Astrophotography Workshop
From 1st June 2024 to 9th June 2024
About Kyrgyzstan:
Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia, lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the capital and largest city of the country. The landscape of country offers an ample opportunity to explore the beauty of nature. The night sky of Krgyzstan, away from city light pollution, brings the cosmos closer to you.
About the Workshop:
Sagittarius Saga will explore the night skies of Kyrgyzstan with the less explored landscapes of Central Asia. An opportunity for beginners to learn the techniques of astrophotography and for experienced astrophotographers to take their astro-photos a level higher. Our mentors will be your friend, philosopher and guide in capturing the beauty of the night sky.
What will be covered in the workshop:
Milky Way Photography (Sagittarius Arm, Cygnus Arm)
Star Trail Photography
Deep Sky Photography
Deepscape Photography
Wide-field nightscapes including constellations, asterisms etc.
Tracking the night sky
Blending (exposure blending, time blending)
Image stacking with Sequator, DeepSkyStacker, Pixinsight etc.
Post-processing with Pixinsight, Adobe Photoshop
Pre-tour virtual session on basics of Astrophotography
Post-tour virtual sessions on pre and post-processing
Itineary:
Day 1 (1st June 2024)
On the first day of our workshop, we will meet everyone at the Almaty Airport, Kazakhstan at 3:30 PM. From there, we will head on to Bishkek (250 kms) and reach our hotel by 9 PM. After check-in at a hotel and dinner, we will take rest for night.
Day 2 (2nd June 2024)
After breakfast, we will start journey towards our first destination Son-Kul Lake (320 kms). Son-kul is a high alpine lake at an altitude of 3016 m. We will check into a traditional yurt and enjoy the sunset. At night, we will have our first session of astrophotography.
Day 3 (3rd June 2024)
After breakfast, we will start our journey towards Tash Rabat (255 kms). Tash Rabat is a well-preserved 15th-century stone roadside inn, at an altitude of 3200 m. We will check into a yurt camp. After some rest, if time allows, we will explore the Tash Rabat in daylight. At night, we will be photographing the night sky with 15th century structure at the foreground.
Day 4 (4th June 2024)
We will spend most of our daytime taking rest and discussing about astrophotography. Post-lunch we will explore the surrounding areas. At night, we will have another session of astrophotography at Tash Rabat region.
Day 5 (5th June 2024)
On our 5th day of the tour, we will head towards our third destination, Issyk-Kul (310 kms). Issyk-kul (1607 m) is the tenth largest lake in the world (by volume). We will enjoy the beautiful sunset there. At night, we will photograph the night sky at the backdrop distant mountains and the lake.
Day 6 (6th June 2024)
After breakfast or post-lunch, we will visit the Fairytale Canyon, a region resembling the landscape of martian valleys and explore the region. Post-dinner, we will head again to the canyon for nightscape photography.
Day 7 (7th June 2024)
Today, we will be heading to our last location of the trip, Barskoon valley (40 kms). The ancient Silk route passed through Barskoon valley (1753 m). At daytime, we will explore the landscape of the green valley and visit a waterfall. At night, we will have our last astrophotography session of the trip from this valley.
Day 8 (8th June 2024)
Today, we will be heading back to Almaty (460 kms) via the scenic Karkyra route. However, if the border remain closed, we shall have to take a longer route (550 kms) via Ak-zol. We will reach Almaty by late evening and check into a hotel. At night, we will enjoy conventional Kazakh cuisine at the famous Navat restaurant.
Day 9 (9th June 2024)
On the last day of our tour, we will bid farewell to each other and head back to our home.
NOTE on Equipment Support
Throughout the tour, we will receive equipment support from our Official Equipment Partner Leofoto and H&Y Filters, and also from Nikon India. Participants will get the opportunity to use the equipment. However, participants will have to bring their own equipment for everyday usage.
What is included
Accommodation in Hotels/ Yurts /Homestays from 1st-8th June 2024 (till early morning of 9th June)
All transfers from Almaty to Almaty
Airport transfer on 9th June 2024 (in availed in early morning)
3 Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) on 2nd-8th June 2024, and Dinner on 1st June 2024
Permit and entry fees to locations mentioned in the itineary (wherever applicable)
Astrophotography training and guidance, both on and off-field
1 Year Membership of Astronomads Bangla Club (worth Rs. 4500)
What is Not included
Flight fares to and from Almaty
Visa and visa-related fees
Health insurance charges
Any extra food, snacks, alcohol or other arrangements (e.g. horse riding etc.)
Shopping
Anything else that is not mentioned in the inclusion list
Equipment Requirement
DSLR or Mirrorless camera
Extra batteries for camera
Wide-angle lens (24mm or less)
Prime lenses like 35mm, 50mm etc. (not mandatory)
Telephototo lenses (not mandatory)
Sturdy tripod with Ball Head
Dew Heater and Power Bank
Headlamp with Red Light
Cost and Payment details
Total cost for one person is Rs. 75,000
Rs. 35,000 to be paid at the time of booking (Non-refundable)
Rest of the amount to be paid in March 2024
NOTES
All accommodation will be in double/triple/quadruple sharing basis
Son-Kul and Tash Rabat are remote places. Expect to have basic amenities in these two locations
We can help you with your booking of flights/trains if you would like to travel with us from India. For such cases, please intimate us by January 2024
If you want any special arrangement, please intimate us at the time of booking (subject to availability and extra payment)
Once all the participants are enrolled, you will be added to a dedicated whatsapp group created for this tour where all the necessary communication will be made
The number of pre-tour and post-tour virtual sessions will be decided on the basis of need and progress, however a minimum of 4 sessions will be hosted, in total
If you have any query, feel free to get in touch via phone, whatsapp or email.