Enquiry · Kazakhstan · Kyrgyzstan · Tian Shan
Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan · Photography in the Tian Shan mountains
19 May 2027 – 28 May 202710 days / 9 nights1650 EUR per person
A journey through the culture, landscapes and photography of two countries, from Almaty to Bishkek. Charyn’s red canyons, Kolsai Lake, Altyn-Arashan’s mountains, the southern shore of Issyk-Kul and Song-Kul at 3016 metres, alongside local encounters and nomadic life. Henrik accompanies the journey as a Hungarian-speaking coordinator and photographer. No professional equipment or photographic experience is required: join with your phone or simply for the journey. The shared programme runs from 19–28 May; allow 18–29 May including flights.
The 1650 EUR per-person fee includes every accommodation night, including the final night needed for return travel. There is no extra accommodation charge for that night. The final return flight is agreed with the group.
Our personal discussion starts here. Tell me a little about yourself and what you are looking for from this trip.
Submitting this form is an initial enquiry. Participation is confirmed through the travel agreement and the payment specified in it.
Itinerary, price and additional costs
- Included in the price
- The full 10-day shared Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan programme. All local transport and transfers in the itinerary, including airport transfers. Accommodation throughout the journey; breakfast and dinner. Local guide and interpreting. Hungarian-speaking tour leadership and local coordination. Photographic guidance and support throughout the trip. National park, museum and other entry fees listed in the itinerary. 4×4 transfer to Altyn-Arashan and use of the hot springs. Traditional eagle-hunting demonstration and archery. The riding activities and local riding guide listed in the itinerary. Yurt accommodation at Song-Kul. The cultural activities listed in the itinerary. A shared online briefing and introductions before departure.
- Special costs
- Budapest–Almaty and Bishkek–Budapest flights. Lunches. Travel and accident insurance. Alcoholic drinks. Individual activities and personal expenses. Each participant buys flights in their own name. Henrik helps select flights that fit the group’s plans.
- Final / additional night
- The 1650 EUR per-person fee includes every accommodation night, including the final night needed for return travel. There is no extra accommodation charge for that night. The final return flight is agreed with the group.
- Programme and conditions
- Planned travel: Budapest–Almaty on 18 May; ten days together from 19–28 May; return from Bishkek on 28 or 29 May depending on the final flight. Exact flight times are agreed when the group is finalised. Day 1, 19 May: Almaty — Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, a museum and the panorama from Kok-Tobe. Day 2, 20 May: Charyn Canyon — walking and photography; onward to Saty for a homestay night. Day 3, 21 May: Kolsai Lake, overland Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan border crossing, Karakol’s Dungan mosque and wooden Orthodox church. Day 4, 22 May: by 4×4 to Altyn-Arashan; mountains, rivers and hot springs, with accommodation in the mountains. Day 5, 23 May: Jeti-Ögüz’s red rocks and Broken Heart Rock, then back to Karakol. Day 6, 24 May: the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, Skazka Canyon and Barskoon waterfalls; Bokonbaevo, Kyrgyz music and hospitality. Day 7, 25 May: eagle-hunting demonstration, archery and felt-making in Kochkor; Song-Kul at 3016 metres, overnight in a yurt camp. Day 8, 26 May: exploring Kok-Moinok Canyon on foot, then onward to Chong-Kemin. Day 9, 27 May: Burana Tower and the remains of Balasagun, then Bishkek. Day 10, 28 May: Bishkek, the end of the shared programme and airport transfer. No photographic experience or professional equipment is required. Henrik helps with landscapes, portraits, composition, light and visual storytelling. There will be canyon walks, mountain travel by 4×4, the riding listed in the programme and yurt nights above 3000 metres. The order and individual activities may change with local conditions, weather, roads and photographic opportunities. Safety and realistic daily progress take priority. Before departure, we hold an online meeting and briefing about equipment, photography and practical details.
- Payment and cancellation
- 7. Payment, cancellation and refund terms a) A deposit of 30% of the participation fee, 495,00 EUR per person, is due when booking. The application becomes final when the deposit is paid. b) Full payment is due no later than three calendar months before departure, by 2027-02-19. The balance after the deposit is 1155,00 EUR per person. c) Cancellations must be made in writing; the date received by the organiser applies. Before 2027-03-19, the 30% deposit is non-refundable and any amount paid above it is refunded. From 2027-03-19 until the day before 2027-04-19, 50% of the total participation fee, 825,00 EUR per person, is refunded. From 2027-04-19, during the final calendar month before departure, no part of the participation fee is refunded. The deposit forms part of the participation fee and is not deducted again from the 50% refund. d) The group has a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 participants. If the minimum 5 is not reached, or the organiser cannot provide the agreed arrangements and cancels the trip, all amounts paid by the participant are refunded. e) A participant may transfer their place to another person if that person meets the participation requirements and suppliers can accommodate the name change. Actual name-change or amendment costs are payable by the participant. f) In force majeure or local circumstances preventing safe completion of the programme, the organiser informs the participant without delay. International flight and individual insurance costs are governed by the airline’s and insurer’s terms respectively. g) Purchase flights only after the organiser confirms in writing that the departure will go ahead.
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