Burabai
On the North of Kazakhstan, in Akmola region, there is a marvelous place, the real oasis among the steppes. It is the Borovoye (Burabai). Since 2000, it is deemed as the national natural park. For its beauty, the number of lakes, plants and animal world, people call this place as the Kazakh Switzerland. Kokshetau mountains occupy the center of Kokshetau highlands, maximum height is 947 m above sea level. Over the surrounding steppe, this chain forms the mountain landscape for several hundred meters, composed of unstratified rock, and crowned with sharply-sloped backs and peaks, covered with pine and birch forests. Affected by the sun, water, wind, crust movements for millions of years, they have acquired unusual shapes that resemble animals, fairy heroes, and ruins of castles and forts. Borovoye is the land of sanatoriums, rest and recreation, rest houses, sports and recreation camps. Borovoye is famous in sports as well. Annually, it hosts international competitions in triathlon, ski racings, orienteering, rock climbing. The lake Borovoye is a favorite place for rest, boating, catamarans. The lake is famous for its picturesque environment. If you go around the lake, it is 12 km, there is the unique nature monument at the head of the river Gromovaya (thunder), the “dancing” birch grove, which name appeared from fancy bended trunks. East shore of the lake is a sand beach, the best place for swimming, and rest. Lake shore is decorated with the grand cliff Okzhetpes (in translation it means “an arrow will not reach”), which peak is shaped as a lying elephant. Its height is over 300 m above sea level. There were more than 16 legends and stories made up about this cliff. At the foot of Okzhetpes, the cliff Zhumbaktas runs 18 m high from the Blue Bay (the Puzzle). From the neck between the lakes Borovoye and Big Chebachye, there is a magnificent panoramic view. The mountain Kokshetau (Sinyukha) is perfectly observed from here, one can see the mountains Burabai (the Camel), Zheke-Batyr (the Sleeping Knight). There are legends about every mountain, gorge, valley and single rock in Borovoye, every such legend reflects the life of people of old times. Everyone will find the rest to his liking! In Borovoye, one can walk while admiring surrounding landscape and breathing in the air of pine wood. In spring, the valleys are covered with snowdrops, in summer, forests are rich with strawberry and mushrooms. You can swim in clean lakes, go boating and on catamarans, climb rocks... we should note that neither mosquitos nor other blood-sucking flies will spoil your rest – there is nothing of it here.