Qaraghandy offers different perspectives: granite shapes caves, rock overhangs, and mountain massifs, while archaeological sites tell of settlements and burials from the Late Bronze Age.
Rock formations in Karkaraly National Park
The Three Caves, also known as the “Cave of Primitive Man,” are located in the Maliksay tract in Karkaraly National Park, about 3 km from Karkaraly. Here, granite forms a small canyon with three entrances to the underground area. A stream and slopes sparsely covered with pine trees are also part of this landscape.
The Great Chamber is a large rocky overhang on the ridge north of Karkaraly. Its recess is 8–10 m deep, 15–20 m wide, and up to 8 m high. Its dimensions give it a different scale from the small canyon of the Three Caves: here, the focus is on a single, expansive rocky space.
Lake Basin is also in Karkaraly National Park, but access comes with a clear condition: it can only be reached on foot via the “Stone Fairy Tales” route. Check the route duration and seasonal conditions before setting out.
Summits, steppe, and lakes
At 1,565 m, Aksoran is the highest point in the Kyzylray Mountains and the Kazakh Uplands of Saryarka. From the summit, the mountain-steppe panorama stretches up to 100 km. The ascent from the Torkora tract is about 3.4 km long, with an elevation gain of approximately 560–600 m. At Aksoran and in the Kyzylray Mountains, activities include hiking, trekking, summit climbs, ecotourism, nature and wildlife observation, and photography of mountain and steppe landscapes. Check mountain conditions and trail markings before setting out.
The Great Lake near Karkaraly is a popular freshwater lake. It covers 2.5 km² and is about 4.6 m deep at its deepest point. The north or west shore is recommended for beach areas. As conditions along the shore can change seasonally, it is worth checking the latest conditions.
Bektau-Ata in Aktogay District offers a different landscape: this granite mountain massif is part of the Bektau-Ata State Zoological Nature Reserve and encompasses rocks, gorges, and caves. Visitors come for climbing and rock routes, photography, and panoramic views over the steppe. Check the current rules for the protected area before traveling.
Traces of the Late Bronze Age
The Kent settlement lies in the valley of the Kyzylkenysh River and is a significant Late Bronze Age archaeological site in Karkaraly District. It is about 6 km from the village of Kent and is associated with the Begazy-Dandybay culture. Remains of residential and commercial buildings, production facilities, and traces of ancient metallurgy have been preserved. The site thus offers a picture of both everyday life and the production and processing of materials.
The Karazhartas burial site is another archaeological monument of the Late Bronze Age. It is located in the Taldy River valley in Shet District and is also associated with the Begazy-Dandybay culture. The Begazy-Dandybay complex in Shet District consists of granite mausoleums and is a megalithic burial complex from this era. It represents the social hierarchy of ancient Central Asian societies. In 1998, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List; inclusion on this tentative list is distinct from inscription as a World Heritage Site.
A two-story wooden house with exhibition halls about the flora and fauna of the Karkaraly region stands in the Tasbulak tract in Karkaraly National Park. If you plan to stop here, check the latest opening arrangements in advance.
Craters, gorges, and springs
Shunak in Shet District is a meteor crater, or astrobleme, estimated to be 12–45 million years old. It is about 3.1 km in diameter and 400 m deep. The crater is used for science and educational tourism, ecotourism, and landscape photography; getting there by road can be difficult.
The Bugyly mountain oasis in Shet District, in the center of Saryarka, combines granite mountains, gorges, clear springs, expansive steppes, and ancient historical monuments. The area is used for ecotourism and hiking. With its varied landscape features, Bugyly complements the rock formations and summits with springs and open steppe.
Discover more destinations: Bukhar-Zhyrau District, Ulytau District, North Kazakhstan, South Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Zhambyl, Zhangeldi District.
For the main travel overview: Kazakhstan.
