The border areas with China and Russia offer a large natural diversity. The Altai mountains, in the far northeastern corner of Kazakhstan are shared with the above mentioned countries as well as Mongolia. An old mountain range, source of many a legend, and thinly populated.

West of the Altai mountains lies the large Zaisan lake, in the middle of a landscape that has more in common with the moon than with our planet. This is a transition area for the Kazakh steppes and semi-desert and the Siberian taiga forests and it's interesting to see how the different vegetations mingle in several places. 
That's why north-east Kazakhstan offers such an abundant natural wealth and diversity, from steppe and semi-desert to forests and high mountains and many lakes.

The capital of this part of Kazakhstan is Ust-Kamenogorsk, or presently Oskemen. Its population used to be predominantly Russian, but the emigration of many of them to neighbouring Russia and an influx of Kazakhs from the surrounding countryside steadily changes this composition. 'Ust' is a typical provincial town, lacking the investments of Astana and developing in its own slow way. Despite the presence 6f heavy industry it's not an unattractive town though.

The biggest attraction in the region undoubtedly is the Altai mountain range. Here you find the holy mountain Belukha (4,806 m) on the border with Russia, many beekeepers, Kazakhs offering 'koumis' in their villages and along the road, and even afar-away Russian village with 'Old-Believers', a branch of the Russian Orthodox Church that rejected innovations in the 17th century.

We offer tours in this region and in these mountains, with plenty of opportunity for trekking, hiking, fishing, horse-riding, rafting or just enjoying the splendid nature and interesting village-life. As a base we use a basic but comfortable house in the village Uryl at the foot of the Altai mountains, with a real Russian sauna ('banya') to relax after the adventures of an active day!