Kolsai Lakes National Park is located in the scenic mountains of the Northern Tien Shan, about 300 km from Almaty. It includes the three stunning Kolsai mountain lakes and the famous Kaindy Lake, known for its submerged spruce trees — a rare natural phenomenon.
The lakes, situated at altitudes ranging from 1,800 to 2,850 meters, are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and surrounding coniferous forests. The area is perfect for hiking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and enjoying pristine nature.
The park is home to diverse flora and fauna, with over 200 species of animals, including rare ones like the snow leopard, Tien Shan bear, and golden eagle. Visitors can stay in cozy guesthouses in the nearby village of Saty.
In 2021, the park was added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, highlighting its significance in preserving Central Asia’s natural heritage.
Charyn National Park, located in the Almaty region, spans over 127,000 hectares and is best known for its main natural attraction — the Charyn Canyon. Stretching for 154 km, the canyon reaches depths of up to 200 meters and features breathtaking landscapes reminiscent of the Grand Canyon in the U.S.
The most famous part of the canyon is the “Valley of Castles,” where wind and water have sculpted the rocks into the shapes of ancient towers and walls. The park is also home to a unique relic grove of Sogdian ash — a tree species that survived the Ice Age and is found only here and in parts of North America.
The park boasts rich biodiversity, with over 60 species of mammals including gazelles and mountain goats, as well as numerous bird and reptile species. Charyn offers scenic trails, natural wonders, and dramatic views, making it a top destination for nature lovers and adventurers.
Altyn-Emel National Park is located in the southeast of Kazakhstan, in the Zhetysu Region, approximately 250 kilometers from Almaty. Established in 1996, the park spans over 300,000 hectares and serves as a protected natural area that combines desert, mountain, and steppe landscapes.
The park is renowned for its unique natural and cultural-historical landmarks. Among them is the Singing Dune, a sand dune up to 130 meters high and about 1.5 kilometers long, which produces melodic sounds in the wind, reminiscent of organ music. The Aktau Mountains, over 400 million years old, are known for their colorful slopes, while the Katutau Mountains feature ancient volcanic formations.
The park is also home to the Bes-Shatyr Saka burial mounds, dating back to the 8th–3rd centuries BCE, and the Tanbaly Tas petroglyphs, which reflect the region’s ancient history. In the Kosbastau area stands a 700-year-old willow tree, recognized as a natural monument.
The park's flora includes around 1,800 plant species, many of which are rare and endemic. Its fauna includes more than 390 species of vertebrates, such as argali (wild sheep), kulan (Asiatic wild ass), goitered gazelles, and Przewalski’s horses — many listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book of endangered species.
In 2023, Altyn-Emel National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the transnational nomination "Cold Winter Deserts of Turan," highlighting its global importance for preserving natural and cultural heritage.
Bozzhyra is a unique natural landmark located on the western edge of the Ustyurt Plateau in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan. Its name translates from Kazakh as “pale valley” or “gray depression.”
Millions of years ago, this area was covered by the ancient Tethys Ocean, which left behind layers of limestone and chalk. Today, fossils of marine life — shells, shark teeth, and algae — can still be found here. Over time, tectonic activity lifted the plateau, and erosion by wind and rain sculpted dramatic rock formations rising up to 250 meters.
Bozzhyra is famous for its surreal, otherworldly landscapes that resemble scenes from science fiction films. Among the most popular viewpoints are “Martian Panorama,” “Dragon’s Crest,” and “The Fangs,” each offering breathtaking views of the surrounding cliffs and canyons.
As part of a protected nature park, visiting Bozzhyra requires a special permit. The best time to visit is in spring or autumn, when the weather is most comfortable.
Bozzhyra is not only a geological wonder but also a place to experience the majesty of nature and connect with the Earth’s ancient past.
