Tian Shan in Kazakhstan: On the wild side of the Silk Road

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Ismatulla Jumanow: Botanist and Wolf Commissioner

Photo: Eithan Reubens

Travel in Kazakhstan

The country in the corona crisis, up arrow, down arrow

Kazakhstan is located in Central Asia between the Caspian Sea and the Altai Mountains and borders among others with Russia and China.

According to the Foreign Office, the country is badly affected by Covid-19, so a travel warning applies.

A visa and a negative PCR test are required for entry, which must not be older than 72 hours at the time of crossing the border.

The research trip took place before the outbreak of the corona pandemic.

Directions and providers: arrow up arrow down

For example, flight with Uzbekistan Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines or Air Astana via Nur-Sultan to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) or to Almaty (Kazakhstan).

Domestic and foreign organizers such as Geoplan, Ventus, AT Reisen or the DAV Summit Club organize hiking and nature trips from Tashkent and Almaty to Aksu-Schabagly and Sairam-Ugam in Kazakhstan or to the Ugam-Chatkal National Park in Uzbekistan .

Best time to travel Arrow up Arrow down

The best travel time for hikes in the Aksu-Schabagly Nature Reserve and Western Tian Shan is in spring when the tulips are in bloom (April to mid-May) or in autumn, when the chances of spotting bears and other animal species are not bad.

The summer months are recommended for expeditions into the high mountains.

The (low) chances of observing snow leopards are better in the winter months, as the animals then follow Argali wild sheep and ibex to lower altitudes;

The rest of the year they spend in the remote part of the high mountains.

In winter, however, large parts of the protected areas are difficult to access.

Accommodation up arrow down arrow

Accommodation for tourists is rare in western Tian Shan.

Some organizers organize hiking trips with overnight stays in tents.

In the summer months, travelers can also stay in the yurts of the shepherds in some places.

The guest house Ruslan right on the border of the Aksu Jabagly nature reserve is an ideal starting point for hikes.

With advance notice, overnight stays at a ranger station can be organized directly in the reserve.

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