About the Tour

Central Asia is a region that sparks curiosity, intrigue, and adventure. This trip will take you across borders, over high mountain passes, and into remote communities, all while improving your photography skills.

The Silk Road was an ancient network of intercontinental trade routes connecting China and the Far East with the Middle East and Europe. As well as exchanging luxury products like Chinese silk, spices, salt, sugar, jade, and fur, the disparate civilisations connected by the Silk Road also forged deep social, cultural and religious links – a meeting of minds that played an essential role in the development of the region.

You will see this iconic land at its best and if your partner is not a keen photographer, we would invite you to bring her/him along as you will both enjoy the rich photo opportunities as well as an amazing cultural experience and natural wonders of four different countries. With its beautiful light, wild landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Central Asia will feed the imagination of any traveler/photographer.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan. Charyn canyon is considered the little brother of the Grand Canyon in the United States. The erosion made by the Charyn River has created dramatic and impressive landscapes. This region, stretching from Almaty (Kazakhstan’s former capital city) to Lake Balkhash, is known as Zhetisu, meaning Land of Seven Rivers and it is one of Kazakhstan’s most varied regions: from semi-deserts to lush greenery and dense forests, from Grand Canyon-like rock formations to waterfalls and lakes fed by the glacial meltwater of the snow-peaked Tien Shan Mountain range.
  • Explore the atmospheric city of Bukhara in Uzbekistan was once a very powerful Khanate, controlling most of Turkmenistan and the surrounding area. Many of the buildings here are spectacular and well-preserved. Exploring the streets, you really get the feeling that this is how Central Asia was before Soviet domination.
  • Discover historic Samarkand, a city brimming with history that became famous in the 14th Century as the birthplace of the warlord Timur and the capital of his Sultanate.
  • Appropriately known as the ‘Door to Hell’, the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert was first discovered in 1971 by Soviet engineers, who were drilling the area for oil.
  • Photograph the Yangikala Canyons at sunset. Defined by sheer cliffs of white, yellow, ochre, purple and red, the canyon’s name is derived from the Turkem expression “yangi kala”, meaning “fire fortresses” and is a dream location for photographers. Don’t forget your drone!
  • Enjoy three photo shoots with professional models at Chon Kemin, Karakol and an Eagle Hunter with his bird of prey in Bokonbaevo.

THE TOUR DETAILS

DATES

4 – 21 September 2024

DURATION

18 days

TOUR PRICE

USD$13,790 twin share, with an optional single room supplement of USD$1,990.

WHAT’S INCLUDED (main tour)

  • Full 18 day and 17 night tour, photography instruction by Ignacio Palacios
  • All meals (B, L, D) and accommodation in 3 and 4 star hotels, guesthouses and yurt
  • Transfers from and to airports
  • Flights Ashgabat – Turkmenabad – Ashgabat and flight Almaty –Tashkent
  • Boat trip in Karakol
  • Three photoshoots sessions with professional models in Chon Kemin, and eagle hunter with bird of prey in Bokonbaevo and in Samarkand with folk musician and professional model
  • Domestic train/bus tickets
  • Mineral water, all entrance fees to sites and museums, excursions guided English speaking guides, 4WD vehicles, Park/reserve fees

PHOTOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Enjoy one-on-one tuition, guidance and expert advice from a multi-award-winning professional photographer.
  • You’ll learn the secrets to mastering the art of composition and light in your photography.
  • Explore pre-visualisation techniques and learn about the creative process.
  • Learn game-changing editing tips and tricks with special processing workshops throughout the tour.
  • Learn expert techniques for landscape photography, travel photography, wildlife photography and portrait photography. While also working on aerial, black and white, and astrophotography.
  • Should you dream of entering and winning photography competitions, or you simply wish to push yourself as a photographer, I’ll offer you professional critique sessions throughout the tour.
  • You will also experience the powerful mastermind effect of connecting with likeminded photographers and adventure seekers.

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