NATURAL HISTORY TOURS TO THE TIEN-SHAN

 

July 2000

 

Organised by the Union of Hunters of Kyrghyzstan.

 

 

The organisers

 

This will be the fifth year that the Union of Hunters and Fishermen of Kyrgyzstan have organised entomological expeditions.  The first trip was in 1996 to the Alai and Transalai ranges, in 1997 there was a trip to the Kokshaal-Too range, in 1998 to Sary Dzhaz and last year three separate trips were run, to Alai and Transalai, Sary Dzhaz and Baidullu and At-Bashi ranges.  The parties have comprised entomologists from England, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan.

 

The Union of Hunters and Fishermen has considerable experience in organising international tours.  We are able to provide all necessary services so that you will be spared any problems with accommodation, safety, provisions, transport, permits, itineraries etc.  Entomologists, ornithologists and botanists as well as general wildlife enthusiasts are all welcome.

 

The expedition is organised and managed by Sergei Toropov (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) who is one of the leaders of the Union of Hunters and Fishermen.  Sergei collects and breeds butterflies, moths and beetles. He has collected insects in the most far-flung parts of the Tien Shan and has an extensive collection of local Lepidoptera and Coleoptera.

 

 

Tour programmes

 

There are five separate tours available as follows, if desired, tours of different duration and itinerary may be arranged:

 

1.      Alai: Alai and Transalai mountain ranges; Taldyk and Tengisbai passes; Aram-Kungei and Altyn-Dara gorges.

 

This trip will be from 10th to 30th July, the camp will be at 3200-3600 metres.

 

Species found include 7 species of Parnassius and 11 species of Colias, also the entire complex of high-mountain butterflies, moths and other insects found in the Pamiro-Alai zoogeographic region.

 

2.      Sary-Dzhaz: Kaindy-Katta and Enylcheck-Too mountain ranges; Kaindy gorge; Sary Dzhaz river basin.

 

This trip will be from 1st to 20th July, the camp will be at 2700-3200 metres.

 

Species found include 6 species of Parnassius, 6 species of Colias and several endemic types of Carabus and other beetles, also species typical of butterflies, moths and other insects found in Interior and Central Tien-Shan and contiguous territories of China.

 

3.      Kokshaal-Too range: At-Bashi and Naryn mountain ranges.

 

This trip will be from 1st to 20th July, the camp will be at 3000-3400 metres.

 

Species found include 5 species of Parnassius and 4 or 5 species of Colias, also the entire complex of high-mountain butterflies, moths and other insects found in the Kokshaal-Too range and contiguous territories of China.

 

4.      Kirghiz range: Baidulla (Dolon pass), Kirghiz (Tu-Ashu pass) and Talass (Alabel pass) mountain ranges.

 

This trip will be from 1st to 20th July, accommodation will be at 3000-3200 metres.

 

Species found include 7 species of Parnassius and 5 species of Colias, also the entire complex of high-mountain butterflies, moths and other insects found in the Northern Tien-Shan.

 

5.   Issyk-Kul Lake: Terskei and Kungei mountain ranges, Chon-Ashu and Barskoon passes.

 

This trip will be from 1st to 20th of July.

 

Species found include 6 species of Parnassius and 5 species of Colias, also different species of Satyrus and the entire complex of middle and high-mountain species of butterflies, other interesting species in the desert zone of Issyk-Kul lake.

 

 

Equipment, accommodation and provisions

 

The organisers will provide the following services:

 

¨              All transport (with drivers and fuel) for both personnel and equipment.

¨              Facilities for meetings and socialising.

¨              Consultant entomological services.

¨              Provision of food.

¨              Interpreter services (for an additional payment of $20 per day per group).

 

You will need to bring a small backpack for use during daily excursions, a one-man tent, sleeping bag, airbed and warm clothes.  You are responsible for all your own collecting and/or photographic equipment.  If you wish to collect at night you should bring a portable generator and moth trapping equipment.

 

The expeditions are organised for a minimum group size of two people.

 

 

Tour costs

 

Each tour will be of 20 days duration including arrival and departure days. If desired, tours of a different duration may be arranged.

 

The daily rate is $US55 per person

 

Costs include:

All services in Bishkek other than hotel bills (days of arrival and departure), visa preparation, collecting and export permits, transport, meals, guide services, payment to personnel and camping equipment.

 

Costs do not include:

Transport from your home to Bishkek and back, airport taxes, hotel fees in Bishkek (approximately US$40-50 per day) beverages, laundry, telephone calls or any other personal expenses.

 

 

Payment

 

A deposit of US$ 250 per person is payable as soon as possible and not later than April 1.  This will cover preparation of visas and permits, provisions, etc.  The balance is due on the first day in Bishkek in cash only (no cheques!).  Please ask one of the contacts for deposit payment details.

 

 

Visas

 

Visas are available by invitation only.  Please send one of the contacts the following information: passport number; surname; forenames; address; date and place of birth; nationality; occupation and next of kin. We will immediately send this information with our official invitation by fax to the Kyrghyzian Embassy in your country for preparation of your visa.  Visa processing usually takes two weeks (maximum three).  This information should be sent no later than April 1.

 

 

Air tickets

 

There are flights to Bishkek from Moscow, Istanbul and various other cities in Europe and Asia.  Please enquire for details to one of the contacts or travel agents in your country.

 

At the present time, the easiest way to fly to Kyrghyzstan from the West is from Frankfurt or Hannover, Germany to Bishkek (one flight a week, on Friday from and to Frankfurt and Tuesday from and to Hannover).  Tickets can be booked from the Kyrghyzstan Airlines representative in Frankfurt, Sergei Gruzinskyi who speaks both German and English, his telephone number is (49) 69-49-60-224.

 

All enquiries about the expedition should be addressed to one of the following contacts:

 

Bob Worthy, European Manager, 10 The Hill, Church Hill, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6SD, England.

Tel & fax (44) 1883 347314.  Email: BobWorthy@Csi.com

 

Sergei Toropov, Director of Tours, Bld. 300, suite 9, Chokmorov Str., Bishkek 720010, Kyrgyzstan.

Tel & fax: 996-312 257593.  Email: toropov@sentokg.bishkek.su

 

 

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