Alakol in Kazakh means “multi-colored lake.” It is situated on the border of the east and southeast of Kazakhstan. In the south-western part its water is clean and very clear, in the north-east – the water is muddy.

The lake water is strongly mineralized and is considered therapeutic. The length of the lake is 104 kilometers, the maximum width – 52 kilometers, the depth – 54 meters. Lake Alakol on Google Maps. Photos by: Grigoriy Bedenko.

beautiful lakes

Tags: Almaty oblast · East Kazakhstan oblast

Tuzkol is the saltiest mountain lake in Kazakhstan, located in the south-east of the Almaty region, in Raiymbeksky district, about 310 km from Almaty.

The lake is quite large – the length is 5 km and the width in some places reaches 1 km. The water is very salty, but the level of salinity changes with the seasons. The maximum value is up to 300 g per liter. For comparison: in the Dead Sea, the concentration of salt is about 340-350 g per liter.

amazing scenery

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

The tract of Boszhira, a mountain range located in the center of the Mangystau region, occupies a large area. It takes more than one day to explore this place.

This area is known for its amazing unearthly landscape in white chalk tones. Boszhira is little known and difficult to access for tourists. Travel to Boszhira usually consists of two parts: hiking and road trips.

amazing place

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Trans-Ili Alatau or Ile Alatau is a mountain system located in the northwest of the Tien Shan (on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). It is the most northern mountain range of the Tien Shan.

These mountains are rich with numerous glaciers and lakes that increase the risk of mudflows creating a hazard to the settlements located at the foot of the mountains, including the city of Almaty. That’s why regular monitoring of Trans-Ili Alatau is conducted from the air. Photos by: Grigoriy Bedenko.

fly over Trans-Ili Alatau

Tags: Almaty oblast

In the north-west of the Ustyurt National Preserve, in the middle of the steppe, there is a small Senek desert, named after Senek village located nearby.

It is quite a remarkable place and definitely worth seeing, if you are traveling through the Mangystau region by car. Senek desert on Google Maps. Photos by: Denis Frantsouzov.

sandy landscapes

Tags: landscapes · Mangystau oblast

Semirechye (Seven Rivers), or Zhetysu is a vast area located in the south-east of Kazakhstan (Almaty region).

It is situated between Lake Balkhash in the north, Sasykol and Alakol in the northeast, the mountain range of Jungar Alatau in the south-east, and the ridges of the Northern Tien Shan in the south. Photos by: Grigoriy Bedenko.

the land of lakes

Tags: Almaty oblast

The Kolsai lake cascade is a system of three lakes located in the northern Tien Shan, in the Almaty region.

Let’s walk through the forest trail leading to the second Kolsai lake. Kolsai lakes on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

scenic forest trail and the lake

Tags: Almaty oblast

Aktolagay is a mountain ridge composed of limestone. The length of the ridge is 90 km, the width – 5-10 km. It is located on the territory of Bayganinsky district of the Aktobe region.

The unique landscape of Aktolagay, formed in the Jurassic period, is fascinating. Aktolagay mountain range on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilia Afanasieff.

the land of white cliffs

Tags: Aktobe oblast

Stunningly beautiful Charyn Canyon stretches for 154 km along the Charyn River, 195 km east of Almaty, near the border with China.

People living in Kazakhstan are very proud of this place. They say that it is no worse than the famous Grand Canyon in the US.

Charyn Canyon – a true natural wonder

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Boszhira Tract is located in the western part of the Ustyurt Plateau, on the Mangyshlak Peninsula in the Mangistau region. Nature has given full freedom to its imagination here. You can see a unique landscape of unearthly white chalk colors.

The tract covers a huge area. In order to explore it, you will need more than one day. This place is little known and difficult to access for tourists.

amazing landscapes

Tags: landscapes · Mangystau oblast