Kyrgyzstan Photography Tour 11 Days

Arrival in Bishkek. Upon landing at Manas International Airport, our guide will meet you at the arrival gate. Transfer to Bishkek will take 30-40 minutes. Hotel check-in is at 2:00 PM (early check-in is not included). After check-in, you’ll have time to rest from your long flight.

In the afternoon, we’ll start a sightseeing tour of Bishkek. The city, relatively young, began as a Russian garrison called “Pishpek” in the 19th century and grew into a city during the Soviet era. Bishkek is known for its tree-lined streets and parks.

We will visit Ala-Too Square, the White House, Oak Park, Victory Square, the city center, and a souvenir shop. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, we leave Bishkek and travel toward Son-Kul Lake, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most scenic high-altitude lakes **(3016 m)**. It’s a long but rewarding drive with plenty to photograph along the way.

We settle into our yurts near the lake and have time to photograph the surrounding mountains and open steppe.

After dinner, we shoot sunset then in the night we head outside for astro photography, with the opportunity to capture the Milky Way above the lake when weather and sky conditions are suitable.

After breakfast, we enjoy one hour of horse riding around Son-Kul

We then continue toward the Ak-Say Canyons, stopping along the route whenever we find interesting photography opportunities.

In the afternoon, we reach the canyon and prepare for sunset, when the changing light brings out the colors and textures of the rock formations. We can also spend time near the lake before dinner and our overnight stay.

For those who want to photograph the landscape in early morning light, an optional hike to the Ak-Say Canyons is available before breakfast to catch sunrise.
_The hike takes around 20 mins_

After breakfast, we attend a traditional golden eagle hunting show, learn from the eagleman all about Eagles and photograph the whole process along the way.

We then continue toward Kok-Jaiyk Valley, where we settle into a yurt camp surrounded by mountain scenery. The afternoon and evening provide further opportunities to photograph the valley and surrounding peaks.

_Optional visit “Lady’s Braid” waterfall _

After breakfast, we begin to hike toward Oguz Bashy, also known as Peak Yeltsin. The hike takes approximately two hours each way, with horse riding available as an alternative

Along the route, we have time to photograph the surrounding mountain landscapes and Oguz Bashy from different viewpoints.

After spending time at the viewpoint, we return to the yurt camp and then drive toward Karakol. In the evening, we check into our hotel and have dinner together.

Today, we leave Karakol by 4×4 vehicle and drive approximately 1.5 hours into Karakol Gorge. From there, we continue on horseback for around 7 km toward our mountain campsite.

The route takes us deeper into the valley, with opportunities to photograph the surrounding mountains, river, horses, and changing landscapes.

After reaching the campsite, we set up our tents and have dinner. In the evening, we head outside for sunset photography around the surrounding peaks.

We begin early with sunrise photography around the campsite, taking advantage of the morning light on the surrounding mountains.

After breakfast, we pack up and descend through Karakol Gorge, following the same route back toward the valley. The changing light offers new photography opportunities along the way.

We continue by horse and 4×4 vehicle back to Karakol, arriving in the afternoon with time to rest and review some of the photographs from the previous days.

After breakfast, we leave Karakol and travel deeper into eastern Kyrgyzstan toward the remote Turgen Valley and Engilchek.

We travel by 4×4 vehicle, making frequent stops along the route to photograph. As we get deeper into the region, the scenery becomes increasingly remote and mountainous.

We eventually reach the abandoned town of Engilchek and check into a local guesthouse. After dinner, we have time to rest before the next day’s journey.

We begin the morning with sunrise photography around Engilchek before breakfast. We then start our return journey through Sary-Jaz and the Karkyra Valley, making regular stops for photography along the route.

The area offers opportunities to photograph sheep, yaks, remote mountain landscapes, and traditional life. On a clear day, we can also have views toward Khan Tengri, one of the most recognizable peaks of the Tien Shan at 7,010 metres.

We continue to Karakol and finish the day with a celebratory dinner.

After breakfast, we leave Karakol and begin our journey toward Bishkek, traveling along the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. We take our time and make stops at Semenovka and Grigorievka Gorges.

We then continue toward Bishkek, arriving in the afternoon. After checking into the hotel, you will have some free time to rest and organize your photographs.

In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner and share our favorite images and stories from the journey.

After breakfast, our team will transfer you to the airport according to your flight schedule. Departure with unforgettable memories, new experiences, and a deeper connection to Kyrgyzstan.