Poppy fields of Kyrgyzstan  - Splendor of the Chui valley
Poppy fields of Kyrgyzstan

Splendor of the Chui valley

Poppy fields of Kyrgyzstan
(Splendor of the Chui valley)

What is painting? It’s a reflection of thoughts, feelings, moods, fantasies and attitudes of the artist. The camera will never convey what the artist feels; the camera only captures the moment. But the photo cannot reflect the entire depth of the artist's mood, and only the paints are truly magical because with the help of shades, color transition one can make the picture a reflection of all the deepest feelings of the creator, the state of his soul and the depth of his thoughts.

But where to start? Who should give us the first drawing lessons? Where can we find a person who will show us the right way to the palette, shades and shadows; a person that will let us understand all the charm of the almost invisible edge of color contact and show how subtle can be the difference between the blue sky and the blue shades of the water surface?

In our art journey to the very heart of the Tien Shan, we invite you to plunge into painting revealing your artistic talent and ability to share beauty. And these will be not only artistic colors but the colors of nature, its ability to hook lovers of beauty with its unreal beauty.

Our art journey during the poppies’ and other wild flowers’ blooming will allow you to enjoy all the colors of the spring palette outside the city, which cannot convey the real spring sun in the fog of human activity. We will go with you to the poppy fields in the foothills of the Tien Shan in order to have time to see the reflection of the blue sky in the dew drops at dawn; we will go to the mountain gorges the slopes of which gave themselves up to a green riot of herbs, and we will also visit the Aeolian canyons hiding the early sunrise but instead giving an incredible natural architecture beauty reminding of fairy-tale castles and fantastic heroes. You can wander through these canyons for hours. There are so many different images here that even Dali wouldn’t be able to see so many in his most vivid surrealistic dreams.

On this art tour you will immerse in the unforgettable pleasure of contact with the virgin nature of Kyrgyzstan and receive extraordinary painting lessons that will allow you to rise above the ordinary and paint the world in your own joyful colors. But that's not all! There’s going to be a magical photo session with a professional photographer and many other surprises! So let’s go!

Available Dates

  • May 06-12, 2024 | 6 places Book
  • Individual dates are available. Please contact the program manager.

Trip details

Intensity Level 1
Season Summer
Begins in Bishkek
Ends in Bishkek
Airport out Airport Manas (FRU)
Wildlife Marmots, Birds, Predator birds, Rodents, Hares

Price:

Great for Couples Families Individuals

Red poppies and white Tien Shan mountains are two associations that will immediately take you to the mountainous region. And spring is the time when these two pictures are superimposed on each other and form one, being the hallmark of Kyrgyzstan. In spring, nature wakes up gifting people the beauty of apricot blossoms and delicate shades of first flowers. A riot of colors is mixed with a riot of aromas floating in the air, getting into the hearts and minds of people and filling them with a spring mood. This is the time when you not only want to, but need to create. Join our unique art journey where you will not only see and fall in love with Kyrgyzstan but also learn plein air painting using the unique method of Zhanna Bhasker.

What's Included:

  • Accommodation according to the program (3* hotel in Bishkek and Ethno-hotel n Chon-Kemin) Double accommodation,
  • Comfortable transport along the whole route,
  • Meals - full board,
  • Artistic mentor,
  • Entrance tickets for all excursions according to the program,
  • Easel and chair for plein airs,
  • A set of brushes and graphic materials,
  • Photo sessions from a professional photographer,
  • Folk show in the ethno complex Supara

What's not included:

  • International flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips for staff
  • Any changes in the program
  • The cost of visa and consular services
  • Single occupancy – 200 USD per person
  • Insurance of any kind
  • *** If you cancel the trip in less than 45 days prior to the start, the 30% deposit is non-refundable
Day
1

Bishkek . Arrival in Bishkek, meeting at the Manas airport, transfer to the hotel, accommodation, rest. Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and the largest city in the country. The city is located in the north of the Kyrgyz Republic, in the Chui valley, in the foothills of the Tien Shan. Many places have been preserved and remind of the Soviet period. The influence of the Soviet era is especially strong in the center, where you can see a number of striking examples of Soviet architecture: the Philharmonic, the government building, the Historical Museum, the Victory Monument. Along with them, you will see modern examples of Kyrgyz architecture in the city.

We will have a sightseeing tour of the city; we will visit the main squares of the capital - Ala-Too Square, Old Square and Victory Square; you can stroll through the oak park with an open air art gallery from modern young artists, but most importantly you must definitely visit the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts named after Gapar Aitiev. This is the main artistic treasury of Kyrgyzstan. The art gallery later renamed the Kyrgyz State Museum of Fine Arts was opened on January 1, 1935.

The basis of the museum's collection made 72 works of Russian artists received from the State Tretyakov Gallery personally selected by the founder of the museum and the founder of Kyrgyz painting Chuikov S. A. Since the first Republican exhibition in 1934 the museum's funds have been systematically replenished with the works of Kyrgyz artists. To date, the museum collection has about 18 thousand items in its storage. The structural division of the collection is carried out according to the types of fine arts - painting funds (about 4 thousand exhibits), graphics (about 9600), sculpture (about 1 thousand), arts and crafts (more than 3 thousand).

For dinner, we will go to the Supara restaurant complex, where we will see a lot of interesting things from the life of the Kyrgyz people. We will visit a small ethnographic museum and listen to a folklore show.


Accommodation at the hotel.

Meals – breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day
2

Bishkek, Ala-Archa gorge. On this day, we will go to the Ala-Archa gorge to walk in the mountains, as well as make sketches. The valley of the Ala-Archa River is one of the main attractions of Bishkek surroundings. Here, in a narrow valley, there are so many amazingly beautiful landscapes, waterfalls and unusual rock forms; there’s such a rich flora and fauna that many consider this area a real symbol of the Kyrgyz Range (Ala-Too).

The Ala-Archa gorge is located in the central part of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too ridge, 30 km to the south of Bishkek. On its territory there is the "Ala-Archa" Kyrgyz State Park which was organized in 1976. First of all this place is attractive for its accessibility. A good asphalt road has been laid to the park and it allows you to escape from the noisy city in 40 minutes. In the summer one can hide here from the city stuffiness and bustle in the shade of the gigantic Tien-Shan firs admiring the snowy peaks.

Ala-Archa is translated from Kyrgyz language as “motley juniper”. The gorge got its name due to a great amount of juniper covering its slopes. As different kinds of juniper have different colors the gorge seems to be very colorful. By lunch time we will return to the city and visit Historical Museum.


Accommodation at the hotel.

Meals – breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day
3

Poppy fields. In the morning we will wake up early to have a romantic breakfast and to meet the dawn out in the poppy fields. There we will have a romantic breakfast served right on the flowery meadow. But that's not all. After breakfast, a real photo shoot will be waiting for us. For this, please think over your images, take the outfits in which you would like to see yourself on photos, and we will prepare a place for you to change and will serve a nice breakfast. It will be an amazing morning!

And after the photo shoot we will have a plein air. The evening will be free for walks.

Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Meals – breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day
4

Bishkek – Chon-Kemin valley (170 km / 3h). On this day we will go to the most beautiful national natural park Chon-Kemin. Our road will pass along the Kyrgyz ridge. On the way we will visit the Issyk-Ata gorge, where there is a large stone with the image of Buddha dating back to the 10th century. People come to it to ask for health and make the most secret wishes. In the 19th century, locals sprinkled the stone with water in gratitude for the healing. Above the image of the Buddha there is an inscription in Tibetan. Here we can draw a little in the sketchbook.

Optionally, we can bathe in hot springs. Arrival at the hotel. Rest, dinner and free time.

Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Meals – breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day
5

Chon-Kemin. Chon-Kemin is a unique natural complex, located relatively close to large settlements but at the same time it has preserved natural landscapes from semi-deserts to snowfields and glaciers. You can enjoy the pristine nature of this wonderful place. The valley is fabulously rich in forests: coniferous, formed by relic Tien-Shan spruce. We will have a plein air in the mountains where we can capture the amazing nature of Kyrgyzstan. Today you can also take a short walk in the surroundings and just relax.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Meals – breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day
6

Kok-Moinok canyons. Today we will go to another fabulous place to walk along the beautiful sandy canyons of Kok-Moinok. The walk takes an average of 2 hours. Here again we will arrange a professional photo session among the silent Aeolian castles, created by water, sun and winds for centuries. Plein air on pastel painting.


 Arrival in Bishkek. Free time. In the evening we will make an exhibition at the hotel and gather for a farewell dinner.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Meals – breakfast / lunch (picnic) / dinner

Day
7

Departure. On this day, the car will take you to the airport for your flight home.
End of the program.
 Meals – breakfast

Got questions?

We thought you might. We've prepared some answers to our most commomly asked questions about this trip.

What to pack?

Download this helpful list of suggestions and recommendations for gear for this trip.

Logistics

Get detailed information about how to get here, reservation policies, trip insurance and more.

Need more information? We promptly answer all Your questions!

Trip Gallery

Need more information? We promptly answer all Your questions!

Blog «Asia Mountains»

See more blog from «Asia Mountains»

Gear Rental

Travelling to Kyrgyzstan, but short a few items on your gear list? We offer the «must have» items for rent at reasonable prices.

The best food

Our healthy, flavorful, filling, and nutritious Gourmet Backcountry Cuisine has won multiple awards!

Find your level

Are you ready for one of our amazing trips? Choose the adventure that is right for your activity level.

Follow us:
«Asia Mountains»
720021, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek, Lineinaya str. 1a