Organization of individual tours and excursions in the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve -
What to see and visit in Aksu-Zhabagly -
Aksu-Zhabagly is a protected pearl of Kazakhstan, where nature has created amazing sights, each of which is worthy of a separate journey and narrative. This is not just a protected area, it is a separate world filled with antiquity, beauty and the power of nature. Here, every step is like a transition to another dimension, where reality is subtly intertwined with legend. The main attraction of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve is nature itself, majestic and untouched. One of the most impressive places is the Aksu gorge (canyon), cut by the Aksu river of the same name, to which you can descend to the bottom of the gorge. The canyon walls rise hundreds of meters up, narrowing to narrow canyons where the water roars between the stone walls. This place is awe–inspiring - in front of scale, in front of eternity. In spring and summer, it is especially beautiful here: green slopes, bright flowers, flocks of birds and rumbling water. And argali are jumping on the rocks, and if you're lucky, you can see the silhouette of a snow leopard.
Koksay Gorge is another gem. More peaceful, but no less picturesque, it is famous for its abundance of waterfalls, clear springs, lakes and a mosaic of diverse grasses. It is in these places that tourists find silence, for which they come from noisy cities. And then the magic begins: the Kaskabulac petroglyphs, where images of bulls, hunting, and sun circles are carved on the rocks by the hand of an ancient man — messages from the depths of thousands of years. These rock carvings excite the imagination and seem to invite you to look further into the invisible connection between the past and the present. There are also special places of power, such as the Darbaza tract, a stone gate in the heart of the mountains that resembles a portal to another world. The path leads there through flowery meadows, then along the Alpine slopes.
TheKishi-Kaindy gorge is also very popular. The route to this gorge is 12 kilometers long in one direction, and it is best to ride horses, which can be rented in the village of Zhabagly. The route follows a scenic road that will lead you to the Kishi-Kaindy Waterfall. You can also get to this place by car, but it is better to do it on horseback. You can also get here on foot, but for this you need to be in good physical shape and start your journey early in the morning.
Other natural attractions of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve:
The Darbaza tract, which means "gate" in Kazakh, is a narrow rocky corridor with a depth of more than 100 meters, which was pierced by the stormy Baldabrek river in the mountain range. These natural gates, which are only 6-8 meters wide, keep cool even on the hottest summer day – huge rocks decorated with hanging plants create a shady oasis where it is always fresh from the river moisture.
Higher up in the mountains, the mirrors of the high-altitude lakes Kokuyrum and Zhasyl sparkle, and the icefalls of Jabagly, Shungulduk and Bugulytor amaze with their power and grandeur.
A special place is occupied by the Coral Gorge – here the gray rock massifs preserve the fossilized remains of mollusks and corals, reminiscent of the ancient sea of the Paleozoic era.
For lovers of antiquities, the paleontological sites of Aulie and Karabastau are especially interesting, where the prints of fish, insects and plants of the Jurassic period are imprinted in thin shales.
The Topshak gorge beckons with its green expanses – after passing through it, you can reach the pass of the same name, from where you can enjoy a stunning view of the upper reaches of the Zhabagly River.
The Kishi-Kaindy pass at an altitude of 2975 meters above sea level requires a serious crossing through juniper forests and alpine meadows, but rewards travelers with a view of the majestic Bugulytur peak (3918 m) and a scattering of alpine flowers.
The Ulken-Kaindy tract is a kingdom of juniper and colorful grass meadows. There is a "bush camp" located here, which serves as a starting point for exploring other parts of the reserve. The Ulken-Kaindy Pass (2,800 m) offers a panorama of the upper reaches of the Aksu River, a sight worthy of an artist's brush.
In spring, the Chuuldak tract turns into a golden sea – yellow Greig tulips bloom here en masse, and the Bala-Baldybrek mountain river adds dynamics to the landscape. Equally impressive is the Koksai River Canyon in the Karatau Mountains with its bizarre weathered cliffs.
The Berkara tract is famous for its pristine stream and grove, where the red book ash grows, and the air is filled with the trills of the paradise flycatcher and oriole.
In the Psteli tract, a deep-flowing stream runs among the slopes overgrown with Pontic hawthorn, and the Karaungur tract pleases the eye with thickets of mulberries, wild grapes and almonds, especially beautiful in spring, when the whole gorge is drowned in flowers.
The upper reaches of the Zhabagly River above the Asel boarding house are 15 km of stunning views leading to the gorge, Bai Barak and further to Jailau. The water here is so clear that you can see every pebble on the bottom.
Lake Bilikol, surrounded by reed beds, is a real paradise for ornithologists. Here you can observe marsh and steppe harriers, various herons, black and white storks, sandpipers, terns and gulls. The lakes of Taskol and Darbaza are classic Central Asian reservoirs with open ples, and the Ters-Ashhibulak reservoir attracts beautiful cranes that nest here all spring and summer.
Lake Kyzylkol, lost among the rocky desert of the Karatau Mountains, is becoming an important point on the path of migrating birds, and Shoshkakol with its reed thickets is inhabited by many herons and waders, including rare white-tailed piglets and pintails. In the vicinity of the lake, you can hear the trills of the tugai nightingale and see colonies of bright green pike.
The valley of the Arabek River is a miniature mountain oasis with a weeping waterfall and original moraine shafts of light granite boulders. And the spacious Maidantal Valley with its snow-capped peaks over 4,000 meters high, alpine meadows and colonies of long-tailed marmots leaves an unforgettable impression.
This natural kaleidoscope is completed by the Sairamsu tract, where the rapid Sairam-Su River flows among lush meadows and birch groves against the backdrop of the majestic Sairam Peak, the highest peak of the Talas Alatau. Not far from this splendor are two high-altitude moraine lakes, adding the finishing touch to this picture of natural perfection.
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