Karatau Nature Reserve

Karatau Nature Reserve is a pristine wildlife refuge in the UNESCO-recognised Western Tien-Shan mountains. Up in the high-altitude zones, beautiful wildlife - rare and endemic - thrive amongst snow-capped mountains. The endangered Karatau mountain argali, golden eagle, and porcupine all make this place their home.

For visitors, there is plethora of outdoor activities. Bird watching tours include the saker falcon, Egyptian vulture, and eagle dwarf. Included at Karatau are educational tours and folklore tours that will regale you with tales of spirits and mountain gods.

To experience more of the outdoors, you can participate in hunting, fishing, and hiking tours in the wildlife refuge. The landscape is sprawling with fresh snow, deep gorges, and pyramid peaks. The endemic flora and fauna create fertile ground for scientific study and research leading to the creation of a museum of ethnography.

Some of the main ways to get around include trekking, rafting, and horseback riding, all of which are important parts of the sustainable ecotourism experience here. There are many waterfalls, with the most famous being Cruel Heart that cascades down 100 metres. Settlements of Temirlanovka and Mankent host mineral spas and springs that are sure to relax you after such a wild excursion.