Jeep tour to the Katutau Mountains and the Altyn-Emel Nature Reserve from Almaty -
Unusual natural formations of the Almaty region -
Katutau - mountains of volcanic origin or lava mountains of red and dark brown color, a very unusual bizarre shape, similar to frozen lava. Katutau translated from the Kazakh language means “frozen or harsh mountains”. On the territory of the Altyn-Emel Park, where the Katutau Mountains are located, in ancient times there were two paleovolcanoes, their active activity, that is, the eruption, gave birth to the Katutau Mountains in the form that we see them now. The length of the Katutau mountains is 30 kilometers, the highest point here is 1700 meters above sea level.
How to get there, visit -
The Katutau Mountains are located 320 kilometers from the city of Almaty, 47 kilometers from the village of Basshi, 25 kilometers from the Aktau Mountains in the territory of the Altyn-Emel Nature Park, Kerbulak district, Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 44°12′12″N 79°17′29″E
Before visiting the park, you must issue a pass, which can be obtained in the village of Basshi at the office of the Altyn-Emel National Park. You can also issue a pass remotely through the application.
Information -
The Katutau Ridge is composed of Upper Paleozoic and Meso-Cenozoic deposits of sandstones, conglomerates, marls and limestones. In the middle part of the mountains, subject to tectonic uplifts, there are many water sources. 240 million years ago, two large volcanoes erupted and a large lake formed at their foot. The flowing lava solidified in the lake and formed unique stone shapes. Millions of years passed, the volcano died out and gradually went under water. Another tens of millions of years passed, and the ancient lake dried up. Then, over a long period of time, through wind and water erosion, unique shapes and wonderful compositions were created from the erupted lava. Breath of a bygone era in these amazing mountains will grow. You can feel the magical power, eternity and tenacity of nature. The valley of the Katutau ridge is one of the popular tourist sites on the territory of the Altyn-Emel nature reserve.
When traveling to the Katutau Mountains, we will definitely visit the Altyn-Emel Nature Reserve and the Aktau Mountains. We recommend traveling through this area for at least three days, since you need to allow one day for the journey there and back, plus one day in the reserve itself for sightseeing and walking. We can stay in guest houses in the village of Basshi or in the reserve itself. You can also take with you equipment for setting up a base camp with all the necessary equipment, tents, sleeping bags, a field kitchen, a dry closet and a shower.
Frozen Katutau Mountains in the Altyn-Emel Nature Reserve
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