We really had a brilliant holiday.
T. & D.L. Dunblane
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The Tulip Meadows of Kazakhstan's Steppes & Tien Shan Mountains
Tour Code: KAZ04A 12-day botany tour of the steppes and Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan, with particular emphasis on the wonderful spring display of wild tulips.
£4,795 (Inc flights)
£4,295
Highlights
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Summary
Against a stunning backdrop of the snow-capped 'Celestial Mountains' of the Tien Shan range, we will search flower-filled meadows of Kazakhstan to find up to 10 species of wild tulip in their homeland. Early collectors first brought these much loved plants to Europe from this region and our tour is timed to witness the flowers in bloom. Our itinerary includes the wonderful Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve where over 1,400 plant species have been recorded, and the mountains above Almaty where high-altitude flowers add splashes of colour to the remnants of winter snow.
- Up to 10 species of wild tulips in their homeland
- Superb displays of tulips blooming in meadows & mountains
- Abundant flora – over 6,000 species, including rare plants & endemics
- Magnificent montane scenery & Central Asian steppe
- Outstanding birdlife
- At the heart of the Old Silk Road
- Legendary Kazakhstan hospitality
- Led by a local botanical guide
Grading
Grade B. Easy/moderate day walks only.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in a comfortable hotel in Almaty and simple guesthouses when off the beaten track.
- Food:
All meals are included in the price.
Reviews
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An amazing experience! Visit to Green Market was a great cultural experience. I love my dombra!
M.C. USA -
I have nothing but praise for the whole trip. The botany was brilliant, even if much was above my head, and all the arrangements were good... I make no reservation in recommending Naturetrek to friends and acquaintances and look forward to travelling with you in the future. I will be retiring at the beginning of next year and hope to take full advantage of my freedom.
A.W. Oxfordshire
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Gleb Bolbotov
Array ( [167] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 167 [parent_id] => 165 [level] => 2 [path] => tour-focus/botanical-holidays [title] => Botany [alias] => botanical-holidays [description] =>Botanical Tours – See Wild Flowers with our Expert Botanical Guides
There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.
Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.
Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?
- All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
- All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
- We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?
- Travel with a group of like-minded people
- Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
- Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora
In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.
Our specialist recommends...
David Tattersfield - Tour Leader
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.
EnquireWhy 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!