This was a workshop like no other. From the opening day in Bishkek, we were transported into another world. Kyrgyzstan is a photographer’s dream. Over 10 action packed days we experienced everything from vast grassy plains and braided rivers of extraordinary colour and pattern, to the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the high Tien Shan mountains. Woven throughout it all were the Kyrgyz people - kind, generous, and deeply welcoming. It was a real privilege to visit this remarkable place.

Through his deep connection to the region and its people, Richard has crafted a photographic workshop of a lifetime. His knowledge, passion for teaching, and attention to detail are evident throughout, guiding you from one jaw-dropping location to the next. Working alongside exceptional local guides, the trip runs seamlessly and offers a deeper connection to both landscape and culture. Soviet truck, horseback, luxury bus, on foot - every mode of transport becomes part of the adventure!

You will be blown away by the natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan and captivated by the people you meet along the way. With Richard’s careful planning and local knowledge, you are consistently placed in excellent situations to make strong images. He provides guidance when needed, while allowing the freedom to explore and develop your own approach. Whether you are building a portfolio or refining your work, the trip naturally leads to a noticeable step forward in both confidence and results. Richard fits a huge amount into a relatively short trip, so if you are ready for early starts, late finishes, and the kind of shared experience that creates lasting memories from an incredible country, this workshop is for you.

The photography tour with Richard & Visit Karakol was fantastic. Every detail was thought of and I did not have to worry about any logistics. Whether it was airport transfers, food (lots of food - very well fed & accommodating to a vegetarian), sleeping arrangements, hotels, setting up tents, laundry, and filtered water supply, everything was taken care of.

Richard takes time to meet with every individual on the trip and tailors the photography lessons based on your own experience. He encourages you to try new techniques and is open to any ideas you might have. He is keen to share his knowledge of photography and looks for opportunities that connect with each persons style.

This is truly a hands on tour and the locations, staff, and fellow travelers are all top notch. We had a variety of folks from different countries, experience levels, and interests and we all got along so well. The group dynamic with Richard & Aidar meshed together beautifully.

I would highly recommend anyone to visit Kyrgyzstan once in their life and to take full advantage of the photo tours and adventures Richard & Visit Karakol have put together.

Kyrgyzstan – and Richard Watson’s Kyrgyzstan in particular – is a sight, an experience and an opportunity unlike any this avid traveller and hobbyist photographer has had the pleasure of before.

The country – one only recently opened up with any kind of convenience or real access – still has the remoteness and unfamiliarity that travellers and photographers both crave. “There must be reasons why tourists generally, and particularly those from the West, don’t travel to central Asia, this vast area of the globe”, I remember thinking – in fact it was a main driver of why I wanted to visit. But believe me, I found none. Quite the opposite.

In one day, you can see arid, desert-like canyons and rippled, rocky waves of untouched, folded geometric rock formations that would go on forever were it not for the vast snow-capped mountains that rise to meet the horizon. In the same day, you can be up among those same mountains, with the mood and feeling of the place changing minute by minute as the sun plays with unpredictable beauty on the saw-like edges of the surrounding mountains.

In such a small country and in such a relatively short space of time, experiencing desert, arid rock, alpine, temperate, high mountain and lake-side yurt camps which feel like a brief beach holiday sojourn, is simply remarkable. Some of it is hard work, some of it feels a million miles away from home, and all of it is remarkable.Were it not for Richard’s experience – both as a photographer, his familial connections via his long-term Kyrgyz partner to the country and his many trips there – doing all this in 10 days would be impossible.

Personally, I am not a tour-group kind of traveller. I either go on holidays with friends, with family or ‘travel’ on my own. This has changed my mind. With a group of seven – from six different countries – you expect people pulling in different directions and each with different ideas of what they want. While this inevitably happens, none of it is negative. Each has their own vision, experience and ideas of what they want to see and capture, and Richard was always there – how, I’m still not quite sure – to lend advice and to suggest his idea of the best way of doing things.

The country, tour and set-up is incredible. If you want to see somewhere different, fit in all of the above within 10 days and have the time of your life, I wouldn’t look past this tour. It will change the way you look at photography, central Asia and – quite possibly – the world, and leave you with an insatiable hunger for more. Do it.

I had wanted to get to know Kyrgyzstan for a long time and when I saw the opportunity to do so with Richard, I didn't hesitate to jump in.

The experience has exceeded my expectations in every way: the organization has been perfect, combining hotel nights and camping nights; Transportation vehicles, including horses, have always been ideal for each occasion; The stars have come together to form a group of people, each with a different uniqueness that has brought to the whole a bond that we will not forget; The local Visit Karakol staff who have guided us, helped us transport our excess weight, fed us and protected us have also been exquisite and always cordial.

In short, a 5-star tour that we will hardly forget because together we will all be able to create some images to share among ourselves and show those we love proudly! Richard is loving and a great professional who teaches you everything he knows without keeping any hidden secrets to himself and with him I think we have all learned something more to make our photos better.

Visiting Kyrgyzstan with Richard was truly an amazing adventure. His love and passion for this beautiful country and their people is contagious. It’s much more than a photo tour. It’s a once in a lifetime life trip filled with so many memories like staying in yurts amongst the mountains, horse riding through beautiful trails and rivers and meeting local nomadic shepherds and families who are truly welcoming.

We were very well looked after, from all transportation, hotel breaks and awesome food. Richard was great with sharing all his photography knowledge and personally helping me with composition ideas and even after the trip is there to share editing tips/tricks and review your images.

Thanks Richard and look forward to the next adventure. Jonny

"Life-Altering Experience"

If I had to sum up my recent journey to Kyrgyzstan in a few words, I'd go with "life-altering." Before this trip, Kyrgyzstan was just a name I'd never heard before, let alone locate on a map. Yet, I can't express how thrilled I am that I embarked on this adventure with Richard. Planning a trip to a place halfway around the world can be incredibly nerve-wracking, but Richard made it a breeze. All I had to do was get there.

Right from day one, Richard's deep knowledge of the country became evident, and it stayed with us throughout the entire ten-day journey. He had a knack for taking us to the most remote and breathtaking corners of Kyrgyzstan, something that would have been quite challenging to pull off on our own. No need to fret about travel logistics, finding camp spots, or even worrying about our next meal; Richard and the expert guides he had picked had it all covered.

As a professional photographer who usually shies away from photo tours, I can confidently say that I'd jump at the chance to book this tour again without a second thought. It truly was an unforgettable experience that left an indelible mark on my photography journey.

I’d highly recommend Richard’s Kyrgyzstan tour. The country itself is epic. White peaks glitter off in the distance as soon as you arrive off the plane. Just emerging onto the Western radar there isn’t really the infrastructure here to facilitate independent travel to remote and spectacular areas.

With his knowledge of Kyrgyzstan Richard’s put together a tour that visits some exceptional locations. The organisation of the tour, facilities and food provided when in civilisation and when camping was fantastic. Richard is also great at offering his experience and skills to help participants with composure, conditions, settings etc. I’ll treasure my memory of the sun rising over the mighty Karakol Peak forever.

It was an incredibly beautiful and exciting trip through Kyrgyzstan. I will always remember it fondly. I can take fantastic images home with me and am already looking forward to the edited photos.

Richard supports each participant individually to achieve the best possible photographic results. The schedule is tightly organized and the available time is used optimally. The vehicles and staff were always on time, the logistics worked perfectly. The tour was very well coordinated so that you could also relax after the 2 strenuous days in the mountains.

There were also several opportunities to experience Kyrgyz traditions and the great people in the country. It was simply wonderful......

D A N K E ❤️

The trip of a lifetime I almost missed due to a bird strike causing a flight delay, but thanks to Richard's calm assistance and my friend's quick arrangement of another flight, I made it just in time.

Joining the photography tour with Richard and Visit Karakol turned out to be an incredible experience. Every logistical detail, from airport transfers to food, and accommodations was flawlessly handled, allowing us to focus entirely on photography.

Richard's personalized approach to teaching was impressive. I gained new insights and photography techniques. He made an effort to connect with each participant, tailoring lessons to our individual styles and encouraging creative experimentation.

The tour featured breathtaking locations and a wonderful group of travellers from various backgrounds. The dynamic among the group was fantastic, making the experience even more enjoyable. The entire trip was well organized, and I loved every moment of it.

I highly recommend visiting Kyrgyzstan and joining one of Richard and Visit Karakol's photo tours. It's an adventure you won't want to miss!