Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, Tajikistan welcomes bird photographers with its breathtaking mountain ranges, expansive deserts, and pristine lakes. Our Tajikistan Bird-Photo-Tour unlocks many avian treasures including both Tibetan Snowcock as well as Tibetan Sandgrouse plus many other unique bird species, such as Guldenstadt’s Redstart, Wallcreeper and Himalayan Griffon. This Bird-Photo-Tour will also focus on close photographic encounters with Large-billed Warbler, an extremely rare range-restricted bird and a true highlight for bird photographers visiting Tajikistan. This enigmatic species finds its refuge in the enchanting Wakhan Corridor and our Bird-Photo-Tour operating in the month of June offers an excellent opportunity for a portrait of this near-threatened bird. Tajikistan’s stunning landscapes in addition to its remarkable avian diversity promise an unforgettable expedition for bird photographers. Whether you’re a seasoned bird photographer or new to the subject, Tajikistan’s allure will most definitely leave a lasting impression.
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-2 Dushanbe, Capital City, Tajikistan [1N, 0D, 1S]: Arrive Dushanbe International Airport [Overnight: Dushanbe].
Days 2-3 Kulob District, Khatlon Region, Tajikistan [1N, 0D, 2S]: Drive 4-hours 200-km to Kulob Town [Overnight: Kulob]. Photographic Targets: Blue-cheeked Bee-eater / Rosy Starling / Brown Dipper / White-throated Dipper / Euraisn Roller / Creested Lark / Booted Eagle / Turkestan Shrike / Long-legged Buzzard / Red-headed Bunting / White-throated Robin.
Days 3-4 Darvaz District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Tajikistan [1N, 0D, 2S]: Drive 2-hours 100-km to Darvaz [Overnight: Darvaz]. Photographic Targets: Himalayan Snowcock / Tibetan Snowcock / Saker Falcon / Barbary Falcon / Golden Eagle / Eurasian Bee-eater / Pied Wheatear / Finsch’s Wheatear / Variable Wheatear / Red-tailed Wheatear / Desert Wheatear / Tibetan Sandgrouse / Himalayan Rubythroat / Asian Paradise Flycatcher / Egyptian Vulture / Lammergeier / Cinereous Vulture / Himalayan Vulture / Eurasian Griffon Vulture / Large-billed Reed Warbler / Syke’s Warbler / Mountain Chiffchaff / Hume’s Whitethroat.
Days 4-5 Shughnon District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region [1N, 0D, 2S]: Drive 5-hours, 250-km to Khorog [Overnight: Lal Inn]. Photographic Targets: as above.
Days 5-6 Ishkashim District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region [1N, 0D, 2S]: Drive 4-hours, 180-km Yamchun [Overnight: Ishkashim District]. Photographic Targets: as above.
Days 6-7 Murghob District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region [1N, 0D, 2S]: Drive 4-hours, 200-km Yamchun [Overnight: Murghob District]. Photographic Targets: as above.
Days 7-8 Shughnon District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region [1N, 0D, 2S]: Drive 5-hours, 250-km Khorog [Overnight: Shughnon District]. Photographic Targets: as above.
Days 8-9 Darvaz District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Tajikistan [1N, 0D, 2S]: Drive 2-hours, 100-km Khorog [Overnight: Darvaz District]. Photographic Targets: as above.
Days 9-10 Dushanbe, Capital City, Tajikistan [1N, 0D, 1S]: Drive 4-hours, 200-km Khorog [Overnight: Dushanbe].
Day 10 Dushanbe, Capital City, Tajikistan [0N, 0D, 1S]: Transfer to Dushanbe International Airport [END].
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Jorj is an ornithologist and professional illustrator. Born in a small town in the Khentii mountain range of eastern Mongolia, Jorj grew up birdwatching in the beautiful Kherlen river valley and Khurkh-Khuiten wetlands, leading his first classes in bird illustration in early high school. While at the National University of Mongolia, Jorj conducted research on illustrating birds in the field, including at bird-ringing stations. He has served as a field ornithologist and expert on a number of research projects including “Birds of the World” and “Migratory Birds of Prey” and also as a bird guide on a number of bird photography tours. As part of the process of illustrating birds, Jorj has also become an accomplished photographer too, using his bird images captured in the field to provide direction during the bird illustration process. As a consequence, Jorj combines an expert knowledge of the birds of central and eastern Asia, alongside professional bird illustration and bird photography skills, plus experience operating as a bird guide on numerous bird photography tours throughout the region.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) Many of the locations are at altitude from 3,500-4,500m (v) There is no camping. Summary: because this trip is at altitude, it has been therefore been graded as 'Medium'.
