In Ulytau District, cultural discoveries range from petroglyphs and medieval settlements to mausoleums and a sacred mountain landscape. Official routes connect individual stops with nature and the history of the Great Steppe. For planning, it is worth first checking the route and how long it takes, then looking for suitable accommodation.
Assess Routes and Time Required
Official route information lists distances, difficulty levels, suitable seasons and recommendations for visitors. Compare these details before deciding, and check seasonal access and route conditions again before your trip. One of the routes described combines a climb up sacred Aulietau with visits to the mausoleums of Alash Khan and Jochi Khan. At 1,135 meters above sea level, Aulietau is the highest point in Ulytau; the mountain is also revered as sacred.
According to the route description, the drive to a Ulytau route starts in Zhezkazgan: from there, it is about 130 kilometers via the highway. The route includes paved and dirt roads, as well as around three kilometers of easy off-road driving across the steppe. Road conditions may change. A route description from 2026 estimates that the excursion, including the drive, takes approximately five hours; the educational route through Ulytau village is eight kilometers long. The time estimate may vary and does not refer to walking time alone. Parts of the route pass over rough terrain, steppe and riverbanks. As there may be no places to buy water or food along the route, bring both with you.
Mausoleums and Archaeological Traces
The Alash Khan Mausoleum can also be described by its proportions and brick decoration: it measures approximately 9.73 by 11.9 meters and is ten meters high. Geometric brick patterns evoke an Alasha carpet. In Kazakh tradition, Alash Khan is regarded as a legendary figure who is said to have united ancient nomadic tribes and founded a large state. The mausoleum was first studied scientifically in 1946 by a Central Kazakhstan archaeological expedition led by Alkey Margulan.
Baskamyr offers a different glimpse into the past. The fortified settlement, dating from the 9th to the 12th century, measures 90 by 90 meters; its features include defensive walls, ditches and a citadel. Its inhabitants are associated with metalworking, livestock breeding and trade. Excavations uncovered, among other things, pottery and objects made of iron, copper and bronze. Living quarters, hearths and the remains of brick kilns were also excavated. Baskamyr thus draws attention not only to its fortifications but also to traces of everyday life at the time.
Petroglyphs in a Sculpted Granite Landscape
Terekti-Aulie is located in Ulytau District, 18 kilometers northeast of Terekti station, within the Ulytau National Historical-Cultural and Natural Museum-Reserve; confirm access to the site and road conditions before your visit. Wind has shaped the granite ridges there into dome-like forms; ancient petroglyphs have been preserved on their peaks and slopes. Around 300 images are spread across 27 granite surfaces. They depict horses, camels, goats, deer, birds and symbolic signs.
The site also contains archaeological evidence from the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age and Middle Ages. More than 50 archaeological sites have been recorded, including settlements, ancient mines, burial mounds and mausoleums from various periods. Terekti-Aulie is also home to a sacred spring, which is traditionally believed to have healing properties. A visit therefore combines rock art with a landscape whose traces extend far beyond a single image motif.
Plan Your Stay in Ulytau District
The Jochi Khan historical cultural complex in Ulytau District includes a museum, the mausoleum and monument of Jochi Khan, a yurt camp and a hotel. The hotel therefore offers a specific starting point for planning an overnight stay in the area. Confirm the current availability of the accommodation and other facilities before your trip. When deciding how long to stay, also take into account the approximate duration of the excursion, including the drive, and the length of the described village walk. This will help you coordinate visits and accommodation with your chosen routes without confusing driving time with walking time.
Discover more destinations: Zhezkazgan, Bukhar-Zhyrau District.
Go to the main travel overview: Qaraghandy.
