What are the highlights?

Katon-Karagai National Park, the Rakhmanov Springs below Mount Belukha, Lake Markakol, and the ski slopes and backcountry around Ridder.

When is the best time to visit?

June to September for trekking and rafting; December to March for skiing and backcountry touring in the Altai.

The Altai is far from Almaty, reached via Ust-Kamenogorsk or Ridder; allow travel time for this remote, alpine corner.

Do I need experience?

Trekking and rafting suit fit beginners with a guide; backcountry ski touring needs winter mountain experience. Each course page states the grade.

Things to do in East Kazakhstan

East Kazakhstan is the heart of the Kazakh Altai — forest, taiga and glaciated peaks around the sacred bulk of Mount Belukha, with the ski town of Ridder and the wild national park of Katon-Karagai. This is the country's most genuinely alpine corner: cedar forest, hidden lakes and rivers born on glaciers.

Trekking, rivers and skiing

Trekking in Katon-Karagai National Park and to the Rakhmanov Springs and Belukha viewpoints, remote Lake Markakol, Bukhtarma rafting, and backcountry skiing at Ridder, in the Altai. Open the Book here tab for dates.