National Parks
The most amazing and beautiful places in Kazakhstan are located on the territory of state national natural parks.
National parks are created to preserve the natural attractions of Kazakhstan. Unlike nature reserves, national parks are open for tourists but only for the purpose of ecological tourism and for green-minded people.
These are protected and safe natural areas patrolled by local authorities. An environmental fee is charged for entry into their territory.
In total, there are 14 national natural parks in Kazakhstan (one more is planned to be opened in the nearest future).
National Parks of Kazakhstan on the Map
National Parks of Almaty and Jetysu Regions
There are 5 national parks on the territory of the Almaty and Jetysu regions.
Altyn-Emel National Park
Location: in the valley of the Ili River in the Jetysu region, between the Ili River and the Kapchagai reservoir in the south, the western spurs of the Dzhungarian Alatau mountains in the north, and the cretaceous mountains of Aktau in the east.
Territory: 307 653 hectares
Attractions: Singing Dune, Aktau mountains, Katutau mountains
Ile-Alatau National Park
Location: south of the city of Almaty on the northern slope of the Zaili Alatau mountains.
Territory: 198 669 hectares, the length is 120 km from the Chemolgan River in the west to the Turgen River in the east, the width is 30-35 km.
Attractions: Turgen gorge, Assy-Turgen high-mountain plateau, Assy observatory, Qairaq waterfall
Charyn National Park
Location: in the Charyn River valley of Almaty region.
Territory: 127 050 hectares
Attractions: Charyn Canyon
Kolsai Lakes National Park
Location: in the Kolsai gorge of the northern Tien Shan, between the ranges of Kungei Alatau and Zaili Alatau, 330 km southeast of the city of Almaty.
Attractions: Lower, Middle and Upper Kolsai, and Kaindy high-mountain lakes
Zhongar-Alatau National Park
Location: on the northern slope of the Jetysu (Semirechye) Alatau ridge.
Territory: 356 022 hectares, the length is about 300 km from west to east.
Attractions: Small and Big Basqan gorges, Lower and Upper Zhasylkol high-mountain lakes