Burabay National Park: Complete Travel Guide

Updated June 2026, Burabay National Park, Kazakhstan: Complete Travel Guide was originally published in November 2024

Burabay, also known as Borovoe, is one of northern Kazakhstan’s most scenic escapes, with pine forests, mountain lakes, rock formations and easy hikes just a few hours from Astana.

Kazakhstan is famous for its vast steppe, soaring mountains and desert landscapes, but northern Kazakhstan has a very different side. Just a few hours north of Astana, Burabay National Park is a forested oasis of pine-covered hills, clear lakes and strange granite rock formations rising from the steppe.

Burabay, is one of the best places to escape Astana for a day or weekend. The area is home to Lake Burabay (formerly Borovoe), Big Chebache Lake, Shchuchie Lake, Zhumbaktas Rock, Mount Bolektau and a collection of legends deeply tied to Kazakh history and culture.

I spent time exploring Burabay and was surprised by just how different the landscape feels from the open steppe around Astana. One minute you’re driving through endless grasslands and the next you’re surrounded by pine forest and rocky hills.

In this Burabay travel guide, I’ll cover the best things to do in Burabay National Park, where to stay, how to get there from Astana, the best time to visit and everything else you need to plan a trip to Borovoe.

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Burabay National Park Quick Facts

Where is Burabay?	Akmola Region, northern Kazakhstan
Distance from Astana	About 250 km
Also known as	Borovoe
Best known for	Lakes, pine forests, rock formations and hiking
Main lake	Lake Burabay (Lake Borovoe)
Best viewpoint	Mount Bolektau
How long to visit	1 day minimum, 2 days is better
Best time to visit	Summer and autumn
Nearest major city	Astana

How Many Days Do You Need in Burabay?

You can visit Burabay National Park as a day trip from Astana, but I recommend staying for one or two nights if you have the time.

One day: Focus on Mount Bolektau, Lake Burabay, Zhumbaktas Rock, Okzhetpes and one or two additional attractions.

Two days: Add Big Chebache Lake, Shchuchie Lake, the Abylai Khan area, museums and some hiking or time on the water.

Three days: Slow things down and use Burabay as a base for exploring more of the surrounding lakes, trails and resort area.

Best Time to Visit Burabay National Park

The best time to visit Burabay is from late spring through early autumn, with summer offering the easiest conditions for hiking, boating and exploring the lakes. Autumn is particularly beautiful when the forests change color.

Summer: Best for hiking, swimming, boating and spending time around the lakes. This is also the busiest period.

Autumn: My favorite time for scenery, with colorful forests and cooler hiking temperatures.

Spring: Pleasant on good days but weather can be unpredictable, and some trails may be muddy.

Winter: Burabay becomes a snowy destination with a very different atmosphere. Expect genuinely cold conditions, so pack accordingly.

About Burabay National Park, Kazakhstan

Burabay National Park is located in Akmola Region in northern Kazakhstan, about 250 kilometers north of Astana. The park is centered around Lake Burabay, although the wider Burabay resort area includes numerous lakes, forests, low mountains and distinctive granite rock formations.

Burabay has always been regarded as a holy place, and several Kazakh legends originate there. Reflected in its historical name Aulliekol, meaning ‘holy lake’. The waters from Burabay are believed to have healing properties because of this.

You’ll see both Burabay and Borovoe used throughout Kazakhstan. Burabay is the Kazakh name, while Borovoe is the Russian name. Both refer to the same destination, so don’t be confused when searching for accommodation, transportation or attractions.

The national park was officially established in its current form in August 2000. Today, the protected area is known for its combination of pine forest, lakes and low mountains, which makes it a surprisingly green contrast to the surrounding Kazakh steppe.

Burabay has long been associated with Kazakh legends and sacred landscapes. Many of the park’s most recognizable landmarks, including Zhumbaktas Rock, Okzhetpes and the Throne of Abylai Khan, have stories attached to them.

The name Borovoe comes from the Russian word bor, meaning pine forest, an appropriate name given the extensive pine forests surrounding the lakes.

Where to Stay in Burabay National Park

If you are sticking to a budget, the Hotel Nurlytau is a great option and has great reviews.

Those wanting something a bit more comfortable should opt for the highly rated Sultan Plaza Borovoe.

Finally, if you are looking for a luxurious stay right on the waterfront, the Rixos Borovoe is a stunning option.

Burabay Day Trip from Astana

Burabay is one of the easiest nature escapes from Astana, and a day trip is enough to see several of the park’s major highlights. Organized tours typically combine Lake Burabay, the Abylai Khan area, Mount Bolektau and other scenic viewpoints into one long day. Current Astana tourism itineraries also promote Burabay as a one-day excursion.

The downside is the amount of time spent on the road, so if your schedule allows, I’d recommend spending at least one night in Burabay. That gives you more time for hiking, exploring the lakes and seeing the area without racing from viewpoint to viewpoint.

13 Best Things to Do in Burabay National Park

Take a Boat Trip on Lake Burabay

Lake Burabay (Borovoe), is the centerpiece of the national park. In summer, boats operate on the lake and are an easy way to see the surrounding pine forests and rock formations from the water.

If you’d rather explore under your own power, kayaks and canoes are also available during the warmer months. The lake is particularly scenic when viewed toward Zhumbaktas Rock and the surrounding Kokshetau Hills.

See Zhumbaktas Rock

Zhumbaktas Rock is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Burabay National Park. The unusual rock formation rises from Lake Burabay and has become one of the area’s defining symbols.

Its name translates roughly to “riddle rock” or “unresolved riddle” in Kazakh, and local legends give the formation several different interpretations depending on the angle from which it is viewed.

The best way to see Zhumbaktas is from the water, but you’ll also get excellent views from the surrounding shoreline and from Mount Bolektau, where the rock appears in the wider panorama of Lake Burabay.

The Grove of Dancing Birch Trees

Sat right along the shores of Lake Borovoe (for simplicity’s sake- directly behind the Insar Hotel), the Grove of Dancing Birch Trees is a lovely sight to see, especially in autumn.

Legend has it that women were dancing here in the forest on the shores of Lake Burabay and after being frightened by something, were frozen into these funky birch trees.

Kenesary Cave

Named after Kenesary Khan, an important historical figure in Kazakh culture, who liked to sleep inside the cave while hunting in the Burabay area.

Hike Mount Bolektau for the Best View of Burabay

Hiking Mount Bolektau is one of the best things to do in Burabay National Park. The short but steep climb leads to one of the area’s best viewpoints, with panoramic views over Lake Burabay, Big Chebache Lake, Zhumbaktas Rock and the surrounding pine-covered hills.

The climb is only around 147 meters in elevation and doesn’t require technical hiking equipment, although the steep sections can be slippery. I found it to be one of the best effort-to-reward hikes in Burabay because the views open up quickly.

Allow roughly 20–30 minutes each way, depending on your pace and how long you spend at the viewpoint. Official tourism information also identifies Bolektau as a key panoramic viewpoint over the Burabay lakes and surrounding landmarks.great perspective from which you can take in how different the landscapes are around either lake.

Visit Big Chebache Lake

Big Chebache Lake sits immediately north of Lake Burabay, separated from it by a narrow strip of land. The lake is one of the major bodies of water in the Burabay area and is particularly impressive from Mount Bolektau, where you can see it alongside Lake Burabay.

The quieter shoreline and surrounding forest make Big Chebache a good stop if you’re exploring beyond Burabay’s main resort area in Northern Kazakhstan.

Glade & Throne of Abylai Khan

The mysterious Glade of Abylai Khan is mentioned in the legends of several Kazakh nomadic tribes, going back centuries. Abylai Khan lived from 1711-1871 and served as a powerful ruler over the Kazakh Khanate.

Presently, there is a nice park here to wander around and explore the battleground of many legends.

A short stroll into the forest from here at the foot of Mount Kokshetau will bring you to the Throne of Abylai Khan. This massive heap of boulders resembling a throne is steeped in legend and must be walked around seven times in order for the visitor’s wish to come true.

Visit Imanaev Creek

Imanaev Creek is a small waterfall and spring surrounded by pine forest near the village of Borovoe. It’s an easy addition to a Burabay itinerary if you want a short walk rather than another mountain climb.

The area has been developed with pedestrian paths, recreation areas and a nearby cycling route, making it an easy stop when exploring the park by car.

Mount Kokshetau

At 957 meters, Mount Kokshetau towers over the Burabay area as the park’s tallest peak.

The name, Kokshetau, comes from the Kazakh word kokshe meaning blueish in color, and tau, meaning mountain. 

Okzhetpes Rock

Okzhetpes Rock is one of Burabay’s most famous granite formations, rising dramatically beside Lake Burabay. Like Zhumbaktas, the rock is wrapped in Kazakh legends and has become one of the symbolic landscapes of the national park.

You’ll get some of the best views of Okzhetpes from the lake and surrounding viewpoints. It’s also commonly visited alongside Zhumbaktas, Abylai Khan Glade and Mount Bolektau.

Shchuchie Lake

ShchuchieLake is another lake in the Burabay area and will likely be your first stop as you enter Burabay National Park. The town of Shchuchink also sits along the lake’s shores.

Burabay Multimedia Interactive Comple

The newly opened Multimedia Interactive Complex is by far one of the coolest museums I’ve gotten to visit. Located in Burabay National Park, the complex offers an immersive look into Kazakhstan’s history, culture, and spirituality.

The museum features nine different interactive sections dedicated to Kazakh history showcased through interactive exhibits.

Botai-Burabai Archeological & Ethnographic Open Air Museum

The Botai-Burabay Open-Air Museum explores the Botai culture, an Eneolithic society associated with some of the earliest evidence of horse domestication. The open-air complex includes reconstructed yurts and exhibits covering traditional life, tools, weapons and handicrafts.

How to Get to Burabay National Park from Astana

The easiest way to visit Burabay from Astana is by car, shared taxi or organized tour. The journey takes roughly three hours by road, making Burabay one of the most popular weekend and day-trip destinations from the capital.

Marshrutka & Shared Taxi from Astana to Burabay

To find the marshrutka and shared taxis bound for Burabay, go to Saparzhai-Astana Bus Station across from the old train station.

Here you’ll find seats in the marshrutka for about 1700 KZT and shared taxi seats for about 2000 KZT for the roughly three-hour journey. If going by marshrutka, you may end up being switched to another one at Shchuchinsk before continuing the last bit to Burabay.

Train from Astana to Burabay

Taking the train from Astana is possible, but you’ll need to continue by road after getting off. Kurort Borovoe station near Shchuchinsk is the main railway access point for the resort area, with onward buses and taxis connecting to Borovoe.

Train schedules and fares change, so check the current timetable before traveling rather than relying on the prices listed in older guides.

You will find train tickets available at the main Astana Train Station and online to Shchuchinsk (or less likely Kurort-Borovoe) for about 2000 KZT. Once you arrive in Shchuchinsk, you’ll need to find transport for the remainder of the way to Burabay. A taxi to Burabay should cost about 2000 KZT but there are shared taxis and marshrutka from here too.

Rental Car from Astana to Burabay

If you have your car or have rented a rental car, getting to Burabay is simple enough. Make sure to have some cash on you for the journey out as there are tolls along the way.

Once to Burabay, it’s quite easy to get from one place to another as there aren’t many roads in the park, things are well signposted, and plenty of parking is available at the main attractions.

What to Pack for Visiting Burabay National Park

Since you can drive between most places in Burabay, you do not have to pack much for your visit, the following is a general list.

• Day pack to carry the necessities.
• Hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes for getting around on foot.
• Cash as ATMs can be a bit sparse.
• Bug spray as the mosquitoes can be thick out here in the summertime.
• Water bottle to stay hydrated while exploring.

Have Any Questions About Visiting Burabay National Park?

Ask in the comments section below.

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