2024 Tour

Now Launched

After a fantastic tour in both 2022 and 2023 we have now launched our 2024 Uzbekistan Photo Tour

DISCOVER MORE

-- A LAND OF RICH HISTORY & INCREDIBLE ARCHITECTURE --

Tour dates: 27th May- 8th June 2023

After an amazing tour in 2022, we've updated this adventure along the silk route, where you´ll witness some of the most breath-taking architecture in the world.

The people of Uzbekistan are noted for their kindness and hospitality. In fact, the people of Uzbekistan are so generous we have been invited to a rural wedding in the district of Bukhara. We will meet the families, experience the traditions and be free to photograph as much, or as little, as we like. In return, we will provide the family with images of this truly special occasion.

No trip to Uzbekistan would be complete without visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Bhukara, Khiva and Samarkand. From magnificent palaces to intricately-decorated mosques, a journey through Uzbek architecture is a journey through time itself. Uzbekistan is a relatively new destination on the tourist map, so traditional ways of life are very much part of everyday life.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS

Just a handful of the highlights you can expect on this photo tour to Uzbekistan

Khiva

This walled city is one of 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites we will visit, noted for its architecture
Ancient fort ruins in the desert

Explore 2 ancient fortresses before spending the night in a traditional yurt in the desert

Bukhara

A major trading point on the silk road with zigzagging alleyways and bustling markets
Chorsu Bazaar (market)

Tashkent’s famous green-domed market featuring acres of spices, produce and traditional crafts

Registan Square

Samarkand's and arguably Uzbekistan's most famous landmark
Tashkent's metro stations

Among the most beautiful in the world, each is an original work of art

WHY BOOK WITH TOM?

During 2019 Tom drove the entire length of Uzbekistan, seeking out the best spots and uncovering the gems this fascinating country has to offer. With the help of a local tour operator, he has put together this incredible adventure. The 2023 tour is a slight improvement on the very successful 2022 Uzbekistan tour.

Tom has real-world experience of shooting professional travel images and can ensure that tour guests will benefit from the knowledge he has gained.

Last year's adventure to Uzbekistan

Dates

27th May - 8th June 2023 | 12 nights
Group Size

The group is limited to eight participants, allowing for a more personal experience with lots of opportunity for one-to-one advice and learning.
Entrance Fees

The price includes all transport, guides and entrance fees specified in the program, including 3 UNESCO sites.
Physical Ability

Participants are expected to have a minimal level of fitness as we will be spending hours at a time on our feet with some short hikes.

Accommodation

Accommodation will vary from luxurious hotels to traditional yurts in the desert.
Food & Drink

All meals are included. If you have any special dietary requirements just let us know.
Transportation

An internal flight, and air-conditioned ground transportation is provided. Everything from the moment you leave the airport, until you return.
Category

All-inclusive. That's accommodation, food, soft drinks, transportation, activities, entry fees, tour guides and a few little treats along the way!

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY IN PDF

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Taking now the second photography tour with Tom and following part of the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, I can tell you all his tours are life changing experiences, not only as a photographer but as human being.I learned so much about my camera and photography in these trips, probably what I would accumulate in an entire year on my own. Talented photographer, outstanding group leader and patient mentor, Tom organized another beautiful and diverse trip, packed with unique places and memorable experiences. My favorite was definitely the traditional Uzbek wedding, where we got to capture rituals and customs of a thousand-year-old culture.

Testimonial from Andra G Participant in the Uzbekistan Photo Tour 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL

Beginner/Novice

Intermediate

Advanced

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY IN PDF

Day 1 & 2

Upon arrival at Fergana international airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Later we will meet the tour guide for a half-day guided tour to explore the local ways of life and visit a traditional silk factory.

Day 2 we will continue the Silk Road theme with a visit to a pottery studio and have lunch with a blacksmith who will show us around his workshop. We will then get the fast train to Tashkent.
Day 3 & 4

Day 3 will be an early start as we head to the huge market of Chorsu Bazaar, which is one of the best markets in the world for photographers. There's just so much to capture. After lunch we will return to the hotel, visiting some of the spectacular metro stations that Tashkent is famous for.

The following day, we will transfer to the domestic airport for a flight to the ancient land of Khorezm. After the flight, we will drive directly to the ruins of 2 fortresses in the Kyzyl Kum desert. Our accommodation will be in traditional yurts.

Day 5 & 6

After an early start to capture the desert at sunrise, we will drive through the countryside, stopping off at small markets and meeting village farmers. Our destination? The incredible city of Khiva. We will meet local artisans and be able to climb on top of the city wall for an incredible view as the sun sets.

Another early morning start will allow us to capture the ancient streets at blue hour. After breakfast we will have a guided sightseeing tour of the open-air museum-like city known as Khiva, which is believed to have been founded by the son of Noah.

Khiva is the most architecturally intact city on the silk road. The intense green-and-blue tilework ranks as some of the most magnificent in Central Asia.
Day 7 & 8

Day 7 will see us departing Khiva for Bukhara, where we will explore the old quarter. With over 300 mosques and a network of backstreets to explore away from the tourists, Bukhara has much to offer. The 2500 year old city of Bukhara, the second UNESCO site on this tour.

We will visit many of the highlights, such as Ismail Somoni Mouseleum - a 10th-century unique monument, Boloi Havuz Mosque - a functioning central mosque of Bukhara, Poikalon Complex - the highlight of the city that includes the Kalon Mosque and Minaret, and the Mir-i-Arab Madrassah.

There will also be time for an image review, with Tom offering one-to-one critiques of your images so far.

Day 8 is going to be a real highlight! We have been invited to a small village where we will have the chance to photograph a genuine wedding in rural Uzbekistan as well as participate in the local customs and traditions.

Day 9 & 10

On day 9 we will continue to explore the streets of Bukhara before departing via a fast train to Samarkand. We will arrive in time to photograph Registan Square, the most famous landmark in Samarkand, and possibly the whole country. We will capture this remarkable building at sunset and stay for the blue hour.

An early start will take us to visit some of Samarkand's highlights, including Sha Zinda Necropolis, Bibikhanum Mosque and the Amir Temur Mauseleum Gur-e Amir complex.
Day 11, 12 & 13

On day 11 we will head into the countryside to explore village life, and take a short hike to explore nature and meet the locals.

By the evening we will have made our way back to Samarkand for a final farewell dinner before our departure early the following morning.

This itinerary is subject to change

MAGNIFICENT JOURNEY

After two inspirational tours with Tom, I won't hesitate to join again. Both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are magnificent countries to visit. The people are kind and generous (and photogenic). The trip was well planned and there was excellent guidance. Thank you for a memorable experience!

Testimonial from Louise V Participant in the Uzbekistan Photo Tour 2022

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THE TRIP WAS PERFECT

I had the privilege to join Tom and on this incredible trip to Uzbekistan. When I was first invited to join the group I thought, will it be dangerous? Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Uzbekistan is a country full of extremely inviting people with ready smiles...Tom took us to places that I could have only imagined, from barren lands where we spent time in a yurt and were entertained by local people to the magnificent UNESCO sites and cities full of history and culture. Tom is a great teacher and took time out to help each and every one of us. No question was ever too ‘silly’ to ask. I would not hesitate to join him on another photography tour. Everything was well planned and not rushed. The trip was perfect until the end when we had to say goodbye; goodbye to the people and country of Uzbekistan and goodbye to our group. But wait! It’s never goodbye. I now have friends around the world and hope to travel with them again one day. Until then…..

Testimonial from L vg Participant in the Uzbekistan Photo Tour 2022

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Getting There

Fergana has international flight connections from many parts of Asia. For European and American travellers, the most popular routes are via Istanbul. Upon your arrival at the airport, our guide will be waiting to transfer you to the hotel.
Visas

Uzbekistan offers visa-free entry to many countries, including Canada, Europe and Australia. US citizens are required to apply for an evisa at the cost of $20 (at the time of writing). We will help you with this simple process with no additional cost.
Accommodation During The Tour

We will stay in a variety of accommodation during the tour. All accommodation will be of a very high standard for the region. There will be modern bathroom facilities and air-con at all hotels. The only exception, and a real highlight of the tour, will be the one night we spend at a yurt camp in the desert.
Weather

May and June are amongst the best times to visit Uzbekistan, the weather will be warm and dry. Temperatures are estimated to be between 27°C-32°C (70°F-90°F) during the day and around 15°C (59°F) at night. This period also sees very little rainfall. Sunrise will be around 05:30 and sunset 20:30.
Food & Drink

All meals are included throughout the duration of this tour. Uzbek cuisine is hearty, rich and delicious. Most meals are grain based, so bread, rice and noodles are of major importance. Meals are usually accompanied by a variety of fresh salads. Please note, water and soft drinks are included with meals but alcohol is not.
Electrical Supply

Electrical sockets are circular 2 pin type, as used throughout Europe (type c and f). Voltage output is 220v at 50Htz. Make sure you bring adaptors if required. There will be ample opportunities to charge batteries throughout the trip.
Internet Connection

Outside of urban areas phone coverage can be rather limited or non-existent, however all accommodation will have Wi-Fi facilities available (excluding the desert yurt camp).
Not Included
- International air fares
- Visa application fee (if required)
- Medical or travel insurance – mandatory to join our trip, we use and recommend World Nomads
- Personal expenses
- Excess baggage fees that may be incurred at the airport
- Food and drink not specified in the program
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for guides and drivers

I really enjoyed taking this trip with Tom!
The places were fantastic with incredible photo opportunities.
Tom is kindly always available to help and support anyone with their photography, I got so many tips and learned so much!

Giulia V, Food Photographer

Wow, what an adventure! Tom and his team organized a world-class photography expedition, jammed packed with opportunities for pro photographers, or beginners, with a passion for exploring the road less traveled. Tom is a true professional and a pleasure to travel with.

This trip really raised the bar for photography adventures.

I highly recommend Tom's Photography Tours.

Ron C, Participant. Kyrgyzstan 2021

BOOK YOUR PLACE

A $500 deposit is required to confirm your participation. Send us a message to arrange payment and reserve your spot.

You will be able to pay the deposit via

PayPal or credit card.

Tour Cost $4095USD

Single supplement $500USD

-- ALL INCLUSIVE --

Deposit $500USD

I'm interested, tell me more

Interested? Have a question you want to ask before you commit?

We totally understand, so lets have a quick one-to-one call

and sort out any issues just send us a message.

ABOUTTOMBOURDON

Professional Photographer/Educator

Tom is a multi-award-winning travel photographer specialising in recording cultural festivals & celebrations across the globe. He has won the Wanderlust/Nikon Professional Travel Photo of the Year Competition, the PDN World in Focus competition, selected as the Editor's choice in the Travel Photographers Society awards and has been a finalist in the Travel Photographer of the Year competition 8 times.

Tom's work has appeared in numerous international magazines, newspapers, guide books and publications, such as the National Geographic Traveller, The Sunday Times, The Independent, Wanderlust, Hello magazine, P&O, Insight Guides and Microsoft. Tom is also the Top Guru at Gurushots, where he continues to educate and inspire photographers of all abilities.

POLICIES

Booking & Cancellation Policy

BOOKINGS

$500 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your place on the tour.
50% of the remaining balance ($1797.50) to be paid by bank transfer before 30th December 2022.
Remaining 50% ($1797.50) to be paid by bank transfer before 31st March 2023.

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations before 30th December 2022.. loss of the deposit.
Cancellations between 30th December 2022 and 31st March 2023.. 50% charge (plus loss of the deposit).
Cancellations after 31st March 2023.. 100% charge.

In the unlikely event that we cancel the tour for any reason, your money will be refunded in full. Refunds will not be made for any other costs you may have incurred as a result of your booking.

Failure to meet the payment schedule may result in cancellation and forfeit.

Travel insurance is mandatory for this trip. Participants will be asked to provide details of a policy that protects against any loss, cancellation costs, medical expenses and repatriation 2 weeks prior to the start date.

Terms & Conditions

Basis of Rates: All prices are based on two people sharing a room. All prices and fares are quoted in US Dollars. Extra charges may apply for early check-ins / late check-outs and transfers at unsocial hours.

Eligibility: Participants must be aged 18 or over.

Included in Tour Cost: Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary, educational materials, pre-departure information and sightseeing as included in the itinerary, all ground transportation considered as part of the tour, transfers to and from flights where applicable, lecturers, guides and internal airfare.

Not Included: International air transportation and related fees (except as indicated in the itinerary), activities noted as optional in the itinerary, gratuities, passport and visa expenses, baggage/accident/cancellation insurance, personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone calls, excess baggage and alcoholic beverages...) and any other items not specifically noted as included.

Minimum Participants: The tour will not be confirmed until there are a minimum of 5 participants. Please do not purchase flights until the tour has been confirmed.

Accommodations: We reserve the right to change accommodation based on our final attendance count. We typically stay in hotels in the 4-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties and we often look to include some authentic local accommodation or smaller boutique hotels.

Single/Shared Accommodations: A limited number of single rooms are available at an extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. We will assist people requesting a roommate where ever possible. Participants will be notified if a suitable roommate is not available, in which case the single rate will be charged. Single room supplementary is not available in the yurt camp.

Bank Fees: Any bank transfer fees will need to be paid for by the participant.

Covid 19: It is expected that by the start date most Covid-19 restrictions will have been lifted and the tour will take place as laid out above. In the event that the tour is unable to go ahead due to Covid-19, the tour will be rescheduled for May 2024. If, for any reason, participants are unable to attend the 2024 tour, then a full refund will be issued. In the case of exceptional circumstances where Tom is unable to lead the tour, a professional photographer of similar standing will fill in as required.

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