Hungary
Gotland
THE MOUNTAINS OF HEAVEN
The wonderful Tien Shan Mountains of Southern Kazakhstan rise suddenly from the
steppes and semi-deserts to their north. Our tour focuses on two very different
areas of these biologically diverse mountains, the endemic-rich mountain
steppes in the west, and the spruce forests and alpine meadows above the
capital itself, Almaty.
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. This marvellous alpine paradise is ablaze 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!
Dates and Prices
31st May - 13th June 2025 (14 days)
* doesn't apply if you're willing to share and a room-mate can be arranged
Fantastic Alpine and Meadow Flowers, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Butterflies. Also Mountain Wilderness.
Group Size The minimum group size is 5 and the maximum is 12.
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 included.
We start in Almaty where we’ve two nights at the start and two nights at the
end (really one and a half nights at each end of the tour) in the very
comfortable modern Kazhol Hotel. We have two nights aboard comfortable first
class sleeper accommodation on trains. In Dzhabagly we stay at Yevgeny’s
guesthouse for two nights. This lovely place has a very friendly atmosphere,
comfortable rooms, and we can guarantee you will be looked after superbly. The
garden is a delightful and shadey place to enjoy before dinner. In the Aksu-
Dzhabgaly National Park (4 nights) 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 in Dzhabagly will be cooked by
Yevgeny’s family and assistants from the reserve, and they provide excellent
four course evening meals complete with wine and compote. The packed lunches
include a proper meal as well as bread and preserves – there’s even hot tea and
cold compote – every day! There are en-suite facilities throughout except for
the tour night in the Aksu-Dzhabgaly National Park.
.. And Riding
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 to use a horse you can walk as long as you are reasonably
fit.
UK return flights are from London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham or Manchester
to Almaty via Istanbul. Other indirect routes from regional UK Airports* are
available.
*These routes may incur a supplement.
Warm and sunny. Showers and more prolonged rain are possible in the mountains
and then it can be quite cool.
Contact us to check if there is availability for the number of places you require. Click on the ‘Book this Tour’ button on this page to be taken to the online booking form or contact us and we will send one to you which you can complete and send back to us. You will receive confirmation of your place, and then a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. This will contain up-to-date health information.
