Almaty Region: Unmissable Highlights

The Almaty Region encompasses diverse ecosystems, ranging from the high-altitude peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau and Khan Tengri to the semi-desert shores of Lake Balkhash. It features the UNESCO-listed Tamgaly petroglyphs, which date back to the Bronze Age, and the 19th-century Zharkent Mosque, built in a unique Chinese pagoda style. Natural highlights include the turquoise waters of Lake Issyk, the saline Alaköl lake, and Burkhan-Bulak, the tallest waterfall in Kazakhstan, located in the Jongar Alatau mountains.

Almaty Region: Unmissable Highlights — Map

A

Oz. Issyk

Alpine lake in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, formed by a massive ancient landslide. Its turquoise waters are set at an altitude of 1,760 meters, near the site where the historic 'Golden Man' was discovered.

Apatzi / CC-BY-SA-3.0

B

Lake Balkhash

Lake Balkhash is one of the largest lakes in Asia and 15th largest in the world.

Kiwiodysee / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Tamgaly

Tamgaly is a petroglyph site in the Zhetysu of Kazakhstan.

National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic / Public domain

D

Khan Tengri

Khan Tengri is a mountain of the Tian Shan mountain range in Central Asia.

МаратД / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Trans-Ili Alatau

Ile Alatau, also spelt as Trans-Ili Alatau, is a part of the Northern Tian Shan mountain system in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

МаратД / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Trans-Ili Alatau

Ile Alatau, also spelt as Trans-Ili Alatau, is a part of the Northern Tian Shan mountain system in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic / Public domain

G

Khan Tengri

Khan Tengri is a mountain of the Tian Shan mountain range. It is on the China—Kyrgyzstan—Kazakhstan tripoint, east of lake Issyk Kul.

Ds02006 / Public domain

H

Qapşağay reservoir

Kapchagay Reservoir, also spelled Qapshaghay Bogeni Reservoir and sometimes referred to as Lake Kapchagay, is a major reservoir in Almaty…

Yakov Fedorov / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Zharkent Mosque

The Zharkent mosque is the central mosque of Zharkent, Kazakhstan. The mosque was built in 1895 to the design of the Chinese architect Hon…

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

J

Talgar pass

High-altitude mountain pass at 3,163 meters, accessible via cable car from the Shymbulak Ski Resort. It provides panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and serves as a gateway to several alpine trekking routes.

K

Alaköl

Alakol Lake is a lake located in the Balkhash-Alakol Basin, part of the Almaty and Shyghyz regions, east central Kazakhstan.

L

Cernyj Carynskij kanon

A distinct section of the Charyn Canyon system characterized by its dark, volcanic rock formations. Located along the Charyn River, it features steep cliffs and dramatic geological layers.

M

Burkhan-Bulak

Burhan-bulak Falls is the tallest waterfall in Kazakhstan. It is located in the Kora River gorge in the Jongar Alatau mountains.