Alpine Meadows of Zhetisu Off-Road Tour

Asy Plateau is a huge plain, located at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level and surrounded by ridges over 3000 meters above sea level. On the southwest side, the valley is covered with snowy peaks, from which glaciers "flow". Along the rivers stretches forest massifs, consisting mainly of Tian Shan spruce. The plateau stretches for 40 km and in some places it is 15 km wide. Along the Asy river there are ancient barrows and rock paintings, which are one of the highest concentrations of petroglyphs in Kazakhstan. At present, the plateau has become a pasture of national importance. Here, on the plateau, a famous mountain observatory in Kazakhstan is located.

Taban Karagai Plateau is located in the south-eastern part of Trans-Ili Alatau ridge. Such kind of places are often referred to as a "paradise under the heaven." The highest point of the plateau is located at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level, and there can be clearly seen that a long time ago the upper part of the plateau was covered with eternal ice. The glaciers had melted and left behind a large number of huge boulders and rock debris, beautifully fitting into the overall landscape of soft curves of the hills on which large herds of horses peacefully roam and sheep graze.In summer, the plateau is covered by a continuous floral carpet. All this diversity of wildlife, purity and beauty, captivates the eyes of even the most sophisticated travelers. You may look to the expanse of Taban Karagai for hours.

Compared to other lakes in the Kolsai Gorge, Kaindy Lake, or as it is called Birch Lake, is the youngest of them. It is famous for its origin, as it was formed in 1911 as a result of a strong earthquake that caused a landslide, which blocked the gorge with a natural dam. Part of the gorge was flooded with water, but after a while the water receded, leaving a gift in the form of a lake, where one could see trees as if they were originally growing from it. The water in the lake is very cold, which is why the tree conifers are well preserved and can be clearly seen through the transparent surface of the water, and the dry trunks of flooded spruces rise above the water surface like masts of an underwater squadron. The lake is located only 11 km from Saty Settlement and is one of the favorite tourist destinations.

Kensu Gorge is located on the eastern slope of Kungei Alatau ridge. Beginning at the altitude of 3300 m a.s.l. the ravine stretches out for 45 kilometers and goes into the Charyn River at the altitude of 1600 m a.s.l. In the medium part of the gorge northern slopes are covered with rare spruce forests. Southern slopes in the area of ​​alpine meadows are covered with thick thickets of archa trees - Asian species of juniper. The origins of Kensu River are in big circus where there are eight moraine lakes. These lakes are located in the old moraines and are evidence of degradation of ancient glaciation in this area. One of these lakes is of heart shape. The gorge is not visited by any tourists because of absence of information in the tourist literature.

Tekes River is the main source of Ili River, a quite large river in the region. Tekes River originates an altitude 3535 meters above sea level, at the foot of the main massif of Khan Tengri mountain group. The river flows mainly in a wide intermountain valley separating the axial ridges of the Eastern Tien Shan and the Ketmen Ridge. The banks of the Tekes River and its tributaries are covered with bushes and individual groves of birch and willows. The soil in the lower valley is fertile, the pastures and meadows along the stream are abundant. The whole Tekes Valley is picturesque; each turn of the gorge keeps the wild beauty of nature and nice surprises. In spite of that Tekes River flows in one of the most beautiful gorges in the Almaty Region it is little known and not popular among tourists. Lakes, waterfalls and untouched nature - these are the main advantages of Tekes!

Tuzkol lake is dead and salty. Salt density in the lake changes several times throughout the year and can reach 300 g/l. For example, concentration of salt in the Dead Sea is about 340-350 g/l. It is noteworthy that no river flows into the lake, and it is undrained. Locals say that it is fed by underground mineral springs, and the mud of the lake is curative. In ancient times, when the Mongols lived on these lands, this lake was called Doban-Nor. From Mongolian it is translated as Windy Lake. On a clear day, Khan Tengri peak, the seven thousandth peak, is visible from the lake. If only you have been here once, and you cannot help coming back here again...

Temirlik Canyon got its name from a small Temirlik River flowing along its bottom and originating in the valleys of Ketmen Ridge. At the shady bottom of the canyon grows Semenov maple, Barberry, Karagan, Halimodendron, Tamarisk, Haloxylon, and rare representative of the Earth flora - the relict Sogdian ash-tree. This unique tree has survived the relict period. In 1964 Ash-tree Groves were declared monuments of nature. Such compact Sogdian ash-tree growth were noted in Kazakhstan and in North America only. Here was noticed a rare representative of the avian world - the black stork. There are also numerous nightingales, turtledoves, cave swallows.

Charyn Canyon is a natural complex, unique in its kind not only in Kazakhstan but also worldwide. It was formed during Paleogene and reminds the Grand Canyon of Colorado River in North America, although inferior to it in size. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon is up to 150-300 meters. Extraordinary dissection of the terrain is striking: the numerous ravines form a dense, chaotic network. Wind and water has created the beautiful Valley of Castles, where you are always surrounded by the fancy towers composed of sedimentary rocks. The length of the valley is more than 2 km, width - 20-80 meters. For millions of years the nature has been creating a unique architecture, erecting magnificent castles carefully and slowly. You can spend hours walking among the strange towers and columns, being surprised by the wild imagination of the nature.