Offline Journey to the Heart of Kazakh Altai
Katon-Karagay is the heart of Kazakhstan Altai. At least, that's how we feel. It's not difficult to visit Katon, but to feel it, to live this time fully feeling the moment is a difficult task.
A measured autumn trip on SUVs for those who understand this world absolutely. We are in no hurry, we are not in a hurry, we walk, collect cedar cones, fry BBQ, fish, try local delicacies. We will visit the main attractions, look into unpopular places. We communicate with locals, study the culture, soak up the vibe of autumn tranquility of Katon. We enjoy the leisurely flow of time.
~ 2,400 m
places and
interesting people
mysterious lakes far
from curious eyes
butter, cottage cheese,
milk, and cream
and unique-tasting kymyz
(fermented mare's milk)
berries, and tasting
local delicacies
following Old Believer
rituals
fishing
Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Airport pickup and transfer to the hotel. Check-in, followed by lunch and a short city tour, including a visit to a unique hydrotechnical structure. Dinner with an introduction to Altai culture.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. We set off at a leisurely pace towards the Kazakh Altai. Gradually leaving the city behind, we immerse ourselves in a state of peace and serenity. The scenery changes from rolling colorful hills to a winding road along the shore of the “road of dreams.”
Picnic lunch en route.
By evening, we will arrive at an Old Believers’ village. We settle in at the Kerzhak homestead and head to the bath.
*bath in the Old Believers’ tradition, using fermented herbal blends, essential oils, and local bath brooms — birch, fir, nettle. This is not just a bathhouse visit — it is a ritual of “cleansing” the body.
After the bath, dinner and rest.
We enjoy breakfast in the best traditions of rustic cuisine, with light touches of Kerzhak culture. We take a short walk through the village, founded in the 18th century by runaway settlers from the Russian Empire. We’ll learn fascinating details about Kerzhak culture and discover the traditions of the Old Believers. We’ll visit a few homes where we can taste Altai honey.
After the walk, we set off towards Katon, stopping along the way in another unusual village. We’ll see one of the first “cross” houses built around 200 years ago. On the banks of the Bukhtarma River, we’ll have a picnic and try our fishing luck catching grayling.
By evening, we’ll reach a small hotel nestled in a leafy forest, have dinner, and settle into cozy rooms.
After breakfast at the hotel, we take our time packing and head out through local villages along the banks of the Bukhtarma River. We interact with locals, immerse ourselves in the culture, and feel the sacred spirit of Katon. We stop in Katon itself to visit the small, improvised local market.
For lunch, depending on the situation, we will either dine with locals in the village of Chernovaya or arrange a picnic.
By evening, we arrive at a cozy and peaceful place – Klimov’s Homestead. Here, Vera Pavlovna will share fascinating insights about the complex life of bees, how honey is produced, its healing properties, and the restorative effect of sleeping on beehives.
We settle into the guesthouse, enjoy a traditional bathhouse, have dinner, and rest.
Breakfast in the best traditions of village life: porridge cooked in a cast-iron pot in a real Russian stove, pancakes, crepes, and tea made from Katon’s mountain herbs with fresh Altai honey.
After breakfast, we take our time packing and set off towards the “Heavenly Village.” The road is not an easy one: a rocky gorge squeezed between cliffs, a winding path along the river, old wooden bridges creaking under the weight of a heavy off-road vehicle… bushes of blackcurrant and raspberries. The unfolding panorama of blue rolling hills and dense fir forest gives an unforgettable feeling — as if you are standing on a cloud.
We wander through the village, peeking into the old school, medical post, and a few houses. If we are lucky, we’ll meet and talk to the village’s only resident.
In a meadow in the middle of the village, with a view of the local “Fitz Roy,” we have a picnic. After lunch, depending on the weather and mood, we may have a photo session. Then we continue towards our overnight stop. Depending on conditions and weather, we may cross a suspension bridge or pass through the “Valley of Kings.”
We check into an eco-hotel, have dinner, and rest.
We have breakfast at the hotel and take our time packing. Before setting off towards the adventures of the next day, we stop by an authentic guesthouse where an intriguing master will hold a small workshop for our group on working with wood, stone, and leather. We take home the handmade souvenirs we create ourselves, and here, we can also purchase artisan handicrafts made in the spirit of Altai.
By midday, we ascend via steep hairpin turns of an old road to a viewpoint near the “Burkhat” pass. Here, we have a picnic with a stunning panoramic view of the mysterious land of “Belovodye.” After lunch, we wander through a cedar forest, collecting cones and, if lucky, the remains of wild blackcurrants thoughtfully left by the local bear for the forest’s guests.
By evening, we descend to the familiar hotel, check in, have dinner, and rest.
We have breakfast at the hotel, quickly pack up, and head back. We cross the longest bridge in Kazakhstan over the largest reservoir in Central Asia. Then, the desert landscapes gradually give way to winding mountain roads between the gentle hills of the Kalbin Ridge and endless open fields.
Lunch – picnic anywhere we like along the way. By evening, we arrive in the city. Upon arrival – hotel check-in, a short break to freshen up and change clothes.
Dinner in a small yet cozy wine bar.
