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View from horseback riding on a muddy trail through a green forest.

Explore

Turgen Gorge & Eastern Park

The eastern sector of Ile-Alatau National Park features thick spruce forests, tall waterfalls, and deep mountain lakes.

Photo: tour listing on Viator

This section sits in the eastern part of the national park. It offers a mix of easy walks for families and challenging day hikes.

You must pay an eco-fee of about 865 KZT per person per day (2026) at the checkpoints. Bring a packed lunch, as facilities are sparse deeper in the park.

A turquoise lake surrounded by trees and mountains in Ile-Alatau National Park.
Photo: tour listing on Viator
01

Kairak Waterfall

4-6 hours8 km each way

This 55-meter waterfall sits deep within the dense forest. You can reach it via a long hike or a mountain bike ride. The trail is roughly 8 kilometers each way. Wear comfortable trekking shoes and start your hike early.

Two white Mercedes Sprinter vans with 'Kazakhstan Guided Tours' logos parked outside.
Photo: tour listing on Viator
02

Medvezhiy (Bear) Waterfall

1-2 hoursFamily friendly

A 30-meter waterfall located a short distance from the main trailhead. It requires a relatively easy walk, making it highly suitable for families. The trail gets crowded on summer weekends. Visit on a weekday to avoid crowds.

Birch trees growing in the shallow water of a turquoise lake with autumn foliage.
Photo: tour listing on Viator
03

Lake Issyk

1-2 hoursEmerald lake

An emerald-green mountain lake formed by an ancient rockfall. Towering rocky cliffs and pine forests surround the water. It is a small reservoir that is ideal for a picnic. Do not confuse this with the massive Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.

Book a Tour to Issyk and Turgen

A group of tourists holding the Kazakhstan flag posing by a lake with mountains behind.
Small-Group Tour: Lake Issyk with Turgen (Bear) Waterfall9 h to 10 h 4.8 (97)from $45
issyk lake & turgen waterfallfrom $45 on Viator
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