Karkaraly National Park is a breathtaking natural gem of Kazakhstan, astounding visitors with its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Established in 1998 in the Karaganda region, the park was created to protect its unique natural features—lakes, springs, forests, and a remarkable variety of wildlife. This vast protected area spans over 112,000 hectares and encompasses five mountain groups, numerous bodies of water, and abundant springs. For adventurers, the park offers trekking routes that allow days spent immersed in the wild, guiding them through some of the park’s most remote and captivating locations. These trails vary in length and are carefully designed to highlight the park’s best sites, including mysterious rock caves, ruins of a Buddhist temple, and the remnants of an ancient city dating back to the Late Bronze Age.
The park is home to nearly 200 animal species, many of which are listed in the Red Book as rare or endangered. The vibrant greenery of the park contrasts beautifully with its dramatic mountain ridges, colorful lakes, and crystal-clear streams, creating a picturesque natural sanctuary.
Some 300 million years ago, much of present-day Kazakhstan lay beneath an ancient sea. Only 1.2–2 million years ago, the waters receded, revealing granite formations. Due to tectonic shifts, these formations gradually rose, giving rise to the Karkaraly and Kent mountain ranges. Centuries of wind, rain, and temperature changes sculpted these granite formations into the unique shapes we see today.
Humans have inhabited the region since ancient times. Archaeological excavations have uncovered Paleolithic-era stone tools as well as artifacts from the Bronze Age. Across the park, there are about 30 archaeological sites spanning from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including burial mounds and the ruins of ancient settlements.
The park’s modern history began in March 1884, when authorities took measures to protect the Karkaraly forests. Small fortifications, or “cordons,” such as Ayushat, Bedayk, Koktube, and Tulkebay, were gradually built to guard the area. In 1913, the iconic Forest Ranger’s House was completed, and it remains a popular attraction for visitors due to its intricate wooden carvings. The idea of establishing the national park took shape in the 1990s, and in December 1998, Resolution No. 1212 officially declared the creation of Karkaraly National Park. Today, its landscapes, lakes, mountains, caves, and biodiversity are all protected by the state, which oversees the restoration of natural habitats within the park.
The mountain complex within the park comprises five main mountain groups: Kenta, Buguly, Matena, Shankoza, and Aitau. The Karkaraly and Kent mountains boast asymmetric landscapes—bare rock faces on one side, lush greenery and springs on the other. Deep gorges and valleys lie between the peaks, with certain areas remaining nearly impassable.
A distinctive feature of these mountains is their layered structure, as if each stone layer was placed one on top of the other, a testament to the powerful winds that shape this rugged terrain. Several lakes grace the park, with Shaitankol, Pashennoe, Bassein, and Ulkankol being the most notable. A unique feature of this landscape is the presence of small, round pools filled with rainwater, resembling puddles in their shape and size. Numerous springs flow from the park’s gorges and caves, giving rise to small rivers, including the Karkaraly and Kendara. Locals attribute mystical properties to some of these springs and water bodies.
Of the park’s 112,000 hectares, forests occupy 44,000 hectares. Certain areas are entirely off-limits to human activity, while others are under strict government supervision. Neighboring the park are two additional reserves—the Bektauata National Reserve (covering 500 hectares) and the Beldyuk National Reserve (covering 44,660 hectares)—further contributing to the region’s vast protected landscapes.
The Karagandy National Park is home to a rich natural diversity, with a wide array of rare plants and Red Book-listed species of animals and birds. Unique species such as the Karagandy barberry, Kyrgyz birch, thin poppy, and spring adonis thrive here, lending the landscape its unique character.
The park shelters over 190 vertebrate species, including the argali, black stork, dwarf eagle, and steppe viper—all protected under Kazakhstan’s Red Book. Among small rodents, you may spot the red-cheeked ground squirrel, steppe lemming, jerboa, and the Dzungarian hamster. Predatory residents include wolves, foxes, corsacs, badgers, weasels, and the rare Pallas’s cat, while birdwatchers can encounter imperial eagles, Dalmatian pelicans, and the black stork. Argali flourish particularly in the Kenty Mountains and the Beldyutak reserve, but the Pallas’s cat, a beautiful creature with yellow eyes, powerful limbs, and dense fur, is what often attracts the most interest from tourists. Although it resembles a domestic cat, this wild species has a more robust build and is critically endangered.
The Karagandy National Park features many iconic attractions that are a source of national pride. Let’s explore some of the most captivating sites:
In 1983, the Karagandy National Park established its Nature Museum in the Tasbulak area. This two-story wooden house offers visitors two exhibitions showcasing the park’s flora and fauna, along with a 3D map marking all major attractions, complete with directions. Nearby, visitors can explore an open-air enclosure where bison, yaks, wild boars, and Przewalski’s horses roam freely. The park’s bison breeding program began in 2000 with imports from Belarus, while Przewalski’s horses also find sanctuary here alongside enclosures for wild boars.
Named for its clean-cut shoreline reminiscent of a swimming pool, Lake Basseyn (Swimming Pool) lies in a high-altitude, remote area, accessible only by foot on a 4-hour round-trip hike. During winter, deep snow makes the lake unreachable. Perched on a cliff at 1.2 kilometers above sea level, Lake Basseyn’s steep banks make it difficult to descend for a swim. This small, serene lake, measuring 60 by 40 meters and around 2 meters deep, boasts crystal-clear water. Despite having no inlet or outlet, the water level remains constant year-round.
Shaitankol, commonly called “Devil’s Lake,” is notorious for disorienting travelers and hunters who venture too close. Located about 5 kilometers from Karkaraly, the lake can be reached in all seasons except winter, when snowdrifts block access. A one-way hike takes about 2.5 hours.
Surrounded by low cliffs and scenic rock formations, Shaitankol sits at 1.2 kilometers above sea level. The lake has a distinct round shape and cold, deep waters sustained by numerous mountain streams and underground springs. Local legend claims that Shaitankol is haunted by mermaids and spirits, deterring even wildlife from approaching its shores.
A tale endures that, over a century ago, a local bishop attempted to rid the lake of its supernatural residents. After blessing the water, he placed a marble cross on the shore, only for it to mysteriously sink to the bottom. The exact location of the cross remains unknown, adding to the lake’s mystique.
Easily accessible from Karkaraly, Big Lake is a favored spot for swimming and fishing. Its waters, tinted yellow-green, are cold year-round, but this does little to dissuade visitors. Sunbathing spots can be found on the lake’s northwestern shore, making it popular among campers and anglers.
Although less scenic than other park lakes, Big Lake’s clear waters and 4.6-meter depth make it an inviting place for leisure. Travelers often arrive by car or camp nearby to enjoy its serene atmosphere.
Zhiryensakal Peak, also known as Komsomol Peak, stands at 1,403 meters as the highest point in the Karkaralinsk National Park. Its name, which translates as “Red Beard,” derives from the golden hues of the rocky western slope, which is particularly popular with rock climbers. With steep cliffs on one side and forested campsites on the other, the three-pronged summit offers panoramic views and picturesque spots for sunrise and sunset photography.
In 1936, a group of 100 young pioneers scaled the mountain, earning it the nickname “Komsomol” in their honor. The western cliffs, known as Kabanyi Shish (“Boar’s Head”), were once teeming with wild boars, adding to the mountain’s legacy.
Constructed in 1913 near a lake and the village of Komissarovka, the Forester’s House-Museum is a wooden masterpiece decorated with intricate carvings by artisan I. Smetanin. Originally the residence of a forest warden who established a nursery for acclimatizing Siberian trees, the site today preserves Siberian larches and spruces that are considered natural monuments, a living testament to conservation efforts.
In Karkaralinsk National Park, these sites form a mosaic of Kazakhstan’s natural heritage. From the remote mountain lakes to the lush forests and enduring legends, the park preserves a world of intrigue and natural beauty, inviting exploration and reverence for this wild, storied landscape.
The Kyzyl Kensh Palace is a 17th-century palace complex nestled in the Kent Mountains, built during the spread of Tibetan Buddhism. For centuries, its main structure remained perfectly preserved, as local inhabitants feared entering the sacred site, believing that desecration would result in a dreadful fate.
However, there were some who disregarded such superstitions, gradually dismantling parts of the palace for stones and timber. Today, little of the original stonework remains visible, buried beneath layers of plaster. Although restoration efforts are underway, visitors currently encounter only ruins.
The main temple of Kyzyl Kensh was constructed in the shape of a cross, where the Lama conducted his prayers. Adjacent to the temple lies a small shrine. A pool, once filled with melting snow, stood in front of the temple, and additional buildings housed a kitchen and a residential area.
Archaeological excavations have unearthed artifacts that now enrich the collection of Karaganda University’s Archaeological Museum. Among these findings are a copper ring adorned with silver, hooks, bullets, cannons, and beads.
Pilgrims flock to the Aulie Tas cave, seeking healing and the fulfillment of personal wishes. Women hoping to conceive believe that a visit to this cave may bless them with a child, while the ailing seek cures within its walls. Mystics consider the cave a place of intense spiritual energy, where miracles can occur, and the water trickling down its walls is thought to possess therapeutic properties for various ailments.
Deep within the granite rock, an underground spring flows, but since much of the cave is filled with water dripping down its walls, access extends only 15 meters into its interior. The spring water is believed to answer the prayers of those in need.
From an opening in the rock, the cave offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the nature reserve below. Measuring 30 meters in length, with a height of 6 meters and a width of 2.5 meters, the cave is a natural marvel.
The “Three Caves,” also known as the “Cave of the Primitive Man,” lie within the Maliksay Valley. These caves, just a 30-minute walk from the city along the Tashbulak mountain gorge, are a granite canyon with three entry points that lead into an underground chamber.
Though the cave is modest in size, it accommodates no more than three visitors at a time. The main entrance requires crawling, as it’s only one meter high, but once inside, one can stand upright. Through the right passageway, visitors enter a room with walls naturally carved into niches, while the left passageway leads to a larger chamber with a small lake, which often dries up entirely due to its tiny size.
Despite the nearly three-meter-high ceiling, the cave can feel stifling, especially in warm weather. Most of the halls are currently inaccessible to tourists due to rockfalls, but in earlier times, the three halls could host up to 12 people.
Until 1947, the site remained unnamed. However, when researchers from the Karaganda Regional Museum discovered animal bones and scraping tools used in daily life, the site was recognized as a settlement dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
Getting There
To reach Karkaralinsk, near which the national park begins, you can travel by car, train, or bus. From Astana, take a train to Karaganda (4 hours), then transfer to a bus to Karkaralinsk (3 hours, 220 km). From Almaty, travel via Karaganda by train, bus, or plane. If in a rush, taxis from Karaganda to Karkaralinsk are also available, after which you can proceed on foot.
For those planning to climb Jirensakal Peak, it’s possible to drive from Karkaralinsk to the village of Komissarovka, then start the ascent from there.
Best Time to Visit
Exploring the entire park in one day is nearly impossible. It’s wise to allocate at least three days for the journey, preferably in summer, when sunlight is abundant, yet the heat isn’t overwhelming, making long treks more comfortable.
If you plan to visit independently, the best seasons are summer and early autumn. For extended hikes, late spring and mid-September are ideal, as the weather is mild, and the crowds are smaller than in summer. September, in particular, offers colorful photography opportunities as the autumn leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow and red. Late spring is equally photogenic, with lush greenery and blooming flowers.
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