The Adventures of Nicole was invited to attend the 2024 World Nomad Games held in Astana and to work along with the Ministry of Tourism to promote Northern Kazakhstan, all opinions are her own.

Burabay National Park & Lake Borovoe: The Gateway to Northern Kazakhstan

Burabay National Park: The Gateway to Northern Kazakhstan was originally published in 2024

Kazakhstan is a geographically diverse nation, which shouldn’t be a surprise due to its substantial size making it the 9th largest country in the world. Situated in Northern Kazakhstan, Burabay National Park and its surroundings don’t get the press the mountainous south does but with that said, Burabay is a must-visit for any itinerary that brings you up to Northern Kazakhstan and Astana.

Burabay has more of a remote feel to it, likely owing to its proximity to Russian Siberia.

In this guide, you’ll find information on Lake Borovoe (Burabay), Shchuchie, and Chebache Lakes in Burabay National Park.

About Burabay

Located 250 kilometers north of Astana, the national park is centered around Lake Borovoe or Burabay. Know that both names are used, Burabay being the Kazakh name and Borovoe being the Russian name. People seem to use them interchangeably, and you will see both names used in this post. In 2000 the park was officially named back to its Kazakh name of Burabay from its Russian one of Borovoe.

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.

The Russian name given to the lake derives from the word for pine forest bor. An accurate label owing to the vast pine forests that populate the land of Burabay National Park.

Also strewn throughout the forest-covered park are ancient rock formations, most having a mystic tie to a local legend.

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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.

Day Trip to Burabay National Park from Almaty

Several companies offer day tours to Burabay National Park from Astana, making a visit to the area quite easy and informative.

Day tours depart quite early in the morning in order to facilitate visiting the main highlights in a single day along with the three-hour each-way drive.

Things to do in Burabay National Park

Take a Boat Trip on Lake Borovoe

A popular thing to do at Lake Borovoe on a warm sunny day is to jump on one of the boats taking a trip around the lake. Those feeling a bit more active can opt to rent a kayak or canoe and get out on the lake unmotorized.

Zhumbaktas Rock

In the middle of Lake Borovoe sits the funky formation of Zhumbaktas Rock. In the late spring, summer, and early fall, kayaks and canoes can be rented to cruise around Lake Burabay to get a little closer to the rock island.

The name Zhumbaktas means unresolved riddles in the Kazakh language. Nearby you will find another rock formation known as Okszheptes, meaning unreachable arrows.

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.

Bolektau Mountain

For the best views of Burabay National Park’s side-by-side Lake Borovoe and Chebache Lake.

It’s a steep hike to reach the top of  147 meter Bolektau Mountain but only takes 10-30 minutes depending on your fitness level (I think it maybe took us 10 minutes).

From the top, you’ll have a grand panorama of the surrounding areas and a great perspective from which you can take in how different the landscapes are around either lake.

Chebache Lake

Big Chebache Lake sits immediately to the north of Lake Burabay, only separated by a thin piece of land. Despite not being quite as well known as Burabay, Big Chebache Lake is a national symbol of Kazakhstan and is important to the area owing to its wide array of wildlife, particularly over 300 species of fish.

Currently, at a depth of roughly 36 meters, Big Chebache Lake is slowly evaporating. Only a few underground sources and precipitation feed the lake.

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.

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. 

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-Burabai Archeological & Ethnographic Open Air Museum shares the Botai culture, a group that lived in the Burabay area in the Eneolithic period. 

The museum’s exhibits include seven reconstructed yurts that showcase different aspects of Botai life, such as weapons, houseware, and handicrafts.

How to get to Burabay from Astana

Burabay National Park is one of the most popular day and weekend trips from Astana so transportation is plentiful and easy to find. Getting to Burabay is a beautiful journey as you leave the undulating steppe around Astana and pass vast forests.

Marshrutka & Shared Taxi

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

Despite being a scenic journey, taking the train to Burabay is a little less convenient than going by shared taxi and marshrutka.

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.

Car

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.

Best Time to Visit Burabay

Burabay National Park is a year-round destination. That said, summer and autumn are the easiest and most comfortable time to visit.

Summers are cooler than in Astana so temperatures are usually pleasant. Autumn is a beautiful time to go to Burabay to catch the fall colors.

Spring can be erratic and stormy but can still be a nice time to visit. Winter is harsh with whipping cold and heavy snow, albeit beautiful, just pack accordingly.

Have Any Questions About Visiting Burabay National Park?

Ask in the comments section below.

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