Photo tour of the Tien-Shan and the Pamir – “Landscapes” 17 days

Briefing, acquaintance with the guide-photographer. Acquaintance with the program. Overnight at hotel.

Ala-Archa National Nature Park, Location 1. 

In the evening we return to Bishkek. Overnight at hotel.

Today's route goes through mountain passes and high mountain valleys. We will overcome a mountain pass. The road is laid on mountain slopes, forming dozens of serpentines. A magnificent panorama opens from the pass with a classic alpine landscape of the Suusamyr high mountain valley (2600 m), Location 2. Then, our first stop will be in the provincial Talas town. Here is the historical and ethnographic complex “Manas”, Location 3. The Epic Manas is a unique religion poem based on Kyrgyz traditions and culture. Overnight at hotel.

Today we will have a busy day and a good opportunity for photographing. Talas is one of the regions where the culture of nomads is preserved. We will go horseback riding in the National Nature Park Besh-Tash, Location 4. In the national park you can see thousands of different plant species. There are rare animals listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan. In the afternoon we will have an Eagle hunting show – hunting for wild animals with the help of specially trained eagles and falcons. Overnight at hotel.

Our route passes through the Talas range. We will make a dizzying ascent along mountain serpentines, which will lead us to a pass at an altitude of more than 3500 m. After the pass we will get into the valley of the Chatkal River. The unique mountain landscape, rare endemic species of animals and plants, wild untouched places, deep canyons, wide foothill valleys, beautiful lakes and clear rivers, constitute a territory of world importance, and is recognized by the UNESCO as a unique natural heritage. These places are especially attractive for photographers. Today we will take an excursion to the spring lakes, Location 5. The lakes are located on the slopes of the Sandalash range. They were formed as a result of the last glaciation. From here you can see magnificent views of the Chatkal valley and the canyons of the Chatkal ridge. In June when snow starts melting you can see a lot of tulips in the vicinity of the lakes. Here we will conduct birdwatching. Overnight in tents.

In the morning we will visit the local home workshop where felt products and souvenirs are produced, Location 6. Next, we will see how in a relatively short section of our journey there is a drastic change of landscapes. From the mountain zone we descend to the eastern part of the Fergana Valley. Here the climate is hotter and the landscape resembles a savannah. We will arrive here at sunset to capture the evening landscapes of this semi-desert terrain, Location 7. The next morning at sunrise, we will repeat the photo session of already known panoramas and landscapes. We will try to feel the difference between the morning and evening colors of the same semi-desert landscape. From here, the contrasting panoramas of high mountains and the vast Fergana valley open up. Overnight in tents.

At sunrise, from one of the high places of Mount Char-Tash, we can observe and photograph how the colors of the savannah change, Location 8. From here there is an excellent view of the surrounding area. This is a great time to master the techniques of photographing with changing lighting. Here are particularly bright natural colors at the beginning of summer. Rare reptiles live in this area: snakes, turtles, lizards and other animals. Here you can see endemic semi-desert plants. Later, we move to the Arslanbob Reserve. Along the way, we will continue to photograph semi-desert areas, and we will cross the Naryn River. In addition to desert landscapes, we will pass through agricultural areas with cotton plantations. In Arslanbob we will visit a small waterfall. Overnight at guesthouse.

Arslanbob is a unique area where the walnut forest grows, Location 9. This forest is the only relic in the world that has survived from the Tertiary period. Mostly Uzbeks live in Arslanbob. Their sedentary culture and customs are slightly different from the culture of nomadic peoples. Arslanbob is a very popular destination for tourists from all over the world. We will take a walk to a large waterfall and deep into the forest. Further, our route continues to Osh city. The road goes around the eastern part of the Fergana Valley and passes through agricultural fields. On the way, we will stop in the Uzgen City and visit the historical and architectural complex of the 9th century. Overnight at hotel.

The Osh City is an ancient hub in the system of the Great Silk Road. Several cultures of Central Asia have mixed here. The modern development of the city was in the Soviet period. The city is still the center of intersection of modern trade routes between neighboring countries. This is a picturesque city, with a large famous bazaar, where you can see a rich variety of goods, as well as craft shops. We will take a walk to the Mount Suleiman-Too – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Location 10. Overnight at hotel.

Today our route lies to the west along the Fergana Valley. These contrasting places are especially beautiful in May, when poppies bloom on the mountain slopes and white color apricots in the oases. On the way, we can photograph landscapes at the junction of the Alay mountain range and the Fergana valley. Behind Batken we will pass through magnificent geological landscapes. The Mesozoic geological layers are distinguished by different colors and create amazing colorful pictures, Location 11. We will stop in the epic oasis from old thick poplars of Madygen. Overnight in tents.

Today is a creative day for photographers. Madygen is a semi-desert place that is known worldwide among paleontologists. Here nature has created amazingly beautiful multi-colored paintings and various stone sculptures. During the day there is a change of colors and the perception of reality. The territory occupies a large area. In the morning, at sunrise, we can photograph the panorama of the multi-colored slopes, Location 12. We will make several trips. To the valley of fossilized mollusks, Location 13. The fossilized mollusks form entire hills of the Cretaceous period. During the trip from the Chalcedony Mountains to the red canyon, in addition to the magnificent variety of stone forms, we can observe rare desert flora and fauna. In one of the dry gorges, hidden from people’s eyes, the locals mine coal with the help of primitive technical devices. Their work is dangerous, as narrow inclined not deep mines can crumble at any time. Madygen is just amazing! Here you can take pictures of infinitely long new and new places and from absolutely different perspectives. Next we take a trip to the deep canyon. A small river flows through the rocky canyon. In some places, the width of the canyon reaches 1 m. At sunset we will see completely different colors of the same landscape. Return to the camp. Bonfire in the evening. Overnight in tents.

Today we return to Osh. The way back seems completely different. We will pass already familiar places at another time of the day and with different lighting. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Today we will travel through the Alai Range. On the way, we will see valleys, mountain villages, nomads, many yurts, alpine meadows and diverse landscapes. Gradually we leave Tien-Shan and approach the Pamir. Pamir is something amazing, immense and majestic. Here is a great place for panoramic pictures. The altitude of the Alay valley is about 2800 m. These are endless alpine meadows, this is the gateway to the “Roof of the World” – Pamir. The Alay valley is the border between the Tien-Shan and Pamir. Our route will lead us to the alpinist base camp under the seven thousand meter Lenin Peak (7134 m). From here we take an excursion to the glacier. Being on a green glade of Edelweiss and on the edge of a cliff, we can observe how the glacier creeps into the Achik-Tash River from the high mountain slopes of the Pamir. We are embraced by an indescribable sense of our own insignificant existence against the backdrop of these grand mountains. The surrounding landscapes will open from here, Location 14. Overnight in tents.

In the morning we will make an excursion to the Tulpar-Kul Lake, Location 15. There are about 50 lakes in the vicinity of the alpinist camp. These lakes are the result of the last glaciation. Near the lakes you can see rare birds. After lunch we leave the Pamir and return to Osh. Overnight at hotel.

We leave the ancient Osh city and go to the Toktogul reservoir. This artificial reservoir is called the Kyrgyz Sea. Its volume is 19 billion m3. It has a length of about 40 km and a width of 12 km. Our route runs along the Naryn River. The road is paved along a narrow gorge above the river. Overnight at the hotel on the shore of the reservoir.

Today is the last day of our photo tour. Our path passes along the Chichkan gorge. This is one of the most picturesque gorges in Kyrgyzstan. Rising higher in the mountains, the surrounding landscape changes from mountain-forest to alpine. We will stop in the Itagar gorge, where the picturesque mountain lake Saz-Kul is located, Location 16. This place is used by birdwatchers. In Bishkek we will have  a banquet. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport.

• - Meeting and seeing off at the airport
• - Accommodation in hotels 3 * according to the program (double/twin rooms)
• - Tents for accommodation
• - Three meals a day for the whole program
• - Transport according to the program
• - Guide-expert
• - Cook
• - Mobile toilets
• - Equipment for field camps
• - Entrance fees to reserves

• - International flights to Bishkek and back
• - Equipment rental
• - Single room accommodation
• - Cost of visa and consular services
• - Personal expenses in hotel, bar, international calls, etc.
• - Insurance
• - Any changes to the program