The Alakol Wings Festival

Alakol Wings Festival

The Wings of Alakol Festival is an annual birdwatching event held in May along the shores of Alakol Lake in Kazakhstan’s Almaty Province. While the exact dates for 2025 have not been officially announced, the festival typically occurs in mid-May, coinciding with peak migratory activity. For instance, in 2019, the festival was held from May 9 to 11 .

The Wings of Alakol Festival is Kazakhstan’s premier birdwatching event, held annually in May along the shores of Alakol Lake in the Almaty region. This unique festival attracts bird enthusiasts from across the country and beyond, offering an immersive experience into the rich avian biodiversity of the area.

🦅 Festival Highlights

Birdwatching Tours: Participants embark on guided excursions across diverse habitats, including the lake’s coastline and the mountain gorges of the Dzungarian Alatau. These tours provide opportunities to observe over 200 bird species, such as pink flamingos, curly pelicans, white and grey herons, spoonbills, swans, and the rare relict gull (Larus relictus) .

Educational Programs: The festival features lectures and presentations by renowned ornithologists and birdwatchers, offering insights into bird migration patterns and conservation efforts.

Cultural Activities: Attendees can engage in various cultural programs, including art workshops, local crafts markets, and musical performances, enriching the festival experience.

🌍 Ecological Significance

Alakol Lake serves as a crucial stopover along the Central Asian–Indian flyway, accommodating millions of migratory birds each spring. The surrounding Alakol Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 2013, encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems and supports numerous endangered species, including the Dalmatian pelican and the Eurasian spoonbill .

📅 Plan Your Visit

When: Annually in May, coinciding with peak migratory activity.

Where: Pelikan Family Recreation Centre, Akshi Village, Alakol District, Zhetysu Region.

Access: The reserve is accessible via highways A-350 and A-355, or by train along the southwestern shore of Lake Alakol.

Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher or a nature enthusiast, the Wings of Alakol Festival offers a rare opportunity to connect with Kazakhstan’s rich avian heritage in a stunning natural setting.

The Alakol Wings Festival is a unique event in Kazakhstan, specifically designed for bird watchers. The festival is held annually in May on the shores of Alakol Lake in the Almaty Province. Alakol Lake is renowned for its therapeutic properties and is a significant area for ornithologists. Professional bird experts consider this region to be one of the most favorable bird migration routes in the world.

During the festival, visitors have the opportunity to witness the spectacular bird migrations that occur during the spring season in Kazakhstan. It is estimated that more than five million birds pass through this area during their seasonal migration. Many of these birds are returning to their nests after spending the winter in warmer regions, and some may even have already hatched their chicks.

The festival offers excellent opportunities for bird watching, and attendees can observe a wide variety of bird species, including pink flamingos, curly pelicans, white and grey herons, spoonbills, swans, and various species of grey-backs. Bird enthusiasts may even have the chance to spot a relict seagull (Larus relictus), a unique and rare species.

Visitors to the festival can join field tours conducted on specially equipped transporters along the lake shore and through the mountain gorges of Jetisy Alatau (Dzungarian). The festival's organizers, including the staff of the Alakol Nature Reserve, are knowledgeable ornithologists and bird watchers from around the country. They offer informative lectures and presentations for festival attendees.

The Alakol Wings Festival caters to both novice and experienced bird watchers, providing them with the opportunity to participate in special bird tours. The primary goal of the festival is to promote ornithological tourism in Kazakhstan and to encourage nature exploration through the exciting activity of bird watching. It offers a unique experience for those interested in birds and the natural world.