8 Days, 7 Nights
East Kyrgyzstan Photo Tour
Places
- Kyrgyzstan
Guides
Activity Level
- Level 2: Active
Skill Level
- Level 1: New
Moment Travel
East Kyrgyzstan Photo Tour
What we'll do
Kyrgyzstan is one of the seven Stans of Central Asia, and a gateway to the Himalayan mountains. Its history is rich with Silk Road tales and nomadic culture, which is still practiced to this day.The landscapes of Kyrgyzstan are vast, wild, and incredibly varied: from glacial lakes such as Kol Suu nestled between high granite cliffs, to high-altitude pastures such as Song Kul where local shepherds bring their cattle during the summer months, or thec racked and empty canyons by the southern shore of Issyk Kul. We like to refer to this relatively undiscovered paradise as a combination of Switzerland, Iceland, Peru, and Mars - with its high mountain ranges, mostly untouched natural environment, and highland pastures scattered with traditional yurt settlements.Kyrgyzstan has lived a long tradition of nomadic history and is only just waking up to a world of visitors, which elevates our opportunity for candid experiences. Their culture sustains warm gestures of hospitality, openness, and kindness to strangers. The scenery makes for a thousand different angles to work on your photography and videography skills - from portraiture to ever-changing panoramas, and with a bit of luck, shooting the milky way with incredible clarity.While not so strong on a diversity of food, the summers provide good nourishment through colorful, tasty fruits and vegetables, together with some pretty meaty traditional dishes (vegetarian and lactose-free still being an option).This week-long journey lived from our sturdy 4x4s, comfortable city hotels, and beautifully situated yurt camps will show you the true wilderness that Kyrgyzstan still holds—one of the few countries in the world where you can be taken back in time.
Your Guides
Tour Preview
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 0: Half-Day Camera Workshop
- Summary:
Add a half-day camera workshop to your trip. You get an extra day (and night) in Bishkek. Your guides will go deep with you on what camera you have, and how all the settings work and then spend half a day shooting with you. In the afternoon we will drive up to Boz Boltok; Bishkek’s celebrated mountain from which we will be able to shoot a misty sunset over the city. During the workshop, we will get the opportunity to practice working with aperture, ISO, and shutter speed but we’ll also cover the basics of phone photography and storytelling. To celebrate our first evening together, we will go out for dinner at a lovely local restaurant and get a good night’s rest at the hotel. Price: $400 (includes two meals, a hotel night, and a workshop).
- Photo Spots:
Boz Boltok mountain
- Lodging:
Bridges Hotel
- Food:
Lunch, Dinner & Snacks included
Day 1: Panoramic Drives, High-Altitude Pastures & A Majestic Lake
- Summary:
We will be meeting in the morning to share an introduction of the journey. Today we head towards Song Kul—a massive freshwater lake that lies above 3000m and is surrounded by vast summer pastures—taking our time to explore the details of this bucolic location. For sunset, we’ll walk up to a hill with an open view of the lake and nearby mountains, where we’ll spot the tiny jailoos (yurt camps) where the shepherds stay over the summer season with their flocks. If we are lucky with clear skies, we can spot the milky way, and capture an impressively star-filled and light-pollution-free sky.
- Photo Spots:
Terskey Torpok Pass, Song Kul yurt camp and hillsides, Song Kul night photography
- Lodging:
Mirlan Yurt Camp
- Food:
Lunch, Dinner & Snacks included
Day 2: Horseback Ride, Textured Landscapes & Picturesque Yurts
- Summary:
We start our day by waking up in a yurt at Song Kul, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most scenic and tranquil sites. This morning’s highlight is a horseback ride along the lakeside and if the temperature allows, a quick dip in the freshwater. Today's drive will take us over Moldo Ashuu pass on our way to Naryn—this winding road offers endless photography opportunities with its multi-colored, dry landscapes. After a nourishing lunch in town, we’ll head off on a long, bumpy road into the depths of Sary-Beles mountain chain: the door to Kol Suu. A worthwhile detour to one of the most beautiful lakes in Kyrgyzstan. With a bit of luck, we’ll get a second chance at shooting (or simply enjoying) the milky way and bountiful stars in the sky.
- Photo Spots:
Song Kul, Moldo Pass, Naryn, Kol Suu yurt camp and night photography
- Lodging:
Golden Moon Yurt Camp
- Food:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks included
Day 3: Dreamy Hike To A Turquoise Lake & A Nestled City
- Summary:
Second morning rising in a yurt surrounded by idyllic scenery. We’ll see the first light hitting the mountains as we prepare for a moderate hike, to witness the magic palette of Kol Suu. This intensely blue and narrow lake, perched on high granite cliffs, will take your breath away! We’ll shoot around the northern shore before returning to camp and heading back on the road. Leaving the Chinese border permit area behind us, we drive to the sleepy city of Naryn for a very well-deserved quality meal and rest.
- Photo Spots:
Kol Suu yurt camp and lake, drive to Naryn
- Lodging:
Grand Khan Tengri Hotel
- Food:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks included
Day 4: Charming Cemetery, A Desolate Pass & Red Canyon
- Summary:
Today we take an adventurous way down to Issyk Kul (warm lake) which is also Kyrgyzstan’s largest reservoir. Leaving Naryn behind us we head into the Balgart Valley, which welcomes herds of cattle throughout summer. Here, you can feel a sense of serenity, as if the mountains are alive and slowly breathing. After climbing Tosor pass, the highest point of our day, we’ll swiftly descend to the yurt camp by Issyk Kul. This afternoon we’ll catch the sunset at a nearby site soaked in Martian colors, as the eroded sandstone of the river valleys turns to a deep, red tint.
- Photo Spots:
Eki Naryn, Balgart Valley, Tosor Pass, Issyk Kul, Mars Canyon
- Lodging:
Oimo Tash Ethno Complex
- Food:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks included
Day 5: Celestial Mountains, Ancient Glaciers & Thermal Springs
- Summary:
Witnessing a sunrise in Issyk Kul is a must! The soft pastel tones and mild temperatures might even be inviting enough for a quick dip in the lake before heading off into the heart of the Celestial Mountains. We’ll enter a unique universe of ice and rock, seemingly at the end of the world, and will stop by one of the remaining glaciers of the Arabel Valley. Hundreds of horses graze here throughout summer, so we’ll keep an eye out for herds running freely across the tundra. We finish the day in Karakol, a lively town, and for those in the mood for an evening adventure, we’ll visit a thermal spring nearby. Here, locals come to relax at the end of the day.
- Photo Spots:
Issyk Kul, Arabel Plateau, Arabel glacier, Ak Suu thermal spring
- Lodging:
Matsunoki Karakol Hotel
- Food:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks included
Day 6: Bread Baking, Remote Exploration & Powdered Peaks
- Summary:
This morning we are dipping our hands in the dough as we’ll join a workshop on how to make ‘lepyoshka’, Kyrgyzstan’s traditional (and delicious) flat bread. Afterward, we explore the high-altitude prairies of Sarydzhaz, a mountain range partially shared with neighboring Kazakhstan. We’ll cross the Chon-Ashu pass and follow the Echkilitash gorge into this off-the-beaten-path place. The area is protected and is one of the largest in the country, as it’s also home to many endangered species like the snow leopard. We’ll settle down at a local family yurt camp and will enjoy the sunset over the Adyr-Tor mountains. An experience you won’t forget!
- Photo Spots:
Chon-Ashu pass, Echkilitash gorge, Sarydzhaz mountain range, Adyr-Tor mountains
- Lodging:
Echkilitash Yurt Camp
- Food:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks included
Day 7: Unraveling A Legend & The Right Color Science
- Summary:
En route back to Karakol! We’ll loop our way out of Sarydzhaz by driving over Ak-Tog pass and through Karkyra Valley. This is a beautiful but poorly maintained track along the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border where herders from both countries move along either side of the valley with impunity. Not far from San-Tash village, we’ll drive by a curious site full of stones with a mysterious legend behind it. Once in the comforts of our hotel, we’ll dedicate the afternoon to rest and we'll finish the day off with an editing session full of tips.
- Photo Spots:
Sarydzhaz, Karkyra Valley, San-Tash, Karakol
- Lodging:
Matsunoki Hotel
- Food:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks included
Day 8: Return To Bishkek
- Summary:
Time for an early breakfast before heading off to the cars as the drive to Bishkek is long. We will stop on the way to eat and stretch our legs at the occasional viewpoint. Once in Bishkek, we can drop you off at the airport or at a place that’s convenient for you.
- Food:
Breakfast, Lunch included
Where we're going
Terskey Torpok Pass - A high mountain pass, located in the Terskey Alatoo Range of the Tian Shan Mountains. It has an elevation of 3,629 m (11,907 ft) and is one of the most important passes in Kyrgyzstan, forming a major route between the northern and southern parts of the country. It is also a popular destination for hikers, due to its spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Song Kul - High altitude pastures. Getting to the summer pasture is an adventure itself - the serpentine roads will take us to the beautiful alpine lake of Song Kul (Kyrgyzstan’s second largest lake), known for its vastness and scattered yurts. This ideal location is as tranquil as life can get (forget about phone reception or electricity) and instead enjoy a ball game with the local kids or watch the cows chew grass. We will enjoy an amazing panoramic sunset view on the lake and, if the skies are clear, the chance to look out for shooting stars and capture the milky way.
Moldo Pass - Located in the Tien Shan Mountains it is one of the most popular mountains passes in the region. The pass is situated at an elevation of 3,830 meters and is the highest point on the main highway between the cities of Bishkek and Osh. It is a popular spot for trekking and mountaineering, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Naryn - Naryn is the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan and is located in the eastern part of the country. It is known as the “Gateway to the East” and is the capital of Naryn Province. It has a population of around 30,000 people and is the main administrative and economic center of the province. It is home to a number of cultural attractions and is also a popular destination for outdoor activities, such as trekking and horseback riding in the nearby mountains.
Eki Naryn - A small village in the Naryn Province of Kyrgyzstan, located high in the Tien Shan Mountains. With a population of just over 1,000 people, it is one of the most remote and untouched places in the country. It is known for its traditional Kyrgyz culture and lifestyle, with many of the homes and buildings still constructed in the traditional style. Visitors come to Eki Naryn to experience the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Kyrgyz people, as well as to explore the surrounding mountains and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Balgart Valley - A captivatingly beautiful glacial valley located in the Naryn region of Kyrgyzstan. It is known for its amazing scenery, including snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, and lush meadows full of wildflowers. The valley is home to several wildlife species, including snow leopards, ibex, and argali sheep.
Tosor Pass - Also known as the Kyzyl-Bel Pass, is a mountain pass located in the Alai mountain range in Kyrgyzstan. It is located at an elevation of 4,282m and connects the northern part of Kyrgyzstan with the southern part. It is one of the most picturesque places in Kyrgyzstan, offering spectacular views of the Pamirs and the Alai valley. The pass is snow-covered for most of the year, making it difficult to traverse in winter, but it is a great place to visit during the summer months.
Issyk-Kul - A large alpine lake, the 10th largest lake in the world by volume, and the second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea. The lake is surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains and is a popular tourist destination. It is known for its stunning scenery, breathtaking hikes, and its rich cultural history.
Mars Canyon - An amazing natural wonder located in the Chatkal Mountains. It was formed by the erosion of the Chatkal River and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including rare species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The canyon is known for its dramatic red sandstone cliffs, which provide an incredible backdrop for trekking and rock climbing. The area is also a great spot for camping and exploring the nearby villages, which offer stunning views of the canyon and the surrounding mountains.
Arabel Plateau - It is situated in the Tien Shan mountain range, bordering China and Kazakhstan. The plateau is filled with majestic alpine meadows and breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains. The area is known for its unique wildlife and is home to a number of endangered species, including the snow leopard.
Arabel Glacier - A large glacier located in the central Tien Shan Mountains. It covers an area of approximately 32 square kilometers and is one of the largest glaciers in the region. It is a beautiful natural wonder, and its icy waters form a number of small lakes, rivers and streams that are used for fishing, camping The glacier is part of the Chon-Aryk hydrological basin, which provides water for local communities and agriculture.
Ak Suu thermal spring - A popular natural hot spring located in the Issyk-Kul region, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and alpine meadows. It is known for its therapeutic properties, including its high mineral content and ability to help with various health conditions such as skin diseases and joint pain. The spring is surrounded by scenic views of the Tien Shan Mountains and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can relax in the hot water pools, soak in the minerals, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Ak Suu Thermal Spring is also a cultural site, with legends and beliefs surrounding its healing properties that have been passed down for generations.
Chon-Ashu Pass - A high-altitude mountain pass that connects the Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions. It is located at an elevation of 3,770 meters and is one of the highest mountain passes in the country. The pass offers stunning views of the surrounding Tien Shan Mountains and provides a scenic route for travelers. During the summer months, the Chon-Ashu Pass is used by shepherds who drive their flocks of sheep and horses over the pass to reach grazing lands in the other side. The pass is also popular among hikers and mountaineers who use it as a starting point for climbing nearby peaks.
Echkilitash Gorge - A narrow and deep canyon located in the Issyk-Kul region. It is known for its scenic beauty, with towering cliffs and turquoise waters of the Echkilitash River that run through it. The gorge is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and is a popular destination for tourists, hikers, and adventure-seekers. There are several trails in the area that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and offer opportunities for exploring the unique landscapes and wildlife of the region. The Echkilitash Gorge is also an important site for bird watching, with a variety of bird species found in the area.
Sarydzhaz Mountain Range - A picturesque mountain range that is part of the Tien Shan mountain system and is known for its unique landscapes, scenic beauty, and diverse flora and fauna. It is made up of a series of peaks, ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 meters in elevation, with the highest peak being the Ippolitov Peak at 4,499 meters. The range is also a popular destination for outdoor recreation, with a variety of trails, lakes, and rivers for visitors to explore. The Sarydzhaz Mountain Range is surrounded by scenic forests, grasslands, and meadows, providing an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
Adyr-Tor mountains - Located in the western Tien Shan mountain range, about 50 kilometers south of the city of Bishkek. They are part of the Tian Shan mountain system, and are covered with alpine meadows, alpine tundra and rocky slopes. The highest peak, Adyr-Tor Peak, stands at 4,780 meters above sea level. The Adyr-Tor Mountains are home to a variety of wildlife species, including marmots, ibex, wolves, snow leopards, and argali. The mountains are also home to a variety of plants and trees, including juniper, spruce, and birch.
Karkyra Valley - A scenic valley that is surrounded by the towering peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and is known for its picturesque landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. The valley is home to several historic sites, including ancient petroglyphs, that provide insight into the region's rich cultural heritage.
San-Tash - An ancient rock formation believed to have been formed during the Neolithic period. It is located in the Issyk-Kul valley and is made up of a series of rocks with unique shapes and sizes. It is said to have been used by local communities for spiritual ceremonies, and is now a popular tourist attraction. Many people visit to admire its beauty and to learn more about the local culture and history.
Karakol - A small city that is a popular base for travelers exploring the region's breathtaking mountains, pristine lakes, and traditional Kyrgyz culture. The city is also home to several historic and cultural landmarks, including the 19th-century Dungan Mosque and the Karakol Historical Museum, which provide insight into the region's rich cultural and ethnic history. In addition to its natural and cultural attractions, Karakol is also known for its vibrant local market, which offers a unique shopping experience for visitors, and its traditional cuisine, which is a blend of Central Asian, Russian, and Chinese influences.
What You Will Learn
We've been where you are — a myriad of gear choices, locations to travel, and subjects to document. Where to start, and in which direction to advance? After years of extended bicycle travel and sharing the story of our journeys, we’re ready to show you how we’ve each downsized our camera kit, formed a better understanding of our own workflows, and learned to capture with meaning. Here are some things you'll learn:
Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO: These are the building block setting of any photo or video, and we’ll take you through what they mean, how they can help you create the perfect shot and how to set them up quickly for the best results.
Long Exposure (night photography): The star-filled skies of Song-Kul and the Alay valley are the absolute perfect opportunity to practice our night photography skills. There’s almost zero light pollution, and since both places have vast landscapes we can easily catch the beauty of the night sky, and the Milky Way!
Framing and Composition: In learning how to capture light, composition is likewise crucial to creating a great photo or video. We'll show you our take on framing your shots amongst the yurts, mountain valleys, and little storefronts of the bustling city markets.
Low Light Photography: While the sun sets over the steppe during our trip, we’ll teach you how to interact with low light, much like night photography but more so focussed on when the sun still lights your setting. Most phones and cameras are quite powerful nowadays when it comes to lower light.
How to Pack Lightly for an Extended Trip: We know it's always hard not to pack everything, and the kitchen sink, for those "what if!" moments. We'll help you boil down your gear to the essentials that you really need.
Understanding of Kyrgyz Culture and Values: To truly tell the story of your adventure, be it in pictures, video, or just words, you need to understand where you are and what surrounds you. Understanding local culture is a major part of the story you wanna tell, and will help you get the complete picture to take that complete picture.
Don't have a camera besides your smartphone? No problem. Shoot & edit on whatever device you want!
What's Included
3 nights in a hotel (Prices per person, based on double occupancy rooms)
4 nights in a yurt (Prices per person, based on up to triple occupancy)
Entrance to all activities
4x4 car transportation around Kyrgyzstan
Domestic Flight from Osh to Bishkek on the last day
Photography and editing lessons. All activities, 2 Moment Guides & 1 local guide/translator
3 great meals per day + snacks (from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 8)
SIM card to access an internet connection
What's Not Included
Airfare to and from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Airport transfers
Alcoholic beverages
Guide gratuities
Insurance of any kind, including travel insurance