7-days bird tour with Miksture - Eastern Kyrgyzstan’s pristine and beautiful landscapes

KYRGYZSTAN - ENDEMICS & SPECIALITIES; 7 days bird tour with Miksture - Eastern and Central Kyrgyzstan’s pristine and beautiful landscapes.

Miksture is pleased to offer this exclusive journey – a bird tour designed for the eager birder but also for those interested in seeing beautiful landscapes, nature, study butterflies, flowers, people, photographing, etc 

This is an essential Kyrgyzstan bird tour, where the participants can expect to watch some of the most sought-after birds in Kyrgyzstan. We know the areas and where to find and identify the birds!

WHEN TO GO: From middle of May to end of September

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: From one to 25

PRICE: This tour can be specifically crafted and designed individually for You and your fellow travellers. Costs depends of number of participante, route and service. Pls contact Miksture for an non-obligatory quote! 

EASE OF BIRDING AND TOUR PACE: Brisk but fair; early up. Birding all day with lunch-break - many birds to watch & long stretches and areas to cover.

Tour start and finish in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Situated in the northern Himalayas with over 80% of the country straddling the fabled Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains, Kyrgyzstan’s intact and undisturbed alpine nature makes it among the world’s most unique mountainous places. Kyrgyzstan is one of the Central Asian ex-Soviet states achieving independence in 1991 and since then continues to develop and flower making it to the most peaceful and beautiful of the Central Asian countries. It’s wedged between Kazakhstan in North, Uzbekistan in west, Tadzhikistan in South and the huge China in east. Without any ocean (however the worlds next-biggest mountain lake Issyk Kul) and palm-coral beaches Kyrgyzstan is luckily still visited by few tourists and those coming here does it to marvel the magnificent nature. Kyrgyzstan is a poor country compared to Kazakhstan – no oil & gas makes life here more problematic, but the population – both ethnic Kyrgyz and Russians are incredible hospitable and friendly. Here too the Silk Road in centuries formed the civilizations and even today travelers are welcomed. The summer months in Kyrgyzstan provides some of the most interesting and rewarding birding. All the non-resident migrants is long time arrived and fully busy feeding juveniles which makes otherwise shy and difficult seen birds more straightforward to observe. This is also the time of year where birds gather in the wetlands and the shorebirds migrate between their summer and the winter areas south of the Himalayas. So there is lots of interesting birds in Kyrgyzstan in summertime. Also it’s a time of year where most people have the possibility making holiday – and when this is combined with the best season for birding in Kyrgyzstan, its ideal. The weather is as in southern Europe – sunny – sometimes hot in the lowland but comfortable and warm during the day. In the mountains it’s cooler, however pleasant and with a wonderful summer freshness and beauty smell of flowers and herbs. Visiting the pristine mountains of Kyrgyzstan, watching its birds and meet the hospitable friendly Kyrgyz people is the best experience and holiday one can make. 

Travel conditions in Kyrgyzstan are less comfortable than in Europe but we have the best and most experienced team providing good meals, zero-problem and smooth way of making the tour, and of course the locations are very well known by us – the birds too. We don’t make any compromise, however we always make priority not to flush and frighten the birds. On this journey, we will watch some of the most remarkable bird species and the bird list will be impressive with all the regions special and wanted bird.

Prior departure we send an updated and informative bird list

We have designed this tour to maximize the experience of staying outside as much possible. Its active holiday where we will make relaxed hikes in the pristine nature, and there is time enough to dwell in each traveler’s special interest. We always respect and try to help and support each traveler’s special wishes and projects – e.g. photographing, studying certain species. You can use the day according your wishes, and we will do our best to help in that way. There will be more than enough time being out in the fresh air and use the time for birding.

We look forward to show you some of the most beautiful parts of this magnificent country!

Miksture
 

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Itinerary

Day 01: Bishkek – Karakol. Birding along the road – Tokmok Reserve. Night in Karakol
Day 02: Karakol & birding in the mountain and lake-area. Night in Karakol
Day 03: Karakol – Jeti Oghuz - Tamga. Night in Tamga
Day 04: Barskaun Gorge and Fairy place. Night in Tamga
Day 05: Tamga – Son Kul. Night in Son Kul yurtcamp
Day 06: Son Kul. Night in yurtcamp
Day 07: Transfer to Bishkek, birding enroute. Tour concludes at your accommodation. 

Tour Fact Sheet:

Key Species 

NOTE! The list varies according time of season and is typical for a mid-summer journey. Before the tour, Miksture sends a detailed list of birds. Himalayan Snowcock, Black Stork, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Lammergeier, Himalaya Griffon Vulture, Eurasian Black Vulture, Long-legged Buzzard, Black-eared Kite, Pallid Harrier, Montague’s Harrier, Upland Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Barbary Falcon, Saker Falcon, Common Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Chukar, Common Quail, Common Pheasant, Little Bittern, Great Egret, Horned Grebe, Demoiselle Crane, Lesser Sand Plover, Ibisbill, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Pallas’s Gull, Caspian Gull, Oriental Turtle Dove, Hill Pigeon, Laughing Dove, European Scops Owl, Short-eared Owl, Alpine Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, White-winged Woodpecker, Horned Lark, Pale Sand Martin, Eurasian Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Water Pipit, Citrine Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Black-headed Wagtail. Masked Wagtail, Brown Dipper, White-throated Dipper, Black-throated Accentor, Brown Accentor, Altai Accentor, Common Nightingale, Bluethroat, White-tailed Rubythroat, Eversmann’s Redstart, Blue-capped Redstart, Güldenstädt’s Redstart, Black Redstart, Siberian Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Pied Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Blue Whistling Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Sykes’s Warbler, Hume’s Leaf Warbler, Barred Warbler, Hume’s Whitethroat, Greenish Warbler, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, White-browed Tit Warbler, Bearded Reedling, Azure Tit, Yellow-breasted Tit, Rufous-naped Tit, Songar Tit, Wallcreeper, White-crowned Penduline Tit, Indian Oriole, Turkestan Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Long-tailed Shrike, Rose-coloured Starling, Red-fronted Serin, Plain Mountain Finch, Brandt’s Mountain Finch, Red-mantled Rosefinch, White-winged Grosbeak, Grey-necked Bunting, Red-headed Bunting, Pine Bunting, Alpine Chough, Red-billed Chough, Carrion Crow, Spanish Sparrow, White-winged Snowfinch, Twite, Mongolian Finch, Common Rosefinch, Rock Bunting, etc.

Price include: Guiding by Miksture/Michael Westerbjerg Andersen ● Local (English, German, French or Russian-speaking) interpreters ● Transportation according program ● All accommodation mentioned in the program; except in Bishkek ● All food during the tour; after eachin Kyrgyzstan ● All permits ● Services of tourleader & administration from Miksture ● Local entrees and fees according day-to-day program 

Price does NOT include Alcoholic drinks at meals in restaurants and cafes ● Personal expenses for eventual extra arrangements not mentioned in the program ● Tips to drivers and interpreter ● Extra arrangements not mentioned in the program ● Money for own expenses ● anything strictly personal (e g laundry, phone calls, snacks, etc).

Single room: Is usual available on the tour, except in the yurt camp at Son Kul. A single room surcharge might apply for anyone not sharing. Please note that, single room accommodation may not be available at some places, but this will be explained and agreed prior departure.  

Welcome and best regards 

Miksture/Michael Westerbjerg Andersen


WHEN TO GO: All-year round

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: From one to 25

PRICE: This tour can be specifically crafted and designed individually for You and your fellow travellers. Costs depends of number of participante, route and service. Pls contact Miksture for an non-obligatory quote! 

EASE OF BIRDING AND TOUR PACE: Easy to brisk; early up. Birding all day with lunch-break - many birds to watch & long stretches and areas to cover.
Tour start and finish in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Miksture is pleased to offer this exclusive journey – a bird tour designed for the eager birder that wish to watch so many of Kyrgyzstan’s great birds possible - but also for those interested in seeing beautiful landscapes, nature, culture, people, photographing, etc.

The tour takes place in the Eastern part of Kyrgyzstan; around Lake Issyk-Kul. Route depends on the season, e.g. in April we spend more time near the lake, and later in spring we concentrate our efforts in the mountains – all made to maximize the observations and to get the best birds present. 

Situated in the northern Himalayas with over 80% of the country straddling the fabled Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains, Kyrgyzstan’s intact and undisturbed alpine nature makes it among the world’s most unique mountainous places. 

Kyrgyzstan is one of the Central Asian ex-Soviet states achieving independence in 1991 and since then continues to develop and flower making it to the most peaceful and beautiful of the Central Asian countries. It’s wedged between Kazakhstan in North, Uzbekistan in west, Tadzhikistan in South and the huge China in east. Without any ocean (however the worlds next-biggest mountain lake Issyk Kul) and palm-coral beaches Kyrgyzstan is luckily still visited by few tourists and those coming here does it to marvel the magnificent nature. Both ethnic Kyrgyz and Russians are incredible hospitable and friendly. Here too the Silk Road in centuries formed the civilizations and even today travelers are welcomed. 

Year-round the landscapes of Kyrgyzstan provide some of the most interesting and rewarding birding. The birdlife varies of course according the seasons. In winter all the non-resident migrants is long time migrated away, however new species arrive from North, in spring and summer all the migrants are back, and the landscapes are filled with great birds – and so the species varies according time of year. During spring and autumn it’s the time of year where birds gather in the wetlands and the shorebirds migrate between their summer and the winter areas south of the Himalayas. So there is always lots of interesting birds in Kyrgyzstan. Visiting the pristine mountains of Kyrgyzstan, watching its birds and meet the hospitable friendly Kyrgyz people is the best experience and holiday one can make. 

Travel conditions in Kyrgyzstan are less comfortable than in Europe but we have the best and most experienced team providing good meals, smooth way of making the tour, and of course the locations are very well known by us – the birds too. We don’t make any compromise, however we always make priority not to flush and frighten the birds. On this journey, we will watch some of the most remarkable bird species and the bird list will be impressive with all the regions special and wanted bird. Prior departure we agree what to look for and provide you with an updated and informative bird list

We have designed this tour to maximize the experience of staying outside as much possible. Its active holiday where we will make relaxed hikes in the pristine nature, and there is time enough to dwell in each traveler’s special interest. We always respect and try to help and support each traveler’s special wishes and projects – e.g. photographing, studying certain species. You can use the day according your wishes, and we will do our best to help in that way. There will be more than enough time being out in the fresh air and use the time for birding.
We look forward to show you some of the most beautiful parts of this magnificent country!


 

Guiding by Michael Westerbjerg Andersen
Miksture's owner Michael Westerbjerg Andersen is by profession Biologist, specialized in Birds and Nature Conservation and his lifelong passion for birds led him to work in the travel business to all seven continents during his studies. Michael’s home is in Bishkek - the capital of Kyrgyzstan where at the moment he is making a full-time career in the expedition travel industry in Central Asia. Since 1993 he has guided wildlife expeditions in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan is his prime destinations. He is widely acclaimed as one of the world’s leading experts in Central Asian birds and his specialty: The mythic Snow Leopard. Michael has seen Snow Leopard more times than average Human Beings, and being asked "how many?" the reply is: "I don’t count anymore." He has an infectious curiosity and passion for these aspects of natural history - is an REAL expedition leader, and this serves him in good stead as he leads travelers on expeditions in the Central Asian landscapes, where he constantly scouts new destinations for Miksture in the region. Michael speaks Danish (his native language), English, German, French, Russian, Swedish and Norwegian.

KYRGYZSTAN:

Situated in the northern Himalayas with over 80% of the country straddling the fabled Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains, Kyrgyzstan’s intact and undisturbed alpine nature makes it among the world’s most unique mountainous places. Kyrgyzstan is one of the Central Asian ex-Soviet states achieving independence in 1991 and since then continues to develop and flower making it to the most peaceful and beautiful of the Central Asian countries. It’s wedged between Kazakhstan in North, Uzbekistan in west, Tadzhikistan in South and the huge China in east. Without any ocean (however the worlds next-biggest mountain lake Issyk Kul) and palm-coral beaches Kyrgyzstan is luckily still visited by few tourists and those coming here does it to marvel the magnificent nature. Kyrgyzstan is a poor country compared to Kazakhstan – no oil & gas makes life here more problematic, but the population – both ethnic Kyrgyz and Russians are incredible hospitable and friendly. Here too the Silk Road in centuries formed the civilizations and even today travelers are welcomed. The summer months in Kyrgyzstan provides some of the most interesting and rewarding birding. All the non-resident migrants is long time arrived and fully busy feeding juveniles which makes otherwise shy and difficult seen birds more straightforward to observe. This is also the time of year where birds gather in the wetlands and the shorebirds migrate between their summer and the winter areas south of the Himalayas. So there is lots of interesting birds in Kyrgyzstan in summertime. Also it’s a time of year where most people have the possibility making holiday – and when this is combined with the best season for birding in Kyrgyzstan, its ideal. The weather is as in southern Europe – sunny – sometimes hot in the lowland but comfortable and warm during the day. In the mountains it’s cooler, however pleasant and with a wonderful summer freshness and beauty smell of flowers and herbs. Visiting the pristine mountains of Kyrgyzstan, watching its birds and meet the hospitable friendly Kyrgyz people is the best experience and holiday one can make. 

Price include: Guiding by Miksture/Michael Westerbjerg Andersen ● Local (English, German, French or Russian-speaking) interpreters ● Transportation according program ● All accommodation mentioned in the program; except in Bishkek ● All food during the tour ● All permits ● Services of tour leader & administration from Miksture ● Local entrees and fees according day-to-day program 

Price does NOT include Alcoholic drinks at meals in restaurants and cafes ● Personal expenses for eventual extra arrangements not mentioned in the program ● Tips to drivers and interpreter ● Extra arrangements not mentioned in the program ● Money for own expenses ● anything strictly personal (e g laundry, phone calls, snacks, etc).

Single room: Is usual available on the tour. Single room surcharge might apply. 

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What to bring…? Prior departure we send a detailed packing list and information about what to bring. Miksture are of course always prepared to assist and explain, so please feel free to ask us about every matter... 

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Prior departure Miksture mail a detailed list of birds. We look forward to show you some of the most beautiful parts of this magnificent country and you are welcome to contact us for further information and further details of the birds you are likely to see during one of our day tours. Please don’t hesitate to contact us!

We welcome any remarks and dialogue.

Miksture Expeditions

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Michael/Miksture, at Sulamain Too mountain, Osh, Kyrgyzstan.