ITINERARY: Kyrgyzstan Photography Tour
DURATION: 9 days / 8 nights
ROUTE: Istanbul – Bishkek – Burana – Narin – Issyk Kul – Karakol – Semenovskoye - Cholpon Ata – Bishkek – Istanbul
START: July 13, 2024
This year's most intriguing journey will be the Kyrgyzstan Photography Tour. Our photography adventure in Kyrgyzstan will last for 9 days, from July 13 to July 21, 2024. In summary, we will have a meeting with a shaman and participate in a shamanic ritual. We'll learn about the different types of shamans and listen to their stories. We'll capture the game of Kökbörü or Buzkashi, played on the native soil. We'll photograph Kyrgyz people hunting with eagles and listen to their stories. One day, we'll visit a traditional felt-making workshop and document the process. We'll witness the construction of yurts and visit a community that still lives in ethnic clothing, capturing their portraits. We'll traverse through the unique landscapes, capturing scenic photographs every day.
DAY 1 - 13.07.2024 (SATURDAY) ISTANBUL - BISHKEK Upon arrival in Bishkek, we will be picked up from the airport by our guide and taken to the hotel to drop off our belongings. Today, we will explore interesting markets, including a unique market formed by stacking many containers. We will visit another market where various goods, offering colorful photo opportunities, are available. After concluding the day, we will have dinner together at a restaurant and then retire to our hotel for rest.
DAY 2 - 14.07.2024 (SUNDAY) BISHKEK After breakfast, we'll head to Ala Archa National Park in the Tian Shan Mountains to be surrounded by nature and capture the beauty of the mountains. This park, spanning 164 square kilometers, boasts stunning natural landscapes. In the afternoon, we have a special meeting scheduled. Today, we will meet with a shaman and participate in healing ceremonies that blend pre-Islamic and post-Islamic practices. After the shamanic ritual, we will return to our hotel to rest.
DAY 3 - 15.07.2024 (MONDAY) BISHKEK - BURANA After breakfast, our journey covers a total of 150 km and will take about 3 hours. We will first visit the Burana Tower and explore the ancient Turkic balbals, learning their stories. We will have lunch with a Kyrgyz family and later engage in the traditional game of Kökbörü. After capturing photos during the game, we will reach the village where we will spend the night. We'll capture photos in the village before having dinner and resting for the night.
DAY 4 - 16.07.2024 (TUESDAY) BURANA - NARIN Today's journey covers 250 km, taking approximately 5 hours. We'll ascend to 3060 meters to visit Son Kul Lake, encountering people in local attire and capturing their photos along the way. We'll also meet nomadic families living along the route. Tonight, we will stay in large felt tents, known as yurts, which are still used by nomads for living. Inside these tents, there are beds, and shared bathroom facilities are located outside, providing a unique experience.
DAY 5 - 17.07.2024 (WEDNESDAY) NARIN - ISSYK KUL After breakfast, we'll cover a distance of 300 km, taking about 5 hours. Our destination today is Issyk Kul Lake, one of the few lakes in the world situated above sea level. Along the way, we will visit a village where people make yurts from felt and document the process. We'll also visit Kyrgyz people hunting with eagles. At the end of the day, we will stay in a yurt hotel, enjoying dinner together before retiring for the night.
DAY 6 - 18.07.2024 (THURSDAY) ISSYK KUL - KARAKOL After breakfast, we will embark on a 220 km journey, taking approximately 4 hours. Our goal is to reach Karakol, with stops at Skazka Canyon and a waterfall for photo opportunities. We'll also visit Jetty Oguz Valley to capture images of unique rock formations. Upon reaching Karakol in the late afternoon, we'll have dinner together and rest at our hotel.
DAY 7 - 19.07.2024 (FRIDAY) KARAKOL - SEMENOVSKOYE - CHOLPON ATA After breakfast, we'll travel 200 km, taking 3 hours, to our final destination, Cholpon Ata. Today, we'll visit an interesting mosque, the Dungan Mosque, known for its colorful architecture resembling Buddhist temples. We'll also explore the natural area of Semenovskoye, photographing horses in the midst of nature and taking a lunch break. By the end of the day, we'll arrive in Cholpon Ata, have dinner together, and rest at our hotel.
DAY 8 - 20.07.2024 (SATURDAY) CHOLPON ATA - BISHKEK After breakfast, we'll hit the road again for a 270 km journey lasting approximately 4 hours. We'll visit an open-air museum, the Ruh Ordo Museum, situated along the Issyk Kul Lake. Later, we'll embark on a one-hour boat tour, have lunch, and visit a village to observe and document traditional carpet making from felt. In the evening, we'll arrive in Bishkek, have dinner together, and rest at our hotel.
DAY 9 - 21.07.2024 (SUNDAY) BISHKEK - ISTANBUL Today is the farewell day to Kyrgyzstan. We are sure that this journey will provide us with valuable insights into our past, helping us better understand today. We will be surprised by some of the things we see and learn. Each day will bring opportunities for beautiful portraits and stunning landscapes. Like any journey, Kyrgyzstan will leave unforgettable memories.
INCLUDED SERVICES IN THE TOUR FEE:
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR FEE:
NOTE: The tour begins and ends in Istanbul.
TOUR FEE PER PERSON: $1,650 (Based on double occupancy in twin rooms; Single supplement: $280 USD) Airfare is not included in the tour fee; flight details will be provided separately.