Tour to Kishi Koyandy gorge, Taldybulak gorge, Aksu Jabagly reserve
The Kishi-Kaindy Gorge is one of the attractions of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve. You can have a wonderful time here, even horseback riding. You'll also see the Aksu-Zhabagly Park itself and its attractions.
The park and gorge are renowned for their natural beauty; we recommend visiting in late spring and early summer to fully appreciate the region's vibrant colors. Famous Kazakh tulips of various varieties also bloom here; we know the blooming times and the best time to view them.
Getting here from Almaty is very easy and convenient; you'll need to use our company's services. In the village of Zhabagly, near the reserve, we have guesthouses where you can stay during your trip.
- Distance of the route:
66 km
- Season time:
July – September 3 months
- Best time:
July - August
- Group size:
not more 12 person
- Days & nights:
3 days - 2 nights
Tour itinerary:
Zhabagly Village – Kishi-Kaindy Gorge – Asel Hotel – Kishi-Kaindy Botanists' Lodge – Zhabagly Village (36 km).
Arriving early in the morning by train, we are met at the Tyulkubas railway station. We then proceed to Zhabagly Village. After 12 kilometers, we check into a guesthouse and have breakfast. After breakfast, we mount our horses and ride to the Kishi-Kaindy gorge.
After a walk through the gorge, we head to the Asel Hotel, where we ride horseback to the Kishi-Kaindy Botanists' Lodge, located at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level. After 7 kilometers, we reach the destination and head off on a horseback ride to a waterfall on the Kishi-Kaindy River. We'll have lunch near the waterfall.
After lunch, we return to the Asel Hotel, where we'll leave our horses. We then drive back to the village of Zhabagly, have dinner, and rest at the guesthouse.
Zhabagly Village – Taldybulak Gorge – Zhabagly Village. (14 km).
After breakfast, we'll ride to the Taldybulak Gorge, located eight kilometers from the village of Zhabagly. Upon reaching the gorge, we'll stroll through the nature reserve and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We can also, if you wish, descend to the lower part of the mountains, where the trail runs along the bottom of the Taldybulak Gorge.
Walking through the gorge, we might see Siberian ibex and Tien Shan brown bears, as well as birds such as nightingales, white-bellied dippers, Stewart's buntings, black-headed penduline tit, and paradise flycatchers. If you see piles of leaves on bushes or trees, these are most likely forest dormouse nests.
After finishing the horseback ride, we head back to the village of Zhabagly. We have dinner and rest at the guesthouse.
Zhabagly Village – Eltai Village – Iirsu Village – Aksu Canyon – Aksu Gamekeeper's Canyon (25 km).
After breakfast, we'll set off on an excursion to the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve. We'll drive to the Aksu Canyon, located at an altitude of 1,620 meters above sea level, passing the villages of Eltai and Iirsu along the way. Once we reach the entrance to the canyon, we continue down; the journey takes about an hour.
After descending, we stroll through the canyon and take photos. This canyon is one of the deepest in Central Asia. The sun-warmed rocks and the nearby river create a unique microclimate, thanks to which ferns can be found in this part of the reserve.
Walking along the north side of the canyon, we can observe plants such as Greig's and Kaufman's tulips, as well as Eremurus lactiflora and Ephedra scaly-leaved. Birdlife includes blue rock thrushes and wheatears, as well as numerous birds of prey soaring above the canyon. After lunch, we begin the hour and a half return hike. We return to the village for dinner. Departure from the village.
Photogallery:
