Kazakhstan - Birds of the Tien Shan & Northern Steppes

Tour Code: KAZ05

An exciting 14-day holiday birding the mountains, steppes and wetlands of Kazakhstan's best birdwatching locations.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Featuring lush wetlands and high mountains in the south and incredible steppe birding in the north, this new tour to this beautiful Central Asian country will be full of avian highlights from start to finish. During the first half of the tour in the south, we will visit a number of salt lakes and the Ili River in search of a host of regional specialities, before ascending into the Tien Shan Mountains to find the iconic Ibisbill and the likes of Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Rubythroat, White-browed Tit-warbler and a variety of colourful rosefinches, redstarts and chats. In the north, the vast steppe will provide not only the likes of Sociable Lapwing, Caspian Plover, Pallas's Sandgrouse and breeding Relict Gulls, but we also hope to find a variety of mammals, including jerboas and marmots. This tour will also provide an opportunity to immerse oneself into the local culture, as on four of the nights we will be staying in local residents' houses. The first week of May is excellent too for passerine migration in this area and we should hope to come across plenty of migrating warblers (Sykes's, Blyth's Reed and Greenish) and raptors. 

  • Ibisbill, Himalayan Snowcock & Sociable Lapwing all possible
  • Visit the stunning Tien Shan Mountains for Kazakhstan's high-altitude species
  • Birding vast steppes for Black and White-winged Larks, Pallas's Sandgrouse & Relict Gulls
  • A gentle-paced holiday offering the finest birdwatching in Central Asia
  • Led by a local expert birdwatcher, accompanied by a UK-based leader

Grading

A - although most walks are easy, please consider altitude when in the Tien Shan Mountains - an altitude of 2500m above sea level

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2
Arrive Almaty; drive to Kapchagai Reservoir
Day 3
Road to Semirechye
Day 4/5
Ili River; Lake Balkhash
Day 6/8
Transfer Almaty; Tien Shan Mountains
Day 9
Fly Nur-Sultan
Day 10/13
Birding 'northern' Steppe
Day 14
Depart Nur-Sultan; Arrive London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Four nights will be in residents' houses; other nights in typical hotels with en-suite facilities.

  • Food:

    All food is included in this tour when in Kazakhstan

Why Naturetrek?

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!