Kazakhstan: Steppes and Peaks
The largest landlocked country in the world, Kazakhstan is often overlooked by birders. With a vast length equal to the size of Western Europe, the Kazakh Steppe region is the world’s largest steppe habitat, covered in grasslands and sandy regions. On this adventure we’ll journey across the steppe into the mountains, exploring the incredible habitat that has largely avoided human interference. Some of the main targets include the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing, White-winged and Black larks, and Demoiselle Crane. Join us on our inaugural trip to this incredible destination and have an intimate encounter with Central Asia and its incredible, rarely seen, wildlife.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from home airports in the evening, on red-eye flights, to begin the long journey to Central Asia.
Night: In the air
Day 2
Upon landing in Astana, we’ll head to our hotel for some well-deserved rest before the exciting adventure ahead. If you’re feeling energetic, you can explore the capital city on your own.
Night: Astana
Days 3 - 5
Today, the birding begins! The first part of the trip focuses on the Korgalzhyn region, where grassy steppes are interspersed with numerous shallow lakes.
Kazakhstan’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the region is a complex of freshwater and saltwater lakes surrounded by characteristic dry steppe landscapes. The Greater Flamingo population here is the northernmost breeding population, and both the endangered Steppe Eagle and critically endangered Sociable Lapwing call the area home during breeding season. Other highly sought-after species include both Black and White-winged larks, both endemic to Kazakhstan. With luck, we’ll even find some breeding Demoiselle Cranes showing off their impressive plumes.
In the afternoon of Day 5, we’ll take an in-country flight to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan.
Nights: Korgalzhyn area
Meals: BLD
Days 6 - 7
From Almaty, we take on a series of large lakes and canals, a great place for pelican colonies (Dalmatian and Great White), vast numbers of waterfowl and waders during migration, as well as a small pond where White-headed Ducks nest. The desert itself is home to fascinating species like Asian Houbara (also known as MacQueen’s Bustard) and Caspian Plover, many species of larks, and Black-bellied and Pallas’s sandgrouse. Migrating passerines are a possibility, and we’ll be on the lookout for desert finches.
Nights: Kanshengel area
Meals: BLD
Day 8
As we cross the Taukum Desert towards the Ili River Delta, we will be searching for the Asian Desert Warbler, Syke’s Warbler, and Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin.
Our main goal for the day will be exploring the Ili River Delta. Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Balkhash, the delta is under severe threat due to climate change and agricultural encroachment. Covering over 3,000 square miles, the delta is home to an incredible diversity of plants and animals, including highly sought-after species such as the Saxaul Sparrow, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, and White-winged Woodpecker. In the evening, we have a chance of finding the secretive Pallid Scops-Owl.
Night: Ili River Delta area
Meals: BLD
Days 9 - 11
Day 9 is a long transfer from the Ili Delta to the southeastern corner of Kazakhstan. We’ll spend the next couple of days exploring everything from the rocky deserts and canyons to the high, green pastures. The former gives us good chances at finding Steppe Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Desert Wheatear, Gray-necked, Meadow, and especially White-capped Bunting, with another chance at very close encounters with Pallas’s Sandgrouse. The higher pastures are home to Himalayan Griffon, Pine Bunting, Richard’s Pipit, and usually Demoiselle Crane.
Nights: Charyn area
Meals: BLD
Days 12 - 14
The next couple of days will have us escape the heat to explore the mountains south of Almaty. Most of our birding these days is on foot, with a variety of hikes to suit different physical capacities. We’ll target high-altitude species such as Himalayan Snowcock, Altai and Brown accentors, Guldenstadt’s Redstart, and Plain Mountain-Finch, with Red-billed and Yellow-billed chough present. Mid-altitude walks should then allow us to see Red-mantled Rosefinch, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Himalayan Rubythroat, Eversmann’s and Blue-capped redstarts, Sulphur-bellied, Hume’s, and Greenish warblers, Red-fronted Serin, and the famous Ibisbill. The famous bone-eating Bearded Vulture is also a possibility.
Nights: Almaty Lake area
Meals: BLD
Day 15
On our final full day, we’ll make sure that we get to see all the mountain species we may have missed before moving to other birding areas around Almaty. As we leave the mountain, another short walk will hopefully give us wonderful, close-up views of Brown Dipper, Blue Whistling-Thrush, and Gray Wagtail. Afterwards, we visit yet another national park looking for Meadow Bunting and hopefully Short-toed Eagle. On our way back, a residential area should yield Long-tailed Shrike. We will finish the day at a local pond for Clamorous Reed Warblers before our final meal together.
Night: Almaty
Meals: BLD
Day 16
Most flights to Europe and North America depart from Almaty airport early in the morning, allowing us ample time to return home by the evening and rest up after an incredible adventure through Central Asia.
Tour Leader
Matt Bell
EcoTravel Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with EcoTravel?
We’re proud to offer small group travel in support of conservation, both locally and across the globe! By traveling with EcoTravel, you’re supporting environmental education and habitat management everywhere we go. When traveling internationally, we strive to use local companies who know the best places to visit, providing an intimate experience with the culture and wildlife.
What's included in the cost of the trip?
Most everything. Most every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, birding/sightseeing with experienced guides, meals as specified in the itinerary, airport transfers, services of local guides, and more.
Most meals are included on EcoTravel journeys. All breakfasts are included, and some dinners. Occasional lunches in special locations may also be included. Although some dinners may not be included, suggestions for dining options will be offered by your tour leader. Many EcoTravel guests choose to dine together to share in new friendships and discoveries, but the choice is yours. Dining is a delightful and integral part of the EcoTravel experience – and that is why we select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit. Most included meals offer limited choice menus, and some may be from a set menu or buffet. All appropriate gratuities for included meals are included.
For exact information of what’s included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's not included in the cost of the trip?
Alcoholic beverages are not included, nor are meal gratuities for not-included meals, local guides, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers. EcoTravel guides and driver gratuities are not included and should be offered individually, not as a group. Transfer driver gratuities are included.
Luggage service on EcoTravel tours is not included.
For exact information of what’s not included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's your cancellation policy?
All trips are non-refundable.
Day Trips run as scheduled, and all participants are expected to be there. In the event weather postpones the trip and you can’t make the new date, or we don’t receive enough signups to run the trip, you’ll receive a non-expiring credit for the full value paid.
Overnight Trips can be partially refunded outside of 120 days before departure. Payment is due in full 120 days before departure, and no refunds are given. Exact details for each trip can be found in the terms and conditions on the Printable Itinerary.
What's the average group size?
Almost all of our trips are kept to single digits! We believe that small groups give a better experience to everyone. Day Trips and certain overnights may include up to 14 participants, with two guides.
Many of our trips run with just 4-6 participants!
What level of birder do I need to be?
All levels are welcome! While some trips are more intense than others, our guides are skilled at helping everyone see as many birds as possible while having a great time.
Do you sell travel insurance?
EcoTravel is an authorized agent of Travelex travel insurance. Please call the office for more information.
What happens if the tour doesn't fill?
Day Trips: Cancellation results in a credit for the full value that can be used for future trips.
Overnight Trips: Travelers are given the chance to rebook the same trip for a future year, or to move their money at full value to another trip.
What's the activity level of the tours?
It varies! Some tours have lots of walking, while others are more sedentary. For exact information on the activity level of a specific trip, please call the office.
How far in advance can I / should I book?
We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel. EcoTravel journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.
Can EcoTravel help make arrangements for pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights?
Absolutely! Many guests choose to extend their stay and we’re happy to help. As a service, EcoTravel will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at select pre-/post-stay hotels offered for that tour. Rooms are reserved at the first or last night’s hotel property of any EcoTravel journey, so there’s no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.
Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your EcoTravel itinerary not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows your group to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays – important factors to consider! Guests wishing to spend more time in cities where our journeys end can extend their stay – a great way to make your vacation last a little longer.
Are transfers included to and from my pre-tour and post-tour hotels?
Complimentary transfers are included from the airport to your pre-stay hotel for the start of your journey and from your post-stay hotel to your departure airport.
Please Note:Transfers are included for EcoTravel-approved pre- and post-stay hotels. Non-EcoTravel hotel transfers must be approved prior to leaving on your tour.
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