TIEN SHAN
THE MOUNTAINS OF HEAVEN
Join Kazakhstan's foremost botanist, Anna Ivaschenko, and Vladimir Kolbintsev, one of the region's most famous wildlife experts, in a two-part look at the wonderful Tien Shan Mountains of Southern Kazakhstan.
We spend a week in the idyllic Aksu-Dzhabagly Reserve including five days in a house at 6,500 feet in this gem of a nature reserve. The snow-capped peaks reach 14,350 feet and they are home to some of the rarest mammals and most beautiful flowers in the world. The floral display is nothing short of magnificent with the rare Primula minkwitziae and a wide range of bulbs including lots of Tulips and Juno Irises. Thanks to Vladimir's intimate knowledge of the reserve we can show you rare mammals such as Isabelline Brown Bear and Arkhar, as well as many Siberian Ibex. Butterflies include several lovely Apollos as well as False Comma and Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell. A train journey takes us east to Almaty from where we will explore the magical Northern Tien Shan where pencil-thin Tien Shan Spruce adorn meadows dotted with Violas, Geraniums, Aconitums, Dracocephalums and Jacob's Ladders, amongst which graze Red Pikas and Grey Marmots. Staying at 9,000 feet allows us to walk straight out the door and into a marvellous alpine paradise blooming with Primulas, Tulips, Androsaces and some of the world's most beautiful alpine flowers including gorgeous Paraquilegias and the breath-taking ice-plant, Trollius lilacinus. Strawberry-hued Severtzov's Tit-Warblers and Himalayan Rubythroats pose on junipers framed by snowy peaks while down by turquoise Big Almaty Lake the enigmatic Ibisbill will be rearing its young. Come and be bewitched by the Tien Shan's magic!
INFORMATION
Focus
Fantastic Alpine Flowers, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Butterflies. Also Mountain Wilderness.
Leaders
Vladimir Kolbintsev , Anna Ivaschenko , Paige Woodward
Walking
Moderate. Walks of up to four or five miles on some days but much less on others. Some walks on steep slopes. To get the most out of the Aksu-Dzhabagly Reserve we use horses – we ride uphill and walk downhill! Even if you have never ridden before (most people in each group haven’t) we would really recommend it. The horses are very easy to handle and surprisingly comfortable. If you don’t want a horse you can walk as long as you are reasonably fit.
Included in the Price
All flights. Accommodation and all meals, including very good picnic lunches. All transport, and horses if required. Services of the leaders. Please note: Alcoholic drinks, tips, visas and items of a personal nature such as travel insurance, are not inclu
Group Size
The minimum group size is 5 and the maximum is 12.
Accommodation
In Dzhabagly we stay at Yevgeny’s guesthouse. This lovely place has a very friendly atmosphere, the en suite rooms are comfortable, and we can guarantee you will be looked after superbly. In the mountains our base is a very simple house and two large yourtas. These are ten-foot high traditional Kazakh tents and they come complete with beds! There will also be a hot shower here. Kazakh food is very good, wholesome, and non-spicy. All our meals will be cooked by Yevgeny’s family and assistants from the reserve, and they provide most excellent four course evening meals complete with wine. The packed lunches include a proper meal as well as bread and preserves – there’s even hot tea and cold compote – every day! We have two nights aboard comfortable first class sleeper accommodation on trains. The tour starts in the Cimbulak Ski Hotel. A modern affair, it has en suite rooms, as does the Hotel Kazhol where we spend the last night. Above Big Almaty Lake we stay at the old Astronomical Observatory. This looks like something from a sci-fi B-movie! It is now a hotel catering for western tourists and although basic, it does have friendly efficient staff, good food, heating, and above all, it is situated 9,000 feet up in these superb mountains!
Climate
Warm and sunny. Showers and more prolonged rain are possible in the mountains and then it can be quite cool.
How To Book
Download a booking form (or contact us and we will send one to you)from the Booking Information section. Complete and send to us. You will be sent confirmation of your place and about twelve weeks before departure a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you. This will contain up-to-date health information. Bird, mammal, butterfly and plant checklists are available.
