THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Travel from Ulaanbaatar to Lake Khuvsgul and northern reindeer communities for blue ice, snowfields, winter rivers and local life. Confirm accommodation, ice travel and themed activities.
Winter on Lake Khuvsgul
Photograph lake shores, blue ice and snowy landscapes around Lake Khuvsgul. Ice access depends on conditions.
Life in reindeer communities
Visit reindeer communities via Tsagaannuur for people, animals, camps and winter life. Themed sessions depend on local arrangements.
Winter rivers and local culture
Combine winter river and canyon photography with cultural subjects around Ulaanbaatar.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Xavi Zhuang →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Xavi Zhuang
Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University. Specializes in landscape, documentary, mobile and drone photography. He has provided photography lectures and training for the municipal library, the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, the news agency of South China Normal University, the Senior Photographers Association, China Southern Power Grid, the Bao'an land bureau, UnionPay International, Standard Chartered, Ping An Bank, Bank of China, Industrial Bank, China Merchants Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Jiangsu, the coastal administration, the Capital Institute, SF Express and local community offices. Photography journeys He has led photography groups to Turkey, the Balkans, Japan, Eastern Europe, Semporna, Israel, Cuba, Iran, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Spain, Namibia, Bangladesh, Russia, Cambodia, Chiang Mai, Myanmar, Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Destinations in China include Longji, Weizhou Island, Yuanyang, Puzhehei, Bashang, Xuexiang, Beijing, Niubei Mountain, Guangwu Mountain, Huangshan, Wuyuan, Poyang Lake, Nanjing, Wuxi, Nyingchi, the Yellow River in Shaanxi, the Qiantang River, Hainan, Xiaodongjiang, Zhangjiajie, Zhongwei, Xiapu, Daocheng–Shangri-La and Ejina Banner. Selected awards and exhibitions 15th National Art Photography Competition; 2nd Shenzhen Photography Annual Exhibition; 10th PSAChina International Photography event; 2015 Toronto International TIPF Annual Excellence Award; multiple acceptances in the Austrian circuit, 2017–2019; exhibition at the 7th Dali International Photography Festival, 2018; silver award in the first Beautiful China Aerial Photography competition; second prize in the People category of the China division of the 2019 National Geographic Global Photography Contest.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Jan 21 · Asia/Ulaanbaatarhome cities–Ulaanbaatar
Reference flight: Hong Kong–Ulaanbaatar, OM298 / 12:25 / 17:05 Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, check in and attend a welcome dinner. Early arrivals may explore the city.
Accommodation:Ulaanbaatar hotel
DAY 02Jan 22 · Asia/Ulaanbaatarfull day photographing Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast at 7 on the hotel's ground floor, followed by independent photography at Gandantegchinlen Monastery. At 10, depart toward the outskirts and visit Genghis Khan Square. Have a local meal at a nearby Mongolian restaurant, then photograph horseback falconry in the national park. Return to the Ulaanbaatar hotel in the evening for Chinese stir-fried dishes or hotpot.
Accommodation:Ulaanbaatar hotel
DAY 03Jan 23 · Asia/UlaanbaatarUlaanbaatar–Murun–Lake Khuvsgul
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the 12:45 flight from Ulaanbaatar to Mörön. Meet the pickup vehicle and continue directly to a guesthouse beside Lake Khövsgöl. Stay in a ger and have dinner.
Accommodation:Lakeside ger or cabin at Khuvsgul; room type to confirm
DAY 04Jan 24 · Asia/UlaanbaatarLake Khuvsgul–Erdenebulgan soum
After breakfast, visit Lake Khövsgöl, 'Asia's blue eye'. Drive 70 kilometers across the ice to photograph blue ice. Eat packed food for lunch en route, then reach Renchinlkhümbe, a pastoral settlement near the Jargalant warm river, and check in at an inn.
Accommodation:Guesthouse in Erdenebulgan soum
DAY 05Jan 25 · Asia/Ulaanbaatarwarm river–reindeer-herding community
Depart at 8:30 after breakfast to photograph the warm river, then continue to the Tsagaannuur border area. Complete border formalities before traveling to the reindeer-herding community, arriving at approximately 4 in the afternoon for photography. Stay in a ger within the community; the group cooks its own dinner.
Accommodation:Reindeer community; accommodation type to confirm
DAY 06Jan 26 · Asia/Ulaanbaatarfull day photographing the reindeer-herding community
Spend the day photographing community life, with a shaman-themed session arranged if an opportunity arises and a campfire-themed session in the evening. The group prepares all meals.
Accommodation:Reindeer community; accommodation type to confirm
DAY 07Jan 27 · Asia/Ulaanbaatarreindeer-herding community–warm river–Renchinlkhümbe soum
Independent photography after breakfast, then leave the community at 10. Pass through the Tsagaannuur border area to the soum near the warm river. Around 3 in the afternoon, photograph reindeer beside the warm river. Return to the inn after sunset.
Accommodation:Guesthouse in the soum near the warm river
DAY 08Jan 28 · Asia/UlaanbaatarUlaan-Uul ice-and-snow canyon–Lake Khövsgöl
Depart at 9 after breakfast for photography in Ulaan-Uul's ice-and-snow canyon. Have lunch at a restaurant in the soum. Continue toward Mörön in the afternoon, photographing the musical spring, snowy plains and winter herding along the way. Reach Lake Khövsgöl in the evening and stay at a lakeside guesthouse.
Accommodation:Khuvsgul lakeside guesthouse
DAY 09Jan 29 · Asia/UlaanbaatarLake Khövsgöl–Mörön
Photograph sunrise beside the lake, then have breakfast. Travel toward Mörön, sightseeing and photographing along the way, and reach the city in the evening for a hotel stay in standard rooms.
Accommodation:Twin room in Murun
DAY 10Jan 30 · Asia/UlaanbaatarMörön–Ulaanbaatar
Breakfast at the hotel, then explore Mörön. Take the 14:35 flight back to Ulaanbaatar and check in at a hotel in standard rooms.
Accommodation:Twin room in Ulaanbaatar
DAY 11Jan 31 · Asia/UlaanbaatarUlaanbaatar–home cities
Depart from Ulaanbaatar on the confirmed return service. The reference flight goes to Hong Kong; confirm the destination city, service and airport-transfer time.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Xavi Zhuang
- Up to 10 travelers
- IncludedRugged off-road vehicles with 3 participants per vehicle, including vehicle use in Mongolia, fuel, road tolls and driver expenses;
View trip staffing details
Photography leader · Xavi Zhuang Up to 10 travelers Included · Rugged off-road vehicles with 3 participants per vehicle, including vehicle use in Mongolia, fuel, road tolls and driver expenses; Included · Chinese-speaking accompaniment throughout;
Transport
- IncludedDomestic flights within Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar–Mörön and Mörön–Ulaanbaatar;
- IncludedRugged off-road vehicles with 3 participants per vehicle, including vehicle use in Mongolia, fuel, road tolls and driver expenses;
- ExcludedRound-trip transport between your departure city and Ulaanbaatar;
Travel details and reference schedules
The following flights are references, not confirmed group bookings. Confirm departure and transfers before booking. The instructor's outbound and return flights are: [Outbound] January 21, Hong Kong–Ulaanbaatar, OM298 / 12:25 / 17:05 [Return] January 31, Ulaanbaatar–Hong Kong, OM297 / 06:45 / 11:25 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Photography
- Winter on Lake Khuvsgul
- Life in reindeer communities
- Winter rivers and local culture
Photography details
Winter on Lake Khuvsgul Photograph lake shores, blue ice and snowy landscapes around Lake Khuvsgul. Ice access depends on conditions. Life in reindeer communities Visit reindeer communities via Tsagaannuur for people, animals, camps and winter life. Themed sessions depend on local arrangements. Winter rivers and local culture Combine winter river and canyon photography with cultural subjects around Ulaanbaatar.
Accommodation
- 10 nights
- Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator.
- ExcludedSingle supplement throughout.
Accommodation details
Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Day 1: Ulaanbaatar hotel Day 2: Ulaanbaatar hotel Day 3: Lakeside ger or cabin at Khuvsgul; room type to confirm Day 4: Guesthouse in Erdenebulgan soum Day 5: Reindeer community; accommodation type to confirm Day 6: Reindeer community; accommodation type to confirm Day 7: Guesthouse in the soum near the warm river Day 8: Khuvsgul lakeside guesthouse Day 9: Twin room in Murun Day 10: Twin room in Ulaanbaatar Day 1 · 2027-01-21 Ulaanbaatar hotel Day 2 · 2027-01-22 Ulaanbaatar hotel Day 3 · 2027-01-23 Lakeside ger or cabin at Khuvsgul; room type to confirm Day 4 · 2027-01-24 Guesthouse in Erdenebulgan soum Day 5 · 2027-01-25 Reindeer community; accommodation type to confirm Day 6 · 2027-01-26 Reindeer community; accommodation type to confirm Day 7 · 2027-01-27 Guesthouse in the soum near the warm river Day 8 · 2027-01-28 Khuvsgul lakeside guesthouse Day 9 · 2027-01-29 Twin room in Murun Day 10 · 2027-01-30 Twin room in Ulaanbaatar 10 nights Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Included · Twin rooms in four-star Ulaanbaatar and three-star Murun hotels, plus lakeside and village accommodation. Lakeside gers or cabins have shared bathrooms; conflicting reindeer-community and village room descriptions require confirmation. Excluded · Single supplement throughout.
Meals
- IncludedMeals and drinking water throughout. The team brings supplies to cook in the community, and packed food is used on some travel days. Meal standards require confirmation.
Visa
- IncludedMongolia tourist e-visa processing;
- IncludedMongolia–Russia border permits and protected-area permits;
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Domestic flights within Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar–Mörön and Mörön–Ulaanbaatar;
Twin rooms in four-star Ulaanbaatar and three-star Murun hotels, plus lakeside and village accommodation. Lakeside gers or cabins have shared bathrooms; conflicting reindeer-community and village room descriptions require confirmation.
Meals and drinking water throughout. The team brings supplies to cook in the community, and packed food is used on some travel days. Meal standards require confirmation.
Rugged off-road vehicles with 3 participants per vehicle, including vehicle use in Mongolia, fuel, road tolls and driver expenses;
Mongolia tourist e-visa processing;
Reindeer riding in the traditional community;
Horse or reindeer use and handlers' services;
Chinese-speaking accompaniment throughout;
Mongolia–Russia border permits and protected-area permits;
Overseas travel accident insurance.
Not included
Round-trip transport between your departure city and Ulaanbaatar;
Personal expenses outside the itinerary;
Single supplement throughout.
Any expenses arising from flight delays;
In force majeure circumstances such as natural disasters, war or strikes, or exceptional events including flight delays or cancellations and consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary. Additional expenses, including visas, accommodation, meals, transport and national airfare adjustments, may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Other unspecified additional service charges and personal expenses;
Invoice-related taxes are additional; confirm the applicable amount with the operator.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Itinerary dates use Asia/Ulaanbaatar. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.