Katon Karagay is the largest national park in Kazakhstan, located in the eastern corner of the country and covering 643,477 ha. Katon Karagay is part of the Great Altai, which spans four countries. In southern Russia there is the Altai Republic and the Altai Region, and there is the famous Katun River, which starts in the Altai Mountains and flows into Russia. In Mongolia, there is a beautiful Altai Tavan Bogd National Park and Altai Village.
The Altai Tavan Bogd National Park includes beautiful valleys such as the White River Valley, Bear Valley and the stunning Khoton and Khurgan Lakes. In China, Altai City and Hanas National Park are part of the vast Altai territory. And Kazakhstan’s Altai region is home to the magnificent Katon Karagai National Park, with its many stunning unspoilt valleys and picturesque landscapes.
Altai means ‘golden land’ and is home to many nomadic tribes, including Kazakhs in the west, Altays in the north, Mongols in the east and Uyghurs in the south. There are also many other ethnic groups such as Durvuds, Uriankhais, Tuvas and many others.
The “Katon” or “Khatan” means “lady” or “woman”.
Mount Belukha
Katon Karagai includes Mount Belukha /4506 metres above sea level/, the highest peak in the Altai mountain range. It borders Russia to the north and China to the south. It is an “X” point where these four countries meet. However, Kazakhstan and Mongolia do not share a common border and are about 40 kilometres apart.
Katon Karagay National Park offers you a magnificent nature where you can enjoy a hiking and horse trekking. It is the best destination for wilderness lovers who love remote and quiet nature. Here you can feel the maximum closeness to Mother Nature!
The best attractions of the National Park
The best attractions of the National Park are the pure mountain lakes such as Markakol, Karakol, Buhturma and Rahmanov. There are also several stunning waterfalls such as Arasan, Kokkol and Rahmanovsky.
Mountain forests are located at an altitude of 2200-3200 metres above sea level. These are the evergreen pine, spruce and fir, and larch, birch, poplar, trembling poplar and many different kinds of willow that grow in the mountain rivers and streams.
Scientists have recorded 363 species of vertebrates in the park: 284 birds, 65 mammals, 6 reptiles, 2 amphibians and 6 species of fish. In the forest you can meet a brown bear, sable, squirrel, wood and hazel grouse, wolf, fox, roe deer, brown bear, nutcracker and ducks.
In January 2021, a camera trap in Katon-Karagay National Park captured video of a rare snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Altai Mountains.
Please contact us to create your ideal Katon-Karagay expedition.
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