Ecological tourism in the Katon-Karagay district -
Organization of tours and excursions in Kazakhstan Altai -
Katon-Karagay National Park is the largest national park in Kazakhstan, located in the Far East of the country, in the southern mountains of the Altai massif, also known as the Kazakhstan Mountain Altai. The park borders Russia, China and Mongolia. The highest peak of the park, Mount Belukha (4506), is located on the border with Russia in the Katunsky mountain range. The park was created on June 1, 2001 and became part of the Altai transnational park together with Russia. In 2014, the park was included in the new Katon-Karagay Biosphere Reserve of the UNESCO program. The park is located within the altitude range from 1000 meters to 3000 meters above sea level. 34% of the park's territory is covered by forests, part by mountain meadows, rocky slopes, and glaciers. One of the main attractions of the park is the Kokkol waterfall, which is formed by the Kokkol River, the waterfall is very popular among park guests. In the upper reaches of the Kokkol River is the high-mountain Kokkol mine, to which a mountain route leads.
How to get there, visit -
Katon-Karagay National Park is located in the Katon-Karagay district, East Kazakhstan region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 49°22'09"N 86°24'15"E
Main natural attractions -
Mount Belukha (Muztau)
Lake Yazevoye
Waterfall Yazevy
Lake Rakhmanovskoye
Rakhmanovsky Waterfall
Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi (hot water spring)
Waterfall Kokkol
Lake Bukhtarma
Pass Radostny
Stone rock Uy-Tas
Pass Burkhat
Alatay mountain pass
Geography, climate, flora and fauna -
Katon-Karagay Park extends through the Altai tundra and alpine meadows, as well as the Altai steppe and semi-desert eco-regions. These ecoregions represent complete zones of high-altitude vegetation from steppe to alpine tundra and demonstrate very high biodiversity, as they are located on the biogeographical divide between cold Siberia to the north and the deserts of Central Asia to the south. The characteristic climate of this area varies depending on the altitude, so at middle altitudes the climate is humid continental, with cool summers. At the same time, above the tree line the climate is polar. The nature of precipitation is influenced by the mountainous relief and altitudinal zonation. The snow zone of Katon-Karagay Park, located at an altitude of 2800 meters and more, supports small communities of lichens and alpine vegetation, such as primrose and Altai buttercup. The mountain tundra belt extends from 2100 to 2800 meters. Here mosses and lichens are presented on rocks, shrubs of grassy tundra. The area of subalpine forests and mountain meadows extends to an altitude of 1,200 to 2,300 meters. The most common trees are Siberian pine, larch, and birch. The meadows are covered with grass. The mountain forest, meadow-steppe zone is located below 1,200 meters. At this level, you can find forests of birch, larch, and poplar, as well as vast areas with grasses and shrubs. Scientists have recorded the presence of 363 species of vertebrates in the park: 284 species of birds, 65 species of mammals, 6 species of reptiles, 2 species of amphibians, and 6 species of fish. The most common mammals include the common and tundra shrews, wolves, foxes, roe deer, and brown bears. In January 2021, a photo trap located in the national park captured a video of a rare snow leopard.
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