Saryarka is a vast steppe territory located in Northern and Central Kazakhstan, in the Akmola and Karaganda regions. It is known for its harsh climate, unique ecosystem with rich flora and fauna, and picturesque views.

Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan is the first natural World Heritage site in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It consists of two reserves, Korgalzhyn (Central Kazakhstan) and Naurzum (Northern Kazakhstan), with a total area of ​​450,344 hectares. Korgalzhyn Reserve of Saryarka on Google Maps. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

beautiful steppe scenery

Tags: Akmola oblast · Karaganda oblast

Southern Kazakhstan is the most densely populated part of the country. Here the largest cities of Kazakhstan, Almaty and Shymkent, are located.

The landscapes of Southern Kazakhstan are surprisingly diverse and represent a combination of arid, rather cold (in winter) and hot (in summer) sparsely populated steppes and deserts, snow-capped mountains, and densely populated foothills. Photos by: Dmitry Balakirev.

Famous boundless steppes of Kazakhstan – one of the symbols of the country.

fly over Southern Kazakhstan

Tags: Almaty oblast · South Kazakhstan oblast

Mangyshlak Peninsula is a peninsula on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. The Mangistau region is located on its territory.

One of the most interesting sights on the peninsula is the valley of stone balls called Torysh. There are several hypotheses of their origin, however the exact cause is still not known. The valley of balls on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Mulder.

picturesque geological formations

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Senek is a village with a population of about 2,000 people located in the Karakiyansky district of the Mangystau region.

To the north-east of the village there is a sandy area named after the village – Senek Sands. Here you can see amazingly picturesque landscapes of a fairy tale desert. Senek Sands on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Mulder.

beautiful desert scenery

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Charyn Canyon (also known as Sharyn Canyon) stretches for 154 km along the Charyn River on the territory of the Charyn National Park, about 200 km east of Almaty, near the border with China.

It is a magnificent natural monument built of sedimentary rocks, which age is about 12 million years. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon reaches 150-300 m. Charyn Canyon on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

beautiful monument of nature

Tags: Almaty oblast

Bayanaul mountains are a mountain range located in the southwest of the Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan. The mountains stretch from west to east for 40-50 km, from north to south – for 20-25 km. The highest point, Mount Akbet, reaches 1,022 m above sea level.

Bayanaul State National Natural Park, one of the most protected natural areas of Kazakhstan, was created in this territory. Founded in 1985, it became the first national park in the country. Bayanaul mountains on Google Maps. Photos by: Zekkadrb.

hike in the national park

Tags: Pavlodar oblast

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan with a population of about 1.7 million people. It is the only city in the country with a population of more than a million people.

The city is located at the foot of the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains in the extreme south-east of the republic. Let’s walk through the central part of Almaty on a nice summer day. Photos by: Sergey Rubtsov.

stroll around Almaty

Tags: Almaty city

Astana, meaning “capital” in Kazakh, is a city with a population of about 1 million people located in the north of Kazakhstan. It became the country’s capital in 1998.

Let’s take a walk in the city center during the days of Expo-2017 Astana – an international specialized exhibition held from June 10 to September 10, 2017. Photos by: Sergey Rubtsov.

Bayterek – a monument and observation tower crowned with a golden ball, one of the symbols of the new capital of Kazakhstan.

explore Astana

Tags: Astana city

The Kent Mountains, belonging to one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, are a mountain forest oasis located in the Karkaraly district of the Karaganda region, in Central Kazakhstan.

The intermontane valleys and slopes of the mountains are covered with pine forests, over which thousands of rocks of bizarre forms rise. Photos by: Zekkadrb.

trekking in the ancient mountains

Tags: Karaganda oblast

Trans-Ili Alatau is a mountain range in the northwest of the Tien Shan (on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, is located in its northern foothills.

Due to this fact a range of various climbing trips is available even for amateurs of mountaineering. For example, let’s climb one of the most beautiful peaks of Trans-Ili Alatau – Peak Molodezhny (4,147 m). Peak Molodezhny on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilya Gornostayev.

go to the mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast