Koksai Gorge
Koksai Gorge is nestled within the Aksu-Jabagly Nature Reserve, in the far south of Kazakhstan. The name "Koksai" translates from Kazakh as "green ravine," perfectly capturing the lush beauty of the region. In summer, the mountain slopes come alive with a tapestry of trees and grass. The gorge is adorned with riparian forests made up of diverse, low-growing trees, including juniper, sea buckthorn, small-leaved willow, and Turkistan rowan. The slopes are carpeted with tulips, St. John's wort, ziziphora, caraway, fireweed, clary sage, among others.
The area is rich in wildlife, with argali, mountain goats, lynxes, wolves, foxes, porcupines, martens, and ermines calling it home. While bears are rumored to inhabit the gorge, sightings by tourists are extremely rare.
The crown jewel of Koksai Gorge is Lake Koksai, sitting at an elevation of 2,542 meters (8340 ft). It’s enclosed by rugged peaks and verdant hillsides. The lake is also known as Ainakol (Kazakh for "mirror lake") and it mirrors the surrounding mountains and sky on its turquoise surface. The lake’s distinctive V-shape adds to its charm. In recent years, the lake has become a popular tourist destination, drawn by the easily accessible trail leading to this natural wonder.
How to get there?
Koksai Gorge is situated in the eastern part of the Aksu-Jabagly Nature Reserve, within the Julyansky district of the Zhambyl region. It lies about 170 km (106 mi) east of Shymkent and 90 km (56 mi) southwest of Taraz. Visitors must park their cars at the entrance to the gorge and hike to the lake, covering a total distance of approximately 15 km (9 mi) round-trip.
Since the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border runs along Koksai Gorge, be sure to carry your identification documents during the trip.
Other tourist attractions near the gorge:
- Aksu Canyon
- Jabagly Gorge
- Julan Waterfall
- Teris-Ashibulak Reservoir
- Mausoleum of Aisha Bibi
- Mausoleum of Babaji Khatun
- Sairam-Ugam National Park
- Sairam-Su Lakes
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Embark on this tour to delve into the historical monuments of the South Kazakhstan region, coupled with an exploration of Aksu-Jabagly, the country's oldest nature reserve.
During this tour, you will explore the most interesting places of Southern Kazakhstan, retracing the paths of the ancient Silk Road. You will encounter monuments of archaeology and medieval architecture that have withstood the test of time.
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