Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve

Korgalzhyn State Nature reserve is the biggest reserve of Kazakhstan, included in the UNESCO World heritage list. It is situated 130 km to the southwest of Astana city and comprises huge steppes and lakes. In the territory of Korgalzhyn nature reserve are protected the unique sites of wetlands, providing the home for the biggest northernmost population of Greater flamingo. In the last years over 35.000 flamingos were counted on the shallow islands in the big salty Tenniz Lake. Here you can also watch “skillful fish hunters”: Dalmatian pelicans and cormorants, graceful common herons and egrets, as well as Demoiselle cranes.

 Program of the tour

Departure from Astana. Trip from Astana to Korgalzhyn village (135 km, 1,5-2 hours). Arriving in the village. Visiting the visitors center, where tourists can learn all the information about the unique natural object – Korgalzhyn nature reserve (1 hour). Trip from Korgalzhyn village to Isei lake (40 km, 40 min). Birdwatching: Whooper Swan, Great Egret, Gray Herons, Red-billed Shelduck, Cormorants, Dalmatian Pelican and other interesting waterfowl species. Trip from Isei lake to Karazhar cordon (15 km, 20 min). Lunch alone with nature at Karazhar cordon. Trip from Karazhar cordon to lake Maliy Tenniz (25 km, 30 min). Excursion to the northern shore of lake Maliy Tenniz. Watching and taking pictures of Greater Flamingos. Trip from lake Maliy Tenniz to Korgalzhyn village (25 km, 30 min), watching marmots on the way. Trip to Astana city (135 km, 1,5-2 hours).

Cost per person

The above-mentioned prices include: all the journeys by off-highway minibus according to the programme of the tour, services of a driver and an English-speaking guide-interpreter, accommodation in guesthouses in Korgalzhyn village (double and triple rooms available), three meals a day (in a guesthouses or in the field), visiting the visitors center, entrance to the area of reserve, local ranger escort.

The above-mentioned prices do not include: visa expenses and consular fees, insurance, the price of getting to the starting point of the route (Astana city) and back.

If required the tour can be adapted according to the schedule of arrival and departure flights of the participants. In this case, the cost of the tour may slightly change.

DISCLAIMER
The program of the tour might be changed due to the force majeure circumstances, including (but not limited to):
– official prohibitions on visiting specially protected areas (national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, etc.) due to epizootics or epidemics, fire-setting and other reasons;
– official prohibitions on visiting sites, located in the territory of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and Kurchatov town, Saryshagan test site, Baikonur city and Cosmodrome site, and other areas with limited access;
– cancellation/postponement of plane, train and other transfers;
– extreme weather conditions (steppe fire, snowstorms, lasting rainstorms, etc.) and its consequences (washed out roads, snow drifts, damaged bridges, etc.);
– traffic restrictions (closures);
– other natural and administrative circumstances beyond the control of the company “Nomadic Travel Kazakhstan”.