Katon-Karagay
Kazakhstan · East Kazakhstan Region · 1100 m
Description
Katon-Karagay is the Kazakh Altai, a national park of larch forest, alpine meadow and glacier-fed rivers reaching the corner where four countries almost meet. The hot springs at Rakhmanov lie at the head of a valley below Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia, which is over the Russian line and can only be looked at from here. Deer are farmed for their antlers and the baths that go with them. The Berel kurgans on the plateau held frozen Saka horse burials. Snow closes the passes for more than half the year, and the Belukha approach lies in a border zone that needs a permit.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 7 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Rakhmanov hot springs and their lake
- Belukha viewpoint from Yazevoye lake
- Berel Saka royal kurgans and museum
- Larch forest and alpine meadows
- Maral deer farms and antler baths
- Bukhtarma river valley
- Kokkol waterfall trek(Multi-day trip)
- Old Believer villages of the valley
- Horse trekking to the high pastures
- Markakol lake(Multi-day trip)