Kyrgyzstan: The Flora & Fauna of the Celestial Mountains

Summary

Kyrgyzstan, a land of soaring mountains, flower-filled meadows, and rich biodiversity, is one of Central Asia’s best-kept natural secrets. On this expertly guided tour, we explore the stunning landscapes of the Tien Shan, the ‘Celestial Mountains’, in search of their unique flora and alpine wildlife.

We begin in Ala Archa National Park, where we’re immediately immersed in the botanical diversity of alpine meadows and coniferous forests, with a chance of seeing Himalayan Snowcock, Blue-capped Redstart, and Brown Dipper. We then move to Chon Kemin, a dry yet botanically rich region perfect for open ground species such as Red-headed, Grey-necked and Corn Buntings.

Next, we ascend to Jashyl-Kol, an exquisite mountain lake surrounded by alpine flora, before making the dramatic journey to Son Kol Lake, a vast high-altitude grassland. Here we’ll marvel at edelweiss-filled meadows, Trollius lilacinus, and the rare Smelowskia calycina, while scanning for Tibetan Sand Plover, White-winged Snowfinch, and Güldenstädt’s Redstart.

From here, we head south to Tash-Rabat, a historic Silk Road caravanserai nestled in remote valleys rich with Clematis alpina, Ligularia narynensis, and tumbling mountain streams. We continue via the dramatic Dolon Pass to Issyk-Kul Lake, exploring valleys brimming with orchids, primulas, and steppe flora, before witnessing the surreal beauty of Fairytale Canyon.

In the high alpine terrain of Barskoon Gorge and Chon Ashuu, we’ll search for botanical gems such as Desideria flabellata, Primula nivalis, and Aquilegia atrovinosa, while birding for Himalayan Snowcock, Altai Accentor, Red-fronted Rosefinch, Sulphur-bellied Warbler and the elusive and iconic Ibisbill.

A day at Chon Ashuu admiring the spectacular plant diversity of the high meadows will be complimented by encounters with White-winged Snowfinch, Red-mantled Rosefinch and the elusive and iconc Ibisbill.

A 4WD expedition to Ala Kol Lake takes us to 3,560 metres, where rare alpine flora thrives in the stark, glacial beauty of this high-altitude realm.

This exceptional tour offers not only remarkable plant diversity and dramatic landscapes but also a superb selection of Central Asian fauna. From delicate flowers in hidden valleys to vast alpine plateaux echoing with birdsong, this is a truly unforgettable exploration of Kyrgyzstan’s wildest reaches.