Array
(
    [id] => 01kz6q50jdxe4qdphwez6h2tce
    [published] => 1
    [name] => Alpine Flowers of the Tien Shan
    [code] => KAZ01
    [slug] => alpine-flowers-of-the-tien-shan
    [description] => 
As the summer sunshine melts the snowy slopes of Kazakhstan's Tien Shan Mountains, a profusion of delightful alpine flowers seizes their brief opportunity to bloom. This tour is timed for the peak of this colourful display and focuses on the flora of the fabulous Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve and the high meadows and rocky crags that tower over the former capital of Almaty. Following a day's botanising in the Kaskelen National Park, we will fly to Shymkent and transfer to Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve for a 5-night stay, which includes three nights at 2,000 metres at the Ulken-Kaindy Mountain House. Here, surrounded by the most majestic of scenery we will look for a kaleidoscope of colourful flowers including Codonopsis clematidea, Aquilegia atrovinosa and the beautiful Paraquilegia anemonoides.
We end the holiday with five nights back in Almaty and plenty of time to enjoy the botanical highlights of the nearby Tien Shan, along with birds including Ibisbill, Evermann's Redstart and Himalayan Rubythroat.

Incredible high alpine meadow flowers among a wealth of botanical treasures
Globe Flower & Paraquilegia anemoides among a wealth of exciting plant-life
Amazing scenery – high mountains, juniper forests & gorges
Impressive birdlife includes Ibisbill & Himalayan Snowcock
Led by an expert botanist guide
Traditional Kazakhstan hospitality

    [introduction] => A 13-day holiday to the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan in search of alpine plants, focusing on the fabulous Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve and the mountains near Almaty.
    [edges] => Array
        (
        )

    [locations] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [name] => Kazakhstan
                    [description] => 
Kazakhstan, lying at the heart of Central Asia on the Old Silk Road, is a massive country. It covers an area the size of the whole of western Europe, spanning 2,717,300 square kilometres from the Caspian Sea to western China.
It has a population of just 20 million people, mostly living in the cities, and as such this is a land of vast open and unpeopled spaces.

Great stone and sand deserts, and wide grassy steppes occupy the majority of the country, interspersed with such great inland lakes as Lake Balkhash and the Aral Sea. In dramatic contrast, along its south-eastern borders stand the mighty Tien Shan Mountains – the 1,610-kilometre spine of Central Asia and northern extension of the Himalaya.
Waters flowing off these vast mountains give rise to flower-filled alpine meadows, lush forests of Tien Shan Spruce and lowland Turanga. They also feed the great lakes and inland deltas to the north.
                    [images] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66ADZT2NFAMXBCJF5G2MA6.jpg
                                    [title] => Ibisbill © Chris Griffin, May 2025
                                )

                            [1] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKE5F5X4Z167K89B7EZG54EY.jpg
                                    [title] => White-tailed Rubythroat, Kazakhstan shutterstock_1643802658.jpg
                                )

                            [2] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66AGWYVBVQZHNFG5S9BCKS.jpg
                                    [title] => Mountain Weasel 2 © Chris Griffin, May 2026
                                )

                            [3] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKE3R4RSRHABRS43ESZZJ9N4.jpg
                                    [title] => Tien Shan Mountains, Kazakhstan shutterstock_2473641429.jpg
                                )

                            [4] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKE5CAXH80QD4Z0HM6M8AHB5.jpg
                                    [title] => Wonder Gecko, Kazakhstan shutterstock_285575240.jpg
                                )

                            [5] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKE5QTM8YB4KPCFEW7CMGD65.jpg
                                    [title] => Saiga Antelope shutterstock_446325700.jpg
                                )

                            [6] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ6H5ZHYX1MZEQPDTTWSXB77.jpg
                                    [title] => Black Lark, Kazakhstan shutterstock_1643803003.jpg
                                )

                            [7] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66AGBTVQNS975V47SWBG06.jpg
                                    [title] => Pine Bunting 2 © Chris Griffin, May 2026
                                )

                            [8] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66AFT9GB0GT430ZBFDHT58.jpg
                                    [title] => Rosy Starling © Chris Griffin, May 2026
                                )

                            [9] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66ACZ1AZ6GJSAC33NCYY64.jpg
                                    [title] => Steppe Agama (Trapelus sanguinolentus) gravid female © Chris Griffin, May 2025
                                )

                            [10] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66AFA6NPBYJCYGN2H4708Y.jpg
                                    [title] => White-winged Grosbeak © Chris Griffin, May 2026
                                )

                            [11] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66AEGVVGEJH53TE4YEH7PP.jpg
                                    [title] => Azure Tit © Chris Griffin, May 2025
                                )

                            [12] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66ADFQATD0F67HX8QFWCBV.jpg
                                    [title] => Red-headed Bunting © Chris Griffin, May 2025
                                )

                        )

                    [parent] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Asia
                        )

                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [name] => Tien Shan
                    [description] => 
Tien Shan
                    [images] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCZT066V55WWJTMBV40AE.jpg
                                    [title] => Almaty Lake, Kazakhstan. Shutterstock 227404474
                                )

                        )

                    [parent] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Kazakhstan
                        )

                )

        )

    [categories] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [name] => Botany
                    [parent] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Tour Focus
                        )

                )

        )

    [fields] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => NumberFieldData
                    [name] => tz3_id
                    [number] => 10062
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => StringFieldData
                    [name] => videos
                    [string] => 
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => StringListFieldData
                    [name] => good_time_to_go
                    [values] => 
                )

            [3] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => StringFieldData
                    [name] => start_point_lat
                    [string] => 
                )

            [4] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => StringListFieldData
                    [name] => tour_expert
                    [values] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Dan Lay
                        )

                )

            [5] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => StringFieldData
                    [name] => relatedtrips
                    [string] => 
                )

            [6] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => NumberFieldData
                    [name] => carbon_with_flights
                    [number] => 
                )

            [7] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => StringListFieldData
                    [name] => best_time_to_go
                    [values] => 
                )

            [8] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => StringFieldData
                    [name] => start_point_long
                    [string] => 
                )

            [9] => Array
                (
                    [__typename] => NumberFieldData
                    [name] => carbon_without_flights
                    [number] => 
                )

        )

    [details] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz9b5e4a6906bxekam9g3vpj
                    [title] => Holiday Details (KAZ01)
                    [content] => 
Following the popularity and success of our spring tours to Kazakhstan’s Tien Shan Mountains, where we have so enjoyed the magnificent displays of tulips and irises, this summer tour offers an opportunity to explore the high alpine meadows of the region, at a time when the glorious carpets of alpine flowers are at their best. 
Although Kazakhstan is still largely unknown to Westerners, it is the ninth largest country in the world and, since gaining independence from Russia, has become a most exciting new frontier for travel, particularly for botanical and ornithological exploration. The Tien Shan Mountains, our focus of attention on this tour, is the Central Asian extension of the Great Himalaya, and extends along Kazakhstan’s southern border all the way to China. We will be based initially in the Aksu Dzabagly Nature Reserve, which takes its name from the two rivers that run though its deep gorges, and is the oldest protected area in Central Asia. The reserve is an unspoilt and spectacularly beautiful place, dominated by high mountains, lush juniper forests and alpine meadows. Long renowned as a naturalists’s paradise, it has a huge and interesting flora, with many endemics, as well as an abundance of birds and mammals. 
We begin our holiday with a flight from London to Almaty. After a day in the city we travel by rail and road to the village of Aksu Dzabagly. By early evening we arrive at our comfortable guesthouse to be welcomed by our hosts. In order to explore the area as widely as possible during the following days, we will have the use of 4- wheel drive buses, but will travel primarily on foot (although, for those happy to ride at times, ponies will gladly be provided). 
Our exploration of the area begins with a visit to the Koksay Valley. Here we will walk over feathergrass steppe and along the shores of the Ters Lake, returning to Aksu Dzabagly village for the night. The following day we will leave the village, bound for our hosts’s mountain house. This sits in a spectacular location at 2,030 metres (6,660 feet), and we will spend the next three nights here in order to explore the region fully. On day walks the high passes and alpine flowers of the Tien Shan will be within easy reach, and just as at our hosts’s village guesthouse, we will be able to enjoy some delicious homeproduced food during our stay here. 
The special flowers that we will hope to find are too numerous to list here, but two late-flowering tulips, Tulipa kaufmannia and T. dasystemonoides, remind us that our own garden tulips originated from here, almost certainly via the Silk Route. More typical of the colourful alpine flowers at this season will be Delphiniums, many species of Allium, Pedicularis, louseworts, Eremostachys tienshanica (a tall labiate with strange hooded flowers), a bright blue teazle, Dipsacus azureus, and several Campanulas including Codonopsis clematidea, a native of the damper slopes of the Tien Shan and Himalayan mountains. Beside mountain streams we will see the Globe Flower, Trollius altaicus, with its large orange-yellow flowers; Aquilegia atrovinosa, a dark wine-coloured columbine, and a bright yellow poppy, Papaver croceum. Beneath our mountain guesthouse, we should find the beautiful thistle-like Morina kokanica, growing alongside abundant roses; whilst above we will find several species of gentians, including Gentiana turkestanica, and most exciting of all, a beautiful high alpine plant, Paraquilegia anemenoides, which grows in high rock crevices and is another speciality of the Himalaya and Tien Shan. 
Of course, this fabulous area offers much more than its flora alone. We have a chance of spotting Isabelline Brown Bears from our mountain retreat, whilst on excursions higher into the mountains we may encounter Red Deer and Ibex. Raptors look down upon us (and their prey the marmots!), and the eerie calls of Himalayan Snowcock echo across alpine valleys. We will even find Bronze Age rock engravings to satisfy those with a cultural craving! 
Returning to Almaty by overnight train, we travel from the city high into the nearby mountains, where we stay for three nights at a former Soviet Astronomical Observatory. This is an area of great beauty and offers relatively easy access to a variety of habitats at over 3,000 metres elevation, ensuring a wonderful selection of montane plants. A large lake nestles in a valley below the Observatory and the surrounding meadows are also notable for the profusion of wild flowers growing there. The strange Ibisbill, a specialised Himalayan wading bird, occurs on the shores of the lake adding ornithological interest to the excursion. At the end of our stay we descend to Almaty and early the following morning catch a flight back to London. 
                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [id] => 01kz645bdvw11176197pg8grq6
                            [name] => Holiday Details
                            [parent] => 
                        )

                )

        )

    [information] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz9b5dw6dcrr368deyqxbrma
                    [title] => KAZ01    Accommodation
                    [content] => 
Comfortable hotel in Almaty; simple guesthouses elsewhere.
                    [images] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [id] => 01kz6459qxmara0cq4yrbe62w4
                            [name] => Accommodation
                            [parent] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6459j706bebwbvqefrf8s9
                                    [name] => Holiday Information
                                )

                        )

                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz9b5dxyb29qtfsjph6q0916
                    [title] => KAZ01    Food
                    [content] => 
All included in the price, starting with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 13.
                    [images] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [id] => 01kz6459wbsj3984wsyn8tggxz
                            [name] => Food
                            [parent] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6459j706bebwbvqefrf8s9
                                    [name] => Holiday Information
                                )

                        )

                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz9b5e1v5hshnzw7z1f49aek
                    [title] => KAZ01    Focus
                    [content] => Plants.
                    [images] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [id] => 01kz645a0r8b210sp76661e505
                            [name] => Focus
                            [parent] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6459j706bebwbvqefrf8s9
                                    [name] => Holiday Information
                                )

                        )

                )

            [3] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz9ajhar4e9jxmnq3sqz3d3a
                    [title] => Why Naturetrek?
                    [content] => 
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
                    [images] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [id] => 01kz645am7q9hxhycy9f86n0x1
                            [name] => Why Naturetrek?
                            [parent] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6459j706bebwbvqefrf8s9
                                    [name] => Holiday Information
                                )

                        )

                )

            [4] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz9ajhcxkv4hqg1fzespc46v
                    [title] => Why Naturetrek Tailormade?
                    [content] => 
A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.
Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists 
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age
Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!
                    [images] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [id] => 01kz645arw3zjhj3pt5az0y9ey
                            [name] => Why Naturetrek Tailormade?
                            [parent] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6459j706bebwbvqefrf8s9
                                    [name] => Holiday Information
                                )

                        )

                )

        )

    [essentials] => Array
        (
        )

    [tailormade_map] => Array
        (
        )

    [videos] => Array
        (
        )

    [price_info_boxes] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01m1ebdnevqqz4he2je6yp7w78
                    [title] => Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
                    [content] => 
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Private Group Info Box
                        )

                    [images] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01m1ekeqp8zd4y9dm7ba8cwkv8
                                    [link] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01M1EKEQP8ZD4Y9DM7BA8CWKV7.webp
                                )

                        )

                )

        )

    [itinerary_image] => Array
        (
        )

    [images] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66e1x8grcar07h2b8kx30g
                    [title] => Kazakhstan mountains shutterstock_2473641429.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:cmam1qf94ufo
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 4160
                    [width] => 6240
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E1X8GRCAR07H2B8KX30F.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E1X8GRCAR07H2B8KX30F.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E1X8GRCAR07H2B8KX30F.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E1X8GRCAR07H2B8KX30F.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E1X8GRCAR07H2B8KX30F.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E1X8GRCAR07H2B8KX30F.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01jkefcr9gkm5hk000hpv2q8ng
                    [title] => Betony-leaved Dragonhead, Kazakhstan shutterstock_1590894.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:p88pnd1ku9wy
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 2904
                    [width] => 3790
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR9GKM5HK000HPV2Q8NF.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR9GKM5HK000HPV2Q8NF.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR9GKM5HK000HPV2Q8NF.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR9GKM5HK000HPV2Q8NF.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR9GKM5HK000HPV2Q8NF.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR9GKM5HK000HPV2Q8NF.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01jkefcw0r8a4f3yf6x0gyzw6z
                    [title] => Tien Shan Mountains
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:6vt3zilu4qli
                            [1] => _flickr_id:31335314095
                            [2] => _import:11
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 4864
                    [width] => 6712
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCW0R8A4F3YF6X0GYZW6Y.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCW0R8A4F3YF6X0GYZW6Y.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCW0R8A4F3YF6X0GYZW6Y.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCW0R8A4F3YF6X0GYZW6Y.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCW0R8A4F3YF6X0GYZW6Y.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCW0R8A4F3YF6X0GYZW6Y.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [3] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01jkefczt066v55wwjtmbv40af
                    [title] => Almaty Lake, Kazakhstan. Shutterstock 227404474
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:5rqay2fat60m
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 3840
                    [width] => 5760
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCZT066V55WWJTMBV40AE.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCZT066V55WWJTMBV40AE.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCZT066V55WWJTMBV40AE.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCZT066V55WWJTMBV40AE.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCZT066V55WWJTMBV40AE.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCZT066V55WWJTMBV40AE.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [4] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66efzh7gmhckragmwycgv4
                    [title] => Chorispora bungeana, Kazakhstan shutterstock_1164089188.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:x4iel7veerv1
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 3024
                    [width] => 4032
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EFZH7GMHCKRAGMWYCGV3.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EFZH7GMHCKRAGMWYCGV3.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EFZH7GMHCKRAGMWYCGV3.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EFZH7GMHCKRAGMWYCGV3.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EFZH7GMHCKRAGMWYCGV3.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EFZH7GMHCKRAGMWYCGV3.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [5] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66eevkg38q2g5gky11v1ft
                    [title] => Alpine flora, Kazakhstan shutterstock_1177729771.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:dze73vkw4yix
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 3342
                    [width] => 5940
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EEVKG38Q2G5GKY11V1FS.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EEVKG38Q2G5GKY11V1FS.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EEVKG38Q2G5GKY11V1FS.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EEVKG38Q2G5GKY11V1FS.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EEVKG38Q2G5GKY11V1FS.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EEVKG38Q2G5GKY11V1FS.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [6] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66eaack6ptfx7pwa3gbc1t
                    [title] => Iris ruthenica, Kazakhstan shutterstock_2464041481.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:krbygkz1aqqr
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 3648
                    [width] => 5472
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EAACK6PTFX7PWA3GBC1S.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EAACK6PTFX7PWA3GBC1S.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EAACK6PTFX7PWA3GBC1S.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EAACK6PTFX7PWA3GBC1S.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EAACK6PTFX7PWA3GBC1S.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66EAACK6PTFX7PWA3GBC1S.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [7] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01jkefcr0t60cp9f47xv6pw8c5
                    [title] => Kaufman-Tulips,-Kazakhstan-shutterstock_1484725001.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:jcildjiujmey
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 1333
                    [width] => 2000
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR0T60CP9F47XV6PW8C4.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR0T60CP9F47XV6PW8C4.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR0T60CP9F47XV6PW8C4.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR0T60CP9F47XV6PW8C4.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR0T60CP9F47XV6PW8C4.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEFCR0T60CP9F47XV6PW8C4.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [8] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01jkef8warye41eh99yxymjms1
                    [title] => Himalayan-Rubythroat-shutterstock_1275250963.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:5ufnxzqpn8uy
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 1333
                    [width] => 2000
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEF8WARYE41EH99YXYMJMS0.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEF8WARYE41EH99YXYMJMS0.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEF8WARYE41EH99YXYMJMS0.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEF8WARYE41EH99YXYMJMS0.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEF8WARYE41EH99YXYMJMS0.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01JKEF8WARYE41EH99YXYMJMS0.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [9] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66e8ypbm5x7g1ecx5m65dw
                    [title] => Plateau flora, Kazakhstan shutterstock_2630585119.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:ddqadloqpkwi
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 4855
                    [width] => 8032
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E8YNE2H05Z1PTE5VQ796.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E8YNE2H05Z1PTE5VQ796.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E8YNE2H05Z1PTE5VQ796.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E8YNE2H05Z1PTE5VQ796.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E8YNE2H05Z1PTE5VQ796.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E8YNE2H05Z1PTE5VQ796.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [10] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66e40c1d4t9y29qs5x75r1
                    [title] => Flora, Kazakhstan shutterstock_2636085535.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:b3ceeq89km67
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 4160
                    [width] => 6240
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E40C1D4T9Y29QS5X75R0.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E40C1D4T9Y29QS5X75R0.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E40C1D4T9Y29QS5X75R0.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E40C1D4T9Y29QS5X75R0.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E40C1D4T9Y29QS5X75R0.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66E40C1D4T9Y29QS5X75R0.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [11] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66dxc975mmz3f8tj917dyw
                    [title] => Tulipa kolpakowskiana, Kazakhstan shutterstock_2404255825.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:1pdnlvjfl1yp
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 3921
                    [width] => 8256
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DXC975MMZ3F8TJ917DYV.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DXC975MMZ3F8TJ917DYV.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DXC975MMZ3F8TJ917DYV.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DXC975MMZ3F8TJ917DYV.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DXC975MMZ3F8TJ917DYV.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DXC975MMZ3F8TJ917DYV.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [12] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66dr7e1xjd9j97czm66mbc
                    [title] => Tien Shan, Kazakhstan shutterstock_1801046122.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:cnjxmt01a1zh
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 4000
                    [width] => 6000
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DR7E1XJD9J97CZM66MBB.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DR7E1XJD9J97CZM66MBB.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DR7E1XJD9J97CZM66MBB.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DR7E1XJD9J97CZM66MBB.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DR7E1XJD9J97CZM66MBB.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DR7E1XJD9J97CZM66MBB.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [13] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66dktet385696kckc63rx5
                    [title] => White Iris, Kazakhstan shutterstock_2094575473.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:hex1nqdovdgw
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 2667
                    [width] => 4000
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DKTET385696KCKC63RX4.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DKTET385696KCKC63RX4.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DKTET385696KCKC63RX4.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DKTET385696KCKC63RX4.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DKTET385696KCKC63RX4.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DKTET385696KCKC63RX4.jpg?width=1080
                )

            [14] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz66djhv8rqkh9nprbhqvgcz
                    [title] => Tien Shan valley in Kazakhstan shutterstock_1466101091.jpg
                    [tags] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => assetzen:kwfo8wnsgh8l
                        )

                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Images
                        )

                    [height] => 3024
                    [width] => 4032
                    [published] => 1
                    [full] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DJHV8RQKH9NPRBHQVGCY.jpg?width=1200&height=700&aspect_ratio=1200%3A700&crop_gravity=center
                    [hero] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DJHV8RQKH9NPRBHQVGCY.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&aspect_ratio=1600%3A1000&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_big] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DJHV8RQKH9NPRBHQVGCY.jpg?width=800&height=500&aspect_ratio=800%3A500&crop_gravity=center
                    [thumb_small] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DJHV8RQKH9NPRBHQVGCY.jpg?width=300&height=200&aspect_ratio=300%3A200&crop_gravity=center
                    [gallery] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DJHV8RQKH9NPRBHQVGCY.jpg?width=300
                    [gallery_original] => https://rezkit-tour-images.b-cdn.net/01jh31dg24d58mgyan1rg1zbhh/images/01KZ66DJHV8RQKH9NPRBHQVGCY.jpg?width=1080
                )

        )

    [versions] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 01kz6q5147t5fmb7n2cc5tmk2d
                    [name] => Alpine Flowers of the Tien Shan
                    [code] => KAZ01-1
                    [ordering] => 1
                    [introduction] => 
                    [description] => 
A 13-day holiday in the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan in search of alpine plants.
                    [accommodations] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [map] => 
                    [fields] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [__typename] => NumberFieldData
                                    [name] => tz3_id
                                    [number] => 2830
                                )

                            [1] => Array
                                (
                                    [__typename] => StringFieldData
                                    [name] => map_json
                                    [string] => 
                                )

                            [2] => Array
                                (
                                    [__typename] => StringFieldData
                                    [name] => tz3_extra_info
                                    [string] => 
                                )

                            [3] => Array
                                (
                                    [__typename] => StringFieldData
                                    [name] => itinerary_image
                                    [string] => 
                                )

                        )

                    [locations] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [elements] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q51k56ayhgbnxb1pmqg49
                                    [name] => Tour Space
                                    [is_package] => 1
                                    [options] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [id] => 01kz6q51sk7kezkyejzfry99x2
                                                    [name] => Single Supplement
                                                    [leadPrice] => Array
                                                        (
                                                            [value] => 695
                                                            [previous_value] => 0
                                                            [currency] => GBP
                                                        )

                                                )

                                            [1] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [id] => 01kz6q51nb35wr7x10dfwjn86k
                                                    [name] => Flight Inclusive
                                                    [leadPrice] => Array
                                                        (
                                                            [value] => 5595
                                                            [previous_value] => 0
                                                            [currency] => GBP
                                                        )

                                                )

                                            [2] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [id] => 01kz6q51qcnsjr126cf5camzzd
                                                    [name] => Land Only
                                                    [leadPrice] => Array
                                                        (
                                                            [value] => 4995
                                                            [previous_value] => 0
                                                            [currency] => GBP
                                                        )

                                                )

                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [itinerary] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q51cnb9w8esqwb088dw17
                                    [title] => Aksu-Zhabagly village
                                    [introduction] => 
                                    [description] => 
                                    [S] => 7
                                    [E] => 7
                                    [B] => 
                                    [L] => 
                                    [D] => 
                                )

                            [1] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q5193y0bbmbw314c15phs
                                    [title] => Fly Shymkent; Aksu-Zhabagly Village
                                    [introduction] => 
                                    [description] => 
                                    [S] => 3
                                    [E] => 3
                                    [B] => 
                                    [L] => 
                                    [D] => 
                                )

                            [2] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q51b0h6p1yykt7x2xsc64
                                    [title] => Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve – daily excursions in the mountains
                                    [introduction] => 
                                    [description] => 
                                    [S] => 4
                                    [E] => 6
                                    [B] => 
                                    [L] => 
                                    [D] => 
                                )

                            [3] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q51fsdx9j5e36jgd5txdv
                                    [title] => Almaty – daily excursions in the Tien Shan mountains
                                    [introduction] => 
                                    [description] => 
                                    [S] => 9
                                    [E] => 12
                                    [B] => 
                                    [L] => 
                                    [D] => 
                                )

                            [4] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q5162g043ttj64ee6dym5
                                    [title] => Fly Almaty
                                    [introduction] => 
                                    [description] => 
                                    [S] => 1
                                    [E] => 1
                                    [B] => 
                                    [L] => 
                                    [D] => 
                                )

                            [5] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q51e66sk6zkxcgx27mrdc
                                    [title] => Aksu-Zhabagly village – Almaty
                                    [introduction] => 
                                    [description] => 
                                    [S] => 8
                                    [E] => 8
                                    [B] => 
                                    [L] => 
                                    [D] => 
                                )

                            [6] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q517eyvzs4znepskbr0g2
                                    [title] => Kaskelen National Park
                                    [introduction] => 
                                    [description] => 
                                    [S] => 2
                                    [E] => 2
                                    [B] => 
                                    [L] => 
                                    [D] => 
                                )

                            [7] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kz6q51h7htqk58ds5b51ajfc
                                    [title] => Fly London
                                    [introduction] => 
                                    [description] => 
                                    [S] => 13
                                    [E] => 13
                                    [B] => 
                                    [L] => 
                                    [D] => 
                                )

                        )

                    [departures] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 01kzvkkk2axg1r80c9f71vp0sb
                                    [published] => 1
                                    [start] => 2027-06-12 00:00:00
                                    [end] => 2027-06-24 00:00:00
                                    [range_type] => Fixed
                                    [version] => Array
                                        (
                                            [id] => 01kz6q5147t5fmb7n2cc5tmk2d
                                            [name] => Alpine Flowers of the Tien Shan
                                        )

                                    [inventory] => Array
                                        (
                                            [type] => Allocation
                                            [capacity] => 10
                                            [errata] => 
                                        )

                                    [categories] => Array
                                        (
                                        )

                                    [fields] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [__typename] => NumberFieldData
                                                    [name] => tz3_id
                                                    [number] => 73368
                                                )

                                            [1] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [__typename] => BoolFieldData
                                                    [name] => is_private
                                                    [bool] => 
                                                )

                                            [2] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [__typename] => BoolFieldData
                                                    [name] => late_availability
                                                    [bool] => 
                                                )

                                            [3] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [__typename] => StringListFieldData
                                                    [name] => tour_leaders
                                                    [values] => Array
                                                        (
                                                            [0] => Erik Jansen
                                                        )

                                                )

                                            [4] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [__typename] => StringFieldData
                                                    [name] => room_share
                                                    [string] => 
                                                )

                                        )

                                    [elements] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [id] => 01kzvkkk3m622361jbbp24ke39
                                                    [element] => Array
                                                        (
                                                            [id] => 01kz6q51k56ayhgbnxb1pmqg49
                                                            [category] => Array
                                                                (
                                                                    [name] => Tour Space
                                                                )

                                                            [name] => Tour Space
                                                            [published] => 1
                                                            [is_package] => 1
                                                        )

                                                    [prices] => Array
                                                        (
                                                            [0] => Array
                                                                (
                                                                    [id] => 01kzvkkk4xkwtzd1ackckre43v
                                                                    [currency] => GBP
                                                                    [value] => 5595
                                                                    [on_sale] => 1
                                                                    [previous_value] => 0
                                                                    [deposit] => 
                                                                    [option] => Array
                                                                        (
                                                                            [id] => 01kz6q51nb35wr7x10dfwjn86k
                                                                            [name] => Flight Inclusive
                                                                            [category] => Array
                                                                                (
                                                                                    [name] => Package
                                                                                )

                                                                            [constraints] => Array
                                                                                (
                                                                                    [min_age] => 0
                                                                                    [max_age] => 
                                                                                    [passenger_sex] => 
                                                                                )

                                                                            [web_bookable] => 1
                                                                            [published] => 1
                                                                        )

                                                                )

                                                            [1] => Array
                                                                (
                                                                    [id] => 01kzvkkk4xkwtzd1ackckre43w
                                                                    [currency] => GBP
                                                                    [value] => 4995
                                                                    [on_sale] => 1
                                                                    [previous_value] => 0
                                                                    [deposit] => 
                                                                    [option] => Array
                                                                        (
                                                                            [id] => 01kz6q51qcnsjr126cf5camzzd
                                                                            [name] => Land Only
                                                                            [category] => Array
                                                                                (
                                                                                    [name] => Package
                                                                                )

                                                                            [constraints] => Array
                                                                                (
                                                                                    [min_age] => 0
                                                                                    [max_age] => 
                                                                                    [passenger_sex] => 
                                                                                )

                                                                            [web_bookable] => 1
                                                                            [published] => 1
                                                                        )

                                                                )

                                                            [2] => Array
                                                                (
                                                                    [id] => 01kzvkkk4xkwtzd1ackckre43x
                                                                    [currency] => GBP
                                                                    [value] => 695
                                                                    [on_sale] => 1
                                                                    [previous_value] => 0
                                                                    [deposit] => 
                                                                    [option] => Array
                                                                        (
                                                                            [id] => 01kz6q51sk7kezkyejzfry99x2
                                                                            [name] => Single Supplement
                                                                            [category] => Array
                                                                                (
                                                                                    [name] => Package
                                                                                )

                                                                            [constraints] => Array
                                                                                (
                                                                                    [min_age] => 0
                                                                                    [max_age] => 
                                                                                    [passenger_sex] => 
                                                                                )

                                                                            [web_bookable] => 1
                                                                            [published] => 1
                                                                        )

                                                                )

                                                        )

                                                )

                                        )

                                )

                        )

                )

        )

)

Alpine Flowers of the Tien Shan

Tour Code: KAZ01

A 13-day holiday to the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan in search of alpine plants, focusing on the fabulous Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve and the mountains near Almaty.

£5,595

Flight Inclusive

£4,995

Land Only

Book Now Saved Tours Saved! View all saved tours

Why Choose Naturetrek?

50+ Trustpilot Reviews

45+ Google Reviews

Click any badge to read more reviews

Paused

Paused

Paused

Paused

Paused

Paused

Tour Itinerary and Reports

View Day by Day Itinerary and Tour Reports

1 Itinerary 3 Tour Reports

Can I Help You?

Dan Lay

Operations Manager

Email Call 1-844-433-9473

Carbon Footprint

kg CO2e

What does this mean?

Enquire about this holiday

Please complete all required fields!

Please enter the tour title

Please enter your name

Please enter your phone

Please enter your email address

Please enter your question

Submit

Highlights

• Incredible high alpine meadow flowers among a wealth of botanical treasures
• Globe Flower & Paraquilegia anemoides among a wealth of exciting plant-life
• Amazing scenery – high mountains, juniper forests & gorges
• Impressive birdlife includes Ibisbill & Himalayan Snowcock
• Led by an expert botanist guide
• Traditional Kazakhstan hospitality

Summary

Following the popularity and success of our spring tours to Kazakhstan’s Tien Shan Mountains, where we have so enjoyed the magnificent displays of tulips and irises, this summer tour offers an opportunity to explore the high alpine meadows of the region, at a time when the glorious carpets of alpine flowers are at their best.

Although Kazakhstan is still largely unknown to Westerners, it is the ninth largest country in the world and, since gaining independence from Russia, has become a most exciting new frontier for travel, particularly for botanical and ornithological exploration. The Tien Shan Mountains, our focus of attention on this tour, is the Central Asian extension of the Great Himalaya, and extends along Kazakhstan’s southern border all the way to China. We will be based initially in the Aksu Dzabagly Nature Reserve, which takes its name from the two rivers that run though its deep gorges, and is the oldest protected area in Central Asia. The reserve is an unspoilt and spectacularly beautiful place, dominated by high mountains, lush juniper forests and alpine meadows. Long renowned as a naturalists’s paradise, it has a huge and interesting flora, with many endemics, as well as an abundance of birds and mammals.

We begin our holiday with a flight from London to Almaty. After a day in the city we travel by rail and road to the village of Aksu Dzabagly. By early evening we arrive at our comfortable guesthouse to be welcomed by our hosts. In order to explore the area as widely as possible during the following days, we will have the use of 4- wheel drive buses, but will travel primarily on foot (although, for those happy to ride at times, ponies will gladly be provided).

Our exploration of the area begins with a visit to the Koksay Valley. Here we will walk over feathergrass steppe and along the shores of the Ters Lake, returning to Aksu Dzabagly village for the night. The following day we will leave the village, bound for our hosts’s mountain house. This sits in a spectacular location at 2,030 metres (6,660 feet), and we will spend the next three nights here in order to explore the region fully. On day walks the high passes and alpine flowers of the Tien Shan will be within easy reach, and just as at our hosts’s village guesthouse, we will be able to enjoy some delicious homeproduced food during our stay here.

The special flowers that we will hope to find are too numerous to list here, but two late-flowering tulips, Tulipa kaufmannia and T. dasystemonoides, remind us that our own garden tulips originated from here, almost certainly via the Silk Route. More typical of the colourful alpine flowers at this season will be Delphiniums, many species of Allium, Pedicularis, louseworts, Eremostachys tienshanica (a tall labiate with strange hooded flowers), a bright blue teazle, Dipsacus azureus, and several Campanulas including Codonopsis clematidea, a native of the damper slopes of the Tien Shan and Himalayan mountains. Beside mountain streams we will see the Globe Flower, Trollius altaicus, with its large orange-yellow flowers; Aquilegia atrovinosa, a dark wine-coloured columbine, and a bright yellow poppy, Papaver croceum. Beneath our mountain guesthouse, we should find the beautiful thistle-like Morina kokanica, growing alongside abundant roses; whilst above we will find several species of gentians, including Gentiana turkestanica, and most exciting of all, a beautiful high alpine plant, Paraquilegia anemenoides, which grows in high rock crevices and is another speciality of the Himalaya and Tien Shan.

Of course, this fabulous area offers much more than its flora alone. We have a chance of spotting Isabelline Brown Bears from our mountain retreat, whilst on excursions higher into the mountains we may encounter Red Deer and Ibex. Raptors look down upon us (and their prey the marmots!), and the eerie calls of Himalayan Snowcock echo across alpine valleys. We will even find Bronze Age rock engravings to satisfy those with a cultural craving!

Returning to Almaty by overnight train, we travel from the city high into the nearby mountains, where we stay for three nights at a former Soviet Astronomical Observatory. This is an area of great beauty and offers relatively easy access to a variety of habitats at over 3,000 metres elevation, ensuring a wonderful selection of montane plants. A large lake nestles in a valley below the Observatory and the surrounding meadows are also notable for the profusion of wild flowers growing there. The strange Ibisbill, a specialised Himalayan wading bird, occurs on the shores of the lake adding ornithological interest to the excursion. At the end of our stay we descend to Almaty and early the following morning catch a flight back to London.

Show more

Outline Itinerary

Day

1

Fly Almaty

Day

2

Kaskelen National Park

Day

3

Fly Shymkent; Aksu-Zhabagly Village

Days

4 - 6

Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve – daily excursions in the mountains

Day

7

Aksu-Zhabagly village

Day

8

Aksu-Zhabagly village – Almaty

Days

9 - 12

Almaty – daily excursions in the Tien Shan mountains

Day

13

Fly London

Itinerary Map

What's Included?

Food

All included in the price, starting with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 13.

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel in Almaty; simple guesthouses elsewhere.

Documents

Itineraries

Itinerary

Download (PDF, opens in a new tab)

Tour Reports

June 2016

Download (PDF, opens in a new tab)

June 2009

Download (PDF, opens in a new tab)

June 2007

Download (PDF, opens in a new tab)

Dates & Prices

2027

Sat 12th - Thu 24th Jun

SPACES £5,595

Book Now

Flight Inclusive

£5,595

Land Only

£4,995

Single Supplement

£695

Regional Departures

Would you rather depart from an airport closer to you? Give us a call at 1-844-433-9473 and we'll see what we can do.

Tour Leader

Erik Jansen

Erik’s passion for wildlife-watching began in his childhood in the Netherlands and has since taken him across the globe.

Read more about Erik

Book Now

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

• The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
• Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
• Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

Why Choose Naturetrek?

50+ Trustpilot Reviews

45+ Google Reviews

Click any badge to read more reviews

Gallery