Rent of guest houses and hotels in the village of Zhabagly -
Rent of horses in the village of Zhabagly for a walk around the reserve -
The village of Zhabagly (former Novonikolaevka) is a quiet corner at the foot of the Talas Alatau, a gateway to the world of wild nature and the oldest reserve in Kazakhstan - the Aksu-Zhabagly reserve. The village, located at an altitude of about 1100 meters above sea level, is surrounded by picturesque hills, green pastures and snow-capped peaks that are visible from the outskirts. Zhabagly is not just a populated area, it is a place with a special energy, where man and mountains, nature and tradition meet. Most of the tourist routes to the reserve begin here, and it is from here that a real journey to glaciers, gorges, petroglyphs and high-mountain lakes begins. The route to the famous Aksu canyon starts from the village, along which the beautiful mountain river Aksu with turquoise water flows. Also from the village there is a multi-day route to the mountains at an altitude of over 3000 meters above sea level to the Kaskabulak petroglyphs. From the village there is a 12-kilometer route to the Kishi-Kaindy gorge, which contains the most beautiful cascade waterfall Kishi-Kaindy. Routes to the Darbaza tract and the Koksai gorge also start from the village of Zhabagly and are very popular.
How to get there and visit -
The village of Zhabagly is located 102 kilometers from the city of Shymkent, 135 kilometers from the city of Taraz, Tyulkubas district, Zhabagly rural district, Turkestan region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 42°26'16"N 70°28'41"E
Information -
The village of Zhabagly has a rich history. Previously it was called Novonikolaevka, but returned to its historical name Zhabagly, in honor of the river of the same name, which originates in the mountains and carries its waters through this entire amazing land. The population of the village is small - a little more than two thousand people, mostly Kazakhs, living in the traditional rhythm of rural life. Everything is simple here: people are friendly, the air is fresh, the sky is starry, and time seems to flow more slowly. The village is home to the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve visitor center, here you can get permission to visit the reserve, rent a car to travel around the reserve, get a guide to the reserve. There are also guest houses and small hotels in the village where you can stay during your trip to the reserve. You can also rent horses in the village for a walk around the reserve. The village has a cafe with home-cooked, traditional national and European cuisine. The village lives in harmony with nature. It seems to guard the entrance to the mountain world, like an old friend who, before meeting something greater, invites you to rest, collect your thoughts, and take a deep breath. It is here, on the border between the human and the wild, that the real journey begins – not only through the reserve, but also inside yourself. Zhabagly is not a resort or a show. This is a living place where everything is real: people, food, air, earth. Here you can hear the ringing of silence at dawn, the rustling of the river at night, the singing of birds in the grass, and the beating of your heart before going out into the mountains.
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