BOUNDLESS.
ENDEMIC.
THRILLING.
We are the only operator in Central Asia, in cooperation with Birdtour Asia, that have developed an expedition focused especially on finding the enigmatic and difficult to find Zarudniy Sparrow. The Zarudny Sparrow is primarily confined to Turkmenistan and is supposed to occur in the Karakum Desert in Uzbekistan.
Although the species has not been recorded for many years in the Karakum region, it is probably a Turkmenistan endemic these days. These little sparrows have a beautiful look with a blackish facial mask and contrasting concolorous uniform grey body. Our top target is confined to bare or sand-plain areas sparsely vegetated, especially Sand Acacias or White Saxaul.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Four core moments you'll never forget
Explore the mesmarizing Tien Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan, finding dazzling White-tailed Rubythroat’s, and more Himalayan specialties.
Enjoy the thrill of venturing deep into the Karakum Desert in search of the rarest sparrow of the world. Be one of the only birders in the world to have seen the endemic Zarudniy Sparrow.
Love morning safari’s in search of displaying Macqueen’s Bustard and Caspian Plovers – good chances on Wolves and Turkestan Gazelles!
Feel all alone on the planet, stroll vast steppes and deserts, superb birding in stunning scenery galore!
Meet your leader
The expedition is led by Machiel Valkenburg, an experienced wildlife leader living for almost two decades in Central Asia. He is simply the best leader available for this destination and will provide you with the best experience possible throughout his magical Central Asia.
YOUR CENTRAL
ASIA ITINERARY
Participants should consider Turkish Airlines (a Star Alliance member airline). They are the only airline with flights into Ashgabat (airport code ASB) and out of Tashkent, with connections at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport.
NIGHT | On aircraft.
We enjoy an Ashgabat excursion and afternoon flight to Mary Upon arrival in Ashgabat in the morning, you will be met and transferred to our hotel, where your room is reserved for immediate check-in. We will spend the morning birding around Ashgabat, where we will visit some agricultural areas, here we hope to find White-tailed Lapwing, Variable Wheatear, and Pied Bushchat. In the nearby hillsides, we have the possibility of Finsch’s Wheatear. After lunch in the city, we head for the domestic airport, where we will board our flight to Turkmenabad town, around an hour east of the capital. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.
NIGHT | Yupek Yoly, Turkmenabad
The coming two days are designated to search for the illustrious Zarudniy Sparrow that is extinct in Uzbekistan and has become a Turkmen endemic. On the first day, we will leave Mary and drive in a 4WD convoy to Turkmenabad. Here we will come across the first Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Greater Sand Plover, and Red-headed Buntings. Trumpeter Finch of the race ‘crassirostris’ is pretty common, just like many species of lark. Other birds include Asian Desert Warbler, Menetries’s’ Warbler and Streaked Scrub Warbler. The highly-desirable Pander’s Ground-Jay is the final major target we hope to find. At dusk we might try to find the rare Egyptian Nightjar. Both days we will be dedicated to searching for this enigmatic sparrow!
NIGHT | Yupek Yoly, Turkmenabad
Today will be mostly a travel day. We leave Turkmenabad and head for the Uzbek border. After entering Uzbekistan, we set sails for Bukhara, wherein the late evening, we will board our domestic high-speed train to Tashkent. We will have a few hours to kill! We will spend them with a guided tour, along the many historical sights of this unique UNESCO World Heritage city. We end this tour with a special Uzbek meal, regarded as the best cuisine in the region by many.
NIGHT | Navruz Hotel, Tashkent
A transfer will be provided very early this morning to Tashkent International Airport (airport code TAS), in time for the Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul.
- CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE
NEXT TOUR
25 APRIL - 30 APRIL, 2024
Cost | $2.100 – domestic flight included
Single supplement | $400
Deposit | $800
Group size | minimum 6 and maximum 10
Availability | Spaces
Leader | Machiel Valkenburg
Repetek Biosphere State Reserve
We explore the sand-plain areas of Repetek Biosphere State Reserve for two full days, often referred to as Repetek Desert Reserve. In this IBA (Important Bird Area), we are searching for Zarudny Sparrow and other desert specialties like Pander’s Ground Jay and the local race of Trumpeter Finch. Here also, Caspian Monitor Lizard occurs, and we hope to locate a few individuals during our visit to this unique Central Asian habitat.
During our time in Repetek Desert Reserve we stay in a rustic hotel near the entry of the reserve. From here we make drives into the sandy dunes targeting the sparrow. Trusted Landcruisers provide sturdy and comfortable companions in these extreme conditions.
What’s Included?
Expert English-speaking Rubythroat leader
All accommodations
All full-board meals
All land transfers by 4WD
Domestic flight Ashgabat-Turkmenabad
Visa support
What’s Excluded?
International flight to/from Central Asia.
Personal expenses; laundry, telephone costs etc.
Alcoholic drinks.
Extra rooming not mentioned in the itinerary.
Meals on day one.
Single room supplement.
THE KALAN MOSQUE
BROOMRAPE FLOWERING IN KYZYLKUM DESERT
TURKESTAN GROUND-JAY IS COMMON
