The Irtysh, Kazakhstan’s largest river, is a prominent geographical landmark of the Pavlodar Region. Discoveries range from nature in Bayanaul National Park to sacred sites and the Myrzashoky ski base. This variety of themes is what makes the selection interesting: you can explore Pavlodar through its landscapes, biodiversity, pilgrimage destinations or winter sports. When deciding where to travel, it is therefore worth first considering whether lakes and nature, sacred sites or a winter activity matter most to you.
Lakes, a Cave and Biodiversity in Bayanaul
Four lakes lie at the foot of the Bayanaul mountain massif; the best known is Lake Jasybay. Many tourists come to swim in the lakes of Bayanaul in summer. The season therefore plays a specific role: swimming visits are explicitly associated with summer. If you are choosing Pavlodar for its natural attractions, Bayanaul offers a varied focus encompassing lakes and other features of the national park.
A total of 552 plant species grow in Bayanaul National Park, including five species listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book. The wildlife is also associated with a specific conservation category: the argali is one of the park’s mammals listed in the Red Book. Visitors can also see Konyr-Aulie Cave; access conditions may vary by season. The plants, mammals and cave offer different perspectives on the same national park. When visiting the cave, take seasonal access conditions into account.
Another Nature Destination: the Shaldai Pine Forest
The Shaldai Pine Forest is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Pavlodar Region. As a named forest destination, it offers a different natural focus from Bayanaul, whose appeal comes from its lakes, cave and biodiversity. When making your choice, you can consider whether you are most interested in the pine forest itself or in the combination of waterways and natural features in the national park.
Sacred Sites and Regional Routes
The Isabek Ishan Hazret Mausoleum Complex is located in the rural area of Ekibastuz and attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims. The petroglyphs of Akbidayyk are among the oldest sacred sites in the Pavlodar Region. Together, these places give your trip a cultural focus distinct from its natural attractions.
A look at the tourist routes adds a broader perspective to these individual destinations. At the time of publication, 89 routes were listed in the register of tourist routes and trails in the Pavlodar Region, including 66 to sacred sites. Tourism companies regularly run tours along these routes. As route listings may change, check the current information before planning.
A Winter Sports Attraction in Pavlodar
The Myrzashoky ski base opened in 2019 and is located near the village of Karazhar. It has 960-metre-long ski runs and a cable car. This gives Pavlodar a specific winter sports attraction alongside summer swimming visits to the lakes of Bayanaul. Before travelling, check whether the runs and cable car are operating seasonally.
Discover more destinations: Ekibastuz District, Kok-Tobe, Pavlodar, Kurchatov, Mangystau, Kyzylorda, Astana, Akmola.
For the broader travel overview: Kazakhstan.
