Katon-Karagay National Park (360°)

Katonkaragay is the second most important settlement in the district. It is located in the valley of the Sarymsak River, at the foot of the northern slopes of the Sarymsakty mountain range. It is home to the central office of the Katon-Karagay State National Nature Park. You can buy honey and pine nuts at the local market.

At the entrance to the village there are gas stations: "Vostok" (AI 92) and "Katon" (AI 92, 95).

Once there was one of the most amazing monuments of Orthodox architecture - the wooden church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, which is associated with many amazing and mystical stories. Today, however, only its two-story frame stands tall. The destroyed shrine is planned to be restored.

Katon-Karagay district is an amazing place where near the eternal glaciers of Muztau, at the junction of the borders of Kazakhstan, Russia and China, inaccessible mountains, mighty cedars, fast rivers, clear lakes, lush alpine meadows with the rarest flowers converged. The natural landscapes of these places are amazingly beautiful and varied with bright contrasts. Forests and mountains, rivers and lakes evoke a sense of delight and amaze with their grandeur and purity. Since ancient times, these places have attracted thousands of people.

The national park is home to more than 280 species of birds, 68 species of mammals (of which the snow leopard, manul, stone marten and others are listed in the Red Book), 17 species of fish, 3 species of amphibians, more than 10 thousand species of invertebrates; as well as more than 1000 species of plants grow.

Mount Muztau (Belukha) is the highest peak of Altai and Siberia. It has two peaks in the form of irregular pyramids – Eastern (4506 m) and Western (4435 m), between which there is a depression – "Sedlo Belukhi" (4000 m). The slopes are covered with eternal snow and glaciers, from which the Belaya Berel and Katun Rivers originate. "The dwelling of the gods", "The Great Elder" – that’s how the Altai people call it. The mountain is located on the border of Kazakhstan and Russia, to the north-east of the Katon-Karagay district.

Kok-Kol Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Altai. It is located 23 km to the north-east of the resort "Rakhmanovskie klyuchi". At the confluence with the White Berel, the Kok-Kol riverbed approaches a sharp, steep ledge, from where over 10 m wide water flow descends with a deafening rumble that can be heard far around. From a height of about 80 m, a fine water dust is formed, which ionizes the air in the valley. On sunny days it shines with all the colors of the rainbow.