Aktau and Katutau 28.04.2019


Image for Aktau and Katutau

The first association when one hears about Kazakhstan most likely is horizonless steppe. Like this:

Photo 2115
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2115
(cc) by Rushan

However it's not this way. The steppe is green a few weeks in spring, then the sun burns everything and it looks more like a desert. A picture like that can be seen through the entire country.

Photo 2116
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2116
(cc) by Rushan

However keep in mind, that Almaty area is an exception. It's located next to the border and Tian Shan mountains change the landscape a lot. It's not just a steppe, but also hills and mountains.
Though even in steppe in some places there are water springs. Water means plants, sometimes centuries old: like this 700 (!) years old willow.

Photo 2117
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2117
(cc) by Rushan

In the very same place there is a national park gamekeeper house. They are spread throughout the park.

Photo 2118
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2118
(cc) by Rushan

Gamekeepers live with their families. If they are transferred to another place, the entire family moves. Just like militarists.

Photo 2119
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2119
(cc) by Rushan

Radon spring (the water is really warm). And abandoned village.

Photo 2120
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2120
(cc) by Rushan

Not all gamekeeper houses are wealthy. Though this one is used as a temporary one. It's used more like a checkpoint to keep a list of those who go in and out. So in case someone is lost they will start the search. Nobody lives here on permanent basis. However even this one has a satellite signal (:

Photo 2121
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2121
(cc) by Rushan

Of course there is no asphalt roads in the park. Just a dirt road. Thus in a dry weather (which is almost every day) there is a huge dust trail. That's why you simply have to keep a distance at least 0.5 - 1 km if you follow someone. Also as a polite driver you have to slow down if there is oncoming car, so the dust behind you won't be that bad and the poor guy won't suffocate there.
Park gamekeepers reroute the roads from time to time: the close the old ones and put spikes there (as I was told in order to fight poachers). Normally they put stop sign there, but sometimes they can't keep up with the changes. So without a guide you might easily to lose a wheel somewhere.

Photo 2122
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2122
(cc) by Rushan

A long time ago there was ocean bottom in this ares. And underwater volcanoes. That's why there's frozen (and already stoned) lava.

Photo 2123
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2123
(cc) by Rushan

The area doesn't look like a steppe already.

Photo 2124
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2124
(cc) by Rushan

It felt already hot, however it was just beginning of May and the temperature was a bit higher then 20C degrees. In summer time daily maximum is above 40C.

Photo 2125
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2125
(cc) by Rushan

To stop cars from going to the wrong direction, they put stone fence like this one. However doesn't help every time (:

Photo 2126
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2126
(cc) by Rushan

A bit further the way down there are colored mountains.

Photo 2127
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2127
(cc) by Rushan

Interesting snag.

Photo 2128
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2128
(cc) by Rushan

Mountains color is very different from surrounding.

Photo 2129
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2129
(cc) by Rushan

Even though the landscape looks absolute desert, they also have a strong rain days here. The water runs down from mountains and even made a riverbed. There's even a block sign to stop cars from going through it. There will be no chance to make a U-turn.

Photo 2130
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2130
(cc) by Rushan

However people are welcome to have a walk through the riverbed. There are some photos:

Photo 2131
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2131
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2132
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2132
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2133
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2133
(cc) by Rushan

I didn't make it to the beginning of the riverbed: there was stoneslide which blocked the road, I had to go back. It was just 500m to the end though.

Photo 2134
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2134
(cc) by Rushan

The trail was easy, pretty and relaxing. I really enjoyed it.

Photo 2135
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 2135
(cc) by Rushan

 
 
 
 

Points of interest and source links