Nomad in the Altai

The northeast of Kazakhstan offers varied nature and an interesting mix of Russian and Kazakh life and history. Nature foremost presents itself in the wonderful Altai Mountain Range - a range shared with Russia, Mongolia and China, but (fortunately) the Kazakh part having the most to offer.

In this tour you'll start in the provincial capital Ust-Kamenogorsk and firstly drive in southeastern direction to Lake Zaisan. On its northern bank you'll pitch your tent in colorful landscapes that are more reminiscent to the moon than to planet Earth!
On you go, to the mountain lake Markakol, the most lovely lake in this part of Kazakhstan. Here you'll have a day for hiking, fishing, horseriding or just relaxing.

The next stage of the trip passes over the notorious 'Austrian Road', built by Austrian POW's during WWI! A drive not for the faint of heart, that will bring you in the village of Uryl in the Altai Mountains. Here, while being accommodated in a comfortable guesthouse, you will stay for three days while choosing between the many active travel opportunities in the surroundings. You may raft, hike, collect mushrooms, visit an important excavation site, visit a former iron mine, enjoy an excursion to a Russian village of old-believers etc. etc. (see the dayprogram for full details).

From Uryl you return to Ust-Kamenogorsk, on the way visiting thousands year's old rock carvings.

courtesy to Koos van den Berg for pictures