Central Kazakhstan, the cradle of ancient nomadic civilizations, consists of vast steppes and rocky oases, filled with the breath of pine needles.

Among the latter, we should mention Kent Mountains located in the Karaganda region, one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world. Photos by: Alexandr Kuznetsov.

wonderful landscapes

Tags: Karaganda oblast

Tuyuksu is a central, valley glacier in Kazakhstan, located on the northern slope of Trans-Ili Alatau Ridge, in the upper reaches of the Malaya Almatinka River, at the foot of Tuyuksu Pass.

Here, about 25 km from Almaty, in Maloye Almatinskoye Gorge (the height above sea level – 2,400 meters), you can find a mountaineering camp “Tuyuk-Su” – one of the best places to get basic skills of mountaineering. Photos by: Olga Kulakova.

Starry night on Tuyuksu.

beautiful scenery

Tags: Almaty city

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

The Temirlik River, the right tributary of the Charyn River, located in the Almaty region, forms an amazing canyon that is not inferior to the famous “Valley of Castles” located in the Charyn Canyon.

This canyon is smaller, but it is also very beautiful. You can spend a weekend near the mountain stream flowing through the bottom of the canyon. The best time to visit – spring and autumn, when there is no sweltering heat. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

beautiful scenery

Tags: Almaty oblast

Tuzkol is a small mountain lake located at an altitude of 1,950 meters above sea level in the south-east of the Almaty region, about 310 km from Almaty. The name of the lake means “salty” in the Kazakh language.

The salinity of Lake Tuzkol varies with the seasons of the year. It can reach almost the same level as in the Dead Sea in Israel or Great Salt Lake in the United States. Tuzkol is the saltiest mountain lake in Kazakhstan.

fly over Tuzkol

Tags: Almaty oblast

Charyn Canyon, one of the main natural attractions of Kazakhstan, is located relatively close to Almaty (about 200 km). You can go there by car all year round. Every local taxi driver will take you there for a reasonable price.

The age of the canyon is estimated at 12 million years. Its total length is about 150 km, but the most popular place is the so-called “Valley of the Castles”, the length – about 2 km, the width – 20-80 m. Photos by: lusika33.

very interesting place

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

A long time ago this place was covered by a mountain glacier, but climate change led to its disappearance and a system of beautiful small mountain lakes formed here.

The system of lakes in the upper reaches of the Kensu River, on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, is located about 260 km from Almaty, in the Almaty region. This is a unique area of untouched wildlife with eight lakes flowing into each other. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

explore the lakes

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

In the south-eastern part of the mountain system Ile Alatau (the most northern ridge of Tien Shan), near Almaty, you can find three beautiful tectonic lakes. They are called Kolsai lakes.

All three lakes are surrounded by pine forests and have rich underwater flora and fauna. The water in the lakes is crystal clear. Kolsai Lakes National Park on Google Maps. Photos by: Gregory Bedenko.

Upper Kolsai Lake (2,850 meters above sea level) is the smallest of the three lakes.

beautiful lakes

Tags: Almaty oblast

Boszhira tract is located in the western part of the Ustyurt Plateau, on Mangyshlak Peninsula in the Mangistau region. The highway Necropolis Becket-Ata – Zhanaozen passes about 20 km from the tract.

As the tract covers a huge area, it will take more than one day to explore it. This place is little known and inaccessible to tourists. Everything is white here – canyons, peaks, mountains-towers, mountains-castles, mountains-yurts, etc.

almost Martian landscape

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Assy-Turgen is a mountain plateau located at an altitude of about 2,650 meters above sea level, in the Assy River valley, 100 km east of Almaty.

In addition to the picturesque alpine views this place is known for the Assy-Turgen observatory located here. Let’s go on a trip to this plateau and see how it looks in the middle of summer, in late June. Assy plateau on Google Maps. Photos by: Denis Frantsouzov.

go on a trip on Assy plateau

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes