What are the highlights?

Aksu-Zhabagly, Kazakhstan's oldest reserve, the Sairam-Ugam National Park, and the UNESCO-listed Yasawi mausoleum in Turkistan.

When is the best time to visit?

April to June for wildflowers, tulips and comfortable temperatures, and September to October; high summer is hot at lower elevations.

Is it good for wildlife?

Yes — the Western Tien Shan reserves are famous for wild tulips, birds of prey and mountain fauna, at their best in spring, with beginner-friendly guided walks.

Things to do in Turkistan Region

The Turkistan region blends Western Tien Shan foothills with deep Silk Road heritage, home to Kazakhstan's oldest nature reserve and its most important pilgrimage site. In spring the hills turn scarlet with wild tulips — the ancestors of the garden flower — and eagles wheel above the Aksu gorge.

Reserves and pilgrimage

Trekking in the Aksu-Zhabagly reserve and Sairam-Ugam National Park, Karatau walks, and cultural visits to the towering Yasawi mausoleum at Turkistan, in southern Kazakhstan. Open the Book here tab for dates.