Shalkude or Chelkudinskaya Valley is a beautiful mountain valley stretching for more than 100 km at an altitude of about 2,500 meters above sea level.

The valley of the Shalkudysu River, also known as Kegenskaya, is the most extensive valley in the Kazakh part of the Tien Shan. The Shalkodysu River gives rise to one of the largest waterways of the Almaty region – the Charyn River. Photos by: E.W.Shestakowa.

summer in the valley

Tags: Almaty oblast

The Ili River is the largest and one of the longest rivers in Central Asia (1,430 km). The river originates in the Chinese part of the Tien Shan and flows into Lake Balkhash located in southeastern Kazakhstan.

The delta of the river is known for its unique microclimate. Here you can find some relict plant species. Autumn in the delta of the Ili River is very picturesque. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

fly over the Ili River

Tags: Almaty oblast

Nursultan Peak (until 1935 – Malyy Almaty, until 1998 – Komsomol) is a mountain peak (4,330 meters) located on the northern slopes of the Tien Shan mountain range.

This is one of the most popular peaks located near Almaty, the largest city of Kazakhstan. It was named after the first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. Photos by: Anna Gornostayeva.

go hiking in the mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast

Chilik (Shelek) is one of the largest and longest rivers of the Northern Tien Shan separating the mountain ranges of Ile Alatau and Kungey Alatau.

This river is located in the Almaty region, in the vicinity of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border. Recently Shelek has become a popular destination for adventure tourism. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

fly over the river

Tags: Almaty oblast

You can see the following stunning views while climbing Molodezhnyy (Youth) Peak (4,147 m) in the Ile Alatau (Trans-Ili Alatau) – a mountain range located in the northwest of the Tien Shan, on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, is located in the northern foothills of this mountain system. The famous sports complex Medeo, the observatory of Assy-Turgen and the alpine ski resort Shimbulak can also be found here. Molodezhnyy Peak on Google Maps. Photos by: Olga Kulakova.

let’s go hiking in the mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast

The so-called “Singing dune”, a popular tourist sight of Kazakhstan, is located in the national park Altyn Emel, 182 km north-east of Almaty.

The dune is composed of light-colored sand and has a length of about 3 km and a height of 150 m. In dry weather sands emit a sound similar to an organ melody. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

amazing natural wonder

Tags: Almaty oblast

Big Almaty Lake is a mountain reservoir located in the Trans-Ili Alatau at an altitude of 2,511 meters above sea level, 15 km south from the center of Almaty.

The lake, which is part of the Ile-Alatau National Park, as well as the vast majority of lakes in the Tien Shan mountains, appeared as a result of earthquakes.

very scenic lake

Tags: Almaty oblast

Kolsai (Kulsai) lakes is a system of three lakes located in the northern Tien Shan in Kolsai Gorge, in Raiymbek district of the Almaty region, 10 km north of the border with Kyrgyzstan and 330 km south-east of Almaty, at an altitude of about 1,800 m, 2,200 m and 2,800 m above sea level.

The lakes, surrounded by pine forests, are known as “the pearl of the Northern Tien Shan.” The depth of the lakes can reach 50 meters.

the beauty of pristine nature

Tags: Almaty oblast

Aktau Mountains, located in Altyn Emel National Park in the south-east of Kazakhstan in the Almaty region, is a unique natural monument.

These colorful chalky hills, formed from bluish-gray sandstone and red clay, interspersed with yellow and pink cornelian, jasper and white quartz, reminiscent of a layer cake. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

amazing mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast

Charyn (Sharyn) Canyon is a wonderful natural monument built of sedimentary rocks, which age is about 12 million years.

It stretches for 154 km along the canyon of the Charyn River, 195 km east of Almaty, near the border with China. The canyon is part of the territory of Charyn National Park.

Tags: Almaty oblast