Tourist Route 2
Distance: 35 km one way (Checkpoint 1 - Besshatyr Mounds, the route is marked in green on the map).
Route: Checkpoint 1 → 17 km → Tanbaly Tas Petroglyphs → 9 km → Zhantogai post → 9 km → Besshatyr Mounds → 35 km → Checkpoint 1.
Places to See
On the way from Almaty:
You will pass through the city of Konaev with its casinos, the Ili River at its widest point where it flows out of the Kapchagai Lake, and along the banks of Kapchagai.
After the village of Shengeldy, turn right toward the Kapchagai Lake and drive along it toward the Dzhungarian Mountains to Checkpoint 1.
In the Altyn-Emel Park:
You will drive through a picturesque valley between the banks of the Kapchagai Lake and the Sholak Mountains of Dzhungarian Alatau. The Tanbaly Tas Petroglyphs are found on the patina-covered rocks.
The road to the Besshatyr Mounds at the foot of the Degeres Mountains of Dzungarian Alatau runs along the delta front of the Ili River. The Zhantogai post will be along the way.
The most commonly seen animals are gazelles and kulans.
The interior of the main, largest burial mound may be closed; please check with rangers at the posts.
Please be cautious in the mountains and read the Travel Advisory.
