May holidays are ahead. They begin with the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan and end with a long weekend on Defender of the Fatherland Day and Victory Day. This means that Kazakhstanis will have a rest from 1 to 3 and from 7 to 10 May. For some, this is a great opportunity to reboot on the weekend or even take a three-day vacation and disconnect from the daily routine for 10 days. In this article, we will tell you where to relax during the May holidays in Kazakhstan.
Kazakh travel agencies agreed that if there is an opportunity to go to another city, the best destinations will be Aktau, Aktobe, Almaty, Nur-Sultan, Atyrau, Kyzylorda, Taraz, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Shymkent.
Also, experts in the field of tourism noted that during the May holidays in previous years, Kazakhstanis preferred to go out into nature. The most popular places are the Turgen waterfalls, trout farming, the ski base “Shymbulak”, the resort area Borovoe, the Big Almaty lake, the ancient sanctuary of Tamgaly – Tas, the ruins of the medieval city of Otrar, the Bukhtarma reservoir, the Ustyurt plateau, Lake Issyk and Saki mounds, Lake Balkhash, singing dunes, Lake Kaindy, Kolsay lakes, Aksai skete, the necropolis “Bes-Shatyr” and others.sacred places of Turkestan.
Travel blogger and photographer Anzor Gasayev advised to visit places near Almaty during the May holidays.
“During the May holidays, tours to the Kolsai, Kaindy and Issyk lakes, the Charyn Canyon and the Turgen Gorge are very popular,” he said.
Lake Kaindy is included in the list of the 15 most beautiful lakes in the world. It is located 300 kilometers from Almaty. Travelers from all over Kazakhstan come to see this amazing natural phenomenon. Here you can see how directly from the lake to a height of 15 meters stretch tree trunks that resemble the masts of sunken ships.
Kolsai is called the pearl of the Northern Tien Shan. These are three mountain lakes of different sizes and shapes, located at different heights. Each of the lakes has its own unique charm and beauty. The surrounding area of the Kolsai Lakes is suitable for camping, trekking, horse riding and mountain biking. The trip from Almaty to Kolsai takes about five hours by car and passes through the Kuldzhinsky tract. The same road leads to the Charyn Canyon and the Chunji hot springs.
Charyn Canyon is a stunning natural wonder. The brick-red rocks have opened up to a height of 150-300 meters, and at the bottom there is a stormy mountain river with the same name. It occurred as a result of an earthquake that split the integrity of the cover and left huge cracks in the ground. This happened 12 million years ago.
The Turgen Gorge is one of the outstanding attractions of the Ili-Alatau National Park. The picturesque place is located near Almaty. The gorge is rich in waterfalls (there are seven of them), streams, coniferous and mixed forests, alpine and subalpine meadows. People come here for trout fishing, as well as for collecting medicinal plants.
Lake Issyk is located in a gorge in the mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau, near Almaty. Its age is about 8-10 millennia. The cause of the reservoir is considered to be a powerful earthquake, during which a large fragment of rock fell into the river, thereby blocking it. They say that the water in the lake constantly changes color depending on the weather. In cloudy weather, the lake turns gray, and under the bright sunlight, the water turns blue, turquoise or green.
According to the press secretary of JSC “NC “Kazakh Tourism” Yernur Kenzhebekov, residents of the southern regions can go out of town to admire the flowering plants.
“The May holidays are the best time for those who like to observe the flowering of plants. In Shymkent, tulips are planted annually. More than a million of these flowers are planted in the city. They will just bloom during this period. There are fields with tulips near Shymkent, and poppy fields in Almaty region, ” he said.
JSC ” NC “Kazakh Tourism” noted that on the May holidays, people may want to improve their health. There are many coniferous forests in the northern regions of Kazakhstan. In early May, the buds swell, and the trees secrete healing substances that can improve the respiratory tract.
Residents of the capital and nearby regions can go to Borovoe for this purpose, for example.
Borovoe resort is called Kazakh Switzerland. It attracts tourists from different countries. The amazing beauty of the place, located on the territory of the park “Burabay” – a real oasis in the middle of the Kazakh steppe. The area is unique in that it perfectly combines snow-capped mountain peaks and clear reservoirs. The centuries-old pine forests amaze with their beauty and grandeur. There are quite a few lakes here: there are only fourteen large ones.
The local mineral waters, healing mud and fresh forest air help in the treatment of the upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, heart and vascular diseases. Surrounded by lakes, forests and mountains, you can find many health resorts.
Mountains, pine forests, blue surface of lakes are waiting for tourists in Bayanaul Park. To take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and gain strength, this is a great place. In May, you can come here to climb the cliffs of Kempirtas, Naizatas and Saimantas, which are associated with many legends. Travelers can also walk to the grave of the legendary Kazakh warrior Zhasybai Batyr. On the shores of Lakes Zhasybay, Sabyndykol and Toraigyr, you will find many hotels and recreation centers.
“You can also head towards the southern regions of the country. Turkestan with its sights is very interesting. Near Shymkent, the sacred mosque of Akmeshit and the Aksu-Zhabagly canyon are notable, ” travel blogger Zhomart Kumakbayev advised.
JSC ” NC “Kazakh Tourism” also recalled that not so long ago a multifunctional complex “Caravanserai”was opened in Turkestan. The project recreated the appearance of the ancient city. On its territory there is a cinema, a flying theater, an oriental market, an amphitheater, hotels, restaurants and an artificial pond.
“Social networks are full of photos from the “Caravanserai”, demonstrating how great it is there. Every day there are various theatrical performances. This content will attract, and Turkestan will be one of the most popular destinations during these May holidays,” Yernur Kenzhebekov said.
The host of the project “Big Cities” Zhuldyz Rakhmet believes that the May holidays are best spent in the Mangystau region. According to the girl, tourists usually come to admire the” Martian landscapes ” of the Mangyshlak peninsula, and only in May you can see something different here.
“The peninsula used to be the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean. Therefore, there is a very peculiar landscape here. Mostly gray-brown colors predominate. And only in May, the winds subside and juicy colors appear – the grass turns green and Sogdian tulips begin to bloom. In addition, the temperature in May is most favorable for recreation. All expeditions and travel clubs make trips during this period, because nature wakes up. Already at the end of May, it will be hot, the grass will be burned, the peninsula will turn pale again, ” says Zhuldyz Rahmet.
The peninsula is famous for its natural diversity. Here you can find deserts, mountain ranges, plateaus with steep peaks, oases in rocky gorges.
It is here that the deepest depression of the CIS countries is located, the fifth largest in the world – Karagie. This is a giant basin that has sunk one hundred and thirty-two meters below the level of the dead ocean. Karagiye is located only 50 kilometers from Aktau, but it is better to go there with a guide.
Excursions usually involve a program designed for one or two days. Usually, the guide offers tourists to visit, in addition to the Kagagiye depression, the Koshkar-ata necropolis, the Akespe tract, the Torysh valley of balls, Mount Sherkala, the Kyzyl-Kala excavations and the Valley of Castles.
Residents of the East Kazakhstan region like to spend time on the shore of the Bukhtarma reservoir. It is located 100 kilometers from Ust-Kamenogorsk.
The area of the Bukhtarma reservoir is 5,500 square kilometers. It is the first largest lake in the country and one of the five largest reservoirs in the world.
On the shore there are more than 20 recreation centers. Most of them are on the right bank. Some of them can offer their guests a transfer from the regional center. But you can also get to the coast by your own vehicle, bus or train from Ust-Kamenogorsk to the Novaya Bukhtarma station, and then by taxi. Ferries and boats go to the left bank. It is better to check the route with the administration of the selected recreation center.
People come to the shore of the Bukhtarma reservoir to enjoy nature, peace and tranquility. You can take a boat ride or go fishing. In numerous bays and bays there are ide, walleye, pike, perch, carp, crucian carp, burbot, trout and bream.
Imantau-Shalkar resort area – the pearl of the North Kazakhstan region. It is located on the territory of the state national Natural Park “Kokshetau”. Lovers of a relaxing holiday will certainly appreciate the days spent in solitude near the local pristine lakes, mountain ranges, forests with relict pines, alternating with steppe zones.
Most of the local lakes are fresh. The exception is Lake Shalkar. The water of this lake is famous for its healing properties. It is located at the foot of Mount Ayyrtau.
Lake Imantau is a source of drinking water for nearby settlements. It is located near the village of the same name. It is surrounded by hills, on the slopes of which pine and birch trees grow.
There are more than 30 recreation centers on the shores of these lakes. There are guest houses by the type of home hotel, you can also choose a detached house.
Travelers will also be offered a guided tour. Among the local attractions are the famous Botai settlement, dedicated to Botai culture, the memorial complex “Karasai and Agyntai Batyrov”, the museum-estate of Shokan Valikhanov’s grandmother “Aiganym”. There are several ways to go through the tourist routes – on foot, by bike, on horseback or by boat.
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