NEW! Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan

This new Heatherlea trip incorporates a variety of habitats across two countries to get the best birding in Central Asia - from high-altitude Himalayan specialities in the picturesque Tien Shan Mountains to dry-zone steppe species in the Taukum Desert and waterfowl and wader migration in Korgalzhyn National Park.

Whilst huge Kazakhstan (the ninth largest country in the world), is dominated by sparsely-inhabited steppe habitat and its southern neighbour, Kyrgyzstan, is surrounded by high mountains, both countries have a long history of nomadic farming and long-distance trading, assisted by being major staging posts along the Silk Road.

Since independence from the former Soviet Union in the early-1990s, tourist infrastructure has improved, and amongst the sheer beauty and immensity of the landscape, this carefully designed two-week tour includes all the major habitats and all the major species, focussing on a wealth of Central Asian and sought-after globally-threatened specialities.

Target birds include the globally endangered Sociable Lapwing and Caspian Plover, colonies of Pallas’ Gull, Demoiselle Crane, larks including Bimaculated, Black and White-winged, Sulphur-bellied and Asian Desert Warblers, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, buntings including White-capped, Grey-necked, Pine, Meadow and Red-headed, Mongolian Finch, Red-mantled Rosefinch, White-tailed Rubythroat, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Himalayan Snowcock, White-winged Grosbeak, Ibisbill, Blue Whistling Thrush, Red-fronted Serin, Songar Tit, Brown, Altai and Black-throated Accentors, Blue-headed, Eversmann's, Blue-capped and Güldenstädt's Redstarts, Macqueen's Bustard, Saxaul Sparrow, Turkestan Tit, Azure Tit, Yellow-eyed Dove, White-winged Woodpecker and a host of wildfowl, waders and raptors.

Other wildlife highlights amongst the seemingly endless desert, rolling steppe, and rugged mountains could include Saiga Antelope, Grey Wolf, Jerboa, or the Wonder Gecko!

We stay in good hotels, ideally-located local guesthouses, and a renovated private yurt camp with good facilities and an excellent chef - a tour highlight (and not to be confused with traditional camping!). We travel in comfortable people carriers, limiting the number of guests to ten in order to provide a greater level of personal attention to all!

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Sunday 24 May - Day 1 - Departure
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we take an overnight flight to Astana – the modern capital of Kazakhstan, rising from the semi-arid steppe habitat of the area.

Monday 25 May - Day 2 - Arrival
Upon arrival in Astana, we begin with a relaxed day of birding in the steppes surrounding the city, where we may encounter waders including Marsh Sandpiper, various warblers, and maybe Pallid Harrier among other early highlights. In the early afternoon, we return to the city, allowing time to rest or to indulge in some sightseeing if preferred. Overnight in Astana.

Tuesday 26 May - Wednesday 27 May – Days 3 & 4 – Korgalzhyn National Park
An early start for the journey to Korgalzhyn National Park. This vast wetland area, which combines virgin steppe and lakes, is home to wolves, marmots, and Saiga – the distinctive steppe antelope which have become increasingly easier to find in recent years. However, it is the birds that are the real attraction. Situated at the crossroads of two migration routes, these wetlands act as a giant motorway junction service station for birds, Lake Tengiz alone has the capacity to feed 15 million birds! One of our main targets here are nesting groups of the globally endangered Sociable Lapwing, but in the endless landscape, there are many other fine attractions... roadside colonies of Black-winged Pratincoles and White-winged Terns in glorious breeding plumage may be amongst migrant shorebirds such as Red-necked Phalarope, Spotted Redshank, Terek Sandpiper, Ruff displaying in all their finery, and Little and Temminck’s Stints. The numerous wetland habitats and waterbodies also hold breeding Dalmatian Pelican, Great Bittern, White-headed Duck, Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes, Whooper Swan, Red-crested Pochard, and Caspian Tern. Another showstopper are the close colonies of splendid Pallas’ Gull, with a supporting cast of Steppe and Slender-billed Gulls. The damp, grassy steppe contains elegant Demoiselle Crane, while scattered scrub should hold Booted Warbler, Pallid Harrier, and perched Red-footed Falcon. Two other very special birds we should find today are Black and White-winged Lark—often numerous along the roadside, with both species being confined to the Central Asian steppes. In the evening, we will return to our local guesthouse in Korgalzhyn where we spend two nights.

Thursday 28 May - Day 5 – From Steppe to City
On our final day in Korgalzhyn, we focus on birding the lakes west of the village, searching for any missed species within the reserve. In the afternoon, we return to Astana and board a domestic flight to southern Kazakhstan. Upon arrival in the country’s largest city – Almaty - we transfer to our comfortable tourist hotel for one night, where we settle in and enjoy a well-deserved dinner, preparing for the next leg of our adventure.

Friday 29 May - Day 6 – Valleys & Canyons
We will spend one night in the Sogeti Valley and Charyn Canyon National Park region, focusing on observing a variety of photogenic species such as Pallas’s Sandgrouse, White-capped Bunting and Mongolian Finches. We will also visit the impressive Charyn Canyon itself (think Central Asian Grand Canyon), where we hope to connect with the charming Asian Desert Warblers Chukar, Rufous-tailed and Blue Rock Thrushes, Hume’s Whitethroat and Grey-necked, Pine, Meadow, Rock and Red-headed Buntings. There may be raptor activity too, with Lesser Kestrel, Long-legged Buzzard, Saker Falcon, Egyptian, Himalayan Griffon, and Cinereous Vultures, and Golden Eagle all possible. One night in a local hotel.

Saturday 30 May – Tuesday 2 June – Days 7-10 – Kyrgyzstan
Don’t forget your passport! We cross into Kyrgyzstan for a four-night stay in Karakol, near the impressive (and deep) Lake Issyk-Kul. During our stay south of the border, we will explore the stunning, picturesque and snow-topped mountains of the Tien Shan range near the city in search of sought-after Himalayan species such as the stunning White-tailed Rubythroat, Red-mantled Rosefinch, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Himalayan Snowcock, White-winged Grosbeak, Ibisbill and Hill Pigeon amongst many others. Blue Whistling Thrush, Red-fronted Serin, Chukar, Songar Tit, Lammergeier, Alpine, Brown, Altai and Black-throated Accentors are also on the wishlist, along with Blue-headed, Eversmann's, Blue-capped and Guldenstadt’s Redstarts. It is a great combination of must-see birds and a wonderful landscape! In the agricultural fields surrounding the city, we will find Corn Bunting, Oriental Turtle-Dove, Hume’s and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warblers. Four nights at the Matsunoki Guesthouse, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.

Wednesday 3 June - Day 11 – Pass Back To Kazakh
We retrace our steps, returning to Almaty as we cross back into Kazakhstan. Our journey includes a visit to the Sogeti Valley one last time and possibly, if the weather is amenable, the migration hotspot of Kokpek Pass for any possible missed species, possibly including Lesser Grey Shrike or Indian Golden Oriole. We anticipate arriving back at our hotel in Almaty for one night in good time for dinner.

Thursday 4 June - Friday 5 June - Days 12 & 13 – Taukum Desert
As with all long journeys in this huge environment, our Taukum Desert adventure begins with an early departure from Almaty. Our first stop is planned at Sorbulak Lake, where we focus on waders and other waterbirds such as Terek Sandpiper and Temminck's Stints. Here also we have a good chance on observing both Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans. In the afternoon, we explore the artesian wells in Taukum, concentrating on the massive migration taking place. Here we find a plethora of larks with Asian Short-toed, Greater Short-toed, Calandra, Bimaculated and Crested Lark all possible. We may see Black-bellied and Pallas’ Sandgrouse over the sand, and Eastern Imperial Eagle, Steppe Eagle or Crested Honey Buzzards overhead. In the evening, after our professionally-cooked local dinner under the stars, we make a night excursion to find Jerboa – the cute, hopping desert rodent, other nocturnal mammals, and the exotic Wonder Gecko! In the morning, we will fully explore the famous Taukum Desert targetting Macqueen's Bustard and Caspian Plover after which we will visit Topar Lake and Zheltorangly Forest, searching for many Central Asian treasures such as Saxaul Sparrow, Turkestan Tit, Yellow-eyed Dove, Shikra, and White-winged Woodpecker. Two nights glamping the nomadic way in a Private Yurt Camp – a unique, memorable, and highly-recommended experience!

Saturday 6 June - Day 14 – Back To The City
We spend our final morning birding in the Taukum Desert focusing on any missed species in the days before returning to Almaty by way of Sorbulak. Blyth’s Reed and Sykes’s Warblers, rollers, bee-eaters, shrikes and buntings will be evident as we travel. One night in Almaty.

Sunday 7 June - Day 15 – Back To The UK
We drive to Almaty Airport in the morning for the flight back to London.

What's included in your holiday price:

• Return scheduled flights from London – Astana and Almaty - London, internal flights, airport taxes, baggage and hand luggage up to airline included limit.
• Airport transfers, ground transportation, entrance fees, accommodation and meals as specified.
• The services of Heatherlea leaders.
• Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included free of charge subject to terms and conditions. Read More...

Free Field Guide! - 'Birds of Central Asia' by Raffael Aye, Manuel Schweizer and Tobias Roth is included in your holiday price. One copy per room booked.

What's not included in your holiday price:

• Travel to and from departure airport before and after holiday, baggage above airline included limit
• Incidental tips, expenses of a personal nature including drinks and personal insurance.
• What's not included in your holiday price:
• Travel to and from departure airport before and after holiday, baggage above airline included limit
• Incidental tips, expenses of a personal nature including drinks and personal insurance.

More holiday information:

Accommodation: The overall standard of accommodation on this tour is good, but please note that Central Asian hotels generally average below the international standard in the West. All hotel rooms are en suite, although local guesthouses in the remote National Parks are likely to have shared bathroom facilities. There are also two nights in traditional yurts in the Taukum Desert which is often one of the highlights of the tour. The private camp is being fully upgraded for 2026, which means that all toilet and shower facilities will be new, and the number of yurts will be increased, drastically minimising the requirement to share accommodation, although the view upon waking up is just as awe-inspiring!

Food: Is generally good and wholesome although for some it may seem to lack variety. Special diets are limited - Kazakhstan eats more meat per head than any other country except Argentina, but fish is readily available near lakes and vegetarian meals are catered for. One local speciality is camel milk, which lacks the sour punch of other mammal beverages, and is somewhat akin to buttermilk. The local Kazakh cognac is also interesting!

Walking: This is an easy-paced holiday. There will be some easy to moderate hill trails, but all relatively short and all taken at a gentle pace. Due to the distances between key birding sites, Central Asian birding has been likened to a string of pearls – with long, straight drives and regular treasures close to the road! Comfy walking shoes or lightweight boots recommended.

Weather: Due to the altitudinal range of this trip, the weather can vary considerably at this time of year – and you need to dress accordingly. Generally, it will be warm during the day on the steppe and in the desert habitats (c.20-25˚C), but it can be chilly at night and in the early mornings, and temperatures in Almaty are likely to be cooler at all times (c.5-15˚C). Cold weather can be expected at the higher altitudes with strong winds, and rain is also possible at almost any time.

Clothing: As well as ensuring a range of temperatures and weather conditions are covered by clothing, both countries remain fairly conservative, especially in rural areas, and therefore covering of legs, shoulders, etc is recommended.

Altitude: Astana is approximately 350m above sea level, Almaty is approximately 800m above sea level, and Karakol in Kyrgyzstan is about 1750m above sea level. Trips into the Tien Shan mountains will reach even higher.

Insects: There is no malaria risk on this tour. Mosquitoes can be a local nuisance in certain areas. Be sure to bring some repellent, just in case.

Group size: Is restricted to 10 clients maximum.

Travel: The standard vehicle of choice for tours in Central Asia is the Mercedes Sprinter people carrier. These vehicles provide greater comfort and safety for guests on the long drives, some along un-made roads through scenic landscapes, but we will stop regularly. Due to the smaller group size, a window seat will be provided to all guests.

Visa: United Kingdom citizens will need a passport valid for at least six months from date of departure. UK citizens do not need a visa to visit Kazakhstan as a tourist for up to 30 days within a 6-month period or up to 60 days in Kyrgyzstan. Other nationalities should check details in advance.

Flights: Are by scheduled airline, from London to Astana, usually via a European hub. The return flight, from Almaty to London is also likely to require a short stopover in a European airport. We may be able to offer flight arrangements from another airport and/or or quote without flights so you can make your own arrangements. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.

Photos: Although predominantly a wildlife watching tour, the scenery and landscape is highly photogenic, and the range of birds and mammals encountered will offer good incidental photographic opportunities.

Photo credits: Our thanks go to Machiel Valkenburg whose images are used on this page.