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Kyrgyzstan
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At a Glance
Location
Kyrgystan
Tuition
$14,995
Dates
July 11 – 21, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 8 Guests
Collections
- Journey
Kyrgyzstan Photography Workshop
Adventure to the hidden gem of Central Asia, with untouched landscapes and warm cultural experiences
July 11 – 21, 2027
- Fly your drone over rivers and mountains from your camp
- Partake in the culture of Kyrgystan's eagle hunters
- Amazing camp sites in the wilderness
Kyrgyzstan’s high-altitude landscapes and nomadic traditions create a remarkable setting for a photography workshop, where rugged mountains, wide alpine valleys, and glassy lakes unfold in every direction. In this part of Central Asia, the sunrise and sunset light sweep across peaks and open steppes, offering opportunities for landscape photography that blend big views with quiet moments along remote lakeshores. With night skies that reveal the Milky Way above mountain ridges and stars reflected over still water, the region is equally suited to long-exposure work, astrophotography, and thoughtful studies of tone and scale. Combined with encounters with local culture and traditional Eagle Hunters, this workshop invites you to explore both the land and the people of Kyrgyzstan through intentional, story-driven photography.
Expect an immersive learning experience throughout, with targeted sessions on drone photography, long-lens landscapes, environmental portraits, focus stacking, night sky photography, near/far composition, and more. We guide you toward clearer intent and stronger execution, helping you with composition, camera settings, and post-processing so your photography keeps improving long after you return home.
We’ll travel to remote, photogenic locations with comfortable accommodations, including a few nights in fully outfitted camps. Traditional Kyrgyz meals will connect you to the culture, while small group sizes ensure personalized instruction and deeper interactions.
This workshop supports local communities by working with Kyrgyz families and small businesses, offering unique photographic opportunities. Guided by experts, you’ll have the support to focus on creativity and capture the essence of Kyrgyzstan.
Join us for an immersive experience, exploring a land few photographers have ventured to.
Your Pros
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
July 11, 2027: Arrival in Bishkek, Meeting
Arrival at Manas International Airport in Bishkek. We’ll pick you up at the airport and drive you to our hotel to meet the group. We’ll review our future trip plans and discuss logistics before enjoying a nice dinner.
July 12, 2027: Flight to Karakol, Drive to Sary Jaz Valley
We’ll start with a great breakfast and a transfer back to the airport for an internal flight to Karakol. From here we’ll our adventure to one of the most remote and breathtaking areas of Kyrgyzstan – the Sary Jaz Valley. This rugged frontier bordering China is vast and untouched, defined by towering peaks, sweeping steppe, and deep river gorges.
July 13, 2027: Journey to Charlie’s Little Peak, Overnight in Sary Jaz Valley
Today, we drive 6 hours to Charlie’s Little Peak, passing through expansive steppe, rugged ridgelines, and glacial valleys. Keep an eye out for wildlife near the mountain rivers along the way. Once we reach the peak, you’ll have time to soak in the stunning surroundings before we make the final drive to reach the Sary Jaz Valley for an overnight stay. As the sun sets, the cliffs and river are bathed in golden light, creating a perfect end to the day.
July 14, 2027: Sunrise Photography Sary Jaz River, Return to Turgen
We start the day with a sunrise shoot over the Sary-Jaz River, capturing the mist rising from the valley and the first light hitting the glacial peaks. After breakfast, we head back to Turgen, taking our time to photograph the expansive, untouched landscapes along the way.
July 15, 2027: Travel to Jeti Oguz Gorge, Oguz Bashy Peka Viewpoint
Today, we depart from Turgen and journey through the stunning landscapes of the Issyk-Kul region, heading toward the iconic Jeti-Oguz Gorge. Famous for its dramatic red sandstone cliffs and alpine beauty, the gorge offers breathtaking vistas. We’ll continue deeper into the gorge to the Oguz Bashy Peka viewpoint before checking into a cozy village lodge. Take some time to relax before enjoying a well-deserved dinner.
July 16, 2027: Explore Skazka Canyon, Stay in Elestet Yurt Camp
Today, we depart Jeti Oguz and head toward Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, a stunning landscape of sculpted sandstone formations and vibrant hues. The drive takes us through picturesque valleys and high-altitude vistas, perfect for landscape photography. We’ll also spend time capturing the warm evening light on the red cliffs in the Skazka Canyon. We’ll spend the night in a picturesqueYurt Camp.
July 17, 2027: Mars Canyon Exploration, Eagle Hunting Demonstration
Today is a full day of exploration. We start by visiting Mars Canyon, where dramatic red rock formations and sculpted cliffs offer incredible opportunities for landscape photography and drone shots. The sweeping vistas, textured cliffs, and winding riverbeds provide stunning backdrops for your lens.
Later, we’ll witness a captivating eagle hunting demonstration, where skilled berkutchi (eagle hunters) in traditional attire showcase their majestic birds in action. This blend of rugged landscapes and dynamic cultural experiences presents unique and striking photography opportunities.
We’ll have many hours to capture images of the amazing skilled hunters with their eagles.
July 18, 2027: Drive to Son Kul Lake, Sunset and Blue Hour Photography
We depart at 8:00 AM for our drive to Son-Kul Lake, passing through dramatic high-altitude landscapes. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to capture sweeping mountain vistas, winding roads, and horse herds and nomadic riders. Upon arrival, we’ll spend time photographing the sunset over the lake and surrounding pastures. We’ll spend the time it takes here to capture late light and into blue hour if the weather permits.
July 19, 2027: Experience Nomadic Life, Kok Boru Game at Son Kul Lake
Upon arrival, we dive into the nomadic lifestyle, photographing the daily routines of herders and their flocks. Today is dedicated to soaking in the beauty and traditions of Son-Kul Lake. In the morning, we’ll capture the serene reflections on the lake, grazing horses, and expansive steppe landscapes.
At 3:00 PM, we’ll witness the thrilling traditional nomadic game, Kok Boru, where local riders compete in large-scale horse games. Later, we’ll enjoy a small festival with nomad families, where you’ll experience local culture and traditions. The day will end with a communal dinner, sharing a meal with the locals and tasting authentic nomadic cuisine.
July 20, 2027: Morning Light Photography at Son Kul, Return to Bishkek
We begin the day with the soft morning light over Son-Kul Lake, ideal for capturing tranquil reflections, grazing horses, and the endless steppe. After breakfast, we drive back to Bishkek, soaking in spectacular views of the lake, mountains, and high-altitude valleys, with stops along the way to photograph the scenery.
In the evening, we come together for a farewell dinner, celebrating the incredible landscapes, wildlife, and nomadic culture we’ve captured throughout the journey.
July 21, 2027: Airport Shuttle for Departure
Airport shuttle at your flight departure time.
Camping
This itinerary includes multiple nights in a tent camp, in yurts with insuite restrooms and western style hotels.
The camps are fully-outfitted wilderness camps. Each person will be in a large personal tent with a cot, thick comfortable pad, and sleeping bag, and some lighting is provided inside the tents.A separate dining tent with tables for eating will be available for everyone at all hours. Plenty of cool or hot water is available at all times, along with snacks, including fresh fruits. The outfitters are trained in wilderness cooking and wilderness first aid. Sanitary hand washing stations are set up for use.
The Yurts include beds with mattresses, heating, power and full restrooms. You will stay in one location with shared bathrooms outside your room.
Altitude
This photography workshop visits altitudes up to 12,000 feet in elevation.
Please read this document, HIGH ALTITUDE
This workshop is designed to prepare you for the higher altitudes by beginning the itinerary at much lower altitudes before assending to 12,000 feet on the final days.
Fitness
Moderate: Walking on uneven ground for up to a mile in remote locations at altitudes up to 12,000 feet.
Flights
Arrive at Manas International Airport (FRU), Bishkek anytime on July 11, 2027. Flights out can be made anytime on July 21, 2027. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,200 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Guided camping with custom meals and comfortable tents.
- Camp bedding: cot, sheet and sleeping bag
- Multiple image reviews and post-processing sessions.
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $1,200 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $7,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $4,000 is due by November 1, 2026.
- The balance is due not later than March 1, 2027.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll practice drone photography, long-lens landscapes, environmental portraits, focus stacking, night sky photography, and near/far composition. The workshop also guides you in improving composition, camera settings, and post-processing skills.
Yes, this workshop follows our standard refundable policy. Cancellations made more than 150 days before the start date receive a full refund. Between 150 and 91 days, you'll get a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and between 90 and 61 days, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are available within 60 days of the workshop, but if we fill your space, you'll receive a 100% refund of payments made. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.
You'll stay in a mix of accommodations, including fully-outfitted wilderness camps with personal tents, yurts with insuite restrooms, and western-style hotels. Each tent includes a cot, thick pad, and sleeping bag, while yurts offer beds with mattresses, heating, and power.
The workshop requires a moderate fitness level. You'll be traveling to remote locations and participating in activities like hiking and exploring rugged landscapes, which may involve some physical exertion.
The workshop is limited to a maximum of 8 participants, ensuring personalized instruction and deeper interactions with the guides and fellow photographers.
Yes, you'll need to arrange your own travel to and from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The workshop includes all transportation during the event, but you'll be responsible for getting to the starting point at Manas International Airport.
While travel medical and trip cancellation insurance are optional, they are highly recommended to protect against unforeseen circumstances and ensure peace of mind during your travels.
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