NOMADS, MOUNTAINS & HORSE GAMES
DATES: June 7th - 18th 2027 (12 days)
GROUP SIZE: Max 8 (7 remaining)
PRICE: $5299USD No Credit Card Fees!
Includes All Meals, Hotels, Driver, Local Guide, Tips & No Bank Fees!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Tom and his team organized a world-class photography expedition, jammed packed with opportunities for pro photographers, or beginners."
Ron C - Kyrgyzstan Photo Tour Participant
12 Days of Nomadic Culture, Mountain Landscapes and Extraordinary Access
Kyrgyzstan is one of the most visually striking countries on earth - a land of wide valleys, remote shepherd camps, alpine lakes and ancient nomadic traditions that still shape everyday life. This tour is designed for photographers who want more than landscapes - you’ll be meeting people, documenting real stories and capturing the heart of Central Asia with full creative support throughout.
This is a small-group, photography-focused journey with exclusive cultural access, handpicked locations and the kind of immersive moments that simply don’t appear on standard itineraries.
Nomadic families, yurt makers, eagle hunters, horse games.
Hands-on help every day.
Only 8 people for a more personal experience.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"One of the best trips ever! We discovered an amazing culture, authentic people and exotic places but also we learned so much as photographers.."
Andra G - Kyrgyzstan Photo Tour Participant
WHY THIS PLACE WORKS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Days are intentionally unhurried. We often stay in one area longer than expected if the light, people, or atmosphere feels right. There’s no pressure to “get the shot”.
Minimal visual noise
Villages and camps are uncluttered by signage, advertising, or modern distractions. This simplicity helps isolate subjects and creates clean, timeless compositions without effort.
People who belong to the landscape
Here, people aren’t separate from their surroundings. Clothing, animals, tools, and terrain all feel connected. Images naturally carry context and meaning, not just a subject in isolation.
Strong, honest light
The light here is often direct and unfiltered. High-altitude sun, clear air, and long shadows give images real contrast and shape. It’s ideal for working with light and shadow rather than flattening everything in pos
Bishkek & Bazaars
Street photography, market life, colour, character and the rhythm of daily Kyrgyz culture.
Song Kul
A high-altitude dreamscape. Yurts, horses, shepherd families and huge skies. Sunrise and sunset sessions here are unforgettable.
Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve
A pristine alpine lake framed by steep cliffs and forests. Ideal for peaceful landscapes, reflections and soft evening light.
Skazka Canyon
Rich red rock formations, winding canyons and surreal shapes - a perfect place for creative compositions and model shoots.
Arslanbob
One of the world’s largest walnut forests, remote Uzbek-Kyrgyz villages and warm community encounters.
Nomadic Traditions
Eagle hunters, yurt makers, horse games, traditional crafts and evenings around the fire.
Kazarman & High Passes
A wild, rugged landscape where nomadic life continues almost unchanged. Superb documentary and environmental portrait opportunities.
Start Your Journey Here
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Day 1-2 Bishkek - Bazaars, markets, city life
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan. After arriving in Bishkek, we settle into the hotel, meet the group and enjoy an afternoon walk through the city’s parks and markets before a relaxed welcome dinner.
The next morning, we begin our journey south towards Toktogul. The drive takes us through sweeping valleys and mountain passes, with a few scenic stops and a lunch break along the way. By late afternoon we reach our guesthouse, where dinner and a calm evening in the mountains await.
Photography Focus: Street scenes, market life, portraits, colours, everyday culture.
Day 3-4 - Toktogul - Sary-Chelek
We continue into the countryside today, travelling towards the beautiful Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve. After checking in, we head out for an easy sunset session around the lake.
The following day is spent exploring Sary-Chelek at a relaxed pace. We walk along the lakeshore, photograph the forests and enjoy a picnic outdoors. Later, we return for a second sunset shoot as the light dips behind the mountains.
Photography Focus: Lakes, reflections, intimate landscapes, soft evening light, forest details.
Day 5 - Sary-Chelek - Arslanbob
Today we travel to Arslanbob, home to one of the world’s largest walnut forests and a community with a distinctive Uzbek-Kyrgyz identity. After arriving and settling into our family-run guesthouse, we spend the afternoon exploring the local bazaar and walking through forested trails. It’s an ideal location for intimate portraits, daily life scenes and thoughtful storytelling. A home-cooked dinner rounds off a rewarding day.
Photography Focus: Village portraits, bazaar textures, woodland scenes, cultural storytelling.
Day 6 - Kazarman
We continue east towards Kazarman, a remote region surrounded by rugged mountain passes. The journey is incredibly scenic, with stops throughout the day for photographs and short breaks in the high country. By evening we reach our simple but welcoming guesthouse, where village life moves at a quiet and timeless pace.
Photography Focus: Nomads, Mountain passes, wide vistas, road scenes, environmental storytelling.
Day 7-8 Song Kul Yurt Camp
We climb onto the high plateau of Song Kul (3500m), where yurts, herds of horses and big skies define the landscape. After arriving at our yurt camp, we spend our time walking, meeting nomad families and photographing life. The following day includes a sunrise session by the lake, relaxed time to explore and a private Kok Boru (horse game) demonstration in the afternoon, ending with sunset and, weather permitting, some night sky photography.
Photography Focus: Nomadic portraits, yurt life, horses, sunrise/sunset light, action scenes, night photography (weather permitting).
Day 9 Skazka Canyon
Leaving Song Kul, we pass via Kochkor for lunch before continuing to Skazka, or “Fairytale” Canyon, with its sculpted red rock formations and winding paths. We settle into our yurt camp and then head out for a sunset shoot in the canyon, with the option to work with eagle hunters or figures in the landscape, followed by dinner and a cosy folklore performance back at camp.
Photography Focus: Red rock formations, leading lines, human scale in vast spaces, creative compositions.
Day 10 - Chong-Kemin
Transfer to Chon-Kemin village along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Chon-Kemin is a beautiful valley in northern Kyrgyzstan, known for its clear river, green meadows, and majestic mountains. It is an ideal place for walking, photography, and experiencing traditional village life.
Photography Focus: Gorges , traditional village life, rivers, mountains & hot springs
Day 11 - Chong -Kemin – Bishkek
Departure for Bishkek. Our first stop is Burana Tower near the town of Tokmok, with its historic Burana Tower and surrounding ruins en route. By afternoon we’re back in the capital with time to relax before a farewell dinner dinner.
Day 12 - Departures
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and transfer to the airport. You leave Kyrgyzstan with a full set of images - from intimate village life to vast mountain plateaus - and a stronger sense of your own photographic voice.
Please note: Itinerary details are subject to change based on local conditions and opportunities.
Kyrgyzstan is a photographer’s dream - huge spaces, powerful stories, and a way of life that feels beautifully timeless. This tour brings you into the heart of it, with a rare level of access and the guidance to capture it at its best.
If you’d like to join me in Kyrgyzstan in 2027, secure your place early. With only eight spots, the group will fill quickly.
Ready to experience Kyrgyzstan with your camera? Let’s make it happen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This was the trip of a lifetime for me! Tom did an excellent job of coordinating our activities each day, teaching us how to take better photos no matter what our skill level was and making sure everyone was safe, well-fed, and had comfortable sleeping quarters each night"
Debbie - Kyrgyzstan Tour 2023
The experience includes
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will vary from elegant hotels to family run guesthouses and yurt camps
FOOD
All meals are included. If you have any special dietary requirements just let us know.
TRANSPORTATION
Airport pickup and drop off and all ground transport.
EXPERT LOCAL TOUR GUIDE
To give us those local insights that we might not otherwise get.
EXPERT PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDANCE
With multi award winning photographer Tom Bourdon.
ALL BANK FEES NEW
Pay with your credit card using our secure online system. No additional fees, the price you see is the price you pay.
ALL ENTRANCE FEES & TIPS NEW
There's nothing to pay for on location other than personal expenses.
This tour is for you if:
✅ You’re drawn to photographing people, daily routines, and quiet moments.
✅ You’re comfortable slowing down and spending time in places when something feels interesting.
✅ You enjoy observing before shooting and letting scenes unfold naturally.
✅ You’re happy working with available light and real situations rather than controlled setups.
✅ You want to come home with work that feels personal, not generic.
This tour is probably not for you if:
❌ You prefer luxury-first travel over character and authenticity.
❌ You want a full-on photography workshop.
❌ You expect to photograph professional models.
❌ You’re mainly focused on wildlife, sport, or action photography.
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