Markakolskiy Nature Reserve
Kazakhstan reserves. The Biggest reserves in Kazakhstan

Eastern Kazakhstan sheltered one of the most surprising corners of Kazakhstan - Markakol National Reserve. Lake Markakol is justly called the pearl of this area. It lies in a cavity, blocked by the Kuchum Ridge in the north and by the Azutau Ridge in the south. The lake is 38 km long, 19 km wide and 27 m deep. It is fed by 27 rivers, but only the Kalzhir River flows out of the lake. The water in Markakol is fresh and very soft, but its main wealth is uskuch - from the salmon fish species.

Lake Markakol is the only habitat of this fish in Kazakhstan. The picturesque rocky slopes of the mountains are covered predominantly by the larch and less frequently by the silver fir forests. The subAlpine meadows are rich in herbs, rare medicinal plants (golden and maral root, hedysarum, bergenia and others). Is rich and The fauna of the reserve is rich and miscellaneous. Forests abound in brown bears, elks, foxes, lynx, marals (Siberian deer), gluttons, sable, weasel, falcon, blackcock, rare red wolf, black stork, silvery seagull and many others.

3 hours of journey from Marble pass, driving 60 km on gravel road (driving speed is 30-10 km/h).

We arrives at Urunkhanka settlement, located on the lakeside.

Settlement architecture: wooden loghouses that look exotic for European tourist. Settlement dwellers are originated from Old Believer migrants. Some families can be met which are descendants of forced Estonian immigrants.

Tourists can stay at guest houses or yurta-campings.

Mountanious lake Marcacol -is the most beautiful lake of East Kazakhstan and one of the most splendid in Altai. Reserved lands adjacent to it are also wonderful, as well as the lake itself. The pride of Marcacol reserve is not only this lake but also taiga woods, transparent mountain rivers, light springs. Animal and vegetation life of this part of our Republic is diverse and rich.

Marcacol is one of the largest lakes in Altai: 38 km at length and 19 km in width. The area of the lake amounts to 455 squire km. It is located in intermountain trough between Kurchumskiy mountain range in the north and Azutau in the south. Over 70 rivers and streams flows into Marcacol, but only one flows out - Kalzhyr.

Marcacol lake is located at height of 1447 meters above sea level. Northwards a splendid panorama of Sarymsakty mountain range with snow-white tops - Berkutaul (3373 m, from Kazakh "Eagle Habitation") and Aksubas (3308 m, from Kazakh "head of white water") - is opened from the lakeside. The lake is famous for its exclusively clear water and abundance of uskuch - local sort of Siberian lenok (Brachimistax lenok) and umber (Thimallus arcticus). These sorts of fish are endemics and could be found nowhere except Marcacol lake. Late in autumn and early in winter one can have an excellent fishing for lenok, uskuch and umber.

The list of Marcacol reserve flora comprises about 900 species of higher plants.

Vegetation that Kazakhstanee Red Book comprises, is represented by such plants as Siberian adder's-tongue, Altai rhubarb, locoweed sweet-foliage, fir club moss, tulip heteropetal, peony steppe, Altai gymnospermium, gymnocarpous acaulescent, cypripedium maculosus, Siberian brunnera.

Animal population of Marcacol reserve comprises 4 species of reptiles, 2 species of amphibians, 255 species of birds and 58 species of mammals.

The following species of vertebrates are included into the Kazakhstanee Red Book: black stork, fish-hawk (Pandio haliaetus), erne (Haliaeetus albicilla), golden eagle, Altai, black-headed (Larus ichthyaetus), gray crane, demoiselle, sometimes snow leopard can be met.

Marcacol lake ichthyofauna is represented by endemic subspecies of lenok (Brachimistax lenok), umber (Thimallus arcticus), gudgeon and loach, as well as by introduced minnow.

The acquaintance with cool and sometimes severe high-mountain lake will seem to be a pleasant present after sultry and dry Zaisan hollow.

The territory which includes Marcacol nature reserve and farther located Katon-Karagaisky State National Nature Park form part of the project key territory of International Program GEF/UNDP, WWF, NABU and GTZ on preservation of Altai-Sayansky ecoregion biological diversity.

Not far from the settlement there is a bee-garden that represent an interesting tourist object, where tea-drinking with Altai honey can be organized.

Joint project of OrexCA.com and KTA & KAGIR. Information is taken from CD "All about tourism in Kazakhstan"