Loading search...
We have just completed a 12 day tour of Kazakhstan with Naturetrek on which we were lucky enough to have had two very fabulous leaders - both Botanists with exceptional knowledge. Svetlana Baskakova who has lived next to Kazakhstan’s oldest nature reserve, Aksu-Zhabagly, sorted a brilliant itinerary ensuring that we covered as many different ecosystems as possible. Both Svetlana and co-leader Sophie Leguil went to enormous lengths each night to ensure the many new species we found in the reserve were correctly identified. The weather was perfect and the plant range superb.
G.T. New Zealand, June 19
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Alpine Flowers of the Tien Shan
Tour Code: KAZ01A 13-day holiday to the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan in search of alpine plants, focusing on the fabulous Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve and the mountains near Almaty.
13 days
from
£5,595
£5,595
Land only price
from
£4,995
£4,995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
As the summer sunshine melts the snowy slopes of Kazakhstan's Tien Shan Mountains, a profusion of delightful alpine flowers seizes their brief opportunity to bloom. This tour is timed for the peak of this colourful display and focuses on the flora of the fabulous Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve and the high meadows and rocky crags that tower over the former capital of Almaty. Following a day's botanising in the Kaskelen National Park, we will fly to Shymkent and transfer to Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve for a 5-night stay, which includes three nights at 2,000 metres at the Ulken-Kaindy Mountain House. Here, surrounded by the most majestic of scenery we will look for a kaleidoscope of colourful flowers including Codonopsis clematidea, Aquilegia atrovinosa and the beautiful Paraquilegia anemonoides.
We end the holiday with five nights back in Almaty and plenty of time to enjoy the botanical highlights of the nearby Tien Shan, along with birds including Ibisbill, Evermann's Redstart and Himalayan Rubythroat.
- Incredible high alpine meadow flowers among a wealth of botanical treasures
- Globe Flower & Paraquilegia anemoides among a wealth of exciting plant-life
- Amazing scenery – high mountains, juniper forests & gorges
- Impressive birdlife includes Ibisbill & Himalayan Snowcock
- Led by an expert botanist guide
- Traditional Kazakhstan hospitality
Grading
A selection of botanical day walks of varying lengths.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Almaty
Day 2
Kaskelen National Park
Day 3
Fly Shymkent; Aksu-Zhabagly Village
Day 4/6
Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve – daily excursions in the mountains
Day 7
Aksu-Zhabagly village
Day 8
Aksu-Zhabagly village – Almaty
Day 9/12
Almaty – daily excursions in the Tien Shan mountains
Day 13
Fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
Comfortable hotel in Almaty; simple guesthouses elsewhere.
- Food:
All included in the price, starting with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 13.
Reviews
-
-
A very enjoyable, well-organised and informative trip. Thank you.
B.H. Kent -
Taken as a whole this holiday was a wonderful experience. The exhilaration of riding in the Tien Shan is a memory I shall long cherish. Maureen led the group very skilfully: combining an almost encyclopaedic botanical knowledge with unfailing good humour and concern for everyone's welfare.
J.R. Gloucestershire -
The translator proved to be an excellent leader - enthusiastic, flexible, attentive and informative.
N. & A.F. Herefordshire -
This was an interesting and enjoyable trip... the flowers were wonderful, the wildlife, birds and scenery were excellent.
Mr & Mrs D. Scotland -
The leader is an excellent naturalist who was patient and helpful.
T. & J.W. Somerset -
This was a fantastic holiday - I enjoyed every minute of it and would like to do it all over again. We were extremely well looked after at every stage and our translator Nezira in particular was on duty the entire time, always with a smile.
J.S-B. Hampshire -
The UK leader, local botanist and Kazakh translator were superb. The venue is spectacular. Lots of plants and local people were helpful.
P.G. Ceredigion -
Our 8 members all got on well together and Neil and Anna [the leaders] were great. I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday... Anna and Neil are treasures!
J.H. West Midlands -
I have just enjoyed the holiday of a life time in Kazakhstan. As always with a Naturetrek holiday the organisation was excellent. The three leaders were marvellous and Nezira, in particular, worked so hard to ensure everything went like clockwork. This was my fifth holiday with you and I don’t think you will ever be able to match the vision of the Kazakstan flower meadows, they were out of this world!
J.H. Hampshire
Dates & Prices
2027
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 12th Jun – Thu 24th Jun
SPACES
£5,595
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Erik Jansen
Tour Leader: Erik Jansen
Erik’s passion for wildlife-watching began in his childhood in the Netherlands and has since taken him across the globe. He has been actively involved with Batumi Raptor Count since 2019, where he monitors raptor migration in the Caucasus, coordinates counts, and co-authors research on spring migration patterns in Georgia. His diverse experience includes working as a ranger at an RSPB reserve in the UK, contributing to a Macqueen’s Bustard project on the Kazakh steppes, and conducting breeding bird surveys in the Dutch dunes. Erik is always eager to share his extensive knowledge with fellow enthusiasts and can engage in endless conversations about birds.
In addition to his ornithological work, Erik has searched for wildlife in various east and southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, and Taiwan. When not wildlife-watching, he enjoys studying languages, exploring new cuisines, and learning about the broader world of fauna and flora.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
