6-Day Kyrgyzstan Photo Tour from Bishkek
A private six-day photography tour through Kyrgyzstan, starting and ending in Bishkek.
Prices by group size
A private tour: the more people in the car, the lower the price per person.
| Group | Per person | Total for the group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $2820 | $2820 |
| 2 travellers | $1570 | $3140 |
| 3 travellers | $1220 | $3660 |
| 4 travellers | $1020 | $4080 |
Prices in US dollars, for a private SUV tour with a driver-guide. Final cost is confirmed before booking.
Detailed tour program
- Day 1
Bishkek to Song-Kol via Burana and Orto-Tokoy
Burana Tower and Orto-Tokoy
Leave Bishkek at 08:00. Visit Burana Tower, then travel past Orto-Tokoy Reservoir toward Kochkor, with scenic photo stops along the way.
Light lunch in Kochkor and Song-Kol at sunset
Stop for a light lunch or snack in Kochkor, then continue to Song-Kol Lake, around 3,000 m above sea level. Plan to arrive in time for sunset and photograph the lake and mountain scenery in the evening light. Enjoy a walk, a traditional dinner and an overnight stay in a yourt.
- Day 2
Song-Kol to Kaji-Say via Kochkor and the canyons
Travel from Song-Kol to Kochkor
After breakfast, leave Song-Kol and travel to Kochkor for a short snack stop. Continue toward the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, with scenic photography stops along the way.
Ak-Sai and Fairy Tale canyons
Visit Ak-Sai Canyon and then Fairy Tale (Skazka) Canyon for photos. Continue to Kaji-Say for a traditional dinner and overnight stay.
- Day 3
Kaji-Say to Karakol via Barskoon and Jeti-Oguz
Barskoon, Jeti-Oguz and Karakol
Travel from Kaji-Say to Barskoon Gorge for photos. Continue to Jeti-Oguz Gorge and visit its waterfall, then drive to Karakol for the night.
- Day 4
Altyn-Arashan hot springs from Karakol
Hot springs and mountain scenery
Travel from Karakol to Altyn-Arashan. Spend the day enjoying the mountain scenery and hot springs, with lunch during the visit. Descend in the evening and return to Karakol for an overnight stay in a hotel.
- Day 5
Karakol to Bishkek via the south shore of Issyk-Kul
Issyk-Kul south shore photo stops
After breakfast, leave Karakol and follow the southern shore of Issyk-Kul toward Bishkek. Stop at scenic lakeside viewpoints for photographs along the way.
Evening in Bishkek
Arrive in Bishkek for a short evening city tour, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in the city.
- Day 6
Ala-Archa cable car and Bishkek city sights
Morning in Ala-Archa National Park
Leave Bishkek in the morning for Ala-Archa National Park. Ride the cable car into the mountains, subject to operation and weather, and stop at scenic viewpoints for photographs. Have lunch before returning to the city in the afternoon.
Bishkek bazaar, mosque and departure
In Bishkek, visit a local bazaar and a mosque. The six-day tour ends with a transfer to your hotel or Bishkek airport.
This route is designed around scenic photography stops at Song-Kol, the canyons, Barskoon and Jeti-Oguz, Issyk-Kul and Ala-Archa. We allow time at the best accessible viewpoints; exact stops and timing depend on light, weather, road access and the group’s pace.
Route map
- 1Bishkek — start
08:00 departure on Day 1.
- 2Burana Tower
Day 1 stop en route to Song-Kol.
- 3Song-Kol Lake
Day 1 sunset photography and overnight by the lake.
- 4Fairy Tale (Skazka) Canyon
Day 2 red-rock canyon and photography stop.
- 5Barskoon Waterfall
Day 3 waterfall photography stop.
- 6Karakol
Days 3 and 4 overnight base for Jeti-Oguz and Altyn-Arashan.
- 7Altyn-Arashan
Day 4 mountain valley and hot springs; return to Karakol.
- 8Issyk-Kul south shore
Day 5 lakeside photo stop; the exact viewpoint depends on conditions.
- 9Bishkek — Day 5
Evening city tour, dinner and overnight stay.
- 10Ala-Archa National Park
Day 6 mountain views and cable car, subject to operation and weather.
- 11Bishkek — finish
Day 6 city stops and transfer to a Bishkek hotel or airport.
Included
- Comfortable 4x4 SUV / Fuel
- English-speaking guide-driver
- Five nights of accommodation, including a tent night at Song-Kol, and all meals during the tour (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- All planned entrance tickets and national park fees
- Pick-up in Bishkek and final transfer to a Bishkek hotel or airport
- Drinking water
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Activity costs (horse riding and other optional activities)
- Tips for the guide (optional)
What to bring
Why Silk Travel
Exceptional service
A personal approach to every guest and safety throughout the journey.
Dependable SUVs
Air-conditioned 4x4s that reach remote spots, serviced after every tour.
Individual tours
No big groups. Change the route, take breaks, extend the trip.
Certified guides
Trained at the Kazakh Academy of Sports and Tourism.
6-Day Kyrgyzstan Photo Tour from Bishkek: what to expect
This six-day private photo tour starts and ends in Bishkek. On day one, travel via Burana Tower and Orto-Tokoy Reservoir, stop for a light lunch in Kochkor and reach Song-Kol at around 3,000 m for sunset photography. On day two, return through Kochkor before continuing to Ak-Sai and Fairy Tale canyons. The remaining route includes Barskoon, Jeti-Oguz, Karakol, Altyn-Arashan, Issyk-Kul and Ala-Archa.
All six days take place in Kyrgyzstan. The tour returns to Bishkek on day five; after Ala-Archa and the city stops on day six, guests are transferred to a Bishkek hotel or airport.
Photography stops and travel pace
The route combines highland scenery at Song-Kol and Ala-Archa, red-rock canyons, the south shore of Issyk-Kul and a short Bishkek city visit. The programme leaves room for photographs at accessible viewpoints.
Mountain roads, weather and daylight can affect the timing of each stop. The guide adjusts the order and length of photo breaks to the conditions and the group’s pace.
Who this Kyrgyzstan photo tour is for
This tour suits travellers who want time to photograph Kyrgyzstan’s lakes, canyons, villages and mountain scenery. It is a six-day round trip from Bishkek with five overnight stays, including a tent night at Song-Kol and two hotel nights in Karakol.
Best time to go and what to prepare
Access to Song-Kol depends on the season, weather and mountain road conditions. Confirm travel dates before booking. Bring warm layers for the lake at around 3,000 m, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and your camera equipment; the first night at Song-Kol is in a tent.
How to book
Send your travel dates, group size and pick-up location in Bishkek. Tell us whether the final transfer should be to a Bishkek hotel or the airport. We will confirm Song-Kol access, the detailed schedule, accommodation and the final price for your group before booking.
Questions about this tour
Where does the 6-day Kyrgyzstan photo tour start and end?
The tour starts in Bishkek at 08:00 on day one and ends in Bishkek on day six, with a final transfer to your hotel or Bishkek airport. All sightseeing is in Kyrgyzstan.
How do I book?
Choose a tour and send your dates and group size. Once the itinerary and price are agreed, pay a 20% deposit. The remaining 80% is payable on the first day of the tour. Cancellation 30 days or more before the start receives a full deposit refund; cancellation 15–29 days before the start receives a 50% deposit refund; the deposit is non-refundable 14 days or fewer before the start.
Are the tours private?
Yes. Every tour is private, with no large groups, and the itinerary can be adjusted.
What vehicles do you use?
All our vehicles are comfortable, air-conditioned and undergo technical inspections. For groups of up to 4 guests, we use off-road-capable Toyota Land Cruiser or Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs. For 5 guests, we use a Toyota Sequoia SUV. For groups of more than 5 guests, we use a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
What if prices differ by group size?
The price depends on group size. Send your dates and the number of people and a manager will confirm the exact offer.
Photos
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Book this tour
Tell us the dates, group size and places you want to see. A manager replies within an hour with a route and a fixed price.
Prefer a chat? WhatsApp · +7 (701) 740-00-33 · info@silktravel.kz