Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Tersek and Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Main A

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Tersek

   In the steppe of northern Kazakhstan, the Naurzum reserve covers a patch of country that, from a distance, looks like nothing and, from close up, turns out to be a world of its own. It lies in the Kostanay region, in the dry heart of the Turgay plains, and is made of grassland, salt lakes, birch groves and, remarkably, a strip of old pine forest called Naurzum Karagai that survives here, far south of the main taiga. Tersek is one of the separate sectors of the reserve. Together with Korgalzhyn it forms a UNESCO site, the steppe and lakes of northern Kazakhstan, inscribed in 2008.

   Read the complete Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Tersek write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Tersek is where the day begins. Next is Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Eco-Co.

2. 2. Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Eco-Co

   In the steppes of northern Kazakhstan, in the Kostanay region, islands of pine forest rise out of the open grassland like a mirage, and between them lie shallow lakes full of birds. The Naurzum State Nature Reserve is one of the two parts of Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan, listed by UNESCO in 2008 together with the Korgalzhyn reserve far to the east.

   Read the complete Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Eco-Co write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Eco-Co comes up about 73 km into the recorded legs. Next is Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Main A.

3. 3. Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Main A

   Kazakhstan is mostly steppe, and this is the northern part of it, an enormous open country of feather grass, lakes and wind. The Naurzum reserve, in the Kostanay region, protects a patch of that landscape, together with an oddity that surprises everyone, an island of ancient pine forest sitting in the steppe. The pines grow on sandy ground left by an old river, and they form a relict stand that survived when the climate changed. Together with the nearby Korgalzhyn reserve it was recognised by UNESCO as the Saryarka, the Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan, and the lakes are a major stopover for migratory birds on the flyway from Africa and India to Siberia.

   Read the complete Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Main A write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 163 km into the recorded legs you reach Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Main A. Next is back through Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Eco-Co.

4. 4. back through Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Eco-Co

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Eco-Co write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Eco-Co, late in the day. Next is Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Tersek.

5. 5. Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Tersek

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Tersek write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Naurzum State Nature Reserve - NSNR Tersek. That is the ride.