01 / THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view.
Explore Kolsai, Kaindy, Charyn and Issyk-Kul for mountain and lake scenery. Explore Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand for squares, madrasas, streets and markets. Visit Darvaza, Ashgabat, Mary and Dushanbe; border, access and activity arrangements are to be confirmed.
Tian Shan lakes and canyons
Explore Kolsai, Kaindy, Charyn and Issyk-Kul for mountain and lake scenery.
Silk Road cities
Explore Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand for squares, madrasas, streets and markets.
Desert and Central Asian cities
Visit Darvaza, Ashgabat, Mary and Dushanbe; border, access and activity arrangements are to be confirmed.
The journey in pictures
Leading photographers: ALVIN Huang →
Destination illustrations · select a photo to explore
02 / IN GOOD COMPANY
A different way of seeing.
Leading photographers
ALVIN Huang · View photographer profile →
ALVIN Huang
Specializes in documentary, portrait and landscape photography. He has explored dozens of intangible cultural heritage subjects and travelled extensively in western China for photographic projects. Each year he leads private, customized leisure photography and travel portrait trips overseas. An experienced retoucher with comprehensive photographic knowledge and advanced digital post-production skills, he has received dozens of provincial-level or higher awards and international awards. Photography journeys He has led groups to Norway, Iceland, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dongba, Semporna, Israel, Jordan, Iran, Indonesian Papua, Namibia, Manado, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Chinese destinations include Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Guizhou.
03 / THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light.
Shooting locations, accommodation and transport are subject to confirmation before departure and may change with the weather.
Daily arrangements depend on weather, transport and local conditions. Unspecified or conflicting details are to be confirmed. Bishkek–Tashkent reference times differ; the Dushanbe–Almaty flight and post-arrival meal and photography connections are to be confirmed.
Itinerary dates and text times without their own zone use: Asia/Almaty。Exact times use your selected timezone; dates alone and descriptions such as “morning” are not converted.
DAY 01Apr 16 · Asia/AlmatyYour departure city–Almaty, Kazakhstan
Participants gather from across China and fly to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Meet the airport pickup service, have dinner, then check into a local hotel and rest. Accommodation: Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent Meals: none
Accommodation:Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 02Apr 17 · Asia/AlmatyAlmaty
After breakfast, drive to Almaty’s famous Shymbulak International Ski Resort. Take three cable-car sections to 3,200 meters for panoramic views of the Trans-Ili Alatau’s magnificent glaciers and photography of snowy mountains and ice. Allow approximately two hours, then return to the city for lunch. Continue urban photography at Panfilov Park, Zenkov Ascension Cathedral, the WWII memorial, the Kazakh Musical Instruments Museum exterior, Green Bazaar, Central Mosque and other sights, focusing on architecture, streets and people. Have dinner and return to the hotel. Accommodation: Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 03Apr 18 · Asia/AlmatyAlmaty–Kolsai Lake–Saty
After breakfast, drive approximately four hours, 280 kilometers from Almaty, to Kolsai Lakes National Nature Park. Kolsai Lake, a ‘blue pearl’ deep in the Tianshan, reflects towering spruce. Walk along the shore or take a boat at your own expense. Have lunch on arrival, then enjoy independent lakeside photography, horse riding or rowing. Have a local dinner nearby and stay at a lakeside hotel, with star photography possible at night. Accommodation: selected local guesthouse in Saty Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:selected local guesthouse in Saty
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 04Apr 19 · Asia/AlmatySaty–Kaindy Lake–Charyn–Almaty
After breakfast, take a local shuttle to another lake in the scenic area, Lake Kaindy, the ‘underwater forest.’ This earthquake-created dammed lake leaves spruce standing in the water like mysterious silver needles. After lakeside photography, return to Saty for lunch, then drive approximately one hour, 90 kilometers, to Charyn Canyon. Walk into the canyon to photograph the famous Valley of Castles, whose red sandstone rivals the Grand Canyon in the United States. Return to Almaty, have dinner and rest at the hotel. Accommodation: Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent Meals: hotel breakfast, lunch at a local restaurant and Chinese dinner
Accommodation:Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 05Apr 20 · Asia/AlmatyAlmaty–Korday–Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast and checkout, take the bus toward Korday, the Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan border crossing. En route, visit Tamgaly Petroglyphs, approximately 170 kilometers northwest in Almaty Region, among Central Asia’s most important prehistoric rock-art sites. It preserves approximately 5,000 petroglyphs, ancient ritual sites, tombs and settlement remains dating from the Bronze Age, around the 14th–13th centuries BCE, through modern times, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Have lunch at the border, enter Kyrgyzstan and continue to its capital, Bishkek. Have dinner, check in and rest. Accommodation: Sofia Hotel, Bishkek, five-star Meals: hotel breakfast, local lunch and Chinese dinner
Accommodation:Sofia Hotel, Bishkek, five-star
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 06Apr 21 · Asia/AlmatyBishkek–Tokmok–Issyk-Kul
Rise early to photograph Ala-Too Square, the White House, the Soviet-era Lenin statue, the National Mosque and more. After lunch, travel approximately one hour, 67 km from Bishkek, to the Tokmok ruins to photograph the thousand-year-old Burana Tower and Suyab ruins. Continue to Issyk-Kul deep in the Tianshan, photograph sunset on arrival and stay at a lakeside hotel. Accommodation: hotel in the Issyk-Kul scenic area Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:hotel in the Issyk-Kul scenic area
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 07Apr 22 · Asia/AlmatyIssyk-Kul–Bishkek–Tashkent
After hotel breakfast, independently photograph snow mountains and villages by the lake. Return to Bishkek for lunch, then photograph Osh Bazaar in the afternoon. Finish in time to reach Manas International Airport for the 19:05 flight, suggested HY778, to Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, approximately 1.5 hours. Check into a local hotel on arrival and rest. Accommodation: Shamsan four-star hotel in Tashkent or equivalent Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:Shamsan four-star hotel in Tashkent or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 08Apr 23 · Asia/AlmatyTashkent–Khiva Old Town
After breakfast, visit and photograph Amir Timur Square, Hazrati Imam Mosque, Independence Square, Tashkent TV Tower, the Central Asian Plov Center and more. Photograph the grand bazaar in the afternoon. After dinner, transfer to Tashkent Railway Station for a premium sleeper train to Khiva Old Town, described as the birthplace of tales from One Thousand and One Nights. Accommodation: premium sleeper train [suggested service 056Ч / 20:30 / 10:52+1] Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:premium sleeper train [suggested service 056Ч / 20:30 / 10:52+1]
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 09Apr 24 · Asia/AlmatyKhiva Old Town
After the train arrives, take the tour vehicle together to Khiva Old Town. Photograph the town and surrounding villages, experiencing the character and glorious history of this Silk Road city as if entering the Arabian fairytale world of One Thousand and One Nights. Subjects: Islam Khodja madrasa and minaret, Muhammad Amin Khan Mosque’s minaret, Muhammad Rahim Khan Madrasa, Tash-Hauli Palace’s religious architecture, Avesta Museum, Itchan Kala walls, Kunya Ark fortress, Stone House Palace, markets and caravanserais, and old-town night scenes. Accommodation: four-star hotel converted from a former Islamic madrasa inside Khiva Old Town Meals: breakfast and lunch; a specially arranged dinner on an open-air restaurant terrace overlooking the illuminated old town
Accommodation:four-star hotel converted from a former Islamic madrasa inside Khiva Old Town
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 10Apr 25 · Asia/AlmatyFull-day photography in Khiva Old Town
Today’s photography is mainly within the old town, so arrange your time freely to suit your needs. Rest and do laundry at the hotel, stroll and photograph the town, or shop for gifts. The entire day is yours to use freely. Accommodation: star-rated hotel converted from a former Islamic madrasa inside Khiva Old Town Meals: hotel breakfast; guests are advised to arrange lunch and dinner independently
Accommodation:star-rated hotel converted from a former Islamic madrasa inside Khiva Old Town
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 11Apr 26 · Asia/AlmatyKhiva–Dashoguz–Darvaza
Rise early and cross from Uzbekistan into Turkmenistan. Transfer to local off-road vehicles for Darvaza, the desert’s Door to Hell. Check into local yurts on arrival and photograph the fiery crater at sunset and blue hour, followed by stars and the Milky Way. Accommodation: yurts in Darvaza Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:yurts in Darvaza
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 12Apr 27 · Asia/AlmatyDarvaza–Ashgabat
Rise early for further photography at the Door to Hell, then drive to Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, the ‘White City.’ Check in and rest, then reach photography locations before sunset to capture the White City’s evening light and enchanting night scenes. Accommodation: Sport four-star hotel in Ashgabat or equivalent Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:Sport four-star hotel in Ashgabat or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 13Apr 28 · Asia/AlmatyAshgabat–Mary
Photograph in Ashgabat throughout the day. Visit an Akhal-Teke stud farm to photograph performances by the renowned ‘blood-sweating’ horses, then drive to Mary in the afternoon for the night. Subjects, time permitting: National Museum, Independence Park, Ruhnama Monument, Neutrality Arch, panoramic Wedding Palace, Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, Ruhy Mosque, Akhal-Teke stables, Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque and more. In the afternoon, drive to Mary, an important oasis city on the ancient Silk Road. Have dinner on arrival and check into the hotel. Accommodation: Mary Hotel, star-rated, or equivalent Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:Mary Hotel, star-rated, or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 14Apr 29 · Asia/AlmatyMary–Bukhara
Visit historic sites around Mary, then cross the border toward Bukhara. Sites, border crossing and timing are to be confirmed.
Accommodation:Mercure Bukhara or equivalent, four-star
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 15Apr 30 · Asia/AlmatyBukhara
Spend the full day in Bukhara, photographing Lyabi-Hauz Square, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasa, historic commercial streets, Ulugh Beg Madrasa, Kalyan Minaret, Ark Fortress, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, traditional family life and blacksmiths striking showers of sparks. Accommodation: Mercure Bukhara or equivalent, four-star Meals: hotel breakfast; guests arrange the other two meals independently, with free photography and free time
Accommodation:Mercure Bukhara or equivalent, four-star
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 16May 1 · Asia/AlmatyBukhara–Samarkand
Rise early to continue photographing Bukhara, including Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Summer Palace. Finish at an appropriate time and drive to Samarkand, the capital during Timur’s rule. Check in and rest, then photograph the city’s symbol, Registan Square, at night, along with Bibi-Khanym Mosque and other cultural landscapes. Accommodation: local four-star hotel in Samarkand Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:local four-star hotel in Samarkand
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 17May 2 · Asia/AlmatySamarkand–Dushanbe
Rise early and drive to viewpoints for Samarkand’s dawn light, then photograph the open-air market in the old town. Afterwards, cross from Uzbekistan into Tajikistan and continue to its capital, Dushanbe. Check into a local hotel on arrival. Accommodation: The Rumi Hotel & Residences, five-star, or equivalent Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:The Rumi Hotel & Residences, five-star, or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 18May 3 · Asia/AlmatyDushanbe
Dushanbe–Main Square–Interior visit and photography at Kohi Navruz–Hisor Fortress–Sunset photography at Dushanbe’s Imam Abu Hanifa Cathedral Mosque. Accommodation: The Rumi Hotel & Residences, five-star, or equivalent Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:The Rumi Hotel & Residences, five-star, or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 19May 4 · Asia/AlmatyDushanbe–Almaty
After breakfast, transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule and fly to Almaty. Meet the guide and have lunch, then photograph the city’s metro and pedestrian streets. After dinner, check in and rest. Accommodation: Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent Meals: hotel breakfast; local lunch and dinner
Accommodation:Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 20May 5 · Asia/AlmatyAlmaty–Return flight
After breakfast, visit a nomadic cultural village near Almaty to photograph yurts, fine horses and hunting eagles and experience Kazakh nomadic culture. Return to the city in the afternoon to buy souvenirs at malls or markets, then arrange dinner and an airport transfer according to time. Conclude the five-country Central Asia photography journey and return to China. Subjects: nomadic culture. Meals: hotel breakfast; lunch and dinner at local restaurants Accommodation: On the plane
Accommodation:On the plane
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 21May 6 · Asia/AlmatyArrival home
Arrive back in China and return to the warmth of your own home. Note: provided the itinerary’s service standard remains unchanged, the accompanying instructor may reorder arrangements according to local conditions. [Reference services] The instructor will take the following flights: International flights: round trip from Guangzhou Outbound: April 16 | CZ3083 Guangzhou–Almaty, Kazakhstan | 16:15 / 19:45 Return: May 5 | CZ3084 Almaty, Kazakhstan–Guangzhou / 21:15–06:25 the following day Flights within the region: April 22 | HY778 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan–Tashkent, Uzbekistan / 18:50–19:10 May 4 | KC132 Dushanbe, Tajikistan–Almaty, Kazakhstan / 18:50–20:35 Train segment: April 23 | 056Ч Tashkent–Khiva Old Town / 20:30 / 10:52 the following day Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Accommodation:End of trip
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefWhere we stay
Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed. Day 1: Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent Day 2: Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent Day 3: selected local guesthouse in Saty Day 4: Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent Day 5: Sofia Hotel, Bishkek, five-star Day 6: hotel in the Issyk-Kul scenic area Day 7: Shamsan four-star hotel in Tashkent or equivalent Day 8: premium sleeper train [suggested service 056Ч / 20:30 / 10:52+1] Day 9: four-star hotel converted from a former Islamic madrasa inside Khiva Old Town Day 10: star-rated hotel converted from a former Islamic madrasa inside Khiva Old Town Day 11: yurts in Darvaza Day 12: Sport four-star hotel in Ashgabat or equivalent Day 13: Mary Hotel, star-rated, or equivalent Day 14: Mercure Bukhara or equivalent, four-star Day 15: Mercure Bukhara or equivalent, four-star Day 16: local four-star hotel in Samarkand Day 17: The Rumi Hotel & Residences, five-star, or equivalent Day 18: The Rumi Hotel & Residences, five-star, or equivalent Day 19: Dedaman Park four-star hotel in Almaty or equivalent Day 20: On the plane Day 21: End of trip
Getting there
以下为参考班次，并非统一或必须搭乘的交通安排。时刻、接送与衔接待与运营方确认。 「 参考班次 」 带队老师搭乘航班如下： 【国际段】：广州往返 去程： 4月16日 CZ3083 广州-阿拉木图（哈萨克）16:15/19:45 回程： 5月05日 CZ3084 阿拉木图（哈萨克）-广州/21:15-06:25+1天 【境外段】： 4月22日 HY778 比什凯克（吉尔吉斯）-塔什干（乌兹别克）/18:50-19:10 5月4日 KC132 杜尚别（塔吉克斯坦）-阿拉木图（哈萨克）/18:50-20:35 【火车段】 4月23日 056Ч 塔什干-希瓦古城/20:30/10:52+1天 预订交通前，请通过本站确认成团及出行安排。
04 / A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included.
Platform service fee to be confirmed
Deposit USD 4,479.19 Original CNY 30,000 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurter / person
Included
Planned hotels, Saty guesthouse, sleeper train and Darvaza yurt stays; room types, standards and bookings are to be confirmed.
Transport: 18-, 30- or 45-seat tour bus, operating no more than ten hours per day;
Guide: one excellent Chinese-speaking guide/tour leader throughout, working no more than ten hours per day;
The number of main meals specified in the itinerary, where listed, excluding drinks;
Admission: initial entry tickets to all attractions in the five countries;
Group travel insurance;
Photography instruction and services from the accompanying instructor throughout.
Not included
All international and overseas flights from participants’ departure cities;
High-speed train air tickets;
Visa or entry processing is additional; applicable requirements and arrangements are to be confirmed.
Single occupancy requires an additional supplement, to be confirmed.
Photography fees within scenic areas, sightseeing outside the itinerary and optional activities;
Driver or guide overtime is additional; daily service hours, charging units and amounts are to be confirmed.
Any other expenses not mentioned under inclusions;
Guide and driver tips;
In exceptional circumstances involving force majeure, such as natural disasters, war, strikes, airline delays or cancellations, or consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary. Additional expenses, including visas, accommodation, meals, transportation, or national airfare adjustments, may be charged at expenses. We will nevertheless do everything within our ability to minimize participants' losses;
All hotel items requiring additional payment, including meals excluded in some itinerary sections;
Other unspecified additional service fees and personal expenses;
Taxes.
Service fees, supplements, taxes and the final total are subject to written confirmation.
05 / BEFORE YOU GO
Clarity before departure.
Availability and registration
Register your interest in this trip. Group operation, availability, total payment and booking terms are to be confirmed with the operator.
Cancellation and breach provisions
Before departure, participants and the organizing team may sign a written travel contract or give notice terminating the trip agreement. The contract is legally binding. If termination is requested more than 30 days before departure, excluding day 30, neither party is liable for breach. Days are calculated by subtracting the date the termination notice is received from the departure date; the same calculation applies below. If the organizing team terminates the agreement, all travel fees must be refunded without deducting visa or entry-permit fees. If a participant terminates after a visa or entry permit has been processed or a flight booked, the relevant visa, entry-permit and flight cancellation charges are deducted. The organizing team must refund the travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the termination notice. If either party terminates within 30 days of departure, including day 30, the terminating party bears liability for breach. [Liability of the organizing team] If the organizing team terminates the trip agreement within 30 days of departure, including day 30, it must refund all travel fees without deducting visa, entry-permit or similar charges, and pay compensation according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: compensation of 2% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: compensation of 5% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: compensation of 10% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: compensation of 15% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: compensation of 20% of the total trip fee. If this compensation does not cover the participant's actual losses, the organizing team must compensate those actual losses. The organizing team must refund the full trip fee and pay compensation within 5 working days of receipt of the cancellation notice. [Participant liability] Participants terminating the agreement within 30 days of departure must pay the organizing team a business-loss charge according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: 5% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: 15% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: 70% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: 85% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: 90% of the total trip fee; If these percentages do not cover the organizing team's actual losses, the participant must compensate the actual losses, up to the total trip fee. After deducting the business-loss charge, the organizing team must refund the remaining travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the participant's cancellation notice.
Trip information
[Registration] Registration for this trip is confirmed upon receipt of the deposit. [Transport] 1. Flights booked by the organizing team are economy-class group tickets. Once issued, they cannot be endorsed to another carrier or refunded. 2. Actual flight, driving and boat travel times on the day apply. 3. Airlines and flight schedules above are for reference only. Changes to flight times may require minor itinerary adjustments; the departure notice takes precedence. [Accommodation] The amount is based on 2 people sharing 1 room. We will try to pair solo participants with another participant of the same gender. Participants who do not wish to share, or cannot be matched, must pay the single supplement for a room of their own. [Group meals] We try to choose meals suited to Chinese tastes and ensure that every guest receives an adequate portion. [Photography] 1. Photography activities follow the itinerary. In exceptional circumstances, time spent photographing each location will depend on the actual conditions that day. 2. Please read this itinerary carefully and choose a photography trip suited to your circumstances. If you give up part of the itinerary for personal reasons, including health, or request to forgo accommodation or transport, this is considered voluntary withdrawal. expenses already incurred are non-refundable. You are responsible for your personal safety while not participating in the itinerary. 3. Participants may not leave the group without permission during group photography activities, except during free time. Leaving partway through the trip is considered a breach by the participant. Unused photography activities, meals, accommodation and vehicle services are non-refundable, and the organizing team is not responsible for accidents occurring while the participant is away from the group. 4. If force majeure events such as typhoons or blizzards prevent travel according to the agreed itinerary, additional or reduced expenses following changes will be settled according to the travel agency's actual group operating expenses. [amount adjustments] the organizing team reserves the right to adjust amount if major fluctuations in international fuel markets cause substantial increases in fuel surcharges. If the increase is within what we can absorb, the trip fee will not be adjusted. [Departure notice] 1. The departure notice will be sent no later than 1 day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed earlier, we will notify you as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the departure notice, the departure notice takes precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from organizing or arranging optional activities at additional expenses, guests wishing to join such activities should contact the service provider themselves for information, amount and participation. If language difficulties lead you to ask a guide or tour leader for additional assistance, any paid or unpaid help is provided solely in that person's individual capacity, not on behalf of the organizing team or the local receiving agency. the organizing team has no involvement in the expenses, transaction amount or service standards of free-time activities; guests bear the outcomes themselves. Some images above were provided by local ground handlers and instructor Chen Mingjie; they will be removed upon notification of infringement.
Photography credits
Most photographs: Chen Mingjie, Central Asia.
Fitness, equipment and conditions
Equipment and fitness requirements will be provided by the operator.