Southkazakhstan.com: Aksu-Jabagly

Established in 1926, the Aksu-Jabagly state nature reserve is the oldest nature reserve of Central Asia. Located in the north western part of the Tien Shan range at elevations from 1100 to 4238 meters, it is one of the richest populated nature reserves in the world. You will find there luxuriant mountain fields and steppes, magnificent juniper forest, springs and rivers, and rocks. In spring the landscape is covered by rare flowers, wild tulips (Greig’s giant tulips and Kaufmann’s tulips) in particular. When in May its alpine meadows are dotted with the wild bright red tulips, a traveler can enjoy the spectacular and unforgettable view – a cover of giant flowers spreading across emerald green fields. By the way, the tulips of Holland originated from this region!

Fauna is represented by 238 different bird species. Even most African nature reserves won’t come close to this number. The largest bird in the reserve is the golden eagle which can sometimes be seen circling above the Aksu river canyon looking for prey. With its 3 meters span the golden eagle is an amazing view indeed. Besides birds there live 42 species of mammals (Arkhar Wild Sheep, Tien Shan Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, Eurasian eagle owl and the Himalayan griffon vulture and others are among them), several species of reptiles and about 5000 different insects. Not only wildlife is very diverse. The botanist can find here not less than 1279 different plants, 150 endemic species among them.

There are several interesting destinations inside the park. The Aksu river canyon is one of the deepest canyons in Asia. You can visit the canyon by jeep at the west side of the reserve where views are spectacular indeed. There is also the possibility to be dropped by a car at the entrance of the park and walk near the canyon to the viewpoint and then back to the village of Jabagly. You need to be in good health for this option for you should expect walking for a minimum of five hours. If you go to one of the two observation houses of the nature reserve, you may enjoy a captivating view at a waterfall and there is also the possibility to watch a large number of bird species.

Everybody is welcome to the nature reserve. With permission of the administration of the nature reserve and guided by a skilled guide, you will get acquainted with fascinating wonders of Aksu Jabagly. Tours in the park must be organized by licensed organizations in order to obtain proper permission to enter the reserve. The required permission must be arranged at the administration office of the reserve in the village of Jabagly. This permission can be arranged by your travel agent, or the hotel where you spend the night. It is not allowed to enter the reserve without a guide or ranger accompanying you. When you travel by jeep the chauffeur will also be your guide so there is no need to hire a separate guide or ranger from the reserve.

The uniqueness of the nature reserve was also recognized by others. The reserve is therefore a candidate to be placed on the world heritage list of the UNESCO.

Aksu Jabagly Park Fees:

Entrance to the park area: 1050 tenge per person per day for international tourists

Ranger: 1300 tenge per group per day (Groups visiting the park must be accompanied by a ranger)

Museum: 700 tenge per person per visit for international tourists

Getting there & away

From Shymkent, catch a marshrutnoe from the Ozero stand to Tulkibas; from here it’s a 500 tenge taxi ride or 50 tenge bus ride to Zhabaghly (30 minutes). There is also a daily direct bus (US$1) departing from the market at 3pm. From Tulkibas a train leaves at 6pm or Almaty (12 hours, 2500 tenge), and there are frequent connections to Taraz and Shymkent.

There is also an overnight train to Tulkubas (on the Shimkent line). Leaves Almaty 2 station daily at 6.13 p.m. and arrives at Tulkubas at 6.30 a.m. the following morning. A taxi can be arranged to meet you to take you the 20-30 minutes to Jabagly. The cost of the train fare is 2,188 tenge (coupe, one-way) and the cost of the taxi is from 500 tenge per car. For your return, there is a daily train to Almaty which leaves Tulkubas at 8.29 p.m. and arrives at Almaty 2 Station at 9.50 a.m. the following morning.

Where to stay

In Axu jabaglyyou can stay with Wild Nature NGO, Zhenja & Lyuda\\\'s Boarding House, at Home Stays or Yurts and Tents.