The Wild Tulips of Kazakhstan

Tulips are from... Central Asia and Kazakhstan (!), contrary to popular (Dutch) belief which mentions Turkey as the origin of this flower. On this tour you'll observe plenty of wild varieties of the tulip, and of course other plants, flowers and animals.

Great stone and sand deserts, and wide grassy steppes occupy the majority of Kazakhstan, interspersed with such great inland lakes as Lake Balkhash and the Aral Sea. In dramatic contrast, along its south-eastern borders stand the mighty Tien Shan Mountains, the 1,000-mile spine of Central Asia and northern extension of the Himalaya which waters flower-filled alpine meadows, lush forests of Tien Shan Spruce and lowland Turanga, and feeds the great lakes and inland deltas to the north.

It is in these diverse habitat that you may hope to see most exciting flora, including, at this time of year, a wonderful display of flowering tulip species. The area is also home to such rare avian specialities as Dalmatian Pelican, Saker Falcon, Himalayan Snowcock, Demoiselle Crane, Macqueen's Bustard, Ibisbill, Pallas's Sandgrouse, Eversmann's Stock Dove, White-winged Woodpecker, Himalayan Rubythroat, Severtzov's Tit-warbler and Azure Tit.

with thanks to John Shipton for the pictures