Ile-Alatau National Park

Ile-Alatau National Park covers 200,160 hectares in the northwestern Tian Shan mountains with landscapes ranging from open grasslands to snow-capped summits exceeding 4,900 meters (16,076 ft). The terrain includes river valleys, alpine lakes, coniferous forests, and high plateaus that together create a layered mountain environment.

The area began as the Almaty State Reserve in 1931, protecting the Malaya Almatinka River valley and its surroundings. It evolved into the present national park in 1996, expanding protection to include the entire northwestern mountain range system.

Local communities have long regarded these mountains as a vital part of their identity, with herding traditions still visible in the high pastures today. The landscape holds deep meaning for nearby settlements, serving as both a practical resource and a spiritual landmark.

The park has marked trails and facilities for hiking, mountaineering, camping, and other outdoor activities spread across different elevation zones. Spring through early autumn offers the most accessible conditions, while higher elevations remain challenging in winter months.

The park protects 30 endangered animal species listed in Kazakhstan's Red Book and 37 plant varieties found nowhere else in the region's mountain systems. These organisms have adapted specifically to the extreme conditions and isolation of this particular range.