Excursion to the Kaskabulak petroglyphs in the Aksu Zhabagly park
The Kaskabulak petroglyphs are a fascinating site in the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve. These rock carvings of our ancestors are located high in the mountains, above the forest belt in the alpine meadows. To reach them, you'll need to traverse a mountain trail.
Our route will take us through the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains within the reserve. A mountain trail leads to the petroglyphs. Be sure to use a guide and avoid hiking on your own. It's a beautiful place. At the top, you'll find the Kaskabulak petroglyphs and a magnificent mountain panorama.
Choose clear days for long, beautiful views. On rainy days, fog may develop, and the path to the peaks will be closed.
- Distance of the route:
32 km
- Season time:
May - September
- Best time:
June - August
- Group size:
not more 12 person
- Days & nights:
1 day
Tour itinerary:
We depart for the Asel Hotel, located five kilometers from the village of Zhabagly, where we will begin our horseback ride. From the hotel, we head to the Kishi-Kaindy botanists' lodge, located at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level.
Our route will run along a slope with the Zhabagly River babbling below. Following this road, we will reach a waterfall on the Kishi-Kaindy River. The highest peak in the Aksu-Zhabagly mountain range is called Sairamsky, reaching 4,240 meters above sea level.
Most of the highlands are located within three thousand meters above sea level. They can be reached by trails through the Kishi-Kaindy and Ulken-Kaindy passes, as well as through the Kaska-Bulak basin. These excursions take one day.
As we ascend to an altitude of over 2,500 meters above sea level, we notice a change in vegetation: tall-grass meadows give way to variegated alpine meadows. These meadows are home to a variety of beautiful flowers and plants, including oxytropes, rock geraniums, knotweed, globeflower, ligularia, allium fedchenkoi, buttercups, lousewort, alpine aster, primrose (a species listed in the Red Book), and Corydalis gorchakova.
The highlands and meadows are home to a variety of birds, such as alpine choughs, choughs, rock buntings, and accentors. Among the animals, you might spot brown bears and ibex.
As we ascend to the summit of Mount Kaskabulak, 3,200 meters above sea level, we can see a complex of rock art dating back to the Bronze Age. The petroglyphs depict wild and domestic animals, hunting scenes, and much more. There are approximately two thousand of these drawings.
When ascending any of the passes, a picturesque view of snow-capped mountain peaks opens up before us. Looking in the other direction, we can see foothills dotted with small settlements, fields, and roads. If you're in good physical condition, you can hike to any of the passes. It's always best to plan an excursion by arriving at a field base and spending the night in advance, or by driving to the start of the climb.
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