Traveling through the villages of the Dzungarian Alatau -
Jeep tour from Almaty to Lepsinsk -
The village of Lepsi, formerly known as Lepsinsk, is an ancient settlement in the Zhetysu region of Kazakhstan, located in the picturesque valley of the Lepsy River, at the foot of the Dzungarian Alatau mountains. This place combines a rich history, amazing nature and the atmosphere of comfort of a small mountain village. The history of the village begins in the distant 1846, when the treaty on the accession of the Senior Zhuz to Russia was signed here. At that time, a military outpost was located here, which guarded the border with China. The nature around amazes with its beauty, the village is surrounded by soft foothills, which are covered with a carpet of tulips and wild irises in the spring, and with fragrant herbs in the summer. The Lepsy River, originating in the glaciers of the Dzungarian Alatau, flows past the village, filling the area with freshness and coolness. Nearby are the purest springs, pine forests and mountain gorges, which make this area ideal for hiking and horse riding. Here is also the Zhongar-Alatau National Park, which is famous for the fact that the wild Sievers apple tree grows on its territory. The village serves as a starting point to Lake Zhasylkol, the distance from the village to the lake is 15 kilometers.
How to get there and visit -
Lepsi village (Lepsinsk) is located in the foothills of the Dzungarian Alatau in the Sarkand district, Zhetysu region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 45°31'38"N 80°36'56"E
Information and history -
Founded as a military and administrative settlement, Lepsinsk quickly became an important point on the way from Semirechye to Dzungaria. Cossack villages, merchant shops and workshops were located here, and in Soviet times – collective farms and agricultural cooperatives. The local architecture and layout still retain the features of an old district center: wide streets, spacious courtyards, preserved buildings from the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The historical significance of Lepsi is inextricably linked with the trade and cultural ties of the region. In the vicinity of the village, archaeologists have found burial mounds, stone sculptures and traces of ancient sites, which indicates that people lived here for many centuries.
The flora and fauna of the region are rich: in the mountains you can find Shrenk spruce, Tien Shan fir, rose hips, barberry, as well as rare plant species listed in the Red Book. The animals here include roe deer, marals, argali, bears and lynxes, and golden eagles and other birds of prey soar in the sky.
Today, Lepsi is a quiet rural settlement with hospitable residents, where you can touch history, enjoy the natural beauty of the Dzhungar Alatau and go on excursions to lakes, mountain passes and gorges. The village often becomes the starting point for tourist routes to the Zhungar-Alatau National Park.
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