Big Almaty Lake is a beautiful turquoise lake located about 15 km south of Almaty, at the height of 2510 meters. The lake is not only pleasing the eyes of tourists and residents of Almaty, but also gives the city clean water from the glaciers of the Tien Shan.

The lake appeared as a result of an earthquake. Big Almaty Lake has unusual for most lakes color that varies from light green to turquoise. The depth is about 40 meters, the length – 1.5 km, the width – 1 km. It is the part of the Ile-Alatau National Park. Big Almaty Lake location on Google Maps. Photos by Andrey Gavrikov

(more…)

Tags: Almaty oblast

Mountainous region called Dzungaria is located in the south-east of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Almaty province). Korinskoye gorge is called one of the most beautiful places in this area.

The valley is known for its stunning views and beautiful waterfall called Burhan-Bulak (three cascades with total height of 112 meters) – one of the places of eco-tourism in Kazakhstan.

(more…)

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Charуn Canyon stretches for 154 km along the river Charуn in Kazakhstan. It is located 195 km to the east from Almaty, near the border with China. Canyon is the part of Charyn National Park founded in 2004.

The canyon is a monument of nature consisting of sedimentary rocks formed about 12 million years ago. The height of the canyon walls is up to 150-300 meters. The place is also known for the variety of flora and fauna. More than 1500 species of plants grow here. Charyn Canyon on Google Maps. Photos by el-magico

(more…)

Tags: Almaty oblast · Charyn canyon

Ski resort “Shimbulak” (“Chimbulak”) is situated in a picturesque Trans-Ili Alatau valley at a height 2260 meters above sea level, 25 km from the center of Almaty. The average summer temperature is plus 20 C, in winter – minus 7 C. The average snow depth is 150 cm, the number of sunny days per year is about 90%.

The resort is known for a variety of slopes, including slopes for beginners, long slopes for skiers, slopes for downhill skiing, valleys with untouched snow and half-pipe for snowboarders, extreme turns for pros, a special track for mogul.

The main characteristics of the resort: plateau length – 3800 meters, width – from 100 to 600 meters, vertical drop – 943 meters, ski area – 2260-3163 meters, total area – 99 acres.

Tags: Almaty oblast · ski resort

Picturesque Ushkonyr plateau is located about 45 km west of Almaty. The average height above sea level is about 2000 meters. Ushkonyr is one of the main hang-gliding places near Almaty.

There is a gravel road leading to the plateau. Soon it will become paved. The entrance to Ushkonyr is not free (the fee is 2000 tenge or about 15 USD per each car), because the land is privately owned. And here is the map location of Ushkonyr plateau. Photos by Aidar Ayazbayev

(more…)

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

In late August, large wildfire occurred in the Ile-Alatau National Park located near Almaty in the close proximity to the “Medeo” sports complex. The flames swept over twenty hectares of mountain slopes.

Large wildfire in the natural park was predicted a year ago – then the environmentalists, the rescuers and the authorities were deciding what to do with the trees felled by storm.

Recently, the works to dispose dead trees were carried out in these places but unfortunately not all the fallen trees were removed. Photos by Grigoriy Bedenko.

(more…)

Tags: Almaty oblast · fire

Taban-Karagai is an area of summer pastures, located south of the Assy plateau in Almaty region of Kazakhstan.

This area has majestic nature with almost no traces of human presence. The pastures are at altitude over 2,000 meters above sea level. Due to the fact that it rains here almost every day, the meadows are covered with succulent grasses. Photos by Constantine Kikvidze

(more…)

Tags: Almaty oblast · horses · landscapes

Tamgaly Tas in Kazakh language means “stones with the signs”. Here on the rocks a large number of petroglyphs are preserved, among which the most famous image is the picture of the three Buddhist deities. Under the figures the sacred text is carved in Sanskrit, dating from the 12th century.

The rocks are located near the Ili River, 120 km north of Almaty. Today this place is popular with tourists, including rock-climbers, who gather here in spring and fall. Arid and semiarid landscape of the valley is one of the most picturesque places in Almaty region.

Tags: Almaty oblast · drawings · rocks · Tamgaly Tas

The tradition of hunting with tame hawks and falcons appeared very long ago. Today it is preserved only in a few countries including Kazakhstan. February 12, near the village of Nura (Almaty oblast), the 4th hunting tournament of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held.

There were competitions in several disciplines, starting with grades for the appearance and quality of equipment of a hunter, checking out how well the bird was trained, and finally the main event – hunting for hares and foxes. The winner was determined by the results of this last contest. Photos by Svyatoslav Antonov.

(more…)

Tags: Almaty oblast · falcons · hawks · hunt

Almaty oblast is one of the most beautiful and fascinating regions of Kazakhstan. Nature here is so amazing and full of contrasts that there are almost no repeating landscapes.

During one day trip you can visit the snow-capped mountains, wander through the pine forests and after a couple of hours journey walk among the dunes and sands of the endless steppes, feel the power and strength of ancient canyons and get lost in a maze of limestone mountains. Photos by Constantin Kikvidze from voxpopuli.kz.

(more…)

Tags: Almaty oblast · horses · landscapes · mountains · steppes