Pristine nature of Kazakhstan: TOP 20 places

All over the world, ecotourism is most actively developing near specially protected natural areas: national parks and reserves. After all, it is there that oases of wild nature untouched by civilization are preserved, and even if any human activity is allowed, it is strictly regulated.

Of course, in Kazakhstan there are significantly more unique, protected areas than the twenty that we we will indicate in this material. This list is only a help to those who are traveling around the country for the first time (foreign guests) or are planning a trip outside their region to another region of our vast homeland for the first time. Therefore, we will list only the brightest pearls in the necklace of natural attractions in several regions, combining some of them that are located close to each other.

The main natural attractions of the Akmola region, of course, are the objects of the Burabay National Natural Park and the lakes of the Korgalzhyn Reserve.

1. The forests and lakes of Burabay are an oasis, in the surrounding steppes there are both northern and southern species of animals, in the forests: deer, elk, roe deer, etc.; And in the forest-steppes you can often see foxes, corsacs, and hares. And although not often, it is quite possible to see them! The granite rocks are unusual, as if made of giant slabs. Almost each one has its own legend, its own name. favored by both Kazakh tourists and foreign ones, and accessibility is ensured by an excellent new road directly from Astana. A little more than 250 km - and you are there!

3. You can also observe saigas from the Betpak-Dala population on the territory of the Irgiz-Turgai Nature Reserve in the Aktobe region. The reserve was created to preserve and restore habitats (wintering, summering, lambing areas) and migration routes of the saiga. In addition, the objective of the reserve is to preserve the unique wetlands of the Irgiz-Turgai lake system, as one of the places of the highest concentration of waterbirds during seasonal migrations, and fish spawning grounds. The reserve's lands are included in the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature) as wetlands of international importance for the conservation of unique aquatic and semi-aquatic bird species. These regions, far from civilization, will be of great interest to naturalists. 

4. Near the city of Almaty, you simply need to visit the Big Almaty Lake, which is part of the Ile-Alatau National Park. Yes, the asphalt road almost to the shore of the lake has made it very popular, and sometimes the usual silence around is no longer enough to fully enjoy the view, however, do not cross the lake off your list of eco-places. Rare birds, sicklebills, also still live here, and edelweiss grows on the mountain slopes.

5. Several interesting natural sites can be visited in the Altyn-Emel National Park: the Aktau, Katutau mountains and the famous “Singing Dune”. Between the peaks of Big and Small Kalkan there are two sandy hills. The southern dune rises 150 meters, the northern one – 100. The park is located in desert and mountain zones. About 80 species of mammals and 260 species of birds live here. On the spacious plains and mountain slopes of Altyn-Emel, argali, goitered gazelles and kulans coexist peacefully. In addition, work has been going on here for more than ten years to restore an endangered species - the Przewalski's horse.

6. The Turgen Gorge, rich in waterfalls and streams, coniferous and mixed forests, alpine and subalpine meadows, goes 44 kilometers deep to the Asy plateau (height 2560 m). The walk to the waterfalls is very popular among tourists. The path on foot from the main road to the Medvezhiy waterfall is about one kilometer; somewhere in the middle of the way to it, on the opposite slope of the gorge, the Skalisty waterfall is visible. After a walk to the waterfalls, you can continue your journey by car further along the powerful Turgen River. There is an asphalt road to the village of Batan, then it ends, but the Asy plateau awaits ahead! After a long ascent along the serpentine road, a wonderful view opens up on the plateau - a spacious summer pasture - zhailau, stretching to the east, towards the Bartogai reservoir for 40 km, reaching a width of 15 km in some places. Here and there there will be summer camps of shepherds. You can even stop by for a cup of hot aromatic tea.

7. Kolsai Lakes are located on the territory of the Kolsay Kolderi National Park at altitudes of 1818, 2252 and 2850 meters above sea level. Lake Kaiyndy is located 12 km east of the Kolsai Lakes and extends 400 meters in length. In one weekend trip it is quite possible to visit the two lower lakes of Kolsai and Lake Kaiyndy. Upper Kolsai (the third lake) is 4 km further from the second and 600 m higher; climbing to it requires more time and better physical preparation. Kolsai is an excellent place for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Lake Kaiyndy appeared about a hundred years ago as a result of the collapse of a huge mass of rock, which blocked the gorge with a natural dam. Dry spruce trunks rise above the water surface like guards. The lake is surrounded on all sides by rocky slopes and steep cliffs. Above it there is a rocky dead end, and only on one side you can drive up to the water by car.

8. Charyn Canyon is one of the most interesting natural objects in the Almaty region. The canyon is made of sedimentary rocks that are about 12 million years old! At sunset, the canyon walls, made from large deposits of clay, turn red and shimmer with amazing shades. The most visited place by tourists is the so-called “Valley of Castles”. The Charyn Canyon resembles the Grand Canyon of Colorado in North America, although it is inferior in size, but the beauty of the “Valley of Castles” is original and unique. You will also be interested in visiting the Temirlik Canyon, where a grove of relict ash trees has been preserved, as well as the Uzunbulak Canyon and the Kurtogai tract.

9. The valley of the Bayankol River at the foot of the northernmost seven-thousander in the world - Khan Tengri Peak - has long been known among climbers. After all, Khan Tengri is a well-promoted brand. However, people who are far from professional sports also have something to do and admire here. In addition to climbers, “Khan” also attracts mountain tourists. Every year, several hundred people make treks of varying degrees of difficulty along Terskey Alatau. There is also a unique opportunity to observe wild animals: deer, ibex and argali in their natural habitat. Some even manage to meet a snow leopard! The length of the Bayankol gorge from the source to the exit into the Tekes valley is 70 km. The sources of the river of the same name begin with glaciers flowing from the Saryjaz ridge. These are the large glaciers of the Marble Wall, Bayankolsky and Western. The Bayankol River separates the Terskey Alatau ridge from the Central Tien Shan. I must say that in the summer there is a real jailau in the valley with many yurts, where guests are always welcome!

10. A worthy attraction for tourists in the Almaty region is also the highest waterfall in Central Asia - Burkhan-Bulak in the Korin Gorge in Zhetysu (better known as Dzhungar) Alatau. The height of all its visible cascades is about 112 meters. But getting there is not so easy! Only with very passable transport, and today there is only one access option: through the Kapalsky Izvoz pass. The view from the pass is breathtaking, both when descending into the gorge to the Kora River, and upon returning - when ascending it. Along the bottom of the gorge, there is only 12 km of dirt road left to reach the waterfall. If you are lucky enough to take part in a tour to the waterfall, you will not regret it, and you will later remember all the difficulties of the road as an interesting adventure!

12. Waterfalls and lakes of the Katon-Karagai National Park

Katon-Karagai State National Natural Park is the largest specially protected natural area in Kazakhstan. The ecosystems of the region have been preserved almost in their original form due to their remoteness and inaccessibility to humans. The Altai Mountains include a variety of landscapes, including swamps, forests, meadows and tundra. The park's asset is the largest waterfall in the East - Kokkolsky, whose height is more than 50 meters. It is located in a difficult to pass area near Mount Belukha. You can get there either on foot or on horseback. The hiking trail next to the waterfall is popular among travelers heading to the Berel Glacier. The Yazevy waterfall is smaller than the Kokkolsky waterfall, but its picturesque rocky shores, covered with soft moss and lingonberries, will not leave you indifferent. In addition, since time immemorial, the Katon-Karagay region has been famous for the presence of radon springs. There are about 400 lakes in the area! Most of them are small, with a mirror area of ​​up to one square meter. km. The largest lake, Bukhtarminskoye, is located at the source of the Bukhtarma River at the upper border of the forest. The Big Rakhmanovskoe Lake is located very close. Three more large lakes - Yazevoe, Chernovoe and Maralye - are located on the Listvyaga ridge. In the waters of these lakes, ide and grayling are numerous.

13. Another attraction of the East Kazakhstan region, long loved by travelers, is Lake Markakol. The lake is located on the territory of the Markakolsky reserve, between the Azutau ridges in the south and Kurchumsky in the north. Area 455 sq. km! Many small rivers and streams flow into the lake, but only one flows out - the Kaldzhir River. Getting to Markakol is also not easy: the long distance and lack of a good road make a trip to the lake a real adventure. But it's worth it! The water in the lake is fresh, greenish-blue, clean and very soft. Transparency 4–7 meters. Here you can find an unusual fish of the salmon family - uskuch.

14. Taiga places of Western Altai. The Western Altai Nature Reserve is known far beyond the borders of Kazakhstan thanks to the stone outcrops on the tops of the mountains at the junction of the three main ridges of the region: Koksuysky, Ivanovsky and Kholzun. This place is called “Stone Fairy Tale”. On an area of ​​almost 16 square kilometers in the area of ​​the Skazka peak (2179 m), granite remains of bizarre shapes rise like guards, sometimes reaching a height of 35 meters! Many of them have their own names: Bogatyri, Beholder, Conversation of the Elders and others. In addition to the remains, the high-mountain Beloubinsky lakes attract attention with their uniqueness; the most beautiful of them is Lake Kedrovoe. Here, in the intermountain basin, is located the largest alpine swamp in Western Altai, Gulbishche (six kilometers long and two kilometers wide) - the summer habitat of ungulates: roe deer, deer, elk. A meeting with the owner of the taiga is also quite possible! In general, a photo shoot of the animal world: both birds and animals, is guaranteed here. No less interesting places for observing taiga inhabitants in this region are the Chernaya Uba River valley, at the foot of Lyaminoye Belok. There are even viewing platforms for tourists here. From a safe distance from a height of 3–4 meters you can observe moose, deer, and roe deer.

15. Kiin-Kerish tract. The Kiin-Kerish tract, unusual in its beauty, combines intricate red, white and yellow clay “structures”. From a distance, the bright clay rocks and abysses of Kiin-Kerisha look like fiery tongues of flame. That's why these rocks are called "Burning". Until now, tourists find here the remains of ancient vertebrates (rhinoceros, crocodiles, turtles). The attention of scientists is also attracted by living forms of flora and fauna, and scientific expeditions are regularly organized. The hot climate that dominates here, combined with the complete absence of water, creates a fantastically picturesque and mystical atmosphere.

16. Local mountain ranges in steppe and hilly areas are a distinctive feature of the landscape of Central Kazakhstan. The most famous, popular and accessible for tourists is the Karkaraly mountain range, located on the territory of the national park of the same name. Relict pine forests have been preserved here, and mountain lakes in crater-shaped depressions of granite rocks are pleasing to the eye. Two lakes located in close proximity to the city of Karkaraly have their own names and legends - Shaitankol and Basin. More than a dozen more mountain lakes are located in the protected western part of the national park and are in no way inferior in beauty to the lakes named above. The inaccessibility of the mountainous country created conditions for a significant concentration of wild animals here: moose, roe deer, foxes, hares, etc. There are even Red Book argali!

17. Very long distances, unpredictable weather conditions, inability to get drinking water on the road - this is what you need to know when going to Ustyurt. Where you can drive in dry weather, as soon as it starts to rain, it will be simply impossible to do so. There are many natural attractions in Mangistau, the two main ones are Bozzhyra (loosely translated from the Kazakh language as “Gray-blue land”) - a remnant mountain range very impressive for photo sessions on the outskirts of the western cliff of Ustyurt and the “Valley of Balls” (Torysh) - spherical nodules formed millions of years ago at the bottom of the ancient ocean.

18. Bayanaul National Park, a hundred kilometers from the city of Ekibastuz, is the main natural attraction of the Pavlodar region. Bizarre rocks, picturesque freshwater lakes, the largest of them. of which Sabyndykol, Zhasybay, Toraigyr and Byrzhankol, mysterious caves and grottoes, and most importantly, the distance from big cities, make this region attractive for ecotourists. In 1985, the Bayanaul State National Natural Park was organized here. Of the 460 species of plants growing in the park, 50. – relict: these include Bayanaul pine and rock currant.

20. Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve is one of the oldest in Central Asia. And in the reserve itself and near it, they began to develop first of all in the country. organize ornithological tours for botanists interested in tulips. It is not for nothing that the emblem of the reserve is the Greig tulip! As for birds, this is the nesting place for 130 species of birds, 11 of them are listed in the Red Book. The reserve is located in the Talas Alatau mountains in the Western Tien Shan. The central place is occupied by the Aksu Canyon, about 1800 m deep. Walking and horseback riding are possible here.

Photos from the sites were used in the article: comfortauto.kz, e-history.kz, kompastour.asia, silkadv.com