Excursion to Ak Kainar and Kuljabasi petroglyphs
The Ak-Kainar petroglyphs are located in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan. The petroglyphs date back to the Bronze Age and were discovered here in 2008. The site is also known for its location in the Kulzhabasy Mountains, which are also a local landmark, and the site is also known as the Kulzhabasy Bulls.
The bulls' horns depict dancing people wearing wolf masks. Why bulls? Because bull images are the main focus here, and are of great interest to both researchers and visitors to the site.
The site is considered sacred; solar symbols, bull cults, and wolf cults are depicted here. Since the site was recently discovered, you can become one of the first to explore the ancient history of our ancestors.
- Distance of the route:
448 km
- Season time:
May - September
- Best time:
June - August
- Group size:
not more 12 person
- Days & nights:
2 days - 1 night
Tour itinerary:
Almaty City – Samsy Village – Targap Village – Otar Railway Station – Matibulak Village – Ak-Kainar Ravine – Kulzhabasy Rock Art (248 km, 4 hours).
Early in the morning, we leave Almaty City and head to Otar Station along a good paved road. After passing Otar Station, we head to the village of Mytybulak. After passing the village, we continue along the paved road for another three kilometers, then turn onto a dirt road. Driving along this road for eleven kilometers, we reach the Ak-Kainar rock art.
We take an excursion to the petroglyphs and walk through the area and to the settlements in the ravine. We examine the rock art and take photos. Next, we head to the Kulzhabasy petroglyphs. After a 54-kilometer drive, we reach the Kulzhabasy rock carvings. We stroll through the surrounding area. We set up camp, have dinner, and rest.
Anrakhay Mountains – Almaty (200 km).
After breakfast, we set off on an excursion to the rock carvings, burial grounds, and settlements in the Kulzhabasy Mountains. We examine the petroglyphs and take photos. After completing the excursion, we return to Almaty.
Photogallery:
