Excursion to the tugai forests of Taldybulak in the Almaty region
Taldybulak is a picturesque mountain gorge located on the territory of the Aksu-Zhabaglyi nature reserve park and is part of it. A mountain stream, also called Taldybulak, flows along the gorge; it originates at the Taldybulak pass.
A mountain stream, a gorge, and a tract have the same name, so you won't be mistaken, the whole area is called Taldybulak. The tract is famous for its relict tugai forest, in summer you can enjoy the abundance of colors and the richness of nature.
In the tract you can meet many birds, it is also possible to observe wild animals and the growth of various kinds of flowers. The place is famous for its pristine nature, here you can organize a horse tour throughout the reserve for several days.
- Distance of the route:
22 km
- Season time:
May - September
- Best time:
June - August
- Group size:
not more 12 person
- Days & nights:
1 day
Tour itinerary:
From the village of Zhabagly, we depart for the entrance to the Taldybulak Gorge, located three kilometers away. Upon arrival, we stroll through the gorge, exploring the flora and fauna of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve.
Depending on your fitness level and preference, you can choose to hike or ride. The trail will run through the foothills and lower part of the mountain, with a short section across low-mountain steppe before entering the gorge. Along the trail, you might spot the Tianshkan bear, ibex, and roe deer. Birds include red-headed buntings, common millet, nightingales, white-bellied scaly-breasted ... Stream and river valleys are one of the most memorable landscapes of the Tien Shan Mountains. Their banks are lined with deciduous forests called tugai, consisting primarily of willows. Combined with various shrubs, the willow thickets on the banks become impenetrable. Other trees also grow here, such as Sievers apple, Magaleb bird cherry, and Caucasian hackberry. Shrubs include rose hips, sea buckthorn, and honeysuckle.
In the Taldybulak tract, you can fully appreciate and explore the tugai forest. A stream of the same name flows through this tract, and our trail follows its banks, periodically crossing it as it gradually ascends to the pass. Plants growing in the tugai include Corydalis ledeburgii, anthemis, leontica, and several varieties of tulips, including the bifida, Turkestan tulip, Kaufmann tulip, and Greig tulip.
In summer, this area is home to common orchids, dactylorhiza umbrosa, burdock, and Solomon's seal, which produces essential oils whose vapors glow blue in very hot weather. There are also many other beautiful and unusual plants.
Following the trail along the Taldybulak Stream, you can see a variety of birds, including bluebirds, paradise flycatchers, dippers, black-headed penduline tit, and mistle thrushes. You can also encounter a variety of shrikes: grey wagtails, three species of buntings, red-headed, rock buntings, and Stewart's shrikes.
After the excursion, we have lunch and return to the village of Zhabagly.
Photogallery:
