Kyrgyzstan July 2024
2nd - 10th July 2024
BISHKEK
DAY 1
Our designated meeting point is Manas International Airport.
Following our arrival, we’ll make our way to the capital to unwind at our accommodation.
Soon after, we’ll embark on a captivating city tour, culminating in a warm welcome dinner and an introduction to the exciting journey ahead.
SON KOL LAKE
DAY 2
After a scenic 4-hour drive, we will reach our initial destination: Son Kul Lake.
Our accommodation for the night will be in charming traditional Yurts.
Amidst these unique dwellings, we’ll have the perfect vantage point to capture the mesmerizing beauty of the Milky Way against the backdrop of Yurts and the serene lake.
KEL SUU LAKE
DAY 3
After half a day of driving through scenic roads and a few pit stops to capture images, we will arrive at Kel-Suu Lake.
Nestled near the shores of the lake, our base for this adventure will be traditional Yurts, strategically positioned for stunning mountain views.
This unique accommodation not only provides a cosy retreat but also offers the perfect vantage point to capture the mesmerizing night sky over the pristine landscapes of Kyrgyzstan.
DAY 4
The following day, our adventure continues as we move closer to the lake edge, where a stunning valley view awaits.
This spot is not only perfect for capturing the alignment of the Milky Way but also offers the possibility of capturing reflections on the tranquil lake surface.
Following a long night photography session, we will return to our yurts for a well-deserved rest.
NARYN TOWN
DAY 5
After a few hours of journeying, we will arrive at Naryn town.
Here, we will find refuge for the evening, ensuring a good night’s rest after indulging in delicious local cuisine.
Given the long distances covered by road, it’s imperative that we take a break this evening to split the journey in two.
AK SAY CANYON
DAY 6
After a half-day drive, we will reach Ak Say Canyon, where our lodging awaits in charming local yurts.
Following our arrival, we’ll have the unique opportunity to meet local falconers on horseback, capturing stunning sunset pictures against the backdrop of this picturesque canyon.
As night falls, our adventure continues with a captivating night photography session amidst the rugged beauty of Ak Say Canyon.
FAIRYTALE CANYON
DAY 7
In the early morning, we’ll head on a drive to Mars Canyon for a captivating sunrise photography session, accompanied by skilled eagle hunters on horses.
Following this magical start to the day, we’ll journey to Fairy Tale Canyon to scout compositions for the evening ahead.
After an adventurous day of exploration, we’ll find rest at our nearby yurts.
As the sun begins its descent, we’ll set out again to Fairy Tale Canyon, where we’ll be treated to both a mesmerizing sunset and an enchanting night photography session.
ARABEL PLATEAU
DAY 8
Our final destination on this journey will be the Arabel Plateau, situated at an altitude of 4000m.
Here, we’ll be treated to breathtaking views of mountains adorned with over 50 lakes.
This stunning landscape will be a reflection heaven for the night photography session we have in store. For the night, we will rest in tents, and if luck is on our side, we might even discover the elusive edelweiss flowers.
FAREWELL
DAY 9
Today, we bid our farewells as we transfer back to Bishkek and head to Manas International Airport.
However, for those of you yearning for further adventures, we have an enticing extension to otherworldly locations, demanding days of hiking and extensive drives to reach. The extension is till the 16th of July, some of the spots we will visit are; Karakol Peak, Sary Jaz & Issuk Kul. The extension will cost an additional 2050 CHF.
When signing up for the tour, be sure to inquire about this extension if it piques your interest.
BENJAMIN BARAKAT
I am your host and guide on this tour, co-teaching and hosting with me on this tour will be Sadeq Hayati.
After receiving a full introduction on the first day to Astrophotography we will then prepare you with the knowledge and tools to go out and capture stunning nightscapes and landscape photos just like ours. In the following days, you will shadow us and try to take the exact same compositions as us in order to learn the workflow and the correct way to capture your images. Alternatively, you are free to roam the beautiful landscapes around us and capture your own images where we would then come follow up, give tips, and also our feedback. We will also be doing landscape, sunset/sunrise photography, and so on.
SADEQ HAYATI
Sadeq Hayati is an award-winning Nightscape photographer, Videographer, and author. He has been on a never-ending night venture for more than ten years to capture hidden beauties in nature, especially Nightscapes. He shares his artworks online to inspire others to imagine and admire the night sky and bring awareness about hidden art in astronomy and space.
His work has been featured by the likes of National Geographic, NASA, BBC, Forbes, The Guardian, Wikipedia, Greenwich Royal Observatory and many more.
INCLUDED
– Pick up & drop off at Manas International Airport (Bishkek).
– Transport to all places & expeditions.
– Hotels, Yurts, and tents (Twin Sharing).
– Full Board and one soft drink per meal.
– All permits for photography and passes to national parks.
– Local falconers on horses photography session.
-Local eagle hunters on horses photography session.
– Teaching from Sadeq Hayati & myself (Benjamin).
NOT INCLUDED
– International Flights.
– Visa.
-Snacks out of meal times and additional drinks or alcoholic beverages.
– Travel and health insurance (or any insurance).
– Single room supplement (450 CHF).
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
– DSLR or Mirrorless Camera.
– Sturdy tripod.
– Remote shutter release Cable preferably.
– Wide angle lens with fast aperture preferably for Night & Landscape Photography.
-Long focal lengths or zoom lenses for wildlife.
– Hiking boots.
– Warm jacket as temperatures can drop low at night
– Headlamp.
– Water bottle.
– Sleeping Bag (rental is available also)
– Additional batteries & memory cards.
3900CHF/ EUROS PP
Participation
2nd – 10th July 2024
– The price is 3900 CHF Swiss Francs per person .
– This tour is for all levels of fitness & photography skills.
– The tour is limited to a maximum of 12 participants.
– A non-refundable deposit of 1500 CHF is required to secure your place.
-The outstanding amount is due 90 days before the tour start date.
– Deposits need to be made via Bank Transfer. All details will be sent to you once you have filled out the contact formula at the bottom of the page.
REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY
If a participant decides to cancel their reservation of this photography tour, they can do so at any time by communicating it as soon as possible to the official email address of the organiser at barakatphotography@outlook.com
– However, you should keep in mind that the cancellation by a participant would create management difficulties in bookings as well as the risk of not reaching the minimum number of participants for the trip (and consequently the need to search for a new person).
For this reason:
– The initial deposit of 1500CHF Swiss Francs is non-refundable and non-negotiable.
– If the cancellation request is submitted 90 days prior to the tour no additional cost will be charged.
– If the cancellation request is presented LESS than 90 days before departure, it will NOT be possible to receive a refund of the full booking amount.
– Unless the customer that desires to cancel his booking brings in another person who is willing to take their place by paying the total amount of the trip itself.