6-Day Korgalzhyn Flamingos & Astana: Saryarka UNESCO Wetlands Tour
Astana6 dni
- Bezpłatna anulacja
O tej atrakcji
Two hours south-west of Astana the dry steppe gives way to a chain of shallow lakes that UNESCO lists as the Saryarka Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan. Lake Tengiz, salt and enormous, holds the most northerly breeding colony of greater flamingos anywhere on earth, and the reserve around it is a crossroads for millions of migrating birds on the route between Africa, India and Siberia. This six-day private tour puts three days in the reserve and three in Astana, which means you get the best birdwatching in Central Asia and one of the strangest capital cities in the world in a single trip.
Why you will remember this trip
See greater flamingos at Lake Tengiz, the northernmost breeding colony on the planet
Spend two full days in the Korgalzhyn reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Ramsar wetland
Look for Dalmatian pelicans, white-headed ducks and the rare sociable lapwing
Watch for saiga antelope, the prehistoric-looking steppe antelope that has recovered dramatically here
Take the lift up Baiterek tower and see Astana from the centre of its own axis
Walk through Khan Shatyr and the Nur Alem sphere, the buildings that made the capital famous
Your 6 days
Day 1 — Arrive in Astana — Baiterek, the Nurzhol boulevard and Nur-Astana Mosque
Day 2 — Khan Shatyr, Nur Alem and the National Museum, then south to Korgalzhyn
Day 3 — A full day at Lake Tengiz for the flamingo colony
Day 4 — A second reserve day — saiga antelope, steppe raptors and the feather-grass plain
Day 5 — Return to Astana, the Hazrat Sultan Mosque and the Palace of Peace
Day 6 — Departure from Astana
Private from start to finish
Korgalzhyn needs a permit, a ranger and a vehicle that can handle wet steppe tracks, and the birds are found by people who know where the water is that week. Your guide is a birding specialist, your party has the vehicle alone, and the two reserve days are planned around conditions rather than a fixed route.
Najbliższe dostępne terminy
Co jest wliczone
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver for the whole itinerary
- Private English-speaking guide throughout the touring days
- 5 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast, as described in the itinerary
- Arrival and departure transfers at Astana International Airport (NQZ)
- All fuel, road tolls, parking and driver expenses
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle every day
- Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve permits, ranger fees and a specialist birding guide
- Two nights in Korgalzhyn village guesthouse accommodation, with dinner and breakfast
- Spotting scope and binoculars available in the vehicle throughout
- Entrance fees to Baiterek tower, Nur Alem and the National Museum
- Picnic lunches on both reserve days
Nie jest wliczone
- International flights to and from Astana
- Kazakhstan visa, where your nationality requires one
- Lunches and dinners, unless individually listed as included
- Travel and medical insurance, which we strongly recommend
- Personal expenses, laundry, minibar and telephone charges
- Gratuities for your guide and driver, which are at your discretion
Plan wycieczki
- 1
Arrival in Astana
Your driver meets you at Astana airport and brings you into a city that was open steppe within living memory. Baiterek tower — the 97-metre poplar-tree tower at the centre of the plan, with the observation deck and the gilded handprint at the top. Nurzhol boulevard — the ceremonial axis, walked from Baiterek towards the Ak Orda presidential palace. Nur-Astana Mosque — blue and gold, with a 40-metre dome and four 63-metre minarets. Overnight in Astana.
- 2
Astana architecture and the drive to the reserve
The capital’s landmark buildings in the morning, then out into the steppe. Khan Shatyr — Norman Foster’s 150-metre transparent tent, with a beach on the top floor. Nur Alem sphere — the eight-storey glass globe from EXPO 2017, now a future-energy museum. National Museum of Kazakhstan — the Hall of Gold and the steppe ethnography collections. Drive to Korgalzhyn — about two and a half hours south-west, with the steppe opening out and the first harriers overhead. Overnight in Korgalzhyn village.
- 3
Lake Tengiz and the flamingos
The reason for the trip, with a ranger and an early start. Korgalzhyn reserve visitor centre — permits, the ranger briefing and where the birds have been this week. Lake Tengiz — a vast salt lake, and the breeding ground of the world’s most northerly greater flamingo colony. Viewing is from a distance, through a scope, so the colony is not disturbed. The freshwater lakes — Dalmatian pelicans, whooper swans, white-headed duck and black-winged pratincole on the Ramsar wetlands. Steppe transects — looking for demoiselle cranes, steppe eagles and the critically endangered sociable lapwing. Overnight in Korgalzhyn village.
- 4
Saiga and the open steppe
A different quarter of the reserve, with the emphasis on mammals and raptors. Saiga antelope — the Betpak-Dala herd ranges through this country. The animals are shy and the ranger positions the vehicle accordingly. Feather-grass steppe — the intact stipa grassland that the UNESCO listing is actually for, which in early summer moves like water. Raptor watching — steppe eagle, pallid harrier, red-footed falcon and, with luck, imperial eagle. Sunset over the lakes — when the flamingo flights between lakes are at their best. Overnight in Korgalzhyn village.
- 5
Back to Astana
North to the capital, with the afternoon on what was missed on Day 2. Drive to Astana — with a final steppe stop for birds on the way. Hazrat Sultan Mosque — one of the largest in Central Asia, in classical style with Kazakh ornament. Palace of Peace and Reconciliation — Foster’s glass pyramid, built to host the Congress of World Religions. Astana Opera or the Atameken park — depending on your preference and the evening programme. Overnight in Astana.
- 6
Departure from Astana
Free time and then the transfer. Free time — for last shopping or a final walk on the boulevard. Airport transfer — to Astana airport for your onward flight. End of the tour.
Warto wiedzieć
- Poziom trudności
- Łatwy
- Przewodnik
- Zwiedzanie z przewodnikiem, język: angielski
- Godziny rozpoczęcia
- 12:00
Warto wiedzieć przed wyjazdem
- A clear copy of the passport of every traveller, at least 7 days before arrival
- Your inbound and outbound flight numbers and times, so we can meet you correctly
- Comfortable closed walking shoes; the itinerary includes uneven ground
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and a high-factor sunscreen
- A reasonable level of general fitness for the walking described in the itinerary
- Warm layers — Kazakhstan's temperature swings sharply between day and night
- Insect repellent and long sleeves for the wetland days
- Neutral-coloured clothing for the reserve
Zasady anulowania
Bezpłatna anulacja do 14 dni przed rozpoczęciem atrakcji.
- 14 dni lub więcej przed: pełny zwrot
- Od 7 do 13 dni przed: zwrot 50%
- Mniej niż 7 dni przed: brak zwrotu
Miejsce zbiórki
Zobacz na mapie
Astana Airport (NQZ) arrivals hall
- Adres
- Astana International Airport (NQZ), arrivals hall, Astana, 010000, KZ
- Sposób spotkania
- Spotkanie na miejscu
- Współrzędne
- 51.02220, 71.46690
Mapa poglądowa. Otwórz ją w Mapach, aby zobaczyć dokładne miejsce i aktualną trasę.
Opinie podróżnych
Bądź jednym z pierwszych, którzy ocenią tę atrakcję.
Najczęstsze pytania
Jak długo trwa ta atrakcja?
Trwa 6 dni.
Czy mogę anulować tę rezerwację?
Bezpłatna anulacja do 14 dni przed rozpoczęciem atrakcji. 14 dni lub więcej przed: pełny zwrot · Od 7 do 13 dni przed: zwrot 50% · Mniej niż 7 dni przed: brak zwrotu
Czy ta atrakcja odbywa się z przewodnikiem i w jakim języku?
Zwiedzanie z przewodnikiem, język: angielski
Czy odbiór z hotelu jest wliczony?
Nie — do miejsca zbiórki docierasz we własnym zakresie.
Gdzie zaczyna się ta atrakcja?
Start w: Astana Airport (NQZ) arrivals hall, Astana International Airport (NQZ), arrivals hall, Astana, 010000, KZ.
Od 11 100 AED za osobę
