Showing 43 attractions · Sorted by importance
Belukha Mountain
📍 Katon-Karagay
🏛 LandmarkThe highest, snow-capped peak in the Altai range (4,506m), located on the Kazakhstan-Russia border. Offers breathtaking views and spiritual significance for families and hikers.
Berel Mounds State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum
📍 Berel
🏰 CastleAn archaeological site known as the Valley of the Kings, featuring ancient Scythian burial mounds and a museum displaying reconstructed artifacts.
Katon-Karagay National Park
📍 Katon-Karagay
🌲 NatureKazakhstan's largest national park offers families stunning views of the Altai Mountains, the sacred Mount Belukha, and ancient archaeological sites.
Lake Markakol
📍 Urunkhayka
🏛 LandmarkA serene, high-altitude alpine lake known for its crystal-clear waters and surrounding dense forests within a nature reserve.
Altai Alps Ski Resort
📍 Oskemen
⛷ Ski Resort620-870m elevation range, 10 groomed runs, 16km total pistes, Nov-Apr season, features 5 ski lifts (1 double chairlift, T-bars) with night skiing capabilities.
Altai Botanical Garden
📍 Ridder
🌿 GardenOne of Kazakhstan's oldest botanical gardens, showcasing over 2,000 species of Altai flora and rare medicinal plants in a scenic mountain valley.
Blue Bay (Goluboy Zaliv)
📍 Novaya Bukhtarma
⛱ BeachThe most popular beach destination on the Bukhtarma Reservoir, offering sandy shores, clear water, and scenic pine forest backdrops.
East Kazakhstan Regional Architectural-Ethnographic and Natural-Landscape Museum-Reserve
📍 Oskemen
🏘 Town / VillageA vast open-air museum featuring an ethno-village with authentic traditional houses representing the diverse cultures of the Altai region.
East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of Local History
📍 Oskemen
🔬 ScienceThis central museum offers families an engaging look at the region's archaeology and diverse wildlife through detailed dioramas of the Altai landscape.
Eastern Kazakhstan Regional Architectural-Ethnographic Museum Reserve
📍 Oskemen
🎢 Theme ParkA sprawling cultural theme park featuring diverse ethnic villages, botanical gardens, and military history exhibits representing the region's heritage.
Katon-Karagay Maral Farms
📍 Katon-Karagay
🐄 FarmA world-renowned rural experience where visitors can observe herds of Siberian stags (marals) in high-altitude mountain pastures within a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Left-Bank Museum-Reserve (Ecological Park)
📍 Oskemen
🌿 GardenA sprawling park featuring formal thematic gardens, including a Japanese garden and an extensive arboretum with flora from across the Altai region.
Mount Belukha Base Camp Trek via Yazevoye Lake
📍 Katon-Karagay
🥾 Hiking & Cycling54km challenging 5-day trek from Yazevoye Lake to the foot of Mount Belukha with 1,800m elevation gain. This iconic route offers views of the highest peak in Siberia. Equipment rental available through Altai Expedition (altai-expedition.kz) or Katon-Karagay National Park visitor center.
Oskemen to Katon-Karagay Scenic Drive
📍 Oskemen
🚗 Road Trip330km paved highway (6-8 hours) following the R-163 and R-165. This is the primary gateway to the Altai Mountains, featuring the dramatic Osipovskiy Pass serpentines, panoramic views of the Bukhtarma Reservoir, and entering the UNESCO-protected Katon-Karagay National Park.
The Old Austrian Road (Staro-Avstriyskaya Doroga)
📍 Urunkhayka (Lake Markakol)
🚗 Road Trip150km rugged dirt and gravel track (4WD mandatory, 1-2 days). Built by WWI Austrian prisoners of war, this historic route crosses the Alataisky and Burkhat passes. It is world-renowned for its challenging terrain and breathtaking views of the Katun Ridge and Mt. Belukha.
The Old Austrian Road Cycling Route
📍 Terekti
🥾 Hiking & Cycling140km expert-level 4-day mountain bike or gravel route through the heart of the Altai Mountains with 2,500m elevation gain. This historic road crosses the Alatayskiy Pass and the Kara-Kaba River. Specialized mountain bikes recommended; bring own gear or arrange transport from Oskemen via Altai Expedition (altai-expedition.kz).
Bukhtarma Reservoir
📍 Nova Bukhtarma
🏔 Scenic ViewOften called the 'Kazakh Sea,' this massive and scenic reservoir is a popular family destination for its sandy beaches and backdrop of rugged granite mountains.
Ak-Bauyr Archaeological Site
📍 Oskemen
🏰 CastleA Neolithic astronomical complex often called the 'Kazakh Stonehenge,' featuring rock paintings and a natural amphitheater used for ancient rituals.
Berel State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve
📍 Katon-Karagay
🏘 Town / VillageAn important archaeological site known as the Valley of the Kings, featuring ancient Scythian burial mounds and a modern museum pavilion.
Bukhtarma Reservoir Coastal Road
📍 Oskemen
🚗 Road Trip100km paved route along the northern shore of the 'Kazakh Sea'. The drive offers numerous viewpoints of the massive turquoise reservoir, red rock formations, and dense evergreen forests, connecting Oskemen to the resort town of Novaya Bukhtarma.
East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of Fine Arts
📍 Oskemen
🖼 Art GalleryLocated in a historic 19th-century mansion, this museum features an impressive collection of Kazakh paintings, Soviet-era graphics, and contemporary works by Altai regional artists.
Katon-Karagay National Park Visitor Center
📍 Katon-Karagay
🔬 ScienceThis educational hub features interactive exhibits on the unique ecosystems, snow leopards, and alpine flora of the Belukha mountain area.
Kiin-Kerish Canyon
📍 Kurshim
🏔 Scenic ViewKnown as the 'City of Spirits,' this surreal landscape features eroded clay formations in vivid shades of red, orange, and white that resemble a Martian terrain.
Left Bank Park Zoo
📍 Oskemen
🦁 ZooLocated within a massive 100-hectare museum-reserve, this zoo features over 50 species including Siberian bears, wolves, and deer in spacious naturalistic enclosures.
Lineyskiy Stolby (Stone Fairy Tale) Trail
📍 Ridder
🥾 Hiking & Cycling16km moderate day hike with 600m elevation gain, located in the West Altai State Nature Reserve. The trail leads to massive weathered granite pillars rising from the taiga forest. Guided access is usually required by the reserve. Equipment can be rented in Ridder.
Marble Pass Drive (Route to Lake Markakol)
📍 Terekty
🚗 Road Trip120km mixed paved and gravel route from the valley floor up to Lake Markakol. The highlight is the Marble Pass (Mramorniy Pereval), offering a dramatic 1,500m ascent with views of the Chinese border and the shifting colors of the marble-flecked mountain slopes.
Nurtau Ski Resort
📍 Bobrovka
⛷ Ski Resort550-800m elevation range, 2 main runs, 4km total skiable terrain, Dec-Mar season, equipped with a high-speed chairlift and comprehensive snow-making facilities.
Rakhmanov Springs to Berel Glacier Hike
📍 Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi
🥾 Hiking & Cycling22km challenging 1-day or overnight hike with 900m elevation gain. Starts from the Rakhmanov Springs resort and leads toward the spectacular Berel Glacier. Requires border zone permits. High-altitude gear is essential.
Sibiny Lakes (Sybinskye Lakes)
📍 Oskemen
⛱ BeachA cluster of five pristine alpine lakes set within unique granite mountain formations, featuring clear waters and developed swimming areas.
Edelweiss Ski Resort
📍 Ridder
⛷ Ski Resort800-1,300m elevation range, 5 runs, 7km total pistes, Nov-Apr season, known for its steep professional-grade slopes used for regional alpine competitions.
Lake Markakol Perimeter Trail
📍 Urunkhayka
🥾 Hiking & Cycling35km moderate 2-day hike or bike route along the northern shore of Lake Markakol with 450m elevation gain. Features pristine alpine scenery and the unique Urunkhayka village culture. Basic guest houses available in Urunkhayka; mountain bike rental is rare locally, so bringing your own is advised.
Muhammadi Mosque
📍 Oskemen
🏛 LandmarkA striking modern landmark with brilliant blue domes and four white minarets, representing the city's architectural pride.
Poperechnoye Village Rural Experience
📍 Ridder
🐄 FarmA historic mountain settlement offering authentic interactions with traditional 'Old Believer' farming techniques, livestock encounters, and artisanal dairy production.
Rakhmanov Springs and Lake
📍 Katon-Karagay
🏔 Scenic ViewA serene high-mountain valley featuring thermal springs and a crystal-clear lake with iconic views of the majestic Mount Belukha.
Samal Amusement Park
📍 Oskemen
🎢 Theme ParkA classic riverside amusement park offering family-friendly mechanical rides and a large Ferris wheel with views of the Irtysh River.
Sibinsky Lakes
📍 Oskemen
🏔 Scenic ViewA series of five clear lakes nestled within unique granite rock basins, offering scenic hiking trails and clear waters perfect for a family day trip.
Stardust Camp (Zvezdny)
📍 Ridder
⛷ Ski Resort850-1,150m elevation range, 3 runs, 5km total pistes, Nov-Apr season, popular for its terrain park features and reliable natural snowpack in the Ridder basin.
The Road to Rakhmanov Springs
📍 Katon-Karagay
🚗 Road Trip85km gravel/dirt road (high-clearance 4WD recommended, 4 hours). An iconic mountain journey leading deep into the Altai heartland. The route passes through alpine meadows and ends at a high-altitude lake and thermal springs with views of the double-peaked Mt. Belukha.
Victory Memorial (Strelka)
📍 Oskemen
🏛 LandmarkA prominent urban landmark at the meeting point of the Irtysh and Ulba rivers, featuring a park and a memorial complex.
Water Sports Palace
📍 Oskemen
🌊 Water ParkA state-of-the-art Olympic-standard aquatic facility featuring multiple swimming pools, diving boards, and modern amenities for both professional training and public recreation.