The Tsaatan people, also known as Dukha or Tuva, are one of the last remaining reindeer-herding nomadic communities in the world. Residing deep within the Taiga region of northern Mongolia, their way of life is intimately connected to their reindeer herds, which provide essential resources – transportation, companionship, and materials for daily living. Their traditions, spiritual beliefs, and survival skills have been passed down through generations, offering a rare and deeply meaningful cultural experience.

The first part of our adventure takes you into the Darkhad Valley, where you’ll have the extraordinary opportunity to photograph the Tsaatan reindeer herders. From candid portraits and daily life scenes to spiritual rituals and reindeer riding in the snow-covered forest, this segment offers rich storytelling moments for cultural, documentary, and portrait photography.

The second part of our journey brings us to Hustai National Park, a sanctuary for wildlife and home to the endangered Przewalski’s horse (Takhi), the last truly wild horse on Earth. You will have the chance to photograph these majestic animals in their natural habitat, along with a diverse range of other species including red deer, marmots, and birds of prey, set against the stunning backdrop of Mongolia’s steppe and forest-steppe landscapes.

Get ready to be inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Mongolia – its people, its wildlife, and its vast, untamed land. Join us for an unforgettable 10-day photography workshop, where you’ll gain hands-on experience in cultural, portrait, and landscape photography under the guidance of some of the world’s leading photographers. This is a rare opportunity to elevate your photography while immersing yourself in one of the most unique corners of the world.

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

Upon your arrival at Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN), our team will warmly welcome you and provide a comfortable transfer to your hotel located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar. After settling in, we will begin our exploration of the city with a leisurely day visiting some of its most iconic landmarks.

Highlights of the day include a visit to Sukhbaatar Square, the central plaza and symbolic heart of the city, named after Mongolia’s revolutionary hero. We’ll also explore the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, which offers a rich and immersive journey through Mongolia’s history, culture, and the legacy of the great Genghis Khan. To complete the day, we will stop at the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, a beautifully preserved Buddhist monastery that showcases exquisite architecture and sacred artifacts from Mongolia’s spiritual heritage.

This will be a relaxing and culturally enriching day, perfect for acclimating and getting an introduction to the vibrant spirit of Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar – Murun

After an early breakfast, we will take a short domestic flight to the city of Murun. Upon arrival, we will check into a comfortable hotel before setting out on an exciting adventure to Uushgiin Uvur Deer Stones, home to some of the best-preserved and most intricately carved Deer Stones from the Bronze Age. These ancient monuments, adorned with enigmatic carvings of deer and other symbols, offer a fascinating glimpse into Mongolia’s prehistoric past. Nearby, we will also explore newly discovered petroglyphs depicting a variety of animals and symbolic motifs, recently found by a local resident, adding another layer of historical intrigue to our journey.

After returning to the hotel, enjoy a restful night’s sleep and prepare for our expedition into the remote and mystical Darkhad Valley the following day.

Day 3: Murun – Ulaan Uul

We will begin the day by photographing the sunrise over the frozen river in Murun, where majestic Bactrian camels form striking silhouettes against the soft winter light, creating a truly magical and unforgettable scene.

Afterward, we will set out on a scenic drive of approximately 220 kilometers to Ulaan Uul, a small village predominantly inhabited by the Darkhad ethnic group. As we travel deeper into this rugged and mystical region of northern Mongolia, we will make several photo stops along the way to capture the dramatic landscapes, from vast open steppes to snow capped mountains and tranquil valleys, offering ample opportunities to document the raw and untamed beauty of the land.

Before reaching Ulaan Uul, we will pause at the Darkhad’s 13 Ovoos to witness and photograph the sunset over these sacred stone cairns, a powerful expression of local spirituality and reverence for nature. One of the most culturally significant landmarks along this route is this remarkable collection of ovoos, which hold deep meaning in both Mongolian shamanic and Buddhist traditions. Located at the southern entrance of the Darkhad Depression, just north of the Beltes River, this rare configuration consists of one large central ovoo surrounded by twelve smaller ones. Each of the smaller ovoos represents one of the twelve animals of the Mongolian zodiac: mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. According to local tradition, travelers entering the Darkhad Depression circle the main ovoo clockwise and then offer prayers at the ovoo corresponding to the animal of their birth year, seeking blessings, protection, and good fortune for the journey ahead.

We will spend the night in Ulaan Uul, resting and preparing for the next stage of our journey.

Day 4: Ulaan Uul

Early in the morning, we will begin our first sunrise photography session with the Tsaatan people and their reindeer at a nearby location framed by a breathtaking and majestic mountain landscape.

The Tsaatan people, also known as the Dukha or Tuva, are a small nomadic community living deep within the taiga of northern Mongolia. Their lives are inseparably connected to their reindeer herds, which provide transportation, companionship, and essential materials for daily life. According to the 2010 census, approximately 280 Tsaatan individuals from 28 reindeer herding families inhabit this remote and rugged region of the Eastern Taiga. The Tsaatan train their reindeer from a young age. At just two years old, reindeer begin carrying riders, usually children, as they are still too delicate to support adults. By the age of three, they are strong enough to carry adults. During seasonal migrations, male reindeer typically carry loads of around 40 kilograms, while females carry approximately 30 kilograms. Perfectly adapted to the cold, reindeer thrive in snowy conditions, using their hooves to dig through the snow to reach moss, their primary source of food.

In the late afternoon, depending on weather conditions, we will head out for a sunset photography session. We will either visit a nearby hidden canyon, hoping to capture the soft evening light reflecting off its frozen ice floor, or explore a nearby mountain landscape. In either setting, there will be excellent opportunities to photograph the Tsaatan reindeer herders and their beautiful reindeer in their natural environment.

After sunset, we will travel approximately 60 kilometers to Renchinlkhumbe from Ulaan Uul, where we will spend the next two nights in a comfortable luxury cabin, resting and preparing for the adventures ahead.

Day 5: Renchinlkhumbe

Today will be dedicated to photographing the Tsaatan reindeer herders and their reindeer along a nearby river that never freezes, even in the depths of the harsh Mongolian winter. In the early morning, warm mist rises from the flowing water and drifts into the cold air, creating an ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere. Against this mystical backdrop of white frozen forest, the reindeer and herders emerge through the fog, offering extraordinary photographic opportunities unlike anywhere else in the world.

We will photograph both sunrise and sunset at this location, as each time of day produces dramatically different visual effects. The low-angle light at sunrise creates soft front lighting that gently reveals details in the snow, reindeer, and traditional clothing, while the evening light often produces striking backlit scenes, with glowing mist and rim-lit reindeer antlers that add depth and drama to every frame. These constantly changing conditions allow photographers to capture a wide range of moods and compositions from the same magical setting.

In the middle of the day, we will visit another nearby river, where you can observe and photograph graceful swans enjoying the open water of this unfrozen river, even in the depths of winter. Their elegant forms gliding across the steaming water create a striking contrast against the frozen landscape, offering a serene and unexpected wildlife encounter in this harsh yet beautiful environment.

In addition to photography, you will have the rare opportunity to ride a reindeer into the deep winter forest, experiencing firsthand how the Tsaatan people move across snow-covered landscapes with their herds. Traveling quietly through the taiga on reindeer back offers an intimate glimpse into a centuries-old way of life and a profound connection to the natural environment. This unforgettable experience blends cultural immersion with breathtaking scenery, providing exceptional moments for storytelling and creating powerful, once-in-a-lifetime images.

Day 6: East Taiga

Today, we will travel approximately 60 kilometers to the Eastern Taiga, known locally as Zuun Taiga, the remote homeland of the Tsaatan reindeer herders. Upon arrival, we will immerse ourselves in the daily life of the Tsaatan people through a series of carefully planned and spontaneous photography sessions. These encounters offer rare opportunities to document their profound bond with their reindeer and to capture powerful visual stories of everyday life, both indoors and outdoors. Subjects may include children playing in the snow alongside their reindeer companions, intimate candid moments within family camps, environmental and posed portraits, traditional shamanic rituals that remain an integral part of Tsaatan spiritual life, and the crafting of handmade items from reindeer antlers that highlight their remarkable resourcefulness and craftsmanship. Each moment in the taiga presents unique photographic possibilities, providing an intimate window into one of the world’s last remaining reindeer herding cultures.

In the afternoon, we will attend the Taiga Reindeer Festival, a lively and culturally rich celebration where Tsaatan families gather for a variety of traditional and joyful activities. Highlights include reindeer racing, best traditional costume competitions, reindeer antler carving contests, and many other festive events. The festival offers not only dynamic photographic opportunities but also a chance to experience the warmth, humor, and communal spirit of the Tsaatan people.

In the evening, we will return to our luxury cabin in Renchinlkhumbe, where we can relax, review the day’s images, and prepare for the next chapter of our taiga adventure.

Day 7: Renchinlkhumbe – Murun

After breakfast, we will begin our journey back toward Murun, traveling through some of the most scenic and culturally rich landscapes of northern Mongolia, with opportunities along the way to appreciate the region’s vast beauty and timeless atmosphere.

At sunset, we will have a rare opportunity to observe and photograph both Mongolian and Tsaatan shamanic rituals, witnessing firsthand spiritual traditions that have been preserved for generations. This deeply immersive experience offers a powerful insight into the profound connection between the local people, their ancestral beliefs, and the natural world that surrounds them, providing meaningful moments for reflection as well as exceptional visual storytelling.

Day 8: Murun – Ulaanbaatar

After an overnight stay in Murun, we will take a short domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, we will have another opportunity to explore the city, followed by a pleasant dinner at a local restaurant. We will then enjoy a comfortable night’s stay at the hotel, resting before another new journey tomorrow.

Day 9: Hustai National Park

Today, we will visit Hustai National Park, located approximately 90 kilometers west of Ulaanbaatar. Established in 1993, the park is internationally celebrated for its successful reintroduction of the Przewalski’s horse, the world’s last truly wild horse, once extinct in the wild. Spanning over 50,000 hectares of steppe and forest-steppe, Hustai is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including red deer, marmots, foxes, wolves, and more than 200 species of birds. In addition to its ecological significance, the park also protects numerous archaeological and cultural sites, such as ancient stone monuments and burial mounds, offering a fascinating glimpse into Mongolia’s past.

The Przewalski’s horse, also known as the Takhi, Mongolian wild horse, or Dzungarian horse, is a rare and endangered species native to the Central Asian steppe. By the 1960s, it had gone extinct in the wild due to habitat loss, competition with livestock, poaching, and harsh winters in 1945, 1948, and 1956. Foals were also captured for zoos, further reducing wild populations. Thanks to extensive international conservation efforts, the species was successfully reintroduced to its native habitat in Mongolia in the 1990s, as well as to select areas in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Today, nearly 1,000 Przewalski’s horses roam freely in Mongolia, with the largest population, around 430 individuals living in Hustai National Park.

You will spend the day exploring the park and photographing its diverse wildlife, with special attention to capturing the rare and majestic Takhi in their natural habitat, a truly rewarding experience for any wildlife photographer.

Day 10: Departure

We will transfer you to Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN) for your journey home, bringing with you a collection of incredible photographs and unforgettable memories from your time in Mongolia.