Northern Dzungaria remains one of the last wild, untouched regions of Kazakhstan, characterized by serene mountain lakes, remote picturesque gorges, and an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. This pristine wilderness is part of the Zhongar-Alatau National Park, a protected realm of natural beauty.

Zhetysu Alatau is a mountain range that spans both Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China. Although its official name is Zhetysu Alatau, it is often referred to as Dzhungar Alatau, a name derived from the Dzungar people who played a significant role in the history of the Dzungar Khanate in the 17th-18th centuries.

On this three-day journey, you will experience the highlights of Northern Dzungaria, including Lake Nizhny Zhasylkol, the Agynakatty River, Zhamantas, the village of Lepsinsk, Sarkand, and the Lepsy River. This adventure reveals the untouched beauty and cultural heritage of this remarkable region.

Lake Lower Zhasylkol
Lake Lower Zhasylkol, the crown jewel of Northern Zhetysu Alatau, lies at an elevation of 1,630 meters above sea level. Formed by a rockslide that blocked the Agynakatta River due to seismic activity, the lake is a tranquil gem in this untamed landscape.

The journey to this pristine lake begins with a trek starting at the Gafur apiary, following a scenic 5-kilometer trail through the heart of Zhongar-Alatau National Park.

Village of Lepsinsk (Lepsi)
In the summer of 1846, a historic agreement in the Oy-zhailau valley marked the annexation of the Senior Zhuz to Russia, leading to the founding of Verkhnelepsinskaya, later known as Lepsinsk. During the pre-revolutionary period, Lepsinsk became a hub of industry, featuring mills, brick factories, and distilleries, owned by the entrepreneur Pugasov, whose legacy continues to this day with buildings made from his high-quality bricks still standing.

The northern reaches of these mountains are bordered by Lake Alakol, while the largest river in southeastern Kazakhstan, the Ili, flows along the southern edge. The Dzhungar Alatau range stretches 450 kilometers in length, with widths ranging from 50 to 90 kilometers. Its highest point, Semenov-Tyan-Shansky Peak, soars to 4,622 meters. This vast mountain system also includes ridges such as Altynemel, Toksanbay, Karatau, Baskantau, Bedzhintau, and Koyandytau.

The Zhetysu Alatau is also famous for its extensive populations of the Sivers apple tree, a wild variety thought to be the ancestor of modern cultivated apples, giving this region both ecological and historical significance.

Today, Lepsinsk is known for its agricultural heritage and high-quality honey production, which meets international standards. The village also boasts a rural sports school for gifted children, built by the philanthropist Baurzhan Ospanov, who also established one of the region's largest honey workshops, exporting honey to countries worldwide.

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