Izmir so you can Istanbul, Istanbul so you can Almaty, Almaty so you’re able to Shymkent. That was the journey i embarked to the not long ago with the great house away from Kazakhstan, a nation packed with surprises… I’m therefore happy that individuals was basically invited by the Kazakhstan Tourism panel to experience a bona fide taste of the wonderful nation while the I experienced only really heard about Kazakhstan throughout the United kingdom television let you know Borat, a personality that pretends become a journalist from Kazakhstan. It’s seriously hilarious however, holds little resemblance for the genuine Kazakhstan when i learned throughout my personal nine weeks there…
We come to Almaty airport at the eight have always been and have been met of the the co-ordinator Aigul. Once we had such as for instance a put off toward all of our flight out of Istanbul, they certainly were contacting away on the latest boarding for our 2nd flight so you’re able to Shymkent. Sleepily, we went through the airport fulfilling one or two all of us mates in the act and simply controlling and make all of our second trip punctually.
Once we landed during the Shymkent we’d a 2 hours drive to our destination of your own Aksu-Zhabagly Characteristics Set-aside. Nothing did I am aware once i decrease asleep five full minutes toward your way one to that might be the very last second off websites we possibly may provides getting an entire 2 days.
Immediately following 2 hours we taken to a hotel at base of the mountains. It absolutely was an old Soviet june camp. Never the five star lodging i am always, nevertheless is actually real. They had a share, cabin-instance rooms and a restaurant helping delicious Kazakh restaurants.
Once we had freshened right up, everyone met up for dinner on the resort’s eatery where we feasted into the mampar soup and fresh dough. Our very own classification contained Nishit and you may Kritika off India, Dan regarding Canada, Yosh and you will Vins from the Philippines, Aigul and Dina away from Kazakhstan and me and you can Umit.
We’d some hiking prepared for this afternoon very as well as the publication, Rustem, i piled to your good minivan to start the journey into the Character Put aside
This new Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Set aside ‘s the eldest nature reserve inside the Main Asia. Once i try powered by zero bed, the idea of hiking could not become subsequent about what i’d go for been undertaking that’s crawling towards the bed, but once we were call at the new hill heavens, breeze within locks We forgot on my personal weakness and you can enjoyed this new spectacular feedback throughout.
It is breathtakingly stunning and it are, for my situation, the most surprising and you will fun city out of all the places we decided to go to during the our very own time in Kazakhstan. Not everyone (in addition to me just before I went) be aware that tulips indeed come from Kazakhstan!
Wolves and you will bears roam the newest put aside however, whether or not We kept my personal vision open for them, We never ever saw people. Appear to snowfall leopards along with label the brand new highest hills of your Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve domestic (also a good yeti haha) but none at which i spotted. After we had ooh-ed and you can ahh-ed over the brilliant views, droned from every bases together with 1 skirt change in the newest right back of one’s van, it was time to help you hike down to the newest Aksu River lower than.
The brand new territory of your own character set-aside encompasses diverse landscapes, away from meadows, to juniper woods, glaciers to help you gorges that have snow-capped slopes glowing vibrant regarding distance
Once we was in fact at the bottom and had taken a number of (hundred) photographs, we liked an excellent picnic located towards the a stone, feet clinging towards the ice cold lake. An amusing moniker I was immediately following offered by good Bedouin in Petra, Michael jordan was ‘hill goat’ as i am very quick in enabling off a hill regardless of terrain. What dil mil online i always disregard when i’m going off is simply exactly how difficult hiking support it would be! We naturally deserved the Shymkent beer we’d after that evening!