Your Kazakhstan itinerary

Day 1: To Ust-Kamenogorsk

We will extend our Central Asia adventure with a trip to the stunning Altai Mountains, focusing on the West-Altai Reserve near the city of Ridder. In the afternoon, we will board a domestic flight to Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen in Kazakh), where our charming hotel overlooks the mighty Irtysh River. If time allows, we’ll take a walk in a nearby park, where we may spot European Beaver and Eurasian Jay of the race ‘brandtii,’ distinguished by its dark orange head. Greenish Warbler and Fieldfares are also common in this area.

Night: Comfortable Tourist Hotel Ust-Kamenogorsk

Day 2: Travel to West-Altai Nature Reserve

After a hearty breakfast in Oskemen, we will depart early to explore the Gorny Ublinka region, where we’ll search for Black-throated Thrush, Barred Warbler, and Siberian Meadow Bunting. This area also offers a chance to encounter the remarkable Wryneck. In the afternoon, we will drive to the village of Ridder, where we’ll stay in a charming guesthouse on the edge of the West Altay Reserve. Our first birds to find might include Red-backed Shrikes and Long-tailed Rosefinches.

Night: Comfortable Klimovka Lodge

Day 3 - 5: West-Altai Nature Reserve

Over the next three full days, we will explore the forests near the West-Altai Nature Reserve, the largest reserve in Kazakhstan, spanning 56,000 hectares. This vast area provides us with countless opportunities for wildlife sightings. Starting around our lodge, we have a good chance of encountering Ural Owls, Taiga Flycatchers, and Olive-backed Pipits. If we’re lucky, we may even spot a Siberian Jay visiting one of the feeders!

In these dense coniferous forests, we’ll likely hear the distinctive call of the Hazel Grouse and may have the chance to observe these elusive birds up close. Other common species in this area include Red-flanked Bluetails, Black-throated Thrushes, and Hawfinches. We will also be on the lookout for Baikal Bullfinches and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warblers. Additionally, we’ll make a special effort to find more elusive species such as Swinhoe’s Snipe, Pintail Snipe, Pine Grosbeak, Rock Ptarmigan, Willow Grouse, and the distinctive Asian Rosy Finch.

For botany enthusiasts, the reserve offers a wealth of plant species to discover, with highlights including Siberian Adder’s Tongue and Pink Rhodiola. The Altai Weasel, a threatened species, has a strong presence in this splendid reserve, and we may also spot Siberian Chipmunks and Common Shrews during our explorations.

Night: Comfortable Klimovka Lodge

Day 6: Travel back to Astana

We savour our final morning in the reserve before beginning our journey back to Oskemen, where we will eventually board our domestic flight back to Astana. Upon arrival in Astana, we will enjoy a final dinner at a local restaurant, reflecting on the incredible experiences and memories we’ve made during our adventure in the Altai Mountains.

Night: Comfortable tourist hotel in Astana

Day 7: Return to home

Early this morning, a transfer will be arranged to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ), ensuring timely arrival for the Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, currently scheduled for departure at 3:20 a.m.

Night: No lodging

Tour information

Leader

Arend Wassink

Meet arend

Focus

Birds
Mammals
Siberian Taiga Forests

Group size

Min 6 - Max 10

The group will be always led by one birding leader and one culture guide.

What's included in the Price?

All transport. All accommodations in twin rooming. All meals. All permits and national park entrances. Please note: Drinks, tips, possible visas and items of a personal nature including travel insurance, are not included.

Accomodation

We will be staying in comfortable tourist hotels in both Astana and Ust-Kamenogorsk. While visiting the West-Altai Nature Reserve in Ridder, we will lodge at the excellent Klimovka Lodge. The rooms offer shared shower and WC facilities, but they are of excellent standard. The lodge is also known for its delicious local Russian cuisine, with great attention to decoration and presentation.

Difficulty

Birding during the extension will be relatively relaxed, but we will have daily early wake-ups. While in the reserve, we will spend longer days searching for the more elusive birds of the Altai. Some walks will cover distances of up to 2–3 km. We will transfer between cities using a spacious 20-seat Mercedes Sprinter coach, and while birding in the Altai Mountains, we will use rugged Russian UAZ vehicles to navigate the wet dirt paths. Expect some bumpy rides along the way!

Flights

International flights are not included in the pricing. Please connect with the RBT office to find out your best connection to Central Asia.

Clothing - What to pack?

This trip is a wonderful opportunity to experience a bit of everything! You’ll need light, easily washable, quick-drying clothes, along with sunglasses and a sun hat for protection against the sun. Don’t forget to pack some lightweight yet warm layered clothing for the early mornings. A light waterproof jacket is very needed as rain is almost a certainty, with sometimes snow even a possibility.

For footwear, opt for light but sturdy walking boots that can handle various terrains, and it’s best to avoid shorts for sun protection, as the region is conservative. In the cities, however, people tend to dress more “modern” in light Western clothing.