In the National Park there are 14 tourist 1-10 days routes: for  walking or horse riding.  
Just relax and enjoy the peace and warm welcome in the South Kazakhstan.

Founded in 1926, Aksu Zhabagly was the first Nature Reserve to be established in Central Asia. As part of the Talaski Alatau Ridge in the Western Tien Shan mountains it covers an area of 850 sq km, rising to over 4,200 m at Syramsky Peak.
The Reserve contains 1,279 species of plants, of which 57 are listed in the Kazakhstan Red Book of Rare and Endangered Species. Important medicinal and food plants thrive in the Reserve and the many varieties of tulips, now cultivated in Holland are all descended from species collected in this region. The Reserve is home to the rarely-seen snow leopard, white-clawed bear, lynx, golden eagle, Eurasian eagle owl, and the Himalayan Griffon vulture.

All activities are arranged by the NGO "Wild Nature"

Horse Riding

Treks last from a few hours outside the reserve or for a few days inside. A short ride takes you to the shade of some trees and the source of a spring. Longer rides take you to a mountain cabin or to see petroglyphs.

Hikes

In addition to the opportunities for walking in the foothills outside the Reserve, a popular walk involves travelling by vehicle to the end of the tarmac road before hiking up the mountainside via the Kishi-Kayendi path. For the experienced walker, tents and camping equipment can be rented to explore the higher regions, accompanied by a ranger.

Excursions

The Aksu Gorge, an hours drive away in the Reserve, offers dramatic scenery, flowers in the Spring, and the possibility of sighting birds of prey. Walk down and then picnic by the Aksu River, 300 m below.

The mausoleum of Kozha Akhmed Yasaui at Turkistan is just over 3 hours drive from Zhabagly. Yasaui was a great Turkic holy man and his mausoleum, dating from the 14th C, is perhaps the finest building in Kazakhstan.

Discovered by means of a mineshaft cut into the hillside, the Stalactite Cave has ancient examples of geological formations. An ideal trip for a rainy day!

The nearby Karatau Mountains have a different flora and fauna from the Tien Shan. Wander by a shady stream or take a dip in the spring-fed Kornilovka Lake.

During bird migrations in Spring and Autumn, the bird ringing station at Chokpak, 17 km away provides an opportunity to see birds at close quarters and learn about the huge distances that they fly each year.

There are excellent opportunities for rock climbing at Mashat Gorge, 35 km from Zhabagly. Vertical walls of conglomerate provide a variety of routes.

Accomdation

 

Homestay guesthouses have been renovated to provide informal comfort within the village itself. The traditional fare is mostly locally produced and prepared.

Take your meals in true Kazakh style seated on the cushioned floor. After your excursion, listen to a traditional orchestra of young people, taste the local beverage made from mares milk, or relax in a banya (a kind of sauna).

At the end of the day, watch the cows come home to their steadings from their daily journey to the steppe. And always there are magnificent views of the mountains

Homestay: 3,800 tenge per person per night (full board) Open all year

 

 

Camping:4,500 tenge per person per night

*Camping fees do not include entrance to Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, but include hire of equipment, food and accomodation in tents or yurt.

Services
Guesthouse with full board	4700tg
Camping	6500tg
Yurt accommodation
Hourse riding	560tg (1 hour)
Nature guide	1680tg
Interpreter	5000tg (1 day)

Kumys - show	2500
Ethnoshow
Provider services	1680tg
National games
Technology of production
Handicraft - show (Souvenirs)
Museum	150tg
Art gallery
Concert
Transport	1400

 

 

Aksu Zhabagly Zapovednik (Nature Reserve) Fees

 

Getting There & Around

From Almaty

By train

Trains leave the Almaty 2 Station on the Shimkent Line daily at 17.19 and arrive at Tulkubas at 06.34 hrs the next morning. A taxi can be arranged to take you the 20-minute drive to Zhabagly (or see Alternative to taxis to from Tulkubas below). Trains to Almaty leave Tulkubas at 19.09 hrs and arrive at Almaty 2 at 08.39 hrs the next morning.

By bus

Buses leave the Sayeram Bus Station from about 21.30 hrs daily and arrive in Vanovka (New name Turar Ruskilov) from about 07.00 hrs the following morning. A taxi can be arranged to meet you in Vanovka to take you the 20-minute drive to Zhabagly (or see Alternative to taxis to/from Vanovka below)

By car

Take the Shimkent Road and turn off to the left about 5 km after Shakpakbaba. (About 100 km after Taraz). The turning is marked Zhabagly. Pass through the village of Abail where you cross a second railway line after the main Shimkent road. Zhabagly is about 5 km after Abail

Alternatives to taxis to/from Vanovka or Shimkent

A daily mini-bus service operates between Zhabagly and Vanovka Shimkent (fare –  70 tenge to Vannovka and 300 tenge to Shimkent). Mini-buses leave Zhabagly at 08.00 and 14.00. Back from Shimkent at 11.00 and 16.00 and from Vannovka only once about 17.00.