MYSTIC MONGOLIA
MYSTIC MONGOLIA
》TRIP INFO
LOCATION: GOBI DESERT, MONGOLIA
DATES: JUNE 2-12, 2026
INSTRUCTORS: PAUL ZIZKA, KRIS ANDRES + CURTIS JONES*
PHOTOGRAPHY LEVELS: ALL
PHYSICAL RATING: MODERATE
WHERE YOU’LL STAY: GER CAMPS/HOTELS
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 16
COST: $9,850 CAD
A payment plan is available for this workshop (see below).
Image by Kris Andres
Interested in attending both Mystic Mongolia and The Wild West workshops? There’s a discount of $1,250 CAD (to be deducted from future installments). Simply pay your deposits and contact us if you have any questions.
Join Kris Andres, Paul Zizka and Curtis Jones for an unforgettable 11-day photography workshop in Mongolia's Gobi Desert. Experience the raw, untamed beauty of one of the most unique and desolate landscapes on Earth. From the eerie, unearthly landscapes to the incredible night skies and dancing lights, the Gobi Desert promises an unparalleled adventure for photographers.
Capture the essence of this wild region, filled with sandstorms, nomads, camels, vast steppes, towering dunes, and hidden canyons. Mongolia, with the lowest population density in the world and the highest density of horses, offers endless surprises and photo opportunities around every corner. This workshop is all about exploring the Gobi's vastness and emptiness, where every dusty stretch of road leads to a geological gem waiting to be photographed.
Forget iconic shots; here, you'll create your own masterpieces off the beaten track. Mongolia may lack in luxury, but it more than compensates with its unique and breathtaking photographic opportunities. We have meticulously crafted this itinerary in collaboration with local experts to provide the ultimate experience for photographers. Embark on this journey of adventure and discovery in the Gobi Desert, and capture the essence of a land like no other. We can't wait to share this incredible experience with you!
》WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
1. Capturing the vast Mongolian steppes, mountains, and desert landscapes.
2. Techniques for shooting in varying light conditions (e.g, sunrise, sunset, golden hour blue hour and harsh light.
3. Astrophotography, from beginner to advanced techniques capturing Mongolia's infamous dark skies.
4. Techniques for capturing the traditional nomadic lifestyle and portraits of local people. Engaging with subjects and capturing authentic expressions.
5. Expanded creative vision.
6. Capturing Mongolian wildlife from Hawks, Eagles, Horses and Camels and understanding the behavior to capture the perfect shot.
》YOUR OFFBEAT INSTRUCTORS
PAUL ZIZKA // CO-LEADER
Specializing in photographing in difficult conditions and hard-to-reach places, Paul has a passion for shooting alpine sports and backcountry experiences, capturing the spirit of adventurers and finding unusual angles of common mountain subjects. As a landscape photographer, he particularly enjoys the challenge of capturing nature’s beauty at night and the unique features that come with a dark sky – stars, Northern Lights and dramatic silhouettes. Paul’s award-winning photos have been featured in a variety of publications, including National Geographic, Maclean’s, Alpinist, Huffington Post, The Guardian, Islands, and Climbing magazine.
KRIS ANDRES // CO-LEADER
Based in the Canadian Rockies, Kristopher considers the mountains (along with everywhere he travels) to be his second home. Kris is always up for endless adventures with a smile—no matter how "atmospheric" the conditions are. He will be overly excited in almost everything he does in life, capturing each story with the click of a shutter, in any and all genres—from adventure to landscapes to portraiture to food and more! When he’s not out creating, Kris is a full-time yogi working to refine himself every day. [Bio Photo by Paul Zizka]
CURTIS JONES // CO-LEADER
Curtis is an adventure, landscape and portrait photographer from Newfoundland and Labrador who considers Nunavut his second home. Never tiring of seeing the sun rise from a new horizon or watching a contagious smile grow on the faces of friends and strangers alike as they step out of their comfort zone, Curtis seeks to tell stories with his photographs as he lives out his own. Throughout his career, he has had the pleasure of working with worldclass athletes, artists, and production teams while shooting in some of the globe’s most raw, wild, and challenging locations. Equal parts adventurer, artist and clown, he is never far from a camera, a tent or a good punchline.
* As per our Terms and Conditions, OFFBEAT reserves the right to change, at any time, the tour leader of any workshop.
》INS AND OUTS
What’s Included:
One-on-one and group photography instruction from Paul Zizka, Kris Andres + Curtis Jones
Airport transfers
All accommodations
Transportation in Toyota Land Cruisers
All meals
Local guide and drivers
Lifetime membership to OFFBEAT Community.
What’s Not Included:
Travel insurance
Flights to and from Mongolia
Visa, vaccinations, passport fees.
Alcohol
Souvenirs
Any weather-caused delays/extensions to stay.
Tips and gratuities for drivers
》ITINERARY
Full itinerary to be provided to participants upon arrival.
Here’s a sample schedule of what you can expect (please note that details can change as we finalize everything between now and then):
Day 1 - June 2, 2026
We kick-off the workshop at the Hotel. The day serves as an arrival and orientation period, allowing you to settle in and prepare for the upcoming activities.
We will have a kickoff session with an introduction, setting the tone for the days ahead, and the review of the itinerary. Following the kickoff session, we head out to our favorite place for our kickoff dinner.
Day 2 - June 3, 2026
We depart from Ulaanbaatar and journey towards the Gobi Desert. Along the way, there will be opportunities for several potential stops, possibly for sightseeing, stretching legs, or capturing photographs of scenic spots located in the vicinity of the Gobi Desert.We will be settling into our first nights into our gers and exploring the area.
Day 3 - June 4, 2026
The day begins at sunrise and we experience it at the rocky peaks and sand dunes, providing an opportunity for those interested to shoot the breathtaking beauty of the early morning light casting over the rugged landscape. The journey continues as we venture further into the Gobi Desert, primarily traversing dirt roads and seeking out our next ger camp.
Day 4 - June 5, 2026
The day kicks off as the sun fills the valleys and we head out for the iconic cliffs in the secluded parts of the Gobi desert. The journey involves transiting through the desert and vast landscapes. We are in full adventure mode as we chase the desert light to our next ger camp.
Day 5 - June 6, 2026
Our days start much like the local nomads does, as the sunrise brings new adventures and light across the desert and we make the most of the golden hours. We will be venturing from our gers and driving towards some of the biggest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. This is where we settle in for a two-night stay.
Day 6 - June 7, 2026
As our nomadic day starts, we will be in place to witness and capture the magic of the Gobi desert. We have a few days to capture this amazing place both during the daylight hours and the magic of the stars and night skies.
Day 7 - June 8, 2026
With our eye for the details and planning we have another sunrise to help you capture your vision and refine your shots at this sureel place. We say goodbye to these dunes and start off for the jagged canyons where the vultures have made it there home and where we will be moving to our new ger camp.
Day 8 - June 9, 2026
This morning we explore the canyon as we we seek out Ibex and Vultures or just take in the beauty and details of the canyon walls and possible ice formations in the canyon. After we have adventures through the morning we head out to the some of the largest cliffs in Mongolia formed through some amazing geological events. It will be a sunset among these cliffs as we that we enjoy the scenic views across the desert.
Day 9 - June 10, 2026
The morning begins as we catch the sunrise and photograph the ever changing colour pallet at bottom the cliffs as the sun dances across the desert. After sunrise we venture out to our final ger camp located in the some of the most dynamic rock formations. In these final days it will be all about the skills we have learned and or refined that will be used capturing the day and nights at our favorite locations.
Day 10 - June 11, 2026
The morning offers us the option to witness the sunrise right from the camp, providing a peaceful start to the day before we venture out of the Gobi Desert and back into Ulaanbaatar. We will enjoy dinner in the comfort of our favorite restaurant and some local karaoke or other activities that lead us into the evening. Before resting in our first hotel in several days.
Day 11 - June 12, 2026
The workshop concludes with breakfast at the Hotel in Ulaanbaatar. It marks the end of the memorable journey through the Gobi Desert.
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT OFFBEAT WORKSHOPS
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“I have attended a number of OFFBEAT Workshops and have loved them all. Dave and Paul are two of the most genuine people I have met and they are both so enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. They always ensure that you have the best time and are always willing to share their time and experience with you. My photography has definitely improved since learning from these two. I have also only meet decent and friendly people on these workshops. Everybody is there for the common goal - photography and everybody has such fun. I can not recommend Offbeat highly enough.”
— Claire C.
“I felt the level of collaboration and support among the participants in this one was exceptional and so was the size of the group. It is easier to hide in bigger groups when I feel insecure with my skills and talent. The content was timely, appropriate and exceedingly well organized. The facilitators’ presentation skills were exceptional. I came away with a little more confidence and a lot more knowledge. Thanks, Dave and Paul!!!”
-Jan L.
Traveling with Offbeat to Mongolia was one of my favorite trips I have ever taken! Paul and Curtis were excellent instructors, they were always inspiring me to try new concepts and techniques. I feel like I became a better photographer after this trip! The Mongolian crew were some of the happiest, most friendly people I have met. It was Offbeat, the Mongolian Expeditions and all of the participants that made this a trip to remember.
-Lys O.
PRICE/PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Full Cost: CAD $9850
Participants also on Mongolia: The Wild West save $1,250 CAD (to be deducted from future installments).
Payment options: Full payment or non-refundable deposit to secure a space with equal installment payments.
Non-Refundable Deposit: CAD $1500 (due upon booking)
Payment #1: CAD $2087.50- due January 15, 2025
Payment #2: CAD $2087.50 - due June 15, 2025
Payment #3: CAD $2087.50- due November 15, 2025
Payment #4: CAD $2087.50- due February 15, 2026
Note: Failure to pay by due dates means forfeiting deposit and spot will be freed up and potentially sold to another interested participant (see more in cancellation policy below).
If unforeseen circumstances arise, participants are welcome to transfer/sell their space to another interested participant. In such case, participants are responsible for handling payment for the transfer.
》IMPORTANT INFO
Please visit our FAQs for more information on What to Bring, our Physical Ratings and Photography Levels.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Physical Rating (Moderate)
Hiking experience // Previous/regular hiking experience. Good physical condition.
Pace // Steady.
Distance/Description // Hikes may be a day hike with less <15km, with a significant elevation change (>300 m), and more rugged terrain. We’ll cover varying distances and terrain on generally established trails.
Footwear // Hiking boots or light hiking shoes are appropriate.
Photography Level (All): This workshop is open to both amateur and professional photographers.
See these ratings described in our FAQs.
INSURANCE POLICY
It is not only advised but required that participants have trip cancellation/interruption insurance, as well as emergency medical/illness insurance and rescue coverage (proof required within 4 months of departure).
Weather and other unforeseen factors can cause delays in travel, particularly from some of our more remote locations. It is the participant’s responsibility to cover any costs in the case of a travel delay of any length. Please ensure your trip cancellation/interruption insurance accommodates this possibility.
By purchasing a spot you are acknowledging that you accept these conditions.
Please see our Insurance page for more information about our insurance partner, World Nomads.
》OFFBEAT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please take the time to review OFFBEAT’s Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policies. You are required to agree to these in order to confirm your registration. Effective June 16, 2020.