Mount Kazygurt

Legend has it that Noah’s Ark might have landed in one of four different locations after the Great Flood. One such place lies 40 kilometers south of Shymkent, in the Kazygurt area.

Remarkably, nearly every culture worldwide holds a flood legend with a narrative strikingly similar to that of the Biblical deluge—more than five hundred such stories exist. All of them share a common theme: humanity is nearly wiped out by a massive flood, with only a righteous individual and his family surviving. In Western traditions, he is known as Noah; to the Aztecs, he is Nene; in the Near East, he appears as Atrahasis, Utnapishtim, or Ziusudra. The vessel in which he survives is described in various ways: the Bible refers to it as an «ark,» or ship; Mesopotamian tales speak of an underwater vessel, while in Aztec lore, it is a hollowed-out log.

Noah set sail upon a sea of turbulent waves in the ark he had built, eventually finding refuge when it docked on Mount Sinai. Another version suggests that it settled atop Mount Ararat in the Caucasus. But in a Kazakh legend, the story unfolds differently: Noah’s ark, carrying 80 righteous people led by the prophet Nuh (Noah), along with countless animals, birds, and insects, drifted across boundless waves, finding no place to land.

Seven months, seven days, and seven hours after the flood began, the ark finally came to rest on Mount Kazygurt, a ridge extending roughly 20 kilometers from east to west. Its highest point stands at 1,768 meters, located 40 kilometers from Shymkent in the Talas Alatau Valley, part of the western Tian Shan mountains.

During the journey, Nuh prayed fervently for the safety of the defenseless people and animals onboard. High mountains, towering over the floodwaters, believed the ark would surely land on one of them, while humble Mount Kazygurt dared not dream of such an honor, understanding that it did not stand out among its peers. Moved by the mountain’s modesty, the Creator allowed Kazygurt’s peak to remain above the floodwaters, guiding the ark to it. Angered, the proud mountains sought to punish Kazygurt, but it called upon nearby smaller mountains—Ordabasy, Kyzylsengir, Alimtau, Koilik, Anki, Baganaly, Mansar, and Kanyrak—for protection. Fearing this alliance, the high mountains limited their assault to symbolic blows, resulting in the ridges and valleys now seen on Kazygurt, giving it the appearance of a double-humped camel.

When the waters subsided, those on the ark released several birds to scout the land. Many flew away and did not return, but a swallow came back, carrying a green branch in its beak. Since then, the swallow has been cherished in Kazakh folklore, often appearing as a benevolent figure.

The people disembarked onto Mount Kazygurt and settled there, spreading from this new beginning to populate the earth once more. The mountain, which became a cradle of life after the flood, bears the name of the Just Wolf—Kazygurt. According to ancient Kazakh toponymic legend, the name Kazygurt derives from a time of great famine following the flood when a she-wolf broke the prohibition against killing. For this transgression, the male wolf punished her, and he was then revered as the “Just (Kazygurt) Wolf.”

Today, Kazygurt holds sacred significance for Muslims, attracting pilgrims annually. On its southern slopes near the main peak lies Akbura (White Camel), a revered site mainly visited by women hoping to conceive. In 1991, a mausoleum was built here. The site honors a saint from the time of Ahmad Yasawi, a Sufi mystic who would pray with his white camel, entrancing them both in devotion.

A wooden and metal replica of Noah’s Ark, measuring 27 meters in length, has been erected atop the Kazygurt Gorge along the road from Shymkent to Tashkent. Many spiritual seekers visit this miniature Ark, tying cloth strips to it and making wishes. The Ark also serves as a radio relay tower.

On the southwestern base of the mountain lies the tomb of Akbura Ata. Here, women who are childless or have lost children come to perform sacred rites, sacrificing livestock, spending the night, and praying for offspring. A nearly 10-meter-high rock nearby, split vertically in two, is particularly popular among pilgrims, who often camp overnight there. A tourist complex near this sacred rock now accommodates visitors.

The split rock is traditionally seen as embodying the essence of Adam and Eve, representing masculine and feminine forces. The site’s guardian claims that an unseen power imbues the area with healing properties.

The narrow passage between the rock walls stretches about five meters, and its width ranges from 30 to 50 centimeters. Traversing the narrow crevice is challenging and doesn’t necessarily depend on a person’s build. According to belief, only the sinless can pass through the cleft without difficulty, while those with heavy sins become stuck, unable to complete the short path.

This belief forms the basis for the saying “Ғайып ерен қырық шілтен”—this place tests whether a person will enter paradise or if Eden remains forbidden to them. Whether the rocks allow passage depends entirely on the purity of the person’s thoughts, their good deeds, and the life they’ve led up to this trial. Should someone find themselves wedged in the passage, it is a sign to change their ways, avoid sin, and dedicate themselves to righteous acts.

Even an inexperienced visitor will need only about an hour and a half to ascend the hill. From the summit, a breathtaking panorama unfolds over the rolling steppes—a view that alone makes the visit worthwhile.