Natural attractions in the mountains of Almaty -
Mountain climbing trekking and hiking in the Tien Shan mountains -
Zailiysky Alatau is the pearl of the Tien Shan and one of the most beautiful and recognizable mountain places in Kazakhstan. This majestic ridge stretches for 350 kilometers from east to west and is the southern border of the Almaty region. The mountains of Zailiysky Alatau are a popular destination, accessible within the city of Almaty in its mountainous part, the mountains are great for lovers of active recreation, tourism and mountaineering, the highest point is Talgar Peak. Unique nature, many different kinds of attractions and breathtaking mountain landscapes prevail here. The main direction is the Small Almaty Gorge, in its mountainous area there are many mountain peaks and interesting locations for hiking in the mountains, for example, the Big Talgar mountain pass, from which there are many routes, for example, the Nursultan (Komsomola) peak or the Abay peak. You can get to the pass by cable car Medeo-Chimbulak through the high-mountain base Shymbulak, which operates all year round, and in winter you can ski here.
The second no less interesting mountain gorge in the Zailiysky Alatau is the Big Almaty Gorge, in which the famous high-mountain Big Almaty lake is located. This gorge is also very popular among outdoor enthusiasts and guests of the city of Almaty. In the gorge is the Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory, from which you can observe the night sky through a telescope, and up the road on the Dzhusaly-Kezen pass is the "Cosmostation" where they study cosmic particles. From the pass you can climb to the Big Almaty mountain peak, which offers a gorgeous panorama of the city of Almaty, or to the Tourist mountain peak, which is opposite. You can also go down from the pass to the Prokhodnoye gorge, where the famous Terra mountain glade is located, and then go down to the Almaarasan sanatorium, where there are hot water springs in which you can take healing baths with radon hot water.
The third location is the Turgen gorge, which is also part of the Zailiysky Alatau and here is the high-mountain plateau of Asy (Assy), on which the Assy-Turgen astronomical observatory is located, from which you can also observe the stars through a telescope. In the summer, nomads live on the plateau and graze herds of cows, sheep and horses. A picturesque mountain road to the Bartogay reservoir passes along the plateau through the Zhaman-Uy tract. It is good to spend time and relax in the Turgen Gorge, there is a trout farm where you can fish for trout and then fry and eat this fish or go to an ostrich farm and buy ostrich eggs and ostrich meat there. You can also relax in the gorge on the bank of the Turgen River, there are many well-equipped places for rest, gazebos, benches, yurts, or climb the Medvezhiy waterfall, which is a popular attraction of the gorge. All three gorges (locations) are located on the territory of the Ile-Alatau Nature Reserve and Nature Park, which is part of the Almaty Nature Reserve.
How to get there and visit -
Zailiysky Alatau is located within the city of Almaty on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Bolshoe Almatinskoe Gorge, Maloe Almatinskoe Gorge, Turgen Gorge, Almaty Region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°04'06"N 77°14'48"E
History, nature and climate -
The name "Zailiysky" comes from the Ili River, along which the ridge is located. Zailiysky Alatau has long been a place of residence for nomadic peoples who revered the mountains as sacred. These lands played an important role in the Great Silk Road, connecting the east and the west. In Soviet times, the region became an important center for tourism and mountaineering. Dozens of routes were laid here, ski resorts and mountaineering camps were built. Today, Zailiysky Alatau remains a favorite place for travelers and professional athletes. The mountains of Zailiysky Alatau are distinguished by an amazing variety of natural zones: from dense coniferous forests and alpine meadows to glaciers and snow-capped peaks. There are over 400 glaciers, many peaks and summits. Many rare animals live here, such as the snow leopard, lynx and roe deer. The forests are rich in Schrenk spruce, which gives the mountains a unique appearance. The climate in Zailiysky Alatau is sharply continental. Summer is mild, with temperatures from +15°C to +25°C, and winter is snowy and cold, which makes the region attractive for winter tourism. Zailiysky Alatau is an amazing place where nature, history and active recreation merge into a harmonious whole. This region is a real treasure of Kazakhstan, capable of inspiring anyone who seeks adventure or peace in the embrace of the mountains.
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