The Abay Region, formed in June 2022, is one of the three most recently established regions. Its biggest city is Semey formerly known as Semipalatinsk. There are two more towns in the region: Kurchatov and Ayagoz. The former was a closed top-secret facility due to the development of nuclear weapons during Soviet times. Now, this city is one of the highlights of many tours around the Abay Region.
The region is named after the outstanding Kazakh poet, educator, and philosopher Abay Kunanbaev, who was born near the Zhidebay Tract south of the city of Semey. Now there is a Zhidebay-Borili Memorial Museum.
The Russian Geographical Society calculated the geographical midpoint of the Eurasian continent to be near the Abay Museum. There is a monument commemorating that fact.
Why is the Abay Region worth visiting?
Although the museum, the estate, and the mausoleum of Abay are the region's premier sights, they’re not the only places that attract tourists to this region. For example, to the west of Semey, lies the Semipalatinsk test site, where the Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb. Now it is a popular object of the so-called dark tourism – traveling to places associated with death and tragedy.
Many travelers visit the Konyr-Auliye Cave, a popular pilgrimage site. This place is shrouded in legend and is considered sacred by the Kazakhs.
Semey is also known as the place of exile of novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. The «Crime and Punishment» writer spent five years of his life there. The city also has a Dostoevsky Museum, the only one in Kazakhstan and one of eight existing in the world.
This is not a complete list of places that may be of interest to travelers. The region is home to many «hidden treasures» – places that are not very popular among tourists yet but definitely deserve attention.
Local offers:
View all offers_420x650_4ab.jpg "Charyn Canyon One-Day Group Tour")
If you need a refreshing day away from the city, join us on this tour of Charyn Canyon. Marvel at its stunning beauty and immerse yourself in the local culture by exploring the nearby rural area and market.
![Групповая экскурсия "Знакомство с Нур-Султаном. Маршрут I" (2,5-3 часа) [ожидает перевода]](/assets/cache_image/products/0_gallery/tours/astana-excursions/astana1_420x650_c98.jpeg "Групповая экскурсия \"Знакомство с Нур-Султаном. Маршрут I\" (2,5-3 часа) [ожидает перевода]")
Идеальный вариант для первого знакомства со столицей Казахстана! Город во всех проявлениях менее чем за 3 часа: от административного сердца страны до экономического, молодежного и событийного хаба
On request
Don’t miss the chance to ski at Shymbulak Ski Resort, famous for its mild climate, large quantity of sunny days, steady snow and the magnificent surrounding views!
On request
Day of skiing on the best and the largest resort in Kazakhstan, which matches the European standards of quality. This tour is suitable for beginners and experienced skiers and freeriders. The tour allows to ride both on the groomed slopes and off-piste with possibility of organizing backcountry nearby the resort.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "Butakov Waterfalls Trekking Tour")
On request
Butakov Waterfalls can be found in the Ile Alatau Mountains near Almaty. The breathtaking scenery, pristine air, and refreshing coolness have been drawing tourists to this location for quite some time.
On request
Trekking to the Gorelnik Gorge is a highly favored adventure for tourists and trekking enthusiasts alike. The gorge boasts stunning scenery with abundant trees, mushrooms, and berries. If lucky, one might even encounter the wild inhabitants of the area, including mountain deer.
On request
Kim-Asar Gorge is very popular among Almaty townspeople. The main reason is that it can be easily reached by bus or by car, and a slight steep ascent allows even unprepared tourists to pass it. In addition, the route is available for walking almost any time of year.
On request
Standing at 3680 meters, the Big Almaty Peak might give the false impression of being a formidable and challenging climb. However, ascending to the summit doesn't necessitate specialized mountaineering skills.
On request
Situated at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level, this frigid and desolate lake boasts a depth of 30 meters. The lake is encompassed by stunning mountain peaks, creating an exceptionally beautiful panorama from all directions.