Zailiysky Alatau

The Zailiyskiy Alatau is a major mountain range in the Northern Tian Shan, situated on the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. With an average height of 4,000 meters, its highest peak is Talgar, towering at 4,979 meters. The name “Alatau” translates from Kazakh as “variegated mountains,” and these mountains live up to their name. In summer, their slopes turn lush green; in autumn, they are painted in hues of yellow and red; and in winter, they shine with pure, dazzling whiteness. The current name, “Zailiyskiy Alatau,” was officially adopted in 1865, when the renowned geographer P.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky ventured into this region. Upon arriving at the Ili River, he gazed at the sharp peaks of the mountains on the opposite bank and decided to name these previously anonymous mountains after the river, thus creating the name Zailiyskiy Alatau.

At the foot of this mountain range lies Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty. The proximity to this metropolis makes Zailiyskiy Alatau a popular destination for tourists, mountaineers, and nature lovers alike. And there is indeed much to see here. The mountains are home to several world-famous landmarks, including the Medeu sports complex, the Assy-Turgen Observatory, the Almarasan Gorge, the Big Almaty Lake, and numerous other attractions known not only within Kazakhstan but also abroad. A more comprehensive list of these sites can be found later in this article.

The surroundings of Almaty are a paradise for fans of skiing and snowboarding. Some of Kazakhstan’s most popular ski resorts are located here, including Shymbulak, Ak-Bulak, and Lesnaya Skazka (Oi-Qaragai). These resorts offer slopes of varying difficulty, modern lifts, rental equipment, and comfortable mountain hotels. Visitors can engage in both typical winter sports and more exotic activities such as heli-skiing, where participants are dropped onto remote, hard-to-reach peaks by helicopter.

Like any high-altitude region, Zailiyskiy Alatau is rich in glaciers—265 of them, to be precise. From a distance, they resemble vast ice fields, but under the force of gravity, they are constantly moving downward. During the melt season, the glaciers feed numerous rivers. The river network of Zailiyskiy Alatau is part of the Ili River basin, which flows into Lake Balkhash. These mountain rivers have extensive drainage basins, with their sources lying over 3,000 meters high. The rivers are a crucial source of fresh drinking water for the region. All the water used by the residents of Almaty and surrounding settlements comes from these rivers, though groundwater is also utilized.

The Left Talgar Gorge is home to the Dmitriev Glacier, the largest on the northern slopes of Zailiyskiy Alatau. The range was formed during the Caledonian orogeny and is composed primarily of granite, conglomerates, limestone, and schist.

The melting of glaciers gives rise to high-altitude lakes, each unique in color, ranging from sky blue to almost black. The color of the water depends on the minerals dissolved in it and the presence or absence of suspended particles. The largest and most well-known lakes in the region are Lake Issyk and the Big Almaty Lake.

Zailiyskiy Alatau boasts numerous lush valleys, as well as coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests, where the Tian Shan spruce, a tree native to Central Asia, thrives. This species prefers cool, moist environments, which is why the spruces grow on the northern, shaded slopes. Other trees and shrubs that can be found here include the small-leaved Sievers apple, hawthorn, wild apricot, Tian Shan rowan, and many others. In summer, the alpine meadows are transformed into a vibrant carpet of high-altitude grasses—a truly breathtaking sight.

Many of the plants in the area are aromatic herbs, such as thyme, oregano, sage, tansy, and ziziphora, which contribute to the wonderfully fragrant air of Zailiyskiy Alatau. There are also honey plants like apricot, hawthorn, and rowan, making mountain honey collected in spring from these slopes especially popular.

The wildlife of Zailiyskiy Alatau is equally diverse. The northern slope is home to the famous Almaty Reserve and Ile-Alatau National Park, where you can encounter wolves, foxes, bears, roe deer, maral deer, wild boars, and hares. In the higher elevations, the snow leopard, listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book, can still be found. While it’s unlikely you’ll come across large animals during a hike, you may spot squirrels, dormice, marmots, ermines, owls, woodpeckers, hoopoes, or even pheasants.

The climate of Zailiyskiy Alatau is high-altitude continental. Its central location within the Eurasian continent and relative proximity to the equator have resulted in a unique microclimate. Despite this, the region experiences sharp temperature fluctuations both throughout the year and within a single day. In winter, warm subtropical air masses from Iran and the deserts of Central Asia can cause brief periods of mild weather, while cold air from Siberia brings clear, frosty conditions. Winds from the Atlantic Ocean, however, can lead to overcast weather with heavy snowfalls in winter and rainstorms in summer.

If you’re a winter sports enthusiast, the best time to visit the area around Almaty is from mid-November to late March, when the ski season is in full swing. However, winter is not the ideal time for mountain hiking. After heavy snowfalls, avalanches often occur in the mountainous and foothill regions, posing a danger to tourists. It’s also advised to avoid hiking during foggy conditions and extreme cold.

It’s important to remember that mountains are inherently hazardous environments. Be sure to follow basic safety guidelines and dress appropriately for the season. Your clothing should be warm and comfortable, ideally suited for winter excursions, and your footwear should be sturdy and insulated with a firm sole.

Spring is also not the best season for mountain treks. The weather is highly unpredictable, with frequent rain and wet snow, and occasional frosts. Rising temperatures can lead to landslides and flooding in the mountain rivers. Tourists planning a spring hike should monitor weather forecasts carefully. During the intense snowmelt, which is often accompanied by rain, popular hiking trails can become flooded. Few people would enjoy walking through a “swamp,” but if necessary, bring extra clothing and shoes to avoid ruining your hike. Additionally, frequent temperature shifts in spring can lead to fog.

Summer offers more stable weather, though brief showers are still possible. The most favorable time to visit Zailiyskiy Alatau is from August to early October, when the weather is stable and temperatures are mild. However, bear in mind that as you gain altitude, the temperature drops sharply. While the city might experience scorching temperatures of +35°C, it could be as cool as +10°C in the mountains. Therefore, always carry warm clothing with you.