Katon-Karatay is a unique region in Central Asia on the border with Russia, China and Mongolia. There is Katon-Karagay state national park and Markakol reserve. Mountain peaks here, are combined with clear lakes, dense emerald forests with subalpine meadows; fast flowing rivers are combined with formidable, silent rocks.
Animal world of reserves is rich and diverse. Brown bears, elk, foxes, lynx, Siberian stags, wolverine, sable, ermine, very rear red wolf, falcon, grouse, black stork, herring gull and many other animals inhabit these places.
Markakol Lake, Belukha and Berkutaul mountains are pearls of these places.
Markakol Lake, which lies in cavity, is 38 kilometers long, 19 kilometers wide and 27 meters deep. 27 lakes and flows feed this lake, but only Kalzhir River flows out of it. Water in Markakol is fresh and very soft; its main richness is uskuch, fish from salmon family.
Belukha Mountain (4,506 meters high) with snow white peak is the highest mountain in Siberia and Altai. It is the kingdom of snow, ice, thundering avalanches and sparkling waterfalls.
Berkutaul Mountain (Home of an eagle) is neighboring with it; its height is 3,373 meters. It is the second most popular peak of Southern Altai after Belukha Mountain.
Services and prices on ecological sights of Katon-Karagay
| Populated area (Village) | Uryl, Chernovoye, Maymyr, Urynhai |
 | 5 guest houses (3 - 10 places)
1) Uryl: 2 guest houses (4 - 10 places);
2) Chernovoye: 1 guest house and bee farm in the mountains;
3) Maymyr: 1 guest house (4 - 6 places);
4) Urynhai: 1 guest house for 7 places
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 | Ust - Kamenogorsk (airport, train station – 280 km), Katon-Karagay (bus – 20-60 km) |
| Сезон пребывания | 5-10, 12-3 months |
 | 4000 – 5000 KZT, all facilities are outside the house |
 | National Park Katon – Karagai and Markakolsky Reserve: mountain taiga, lakes, peak Belukha, maral (siberian deer) farms |
 | Berel excavations (Sak burial mounds) |
 | Chernovoye, Uryl |
 | Hiking and skiing tours, snowmobile tours, rafting, climbing |
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1) +7 72342 21769, Katontourism@mail.kz (Aleksandr Kobzev)
2) +7 705 1252893, j.de@mail.ru, (Dmitriy, Uryl и Urynhai)
3) +7 701 4665683, aexp_tanya@dvn.kz (Andrey & Tatyana Yurchenkovy, Maymyr and Urynhai)
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How to get there
You can get to Caton-Karagai through Ust-Kamenogorsk city by the flights of “Air Astana” Air Company, which fly every day from Almaty and Astana cities.
Further, 500 kilometers to Caton-Karagai can be covered by bus, which departs daily from Ust-Kamenogorsk bus station at 8:10 and 11:00 (travel time is 9 hours); or you can arrange a car with travel agencies.
You can plan and book your trip to Caton-Karagai in advance through ecotourism Informational resource center: ecocentre.kz@gmail.com
