Tour to Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve
The Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve is located in the south of the Republic of Kazakhstan and encompasses the northwestern ranges of the Tien Shan Mountains.
The reserve's name derives from the Aksu River, the reserve's largest river, and the Zhabagyly Mountain Range, which flows through the northern part of the territory. The Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve (Korygy) is the oldest state nature reserve in Central Asia. The Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve extends to the foothills of the Talas Alatau, in the Western Tien Shan Mountains.
The reserve borders the Kyrgyz Republic to the east, the Maidontol River Valley, and the Republic of Uzbekistan to the south. To the west of the reserve lies the Kyzylkum Desert, and to the north are the Karatau Mountains. Further Tien Shan ranges extend to the east and south.
- Distance of the route:
180 km
- Season time:
July – September 3 months
- Best time:
July - August
- Group size:
not more 8 person
- Days & nights:
11 days - 10 nights
Tour itinerary:
Almaty city – Tulkubas station (680 km).
Upon arrival in Almaty, we meet at the airport, followed by a transfer to the hotel, check in and relax. Immediately after breakfast we leave for a city tour. First of all, we will stop at the park in honor of the 28 Panfilov brothers, there is also a cathedral in it, there is also a museum of musical instruments next to the park, where we will also look, and then we will go to the National Museum of Kazakhstan.
After the tour, we depart from the railway station "Almaty-2" by train "Otyrar" from Almaty to Tulkubas station. We have dinner and spend the night on the train.
Tulkubas station – Zhabagly village – Topshak cordon – Ulken-Kaindy tract (38 km).
Arriving early in the morning by train, we are met at the railway station, then we go to the Topshak hunting cordon, passing the village of Zhabagly on the way. After 30 kilometers, when we reach the cordon, we transfer to horses. We are waiting for a horseback ride through the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve.
First of all, we will drive to the Ulken-Kaindy tract, located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, 8 kilometers from the cordon. The road to the tract will lead to mountain meadows, and we will also cross a stream. When we reach the tract, which translates into Russian as White Birches, we walk along the valley and head to the Topshak-Saz tract, where the Zhabagly River flows.
After completing the walk, we return to the Topshak cordon. We spend the night and rest in the camp.
Topshak cordon – Ulken-Kaindy gorge – Ulken-Kaindy pass (12 km).
After breakfast, we will go for a horseback ride along the Ulken-Kaindy gorge to the pass of the same name, which is located at an altitude of 2900 meters above sea level. Next, we return to the camp, have dinner and relax.
Topshak cordon – Kasbulak River – Kaskabulak tract (12 km).
After we have breakfast, we will have a horse ride to the valley of rock paintings. When we reach the valley, which is located in the Cascabulak tract at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level, we see black stones with drawings of wild ungulates stamped on them. After visiting the valley, we return to the camp for dinner and rest.
Ulken-Kaindy Gorge – Kishi Kaindy Gorge – Zhabagly village (8 km).
After finishing breakfast, we go to a small plateau, which is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, from where we will walk to the waterfall on the Kishi-Kaindy River. After visiting the waterfall, we descend down the gorge, which is crowned by plains. When we get to the village of Zhabagly, we stay in a guest house, have dinner and relax.
Zhabagly village – Akbiik village – Stalactite cave (15 km).
After breakfast, we will go on an excursion to the Stalactite Cave, located near the village of Akbiik. When we get to the cave, we explore, walk and take pictures. After returning to the village of Zhabagly, we have dinner and relax in the guest house.
Zhabagly village – Taldybulak tract – Aksu Canyon (9 km).
After breakfast, we ride out to the Aksu Canyon, which is located at an altitude of 1,620 meters above sea level. After leaving the village, we gradually begin to climb up the mountain path, then our path lies along the Irsu plateau, after which the path begins to go up again, to the upper reaches of the Aksu canyon. Arriving at the canyon, we walk and take pictures. We set up a tent camp, have dinner and relax.
Aksu Canyon – Chuuldak tract – Darvaza tract (12 km).
After finishing breakfast, we will continue our journey to the Darvaza tract. We will ride along a narrow passage between steep cliffs, this is Darvaza, which translates into Russian as Gates. They are about a hundred meters high and 6-8 meters wide. After leaving the gate, we will cross the Baldabrek River. We set up a tent camp and set off to explore the area. Upon returning to the camp, we have dinner and relax.
Darvaza tract – Sairamsu tract (11 km).
After breakfast, we will go to a summer camp called Altex. Our path to it will lie through the green meadows of the Sairamsu River Valley. After lunch, we get to the camp. We leave the horses here. We stay at the Altex guest house, have dinner and relax.
Sairamsu Gorge – Shymkent city (60 km).
After we have breakfast, we take a walk in the Sayramsu tract. Then, we leave for the train station in the city of Shymkent. We will take a train ride to Almaty (780 km), have dinner and spend the night on the train.
Upon arrival in Almaty, transfer to the hotel where we stay and have breakfast. Next, we will have a trip around the city, first of all we will visit the oriental Green Bazaar. Then, we will take a funicular ride to the top of Kok Tobe Mountain, which offers a beautiful view of the city.
After visiting Kok-Tobe, we will go to the Medeo tract, which houses one of the largest alpine winter sports complexes. We return to the hotel, have dinner and relax.
Transfer to the airport. Departure from Almaty.
1. When traveling on horseback, tourists can give away 15 kilograms of their personal belongings for transportation, which are transported on service horses.
2. The summer camp of the nature reserve in the Kshi-Kaindy gorge consists of a house in which there are 4 bedrooms with 2 beds with bedding, a dining room in the house. The toilet is outside (there are no toilets), the shower is in the courtyard of the house.
3. In the mountain guest house "Altex" accommodation in 2-bed cabins. The toilet is outside (there are no toilets), there is a sauna.
- additional horse for cargo transportation - $65/1 day.
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