The Winter Migration
with Jody MacDonald
An epic winter journey in the footsteps of Timothy Allen's legendary migration, with photographer Jody MacDonald as our special guest.
Life alongside the last nomads of the Altai
Our journey will take us across snowy passes, frozen lakes and through the incredible winter scenery of the Altai mountains. Backed by 4 off-road vehicles and 12 staff including cooks and translators, a camp of warm yurts will be erected every night, with home-cooked food and cosy beds while outside temperatures fall to −30°C.
Your destination will be our Kazakh friends' Spring camp in Tavan Bogd National Park, a place few outsiders have witnessed in the winter months. Once there, you will live alongside the family, accompany them hunting with their golden eagle and spend time with their extended family at their homestead.
You will also film and photograph eagle hunters at our own private eagle festival, showcasing eagle training and the traditional Kazakh sports of Buzkasi and Tin Teru. After the migration, we return to Ulgii and round off the trip with a camel racing festival.
Moments only the steppe can give you
Walk 5 days along the herd
Take your chance at ice archery
Go out eagle hunting
Be part of a Kazakh family
The itinerary
Arrival in Ulaanbaatar
After your international flight, a driver brings you to our hotel in the centre of Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, the group gathers for a first dinner together.
Discovering the capital
After breakfast, we spend the day getting to know each other, visiting Gandantegchinlen Monastery, the Main Square and the black market. In the evening, we share a traditional meal at a local restaurant near our hotel.
Flight to Ulgii & Ice archery
Morning flight to Ulgii, capital of Western Mongolia. In the afternoon, our own private ice archery tournament. Then we drive to camp alongside our Kazakh friends.
The migration begins
We leave on the migration at first light: over 1000 animals, a team of Kazakh horsemen, and us.
Deep into the migration
Three days walking alongside the herd through snowy passes and frozen valleys. Each night, the yurt camp is erected at the next stage of the journey.
Arrival at Spring camp
The final day of the migration. We arrive at Spring camp in the late afternoon.
Portraiture day
A natural light masterclass with Thomas, followed by portrait sessions with our local friends at their Spring camp, a beautiful and very isolated spot in the snow-covered mountains of Tavan Bogd National Park.
Eagle hunting & eagle festival
In the morning we go hunting, and afterwards we gather with 8 eagle hunters for a private festival showcasing traditional Kazakh sports and eagle training.
Long overland drive to Ulgii
A full day driving back to the capital of Western Mongolia in our expedition vehicles. In the evening, a traditional Kazakh music performance with our meal at a local hotel.
Camel racing tournament
We travel to a village near Ulgii to attend a camel racing tournament.
Flight back to Ulaanbaatar
Morning flight back to the capital. In the evening, a farewell meal at our favourite restaurant in the city.
Departure
Our driver drops you at the airport to connect with your international flight. Have a safe journey, and carry the Altai with you.
From our past expeditions
“To me, the best part was to learn how to communicate with the people that I didn't know and ask permission for taking photo of them. Thomas and Emilie were amazing. We got to know each other and built friendship during the trip.”
“Above all, what sets Karai apart is its deeply humanistic approach to travel: genuine encounters, cultural sensitivity and a sincere interest in the people and places discovered along the way.”
“I had a wonderful time with a great group of people, good team spirit with perfect support from Thom and Emi, a well as all the guides and drivers. They all took excellent care of us throughout the journey.”
From first message to departure
- 01
Apply
Fill in the short application form. It takes two minutes and doesn’t commit you to anything.
Apply now - 02
Meet us
Pick a time for a video call right after applying. We get to know you, answer your questions and make sure the expedition is the right fit.
Pick a time - 03
Secure your spot
Once we both feel it’s a match, a deposit of 580 € confirms your place. The balance is due 90 days before departure.
- 04
Get ready
You receive our handbook with gear, clothing and reading tips, and we go over visas and travel details together.
Taxes included. Deposit of 580 € to secure your place.
What's included
- Pick-up and drop-off at Ulaanbaatar airport
- Domestic flights Ulaanbaatar ↔ Ulgii
- 5 nights in high-end hotels
- 8 nights in private yurt camps, twin accommodation
- 4x4 vehicles with dedicated drivers throughout
- Professional guide & translator for the full expedition
- 12-person support team including cooks
- Full board: all meals, snacks, hot and cold drinks (days 1 to 14)
- Private ice archery tournament
- Private eagle festival with eagle hunters
- Photography workshops, lectures & editing sessions by Thomas and Jody
- Donation to a community development project
Not included
- International flights
- Visa
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls…)
- Additional excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
No commitment until our call · A 580 € deposit confirms your place · All taxes included
Not sure yet?
Book a 20-minute callTwo of us, by your side
Sensitive to the human condition and its relationship with our environment, Thomas has traveled and worked in many countries. He often works for NGOs on humanitarian and development projects, believing that well-crafted images can be a force for good.
An experienced expedition leader, passionate storyteller and inspiring teacher, he will share his access to these remote communities while helping you take your photography skills to the next level. On this departure, he is joined by photographer Jody MacDonald as special guest.
Emilie plans every expedition down to the smallest detail, from the first scouting trip to the last transfer. On the ground, she takes care of logistics, so that you can focus on the encounters and the photographs.
With years of film production behind her, she also brings a gentle, attentive eye to every encounter, especially with women and children.
Protecting the rangelands
Our commitment in Mongolia supports the protection of rangelands, the foundation of Kazakh nomadic life. This goes directly towards the development of sustainable livelihoods for the communities we visit and the protection of the vital environmental features of their territory.
With a background in humanitarian and development affairs, Karai is particularly careful about the impact of its presence as guests. On top of paying our hosts fairly, we ensure direct financial support to local initiatives.
Our environmental commitmentof rangelands are currently degraded
herding families relying on land health
years of nomadic tradition preserved
Questions & answers
Everything you need to know before booking. Still have questions? Write to us