Tours and excursions to the nature reserves of Kazakhstan and Central Asia -
Trip to the Darbaza tract in Aksu-Zhabagly -
The Darbaza tract is a place where the trails end and the real elements begin. Lost in the depths of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, this gorge seems to have been created by ancient gods to test mortals. Grandiose rock walls, soaring hundreds of meters into the air, close together so closely that during the day there is twilight, and the sun's rays only break through the stone gates for moments. The air is filled with the roar of the icy wind, which for centuries has been carving out bizarre shapes in the reddish rocks, creating the feeling that you have entered some otherworldly world.
Darbaza greets you with a striking natural contrast. Below are blooming fields, wild tulips, the rolling sound of water, the freshness of grass and the singing of birds. Above are harsh cliffs, fog, the wind howling among the stone ledges, and the feeling that someone is watching. Perhaps the spirits of the mountains. The tract is ideal for those who are looking for not just a hike, but an experience. Words like "excursion" or "trail" do not work here. It is more like a pilgrimage. A test. A dialogue with the mountains. And if you go this way with an open heart, you will be answered - not in words, but in a state that will stay with you for a long time.
How to get there and visit -
The Darbaza tract is located in the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, Zhambyl Region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 42°15'10"N 70°26'23"E
Information -
A 4-day horseback riding route of 36 kilometers passes through the Darbaza tract, which passes through the valley of the Baldarbek River, the Silbili River, and leads to mountain lakes and the Sairamsky mountain peak. The climate in the gorge is a separate test. In summer, the hot rocks turn Darbaza into a real oven, where the temperature goes off the scale over +30 ° C, and in winter the frost freezes everything with ice, and the gorge becomes like a giant crystal. The best time to visit is late spring or early autumn, when nature softens its temper for a short time. But even then, Darbaza demands respect - sudden floods can turn the bottom of the gorge into a seething deadly stream in a matter of minutes. Getting here is already a feat. From the last settlement - the village of Zhabagly - there is a multi-kilometer off-road journey. There are no trails as such - only rock falls, rare markings and your own intuition. It is better not to go here without an experienced guide - there are too many who underestimated Darbaza and forever remained part of its legends. But for those who dare, the gorge will open up incredible views: steep cliffs reminiscent of giant organ pipes, mysterious grottoes where sunlight does not penetrate, and stunning panoramas worth the risk.
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