Jambul Bridge, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Adventures of Nicole

Discover East Kazakhstan: Rugged Mountains, Golden Steppe, and Ancient Petroglyphs

Discover East Kazakhstan: Rugged Mountains, Golden Steppe, and Ancient Petroglyphs was originally published in January 2026

I’ll be honest: I didn’t expect East Kazakhstan to rise to one of my top favorite corners of Central Asia. With its saw-toothed Altai Mountains, glowing golden steppe, turquoise lakes, and a peppering of Soviet nostalgia and Kazakh traditions, East Kazakhstan feels like stepping into a travel fever dream you didn’t know you needed.

If you’re looking for things to do in East Kazakhstan, from the sacred Lake Markakol to wandering the art-deco streets of Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen), snowboarding the backcountry of the Altai, or soaking in radon hot springs in the wild, this region is your one-way ticket to wow.

Here’s everything you need to plan your visit to East Kazakhstan, with practical details on getting there, where to stay, and what to eat.

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Why Visit East Kazakhstan?

East Kazakhstan is where Kazakhstan’s rugged spirit meets raw natural beauty and centuries-old history. Bordering Russia, Mongolia, and China, the region is a crossroads of Turkic, Kazakh, and Russian cultures layered over stunning steppe, taiga forests, alpine lakes, and petroglyph-littered cliffs. It’s also home to snow leopards, marals (red deer), and the kind of silence you can only find in the mountains.

Whether you’re keen on trekking through the Altai, driving bone-rattling tracks to hidden lakes, or just living your best babushka-core life in small villages with piping hot beshbarmak and endless tea, East Kazakhstan is the wild, underrated Kazakh adventure you’re looking for.

Best Time to Visit East Kazakhstan

June to September: Best for trekking, lake trips, and national park access.
October: Beautiful autumn colors in the Altai.
Winter (December to March): Harsh and cold but good for snow leopard tracking expeditions (with local guides).

Nature and Culture of East Kazakhstan

Maral Deer, Pantotherapy. Panto, Altai Resort, Atlai Mountains, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Adventures of Nicole

East Kazakhstan’s culture is a rich blend of Kazakh nomadic heritage and Russian influence, evident in village architecture, food, and festivals.

The region is known for:

Maral (red deer) farming for medicinal antler use.
Traditional felt and embroidery crafts.
Summer nauyrs festivals and eagle hunting demonstrations.

In nature, you’ll find:

Dense taiga forests of larch and pine.
Steppe landscapes with wildflowers in spring and summer.
Snow-capped Altai peaks with hidden glaciers.
Lakes and rivers rich in fish, perfect for local fishing experiences.

How to Get to East Kazakhstan

By Air

Fly into Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk) Airport (UKK) from Almaty or Astana with Air Astana or SCAT. Flights take 1.5-2 hours and are the quickest way to start your journey.

By Train

Kazakhstan Railways connects Almaty and Astana with Oskemen, taking around 18-24 hours depending on the train. It’s a slow ride, but you’ll get to chat with locals over chai and watch the landscape change from the steppes around Astana or the forests near Almaty to the East Kazakhstan Mountains.

By Bus or Marshrutka

Buses and marshrutkas connect Semey and Oskemen to nearby towns like Ridder, Zyryanovsk, and Katon-Karagay, though schedules are loose. For Lake Markakol and deep Altai routes, you’ll need a private 4×4 hire from Oskemen or Ridder.

Best Things to Do in East Kazakhstan

Explore Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk)

Saint Andrew Orthodox Cathedral, Oskemen, Ust Kamenogorsk, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Adventures of Nicole

Oskemen is your launchpad for adventures in East Kazakhstan. The city blends leafy boulevards, Soviet mosaics, and riverside views where the Irtysh and Ulba rivers meet.

Top Things to Do:

Walk the River Embankment for sunset.
Visit the Regional History Museum for insights into Altai history and Kazakh culture.
Check out the amazing wood carvings at the Yuri Kostanyants House Museum.
Wander the avenues, keeping an eye out for newer local and older Soviet mosaics on residential buildings.

Best Hotels in Oskemen:

Hostel 5 Capsule Rooms (a clean, beautiful hostel in the middle of the city with a kind and helpful owner).
Dedeman Oskemen Tavros Hotel (modern, river views, great breakfast)
Shiny River Hotel (mid-range, comfy rooms, good central location)

Trek and Soak in Katon-Karagay National Park

Burial Mound, Katon Karagay National Park, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Adventures of Nicole

Katon-Karagay National Park is Kazakhstan’s largest, a protected realm of alpine lakes, glaciers, meadows, and rugged Altai peaks near the Russian and Chinese borders.

Katon-Karagay Highlights:

Hike to Belukha Base Camp for views of the sacred Belukha Mountain.
Visit Rakhmanov Springs, natural hot springs surrounded by pine forests and peaks.
Trek to Lake Yazevoye, where glassy water mirrors taiga forest ridges.
Stay in local guesthouses to experience traditional village life.
See the Berel Open Air Museum and its fascinating burial mounds.

Where to Stay in Katon-Karagay:

Muz Tau Eco Hotel (stunning scattering of cabins in Uryl, taking you to nature with all the creature comforts).
Local guesthouses in Berel and other villages scattered around Katon-Karagay (book through local operators or guesthouse listings in Oskemen).

Food Tip: Meals are usually included in guesthouse stays, with home-cooked plov, fresh bread, and local honey.

Chase Turquoise Reflections at Lake Markakol

Remote, mystical, and framed by mountains and forest, Lake Markakol is one of the most beautiful places in East Kazakhstan. It sits at 1450 meters above sea level and is renowned for its clear waters and serene atmosphere.

Things to Do at Lake Markakol:

Take a boat ride to admire the mountain reflections.
Trek the nearby hills for epic lake views.
Go birdwatching, as the area is home to rare species like the black stork and golden eagle.

Getting There: From Oskemen, take a marshrutka or hire a 4×4 to Urunkhaika village, the main settlement near the lake (note: roads can be rough, and travel is seasonal).

Where to Stay: Stay in guesthouses in Urunkhaika with local families, who can prepare meals and arrange boat rides.

Go Hiking Around Ridder

Ridder Resort Hotel, Ridder, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Adventures of Nicole

Ridder is a mining town in the Altai foothills and a low-key gateway to trails, waterfalls, and forests.

Things to Do Around Ridder:

Hike to Ivanovskie Lakes, which glow turquoise in summer.
Trek to Ulkensu Waterfall for a lush forest hike with a rewarding cascade.
Explore the Sibiny (Sauyr) Lakes near Ridder for kayaking, swimming, and camping.

Accommodation:

Bearlog (Gorgeous accommodation outside of town with beautiful cabins).
Ridder Resort Hotel (A newer hotel just outside of Ridder with stunning rooms, offering heaps of outdoor activities to book through the resort).
Hotel Complex Altai (Simple and clean rooms on offer, smack in the middle of Ridder).

Dining:

Local stolovnayas and cafes serve manty, grechka, borscht, and fresh bread, though there is a branch of Dodo Pizza in town if you want something more international.

Go Backcountry Skiing at East Pole Kazakhstan

East Pole Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Adventures of Nicole

Excellent for a relaxing break in nature in the summer, but even better for freeriding the Altai Mountains in Winter, East Pole Kazakhstan is an epic basecamp out in the middle of nowhere.

East Pole Kazakhstan started as a daydream by Dara and her husband, both backcountry ski and snowboard enthusiasts, that grew into the epic place it is today.

Starting in November and extending through winter, this cabin-hostel in the mountains does amazing catskiing and heliskiing trips all winter long.

Unfortunately, I found myself out at East Pole a few days before the season kicked off, but was invited to return with my board for a winter escape.

Roam the Altai Alps

Altai Alps, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Adventures of Nicole

Tucked away in the far eastern reaches of Kazakhstan, where the country’s borders flirt with Russia, China, and Mongolia, the Altai Alps are the wild, untouched crown jewel of East Kazakhstan. Towering peaks, alpine meadows, turquoise rivers, and remote valleys make this one of the most awe-inspiring places to visit in East Kazakhstan, and one of the least visited.

This isn’t the Alps of Switzerland or France. The Kazakh Altai Alps feel raw and mythic, where legends of snow leopards and golden eagles still roam as freely as the icy rivers cutting through the valleys. The landscape shifts from pine-clad slopes to glacier-fed lakes to wide-open pastures dotted with grazing horses and occasional yurts. You’ll likely find more marmots than people out here.

While exploring the Altai, you might hear locals talk about pantotherapy, a traditional Kazakh and Siberian remedy using panto, a tonic made from the velvet antlers of maral deer. The practice dates back centuries and is believed to boost energy, immunity, and overall vitality.

Panto is a health tonic made from the soft, nutrient-rich velvet antlers of maral deer, harvested in early summer. The extract is used in baths or tonics as part of pantotherapy, a traditional Altai remedy believed to boost energy and wellness. Many of the resorts around the Altai offer pantotherapy for those interested in trying.

Getting There:

From Oskemen or Ridder, the roads become rougher the deeper you go into the mountains. Hire a 4×4 or arrange a tour with a local eco-tourism operator for multi-day treks and guided camping trips, or skiing in the backcountry or at resorts in winter.

Final Reflections on Visiting East Kazakhstan

Snowboarding, Altai Resort, Altai Mountains, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Adventures of Nicole

Visiting East Kazakhstan isn’t just about ticking off nature and landscapes; it’s about feeling the crunch of frost under your boots at dawn, sharing tea in a warm village kitchen, and hiking alone on a mountain ridge with nothing but the sound of your breath and the wind.

If you’re craving an offbeat Kazakh adventure that combines deep nature, raw beauty, and cultural immersion, East Kazakhstan will gift you memories you’ll carry for life.

So pack that extra SD card, grab your layers, and visit East Kazakhstan before everyone else does.

Why Visit East Kazakhstan?

Whether you want to hike in the Altai, soak in hot springs, explore hidden lakes, or wander towns rich in history, there are endless things to do in East Kazakhstan. This underrated region offers rugged beauty, warm hospitality, and unique experiences for those ready to explore off the beaten path. If you’re planning your Central Asia adventure, make sure to visit East Kazakhstan to discover one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of Kazakhstan.