Maxim Levitin, 55, from Almaty, the head of "Tabigat" production studio
You can reach the following places by car, though if you aren’t ready to deal with logistics issues, you can contact travel agencies to help you arrange the trip.
Belukha mountain
I recommend you pay attention to the East Kazakhstan, e.g. Katon-Karagai National Park, Belukha foothills, Markakol and Yazevoye Lakes, Kokkol waterfall. This area has a breathtaking view of Belukha.
Also, you can visit the Western Altai. Here you can enjoy the nature and see the Black Uba river, forest tracts, rich fauna, bears.
This area is better to be visited in late August, when snow is melt.
The Dzungarian Alatau
The Dzungarian Alatau, the Tastau Range is in a favorable ecological condition, therefore I recommend this place to those who want to see wild animals in their natural habitat: marals, ibex, bears.
You can visit Alatau from May to September, but you’d better go in August-September.
The Ustyurt Plateau
Plateau has amazing landscapes, but this route is more suitable for experienced car travelers. In April and May the weather isn’t very hot. It’s not favorable to go there later, as the temperature reaches 40 degrees in the middle of summer which is not comfortable.
Karkaraly National Park
I recommend you visit Karkaraly National Park in Central Kazakhstan. It has beautiful pine forests and the lake called “Devil’s”.
The roads leading to Karkaralinsk are good, so you can go there without problems from May to September.
The Ili River Delta
I recommend you go to the delta of the Ili River. That’s an area of the future national reserve "Iliyskaya Delta" (Илийская дельта), where the tigers are going to be released. I advise everyone interested in bird watching go there in spring or in fall.
If you’d like swimming, fishing or diving in Balkhash, you’d better go there in summer when the water is warm.
