Eagle Hunter Photography Tour: Kazakh Winter Migration in Mongolia
Few photography tours put you inside a moving nomadic world. On this 10-day eagle hunter photography tour, you travel with a Kazakh eagle-hunting family as they move their herds from winter camp to spring pasture through the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia. The herd covers roughly 20 km a day, and you walk or ride alongside loaded camels, horses and the family’s golden eagles, with a support vehicle following for rest and gear.
The pace is set by the animals, which gives you time to work: wide valley landscapes, intimate moments at camp, environmental portraits and eagles in motion. After the migration, a Mini Eagle Hunters Festival brings together 10 to 15 eagle hunters for a rare, close-range photographic event, followed by a visit to an Urankhai archery family and a shamanic ritual.
Our 2027 expedition is planned to start around mid-February, with the exact day the herd moves confirmed by the family nearer the time. It runs for groups of 2 to 10 photographers. The expedition was designed by Yerlan Shakhabai, who has worked as a guide in Western Mongolia since 2007; for larger groups, Yerlan can also join as your local guide. It is organised by Sayat Travel, established in Ölgii in 2014.
Expedition Highlights & Photography Opportunities
Documenting the Kazakh Winter Migration Across the Altai
Our 2027 expedition is planned to start around mid-February. The family decides the day the herd moves, based on the weather and the pasture, and in some years the migration season runs into April. Over four migration days the herd moves roughly 20 km a day, reaching the Kök Bastau winter pasture on the first migration day, then crossing wide valleys and mountain passes to the family’s spring pasture. That is the herd’s daily pace; the full expedition route, starting from Ölgii, the provincial capital, covers about 150 km in the Bayan-Ölgii area.
You can photograph:
- loaded camels and horses on the move
- packing and unpacking at each camp
- the family settling into its new seasonal home on the final migration day
The route follows car-accessible tracks, so the support vehicle is never far away. Use it to rest or change lenses out of the wind.
Portrait & Action Photography with Kazakh Eagle Hunters
The slow pace of migration leaves time for unhurried portraits of eagle hunters and their golden eagles against the Altai landscape, and for action work as the birds travel with the herd.
On Day 7, a Mini Eagle Hunters Festival gathers 10 to 15 eagle hunters to demonstrate eagle calling, speed, agility and the bond between hunter and bird. It is a smaller, closer setting than the large autumn festivals, giving you room to work at close range.
Winter Homestays & Cultural Immersion
Accommodation depends on group size:
- Groups of 4 or fewer stay in the family’s wooden winter houses, usually in separate private rooms.
- Larger groups sleep in a traditional ger. Our crew sets it up, heats it and moves it by truck each day.
Breakfast and dinner are cooked at camp by the expedition chef. Lunch is often a picnic with the herders on the trail.
On Day 8 you meet an Urankhai archery family for a traditional demonstration. Later you observe a shamanic ritual, with time to ask questions, before dinner in Ölgii.
At a glance
- Follow a real nomadic eagle hunter family during their seasonal migration
- Photograph golden eagles in action and traditional hunting techniques
- Horseback riding and hiking during migration days
- Stay in traditional nomadic yurts and winter wooden houses
- Mini Eagle Hunters Festival with 10–15 eagle hunters competing
- Cultural encounters with Urankhai archers
- Shamanic ritual experience with opportunities for discussion
- Spectacular Altai Mountain landscapes and remote pastures
- Authentic, non-staged photography opportunities
- Small-group, immersive expedition experience
Inside a Kazakh Family’s Winter Migration
Before you join the expedition, see the migration through a family’s eyes. Our photo story follows Syerikbol and his family as they move their herd of nearly a thousand animals from their winter camp towards new pasture in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolia.
It shows the daily rhythm of the trail, the cold, and life in camp along the way.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar)
Day 2 – Flight to Western Mongolia
Day 3 – Migration Day 1: Into the Altai
Day 4 – Migration Day 2
Day 5 – Migration Day 3
Day 6 – Migration Day 4: Spring Pasture
Day 7 – Mini Eagle Hunters Festival
Day 8 – Urankhai Archery & Shamanic Experience
Day 9 – Return to Ulaanbaatar
Day 10 – Departure
Trip details
Activities
Following the eagle hunters’ migration on horseback and on foot, photography, the Mini Eagle Hunters Festival, and a shamanic ritual experience.
Accommodation
Traditional nomadic yurts and winter wooden houses, depending on group size, plus local guesthouses.
Transportation
Domestic flights (Ulaanbaatar ↔ western Mongolia) and ground transportation with a support vehicle throughout the migration.
Meals
All meals included, prepared by an expedition chef who travels with the group.
What’s included
Included
- All accommodation during the expedition (nomadic yurts, winter wooden houses, local guesthouses)
- All meals during the expedition
- Domestic flights: Ulaanbaatar ↔ western Mongolia
- All ground transportation during the expedition
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Mongolia
- Local English-speaking guide
- Support from eagle hunter families and local communities
- Entry fees and arrangements for the Mini Eagle Hunters Festival
- Archery and shaman experience arrangements
Not included
- International flights
- Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar
- Meals in Ulaanbaatar
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, tips)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Photography equipment and personal gear
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Where does the eagle hunters’ migration take place?
The migration takes place in western Mongolia, in the Altai region within Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. This remote area is home to Kazakh nomadic eagle hunters and offers dramatic mountain landscapes ideal for photography.
When is the winter migration held?
The migration season usually runs from mid-February into April, depending on the weather and the family’s decisions. Our 2027 expedition is planned to start around mid-February. The family confirms the exact day the herd moves, so we confirm final dates with you as the season approaches. If the migration dates don’t suit you, our 7-day eagle hunter homestay runs from September to May.
How far does the expedition travel, and how far does the herd move each day?
The full expedition route covers approximately 150 km in the Bayan-Ölgii area, starting from Ölgii, the provincial capital. During the four migration days, the herd itself moves roughly 20 km a day, and you choose how much of each day to walk, ride or spend in the support vehicle.
What type of accommodation is provided during the migration?
Accommodation depends on group size. Groups of more than 4 people: we bring our own traditional ger (yurt), with a dedicated crew traveling with the expedition to set up, take down and transport the ger daily by truck during the migration. Small groups of 4 people or fewer: guests stay in nomadic wooden winter houses, usually with separate private rooms, offering comfort and warmth in cold conditions.
What camera gear should I bring for winter in Western Mongolia?
Bring two camera bodies if you can, so you rarely change lenses in wind and snow. A wide-to-standard zoom covers landscapes and camp life, and a telephoto (70–200 mm or longer) suits eagles in motion and the Mini Eagle Hunters Festival. Cold drains batteries quickly, so carry several spares in an inside pocket. Seal your camera in a bag before going indoors to limit condensation, and bring thin liner gloves that let you work the controls. Camera equipment is not included in the tour price.
How cold does it get during the winter migration?
Expect temperatures below freezing throughout the expedition, colder at night and on exposed passes. Exact conditions vary from year to year. Both the wooden houses and the gers are well insulated, and our crew keeps the gers heated through the night. Pack layered winter clothing, and ask us for packing advice when you book.
What about toilets and bathing?
We provide a portable outdoor toilet, which can be brought inside at night if needed. For washing, each nomadic family has a sink that guests can use for basic hygiene.
Is there a support vehicle during the migration?
Yes. The migration follows existing car-accessible routes, and a support vehicle follows the herd throughout the journey. If participants or photographers feel tired or need a break, they can rest in the vehicle at any time.
What meals are provided during migration days?
Breakfast and dinner are prepared at camp. Lunch, snacks and drinking water are served during the migration, often enjoyed as a picnic with the nomadic herders — a unique cultural experience in itself.
Who prepares the food?
An experienced expedition chef joins the tour, traveling with a kitchen van fully stocked with food and supplies. The van also carries sleeping bags, mattresses and essential expedition equipment.
What level of fitness is required for trekking during migration?
The expedition is rated moderate. During the migration the herd moves roughly 20 km a day over snowy and uneven ground, but you do not need to walk that distance: you choose how much of each day to walk, ride or spend in the support vehicle, which follows the herd throughout. No horseback riding experience is needed, as riding is optional.
Do I need horseback riding experience?
No prior horseback riding experience is required. Horseback riding is optional, and guests can walk, ride, or use the support vehicle depending on comfort and energy levels.
Is this tour suitable for photographers of all levels?
Yes. The expedition is designed for both professional and enthusiast photographers. The slow pace of migration allows ample time for photography, rest and creative work.
Home to Malchin Peak, the Potanin Glacier, and the Kazakh eagle-hunting families of Bayan-Ölgii.
