraits and eagles in flight, (2) nomadic life — ger interiors, felt-making, herding, (3) mountain landscapes — glaciers, peaks, alpine valleys, (4) wildlife — golden eagles, marmots, raptors, (5) astrophotography — Khoton Lake under the Milky Way, (6) documentary — daily nomadic family routines.
How close can I get to the golden eagles for photography?
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During the private eagle hunter family visit (Day 6), you have close, unhurried access — typically within 1–3 metres for portraits. Your guide arranges specific shots, including the eagle on the hunter’s arm, the eagle’s launch and its return.
Do the Kazakh families consent to being photographed?
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Yes. Our guides have longstanding relationships with the families we visit, and photography consent is established before arrival. Always ask your guide before photographing inside a ger or during personal moments.
Are drones allowed on this tour?
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Flying a drone in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park requires a permit — we arrange this if you tell us at booking. Outside the national park, drones are generally permitted. Note the 15 kg domestic flight baggage limit.
What camera gear do you recommend for this tour?
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Landscape: 16–35 mm. Eagle hunters and wildlife: 70–200 mm or 100–500 mm. Portraits: 50 mm f/1.4. Essentials: polarising filter, ND filters, extra batteries, a dust-proof bag and a travel tripod.
Can I charge camera batteries and laptops during the tour?
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Power is available in Ölgii town (Days 1, 7 and 8) and at some ger camps. In the mountains (Days 2–6) power is limited, so bring spare batteries for 3–4 days. A portable power bank is strongly recommended.
Can I bring a large professional camera kit?
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Yes, but the 15 kg domestic flight limit applies. Contact us to discuss excess baggage options. During the mountain section, gear is carried by pack animals.
Is this tour suitable for travel bloggers and content creators?
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Absolutely. The pacing allows time to shoot and reflect, the small group (max 8) means you rarely compete for a shot, and every location is visually distinct. Past guests have produced content for Instagram, YouTube and travel publications.
Is there Wi-Fi or mobile internet for uploading content?
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Signal is available in Ölgii town only (Days 1, 7 and 8). In the mountains (Days 2–6) there is no connectivity. Most creators treat the mountain section as capture-only and upload in Ölgii on Day 7.
Do you offer press or blogger rates?
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For established travel bloggers and content creators with an engaged audience, we consider hosting arrangements in exchange for honest coverage. Contact us with your portfolio — quality and genuine engagement matter more than follower counts.
Do I keep full rights to my photos and videos?
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Yes. All content you create is yours to publish freely. We may ask permission to share it on our channels with full credit — this is always opt-in, never assumed. We never claim ownership of guest photography.
What is the best time of year for photography?
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June and September offer the best conditions. June has the longest days (up to 16 hours of light), lush green valleys and fewer tourists. September brings golden autumn colours on the steppe and dramatic clouds. July and August are busiest but still excellent, with wildflowers in bloom and the warmest weather.
How much does the tour cost?
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From $1,120 per person for groups of 7–8, $1,213 for 5–6, $1,258 for 3–4, $1,600 for two travellers and $2,358 for a solo traveller.
Are domestic flights included?
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Yes. Round-trip domestic flights between Ulaanbaatar and Bayan-Ölgii are included in the tour price. International flights are not.
Can I join solo?
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Yes. We run private departures and can match you with other travellers going at the same time to lower the per-person price.
Is a sleeping bag included?
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No. A sleeping bag is not included, so please bring a warm one.
Is travel insurance required?
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Yes. Travel insurance is not included in the price; please arrange cover that includes medical evacuation and your camera equipment, as the route is remote.
What is this tour at a glance?
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8 days / 7 nights · Easy to moderate · From $1,120 per person · Up to 8 travellers · May to September. A full day with a Kazakh eagle hunter family · Altai Tavan Bogd, Khoton and Khurgan lakes and Baga Turgen Waterfall · Return flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Ölgii included.
What does each day of the tour look like?
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Day 1 — Fly to Ölgii · Flight: about 2 h · Night: Hotel or ger camp in Ölgii
Day 2 — Drive to Oigor Valley, first horse ride · Drive: about 4–5 h · Night: Tent or ger
Day 3 — Altai Tavan Bogd base camp to White River Valley · Walking: about 4–6 h · Night: Tent
Day 4 — Drive to Khoton and Khurgan lakes · Drive: about 4–5 h · Night: Lakeside ger or tent
Day 5 — Hike to Baga Turgen Waterfall · Hiking: about 3–4 h · Night: Lakeside ger or tent
Day 6 — A full day with the eagle hunter family · Night: Camp or ger
Day 7 — Return to Ölgii, Kazakh cultural evening · Night: Camp or ger
Day 8 — Fly to Ulaanbaatar · Flight: about 2 h · Night: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
PHOTOS
Through the lens
MORE IN THE ALTAI
You might also like
Which Altai tour is right for you?
Photo and Video Tour (this tour) — 8 days · Easy to moderate, time to shoot · Eagle hunters, lakes and Potanin Glacier (optional) · Eagle hunter visit: a full day on Day 6 · From $1,120 per person
Altai Tavan Bogd Hiking — 6 days · Moderate fitness, optional summit day · Highest point: Malchin Peak, 4,051 m (optional) · Eagle hunter visit: yes, Day 5 · From $992 per person
Eagle Hunter & Nomadic Life — 8 days · Moderate trekking sections, no technical climbing · Highest point: Altai Tavan Bogd base camp, about 2,400 m (no summit) · Eagle hunter visit: yes, Day 6 · From $1,120 per person
FROM THE BLOG
Read before you go
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BOOK OR ASK A QUESTION
Talk to our team in Bayan-Ölgii
Flat 606, Happy Town 3, Bayan-Ölgii 18700, Mongolia
Written by the Vacations Mongolia team · Updated October 2026