Trips to nature parks and reserves of Kazakhstan -
Organization of jeep tours from Almaty to Lake Alakol -
The Alakol State Nature Reserve is a unique territory located in the Zhetysu region of Kazakhstan, created to protect the rich biodiversity and natural complexes of the region (reserve category A1). The reserve was established in 1998 and covers an area of more than 65,000 hectares, covering the water area of Lake Alakol and adjacent steppe and semi-desert areas. This is the smallest nature reserve in Kazakhstan. It was created to preserve the unique natural landscapes of the Tentek River Delta, a variety of flora and fauna, as well as rare relict seagulls and other colonial birds nesting on the islands of Lake Alakol. This is a real natural stronghold, where entire ecosystems that have been preserved since ancient times are under protection.
Alakol Lake -
Lake Alakol is salty, with turquoise-blue waters, known for its healing mud and mineral water. But his true wealth is birds. Tens of thousands of birds nest here, including the unique relict seagull, which is found almost nowhere else in the world. In addition to her, pink pelicans, flamingos, swans and many species of ducks can be seen on the islands. The shores of the lake and the steppes become home to saigas, foxes, wild boars and wolves, and muskrats hide in the reeds. The water here is brackish, saturated with minerals and trace elements. On the shore of the lake there are sandy and pebble beaches, steppe landscapes and patches of tugai thickets, creating a special diversity of ecosystems.
Since ancient times, people have believed that bathing in Alakol improves health, helps with skin and joint diseases. Even the warriors of Genghis Khan, according to legend, rested on the shores of the lake to recuperate after long hikes.
How to get there and visit -
The Alakol Nature Reserve is located in the area of Lake Alakol, Urjar district, Alakol district, Zhetysu region, Abai region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 46°11'35"N 81°46'02"E
Fauna -
The fauna of the Alakolsky Reserve is exceptionally rich. It is home to more than 270 species of birds, including pink flamingos, the relict gull (the rarest species listed in the Red Book), swans, pelicans, sandpipers, and herons. It is because of the abundance of birds that Alakol is called the "bird paradise". Many birds use the lake as a transit point during migrations, and some species find ideal nesting conditions here. The waters are home to carp, marinka, osman, and walleye fish, which maintain ecosystem balance and are important to local residents.
Flora -
The flora of the Alakolsky reserve is represented by steppe grasses, solyanka, wormwood, chium, as well as rare species adapted to saline soils. Medicinal plants and ornamental plants can be found on the territory, many of which are of limited distribution.
Legends -
Legends about the origin of Alakol have been preserved in the oral tradition. One of them says that a huge celestial bowl filled with the tears of birds fell in this place, and its fragments became islands. Another legend says that the lake is a gift from heaven so that people always have a source of healing and life. These legends are still passed down from the older generation to the younger, preserving the special atmosphere of mysticism around the lake.
Security -
The reserve is strictly guarded: visits are allowed only with special passes, and human activity is kept to a minimum. Scientists constantly monitor birds, count their numbers, and study changes in the ecosystem. Ecological tours are organized for tourists, most often bird watching with binoculars, photographing and exploring nature without interfering with it.
The Alakol State Nature Reserve is a place where the beauty of the steppes, the magic of the lake surface and the mystery of ancient legends merge together. He reminds us that in the modern world there are still corners of the wild, where man is only a guest, and the main hosts are birds, plants and the very element of water. Tourists who come to rest at Lake Alakol can admire its beauty from the beaches and coastal recreation centers, but access to the protected area of the reserve itself is strictly regulated. This is done in order to preserve the pristine nature and not disrupt the natural rhythm of life of birds and animals.
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