The far east is the Kazakh Altai — forested, taiga-clad mountains of glaciated peaks, alpine lakes and rushing rivers where Kazakhstan meets Russia, China and Mongolia. It is the country's greenest and most genuinely alpine corner, a place of cedar forest, hidden lakes and the sacred bulk of Mount Belukha rising just across the border.
Trekking and rivers
Trekking in Katon-Karagai National Park and to the Rakhmanov Springs and Belukha viewpoints, remote Lake Markakol, and white-water rafting on the Bukhtarma and Irtysh in East Kazakhstan.
Winter and the deep steppe
Backcountry skiing around Ridder, and the poet's-country steppe and pine forests of Abai. This is a long way from Almaty and worth every hour; open the Book here tab for dates.
