INT54_FOOTPRINTS OF THE ANCIENT CITY

Route: MONGOLIA: UBN – ALTAI TAVAN BOGD – TSAGAAN SUVARGA – YOL VALLEY – KHONGOR SAND DUNES – BAYANZAG – BAGA GAZARIIN CHULUU
Departure date: April 15 – April 27
Duration: 13 Days 12 Nights
Group Size: 08 – 10 pax
Tour Type: VIP
Participation Fee: 2,000$ / person
Hotline: 0912851112 / 0987277394 (Mr. Dũng)

1./ INTRODUCTION

Amid the endless steppes and vast blue skies, the Mongolian expedition unfolds like an epic of nature and culture.
From the mighty Altai Tavan Bogd mountains—home of fearless Kazakh eagle hunters—to the mystical White Stupa rising from white sandstone cliffs.
From the icy gorge of Yol Valley to the sweeping Khongor Sand Dunes where golden sunsets ignite the horizon, and the fiery Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag glowing under the evening sky—every stop reveals a raw, awe-inspiring world.

This is more than a journey—it’s a chance to connect deeply with the earth, embrace the spirit of adventure, and capture once-in-a-lifetime moments in the legendary land of Mongolia.

Join the FirstClass Photography Tour and seize the most unforgettable frames!
Register now for “The Passionate Journey of Photography.”

2./ HIGHLIGHTS

• Baga Turgen Waterfall — Nestled in the Turgen Valley of the Altai Mountains, this two-tiered waterfall cascades 36 meters down amidst a wild landscape of rugged cliffs and lush meadows — a perfect scene for both powerful and poetic captures.

• Tolbo Lake (Tolbo Nuur) — A high-altitude freshwater lake covering 185 km², sitting at 2,080 meters above sea level. Its crystal-clear waters mirror the sky and mountains, especially stunning during summer and autumn. The lake also carries historic significance from the 1921 Battle of Tolbo.

• Yol Valley (Yolyn Am) — A narrow gorge in the Gobi Desert, known for its year-round ice field and striking contrasts of shadow and light. Home to lammergeiers (bearded vultures) and mountain wildlife such as ibex and wild goats.

• Carefully designed itinerary curated by a professional photographer after in-depth location scouting.

• Unique photo concepts crafted to help participants tell powerful visual stories through their own lens.

3./ ITINERARY

NOTE:
C = Concept
The itinerary may be adjusted to fit actual conditions.

DAY 1 – April 15: ULAANBAATAR (Dinner)
Meet at Ulaanbaatar Airport (ULN) and transfer to hotel in the city center.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at hotel.

DAY 2 – April 16: ALTAI TAVAN BOGD (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Morning flight to Ölgii (07:25).
Visit and photograph with a Kazakh eagle hunter family.
C1: Portraits of Mongolian Eagle Hunters.
Afternoon transfer to Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
Overnight in traditional ger camp.

DAY 3 – April 17: KHOTON LAKE (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, drive one hour to the foot of the Altai Mountains.
2–3 hour hiking and shooting in the range.
C2: Creative landscape photography in the Altai Mountains.
Afternoon: sunset session at the iconic “Lonely Tree” by Khoton Lake.
C3: Sunset at the Lonely Tree – Khoton Lake.
Overnight in Kazakh family ger (with electricity and shower).

DAY 4 – April 18: BAGA TURGEN WATERFALL (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Morning trek (~6 km) to Baga Turgen Waterfall.
C4: Landscape Photography at Baga Turgen Falls.
Afternoon: shoot ancient petroglyphs and wildlife (ibex, argali sheep).
C5: Ancient Rock Carvings & Wildlife.
Later: eagle flight photography against the mountain backdrop.
C6: Eagles in Flight over the Altai.
Overnight in basic ger (no electricity, no shower).

DAY 5 – April 19: OLGII CITY (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Morning return to Ölgii.
Documentary shoot of everyday life in eagle hunter families.
C7: Daily Life of an Eagle Hunter.
Lunch with locals, dinner at a Kazakh restaurant.
Overnight at hotel (with Wi-Fi and private bath).

DAY 6 – April 20: TOLBO LAKE – ALTANTSUGTS VILLAGE (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Sunrise shoot at Tolbo Lake with eagle hunters.
C8: Eagle Hunter Portraits by Tolbo Lake.
Continue to Altantsugts Village for portraits with the golden Altai peaks as backdrop.
C9: Eagle Hunters beneath the Golden Altai.
Afternoon return to Ölgii.
Overnight at hotel (with Wi-Fi and private bath).

DAY 7 – April 21: OLGII – ULAANBAATAR – TSAGAAN SUVARGA (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Morning flight back to Ulaanbaatar (09:25).
Drive to Mandalgovi and explore the surreal White Stupa cliffs (Tsagaan Suvarga).
C10: The White Cliffs Landscape.
Overnight in ger camp.

DAY 8 – April 22: TSAGAAN SUVARGA – YOL VALLEY (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Depart for Yol Valley.
C11: Creative Photography at Yol Valley.
Overnight in ger camp.

DAY 9 – April 23: KHONGOR SAND DUNES (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Explore and hike the singing Khongor Sand Dunes.
C12: Golden Hour on Khongor Dunes.
Overnight in ger camp.

DAY 10 – April 24: KHONGOR SAND DUNES (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Continue photography and experiences in the dunes.
Overnight in ger camp.

DAY 11 – April 25: FLAMING CLIFFS (BAYANZAG) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Travel to Bayanzag and visit the world-famous red cliffs known for dinosaur fossils.
C13: Golden Hour at Flaming Cliffs.
Overnight in ger camp.

DAY 12 – April 26: BAGA GAZARIIN CHULUU (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Journey to Baga Gazariin Chuluu to explore ancient granite formations.
C14: The Stone Wonders of the Steppe.
Overnight in ger camp.

DAY 13 – April 27: BAGA GAZARIIN CHULUU – ULAANBAATAR (Breakfast)
Morning drive back to Ulaanbaatar.
Prepare for departure.
End of the Mongolian Photography Expedition.

4./ INCLUSIONS

INCLUDED:

• Private high-quality vehicle throughout the itinerary
• Standard hotel & ger accommodations
• All meals as per program
• Professional, experienced, and dedicated tour leader
• All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
• Full photography setup as per program
• Travel insurance (up to 30,000,000 VND per case)
• Unlimited bottled water in the car

NOT INCLUDED:

• Domestic flight Ulaanbaatar – Ölgii
• International flights to/from Mongolia
• Personal expenses and beverages during meals
• VAT
• Single supplement (if requested)**
• Optional activities or additional setups outside the itinerary

5./ REGISTRATION & PAYMENT

How to Register:
Confirm participation by commenting your Full Name – Phone Number on FirstClass Travel’s Facebook page,
or contact Mr. Trần Tiến Dũng directly at 0912851112 / 0987277394 (Zalo/Viber).

Payment Methods: Cash or bank transfer to Mr. Trần Tiến Dũng.

Bank Information:
Account Name: Trần Tiến Dũng
Account Number: 0912851112
Bank: VPBank (Vietnam Prosperity Bank)

Please include the note: “Photo Tour Payment – [Full Name] – [Phone Number].”

(*) Departure time may vary depending on weather and group size.
(**) Single room requests must be made at least 5 days before departure.

6./ GEAR CHECKLIST

• Tripod
• Drone
• Remote shutter release (+ spare batteries if applicable)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Wide and telephoto lenses
• Memory cards (at least one spare)
• Camera batteries and chargers (at least one spare battery)
• Multi-plug power strip and universal travel adapter