Northern Kazakhstan
Northern Kazakhstan includes North Kazakhstani, Pavlodar, Akmola and Kostanay Oblasts. This region is situated in the utmost northern part of the Republic, in the basin of the Esil, the Tobol and the Obagan rivers. From the west to the east, Northern Kazakhstan occupies the territory of more than 1,300 km, and from the north to the south about 900 km.
The main rivers are the Irtish and its two tributaries – the Esil and the Tobol. The largest lakes are Kusmurin and Sari Kopa in Kostanay Oblast, Tengiz and Korgaljin in Akmola Oblast, Shagala, Shortan and Burabay in North Kazakhstani Oblast.
Some of the lakes are famous for their medicinal mineral salts and muds (Moyildi Lake in Pavlodar Oblast and Maybalik Lake in North Kazakhstani Oblast). The climate here is sharply continental, however, it differs from the other regions of the Republic in milder summer and lower winter temperatures.
Unique landscapes of Kokshetau mountains, woods and lakes, situated on the territory of “Burabai” National Nature Park; exotic caves of Bayanaul in south, richness of flora and fauna of Korgaldjin Nature Reserve can provide you a real chance to feel yourself a part of virgin nature.
Borovoe
When the God created the world, – as a legend has it, – one people was bestowed large woods, green fields and wide rivers, another people got beautiful mountains and blue lakes. But the Kazakh people got only steppes. It hurt the Kazakh; feelings and they began to ask the creator to give them a little piece of wonderful nature.
And the God scratched from the bottom of his bag and threw in the middle of lifeless steppe the remnants of the picturesque mounting cliffs and lakes with crystal-clear bluish water, distributed with his generous hand emerald meadows covered with flowers, springs with icy-cold water and merrily murmuring brooks. He covered the mountains with a colorful carpet of different trees and bushes, the forests abounded with animals and birds, lakes with fish and meadows with insects and butterflies, which cannot be found on the steppe one hundred miles around. Thus Barovoye came to light.
In the north of Kazakhstan, between Astana and Kokchetau cities there is a wonderful district, a real oasis – Barovoye. Geographically this nook is called the Kokchetau highlands and the local guides gave it a name of Kazakhstani Switzerland.
The height of Barovoye is very low: 500-600m at the marks of the cuts in the waters, in the lakes are 300-400 m. and the Kokchetau Cliff riches 947m, the highest point of Kokchetau mountain (Blue Mountain). To the south is situated Burabai Mountain (690m) a fine panoramic point. Burabai is a camel. Still to the south there are Shychinskiye deeps, the largest of them is called Zheke-Batur – a lonesome warrier (826 m)
One can not be help mentioning the lakes of Barovoye. There are many. Lakes Shychie, Barovoye, Big and Small Chebachie, Koturkul all glitter on the green atlas of the forest.
Small lakes Svetloye, Karasye, Gornoye, Lebedinoye can be seen from Kokchetau Cliff. On the visit card of Barovoye is the Blue Bay on the lake of the same name. Right from the waters of the bay Mount Zhumbaktas (Mystery, Sphinx) soars.
Every name here has its own legend. For example Sphinx is interesting when one looks at him from different points, for then one can see the face of young lady with waving hair, then that of a woman and in the end that of an old woman.
Barovoye is more beautiful than a fairy tale. The harmony of the mountains and the woods and lakes creates not only unique beauty of the landscape, but also a special medical climate.
Bayanaul. Pavlodar Oblast, is famous for its magnificent Bayanaul National Natural Park – one of the most picturesque places of the country. It is situated in 100 km from Ekibastuz, an industrial, developed city. This National Park represents four kinds of vegetation – forest, forest-steppe, steppe and meadow. In the south-western parts of Pavlodar, on the right bank of the Irtish, there is one of the most unique places on our planet – a natural site called the Goose Migration. Palaeontologists found remnants of giraffe, rhinoceros, hyena like animals and hipparirion (a small horse), living here 7-10 million years ago. The total amount of the found fossils is considerable. They, it seems, belong to thousands of different species.
Kokshetau
Kokshetau destination is to the north of Astana. Three villages - Imantau, Airtau and Sandyktau - ar Natural oasis of Kokshetau seems to have been created especially for vacation. Mountains, hills and single rocky peaks are mostly covered with pine trees, but also birch, aspen, elm, larch, willow, acacia, maple and other trees.
Forests abound in mushrooms, and wild berries, including strawberries, raspberries and cherries, You can find herbs. Forests are ideal for elks, elks, badgers, polecats, foxes, squirrels, black grouses and other animals.
There are many lakes: Solenoye (Salty), Shalkar, Airtauchik, Beloye (White), Lobanovskoye, Imantau.
Wildlife in Kokshetau is a rare combination of species of different epochs and geographical regions. Ancient lichen and ferns grow underneath trees and bushes. Typical Siberian taiga animals such as elk, lynx, forest marten, white hare, and ermine live close to the inhabitants of southern steppe and semi-desert, such as korsak fox, gopher, grey hare, and steppe polecat. The varied wildlife has always attracted people to this region.
Airtau
The name of this village means "double mountain" in Kazakh. The village is close to Shalkar Lake, famous for the healing powers of its water, and medical clay. There are legends about almost every forest, mountain or hill around Airtau. One of them tells about Kolchak Mountain, which was named after Kolchak, the commander of the Russian White army troop during the time of Civil War (early 1920s).
Imantau
Imantau village is located near the lake with the same name. Several rivers flow into the lake with sandy beaches in the south and north, and rocky shores in the south-west and east. The water is fresh and clean, and very transparent. From a boat you can see various fish species swimming in the water.
Sandyktau
Sandyktau ("chest-mountain" from Kazakh)village is located near a mountain that has a big chest of gold on the summit, at least according to the legend. The height is only 784 meters.
For additional information, please see www.ecotourism.kz