Kyrgyzstan Photo Workshop
Join us for a 12-day adventure in Kyrgyzstan!
Capture the Spirit of Kyrgyzstan
Join us for a 12-day photography tour across Kyrgyzstan’s breathtaking mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and enchanting valleys. Immerse yourself in the authentic nomadic lifestyle, sleeping in traditional yurts, and experience the culture and daily life of this extraordinary country. This photo workshop in Kyrgyzstan offers a rare chance to capture stunning landscapes, vibrant traditions, and unforgettable starry skies.
Why Join Our Kyrgyzstan Photography Workshop?
- Expert guidance: Photograph majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and unique cultural moments at the best light.
- Cultural immersion: Engage with nomadic families, shepherds, and local artisans.
- Adventure-focused photography: Explore remote, off-the-beaten-path locations perfect for adventurous photographers.
- Memorable experiences: Capture the essence of Kyrgyz nomadic life and traditional customs.
Highlights of the Kyrgyzstan Photography Adventure
Nomadic Life & Culture
- Semi-nomadic shepherds: Document daily life in the highlands.
- Yurt life: Capture intimate moments inside traditional nomadic homes.
- Eagle-hunters: Photograph the ancient art of hunting with golden eagles.
- Markets & Artisans: Discover and photograph vibrant local crafts and trade.
Stunning Landscapes
- Mountain lakes: Crystal-clear waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
- Epic valleys: Majestic vistas perfect for wide-angle and landscape photography.
Unique Experiences
- Kok Boru: Witness and photograph this thrilling traditional horseback game.
Photo Tour Details
- Duration: 12 days
- Accommodation: Traditional yurts, comfortable guesthouses and 4 stars hotel in Bishkek
- Transport: A few long drives in magnificent environment
- Guided by: Professional photographer
12-Days
July 5 – 16, 2027 – (5th edition)
CONFIRMED – 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE !
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June 19 – 30, 2028 – (6th edition)
Tour Price
USD $3,800 (single supplement $300)
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From 2028, USD $4,050 (single supplement $350)
Group Size
Small group: 4-6 Participants.
We believe in quality, personalised tuition, and so our host-to-guest ratio is always 1:6 or better.
Accommodation
Very confortable 4-star hotels in Bishkek and Naryn, Guesthouses in the villages and 4 nights in Yurts and altitude camps in the mountains
Effort Level
Tiring (4/5). Hot in Bishkek but can be cold in altitude. Several long drives and short hikes.
Gallery
See more photos taken during the workshop (soon) >>
Available Privately
We also offer private and costumized guided photo tours
Highlights of the Tour
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Semi-nomadic shepherds: Capture daily life in the highlands.
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Yurt life: Photograph intimate moments inside traditional nomadic homes.
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Mountain landscapes: Pristine lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
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Eagle-hunters: Document the ancient art of hunting with golden eagles.
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Markets & artisans: Discover and photograph local crafts and vibrant marketplaces.
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Kok Boru: Witness and capture the thrilling traditional horseback game.
Themes:
Local life ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Landscapes ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Guest Testimonials from Kyrgyzstan
We pride ourselves on the quality of our photography workshops.
But don’t take our word for it…. Read hundreds of five-star reviews on Tripadvisor.
Amazing Trip To Kyrgyzstan
A fabulous twelve days in Kyrgyzstan with Régis this June 2026! The balance of travel, walks, and encounters was perfect. The company of the group, made up of fellow travel and photography enthusiasts, was very pleasant. Ulan, the local … read more
12-Day Best of Kyrgyzstan Photo Workshop
Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek
As soon as you arrive, our team will take care of everything and make sure you settle in comfortably at your hotel. Then, we’ll all meet up for a delicious dinner and start getting to know each other. Can’t wait to finally meet everyone in person and kick off this amazing journey together!
Day 2: Bishkek – Bokonbaeyvo
Today, our expedition begins with a swift climb toward Bokonbaeyvo. We will make a stop at Kok Moynyok Canyon, a scenic spot that requires a 40-minute round trip walk to fully experience. As evening nears, we will visit an eagle hunter in his village, a beautiful place framed by grand mountains, perfect for a memorable photo opportunity.
Day 3: Bokonbaeyvo
The day starts with a trip to the Canyon of Forgotten Rivers, featuring a brief 30-minute hike to see both the canyon and Issyk-Kul lake. This location is ideal for capturing both aerial drone footage and ground-based photographs. After taking in the canyon’s views, the itinerary includes a visit to a local family known for their expertise in building yurts. The day concludes with the exploration of additional canyons in the area.
Day 4: Bokonbaeyvo – Song Kol
After breakfast, the itinerary involves a drive to Song Kol lake, a high-altitude lake. Upon arrival, the group will settle into a traditional Yurt Camp. The afternoon includes a viewing of Kok Boru, a traditional game, near the lake and a meeting with the players. Song Kol offers opportunities for sunset and Milky Way photography.
Day 5: Song Kol – Naryn
Lake Song Kol is known for its stunning sunrises, providing a picturesque start to a leisurely breakfast. A drive to Naryn follows, taking you through a beautiful mountain pass where we stop many times. After arriving in Naryn, the afternoon can be spent relaxing and reviewing photos from the previous day’s adventures.
Day 6: Naryn
Today’s immersive experience in a small village on photo storytelling, exploring the crafts of local artisans. Participants will observe felt makers, farmers and more documenting their techniques and the stories interwoven in their creations.
Day 7: Naryn – Nomadic Experience
We’re starting off very early with a visit to an animal market, then heading to a charming village outside At Bachy to immerse ourselves in the daily life of a local family. This afternoon, we journey off the beaten path to our yurt camp where our host awaits. Get ready for a day of unique experiences!
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Day 8: Nomadic Experience
Immersing ourselves in nomadic culture, our real first day unfolds in a picturesque valley shared with nomadic people. This unique experience presents an exceptional opportunity to witness and document their daily routines, promoting a richer understanding of their traditional lifestyle. Observing their customs and interactions firsthand offers invaluable insights into the nuances of nomadic living.
Day 9: Nomadic Experience – Kel Suu Lake
Following our departure from our hosts, our next destination is the high-altitude plateau bordering China, an area that necessitates a special permit for access. Upon reaching the plateau, we will have lunch and shower, after which we will begin a two-hour hike to the picturesque Lake Kel Suu.
Day 10: Kel Suu Lake – Naryn
Having spent a starry night at our altitude camp, we are now returning to Naryn. After two nights in a yurt and one in a camp with minimal facilities, the prospect of a hot shower and restful sleep is particularly appealing. We also anticipate reviewing the photographs captured during our journey.
Day 11: Naryn – Bishkek
Today we journey back to Bishkek, the capital city, after our time in the mountains. A considerable temperature increase is expected as we descend from the cooler mountain air. Our day includes a long drive and a last chance to discover Bishkek’s charm through its streets and parks. We plan to engage in some street photography, capturing the city’s spirit before our farewell dinner this evening.
Day 12: Departure
Depart day twelve.
Inclusions and Exclusions
What's Included:
All accommodation (3/4-star hotels, guesthouses, yurt and altitude camp)
Transport during photography excursions (minivand and 4 wheels drive vehicles)
What's Excluded:
Airfare to and from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
General Information
Who Our Tours are Designed For
Our adventures are perfect for anyone who loves travel and photography, whatever your level of experience with a camera – the most important thing is enthusiasm. Our tours are specifically designed for photographers and aim to unlock opportunities that wouldn't be open to the casual visitor, all while ensuring that we shoot in the best light, away from the crowds.
Refine your Vision
Mastering photography is a wonderful, lifelong journey; the objective of our tours is to help you become a better photographer, day by day, so that you not only capture wonderful images of your trip, but that you take away a wealth of new skills that will serve you well for all of your photographic endeavours yet to come. With our expert guidance, you’ll quickly become more familiar with your equipment and refine your vision for incredible imagery without feeling swamped by technical details. You’ll learn how to read light, how to frame a scene, and how to inject the element of story into all of your captures.
Equipment Recommendations
Meaningful Interactions with Local People
Expect the Unexpected
Our itineraries are fun and flexible, and flow naturally - each of our photography adventures is unique, with spontaneous encounters and varying light conditions creating different opportunities at every turn.
Small Group Experience
The largest tours we run are for groups of six. With one experienced professional photographer as tour leader, this ensures that each of our participants will get plenty of individual, hands-on time with the instructor. It also means that we can travel in a less conspicuous manner, blending into our environment and not overwhelming local people during spontaneous encounters.
Responsible Travel
We are committed to responsible travel in every country we visit, ensuring that all of our tours are respectful of and give back to the communities we visit. We have taken steps to ensure our tours cause as little environmental impact as possible, and continually strive for new ways to leave fewer lasting footprints in all of our host countries. We use local drivers on all of our excursions, and we take care to educate our tour participants of the ethics of travel photography. We advocate for responsible volunteering and tourism. The participants that join our tours come away not only with some amazing memories and photos, but also with a better understanding of how they can make a positive impact in their future trips.
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