Lake Dubygalinskoe (also known as Lake Okun’ki) is located in Ulansky district of East Kazakhstan Oblast, at the foot of the northern slopes of Mount Dubygaly. This lake and the surrounding rocks are like an oasis in the middle of the endless Kazakh steppe. It is about 70 km from Oskemen (former Ust-Kamenogorsk) and 140 km from Semey.

Besides the fact that it is a great place for fishing, the lake attracts travelers for its amazing giant boulders picturesquely scattered along the shore. Lake Okun’ki on Google Maps. Photos by Alexey Maznicin.

really huge boulders

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · landscapes

Tuzkol is a salty mountain lake in Kazakhstan, located at an altitude of 1,959 m above sea level in Raiymbek District in the south-east of Almaty Oblast, about 310 km from Almaty. Translated from the Kazakh language, “tuzkol” means “salt lake”. The salinity of Lake Tuzkol varies with the seasons and is sometimes almost the same as in the Dead Sea in Israel or the Great Salt Lake in the US.

Raiymbek District is one of the most picturesque districts of Almaty Oblast. You can go there at any time of the year, but if you want to travel further into the mountains, the best time to go is from June to September. Lake Tuzkol on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

beautiful landscapes

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

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

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

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

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

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

Bayanaul State National Park is a national park located in the south of the Pavlodar region, 100 km from Ekibastuz city.

This reserve is one of the specially protected natural territories of Kazakhstan. The park, founded in 1985, is the first national park in the country. The total area of ​​the park is 68,453 hectares.

lovely rocky landscape

Tags: landscapes · Pavlodar oblast