In the south of Kazakhstan, where the western spurs of the Tien Shan rise from the steppe, the Sairam-Ugam National Park protects a landscape of high mountains, deep valleys, juniper forests and alpine meadows. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Western Tien Shan, shared between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, recognised for its exceptional biodiversity, including wild relatives of fruit trees such as apples, pears and walnuts, which are believed to be the ancestors of many cultivated varieties.
The park is home to snow leopards, brown bears, ibex and argali, the wild mountain sheep, as well as many birds of prey. In spring, the meadows are covered with wild tulips, including species that are ancestors of the garden tulips of the Netherlands. The mountains rise to over four thousand metres, and the rivers, such as the Ugam, flow through deep gorges. The park has trails for walking and horse riding, and guesthouses in the villages offer accommodation.
The riding to the park is from Shymkent, the main city of southern Kazakhstan, through the town of Lenger and into the foothills. The roads are paved on the main routes but become rough and unpaved as you climb into the mountains. Traffic is light, but livestock on the roads is common. The climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters, and the mountains can be snowy until late spring. The best time to visit is from May to September. Some areas of the park require permits, so check before you go.
Lenger, about twenty-seven kilometres away, is a town with fuel and basic services, and Shymkent has all services. Fuel in Kazakhstan is generally cheap and available. Kazakh food includes beshbarmak, boiled meat with noodles, plov and kumis, fermented mare's milk, an acquired taste. The villages in the foothills offer homestays where you can experience local life. Riding into the mountains in spring, with the tulips in bloom and the snowy peaks above, is an unforgettable experience.