Uzbekistan - Explore The Old Silk Road

Itinerary

Day 1: We will check into hotel in Tashkent and meet in the afternoon for an introduction, briefing and "Travel Photography" workshop.​ We will then have a traditional dinner at an Uzbek restaurant.

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Day 2: Starting early after breakfast, we drive to Fergana, stopping at the Yodgorlik Silk Factory to see the traditional practice of silk making - a wonderful opportunity for candid photography with traditional people. After checking into our hotel and having lunch, we will drive to Andijan to visit the doll makers and blacksmiths.. The dolls and knives are iconic souvenirs in Uzbekistan and we will photograph their traditional craftsmen and women at work.

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Day 3: Following breakfast we drive to Rishton for a photography session at the ceramic factory, another traditional craft in Uzbekistan.

We then continue back to Tashkent, where we visit the local market - Chorus Bazar and photograph some of the iconic underground metro stations with their incredible Soviet-style architecture.

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Day 4: Today we travel by fast train to Samarkand - one of the most beautiful cities! After checking into our hotel, we will have our first visit and photography at the magical Registan complex, with its beautiful mosaics. The mosques and madrasas are some of the most beautiful examples of islamic architecture and a real delight for photography. We will take time to explore each area before photographing sunset and Blue Hour. After sunset there is a light and laser show at Registan that is really quite beautiful to watch.

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Day 5: This morning we return early to Registan for photography with our local model in traditional Uzbek dress. The combination of a long dress and the stunning architecture makes for incredible photography.

Following breakfast we will have a tour of some of the prominent buildings in Samarkand, including Gur Emir Mausoleum and Bibi Khanym Mosque.

After lunch, we have a post processing session at the hotel - we will look at some of the images we have taken so far and discuss editing techniques, as well as suggestions for improving photography for the remainder of the tour.

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Day 6: An early morning visit to another incredibly beautiful complex - Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis. A complex of tombs and mausoleums that are stunningly decorated with blue mosaics tiles. In the early morning it is quite peaceful and local people will come to pay their respects.

Following check out, we will catch the train to our next stop on the Old Silk Road - Bukhara. We will explore some of the buildings of Old Bukhara including Chor Minar, Bolo Hauz Mosque and Lyabi Hauz. We will photograph sunset in Old Bukhara at Poi Kalyan complex.

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Day 7: We will start early again photographing sunrise from inside Kalyan Mosque and Poi Kalyan. In the morning light we will photograph again with our model in different traditional clothing, using the beautiful architecture of Bukhara to create our frames.

Following breakfast we will then drive to Khiva and check in to our hotel.

We will photograph sunset overlooking the beautiful Itchan Kala complex.

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Day 8: This morning we have photoshoot in Khiva with local model in traditional Uzbek outfit.

After breakfast we will visit the local markets of Khiva, taking candid street photos of local shopkeepers and artisans.

After lunch, we will then have a private performance of traditional music and dancing - this colourful display makes for amazing photos and videos. 

We will have sunset from another view of the city for some cityscape photography.

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Day 9: This morning is a relaxing walk around the small but beautiful city of Khiva, with some magical streets photography opportunities. It is a great chance also to grab any last minute souvenirs before the end of our tour.

We will have a debrief and post processing session at the hotel, before checking out and catching our domestic flight back to Tashkent.

It is here we will say our farewells and finish a busy, but amazing experience exploring The Old Silk Road in Uzbekistan.

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