Markakol
Markakol natural reserve is in Kurchum district East-Kazakhstani region, it was founded to preserve the unique lake Markakol and its surrounding landscape. Modern reserve area makes up 75,048 ha, its major part (46,045 ha) is in the lakescape of Markakol. The lake Markakol is at the height of 1,447 m above sea level. You can see an amazing view to the mountain chain Sarymsakty with snowy peaks Berkutaul and Aksubas, from the northern side. The lake is known for its clean water and lots of uskuch – the local type of Siberian lenoks and umbra. This type of fish is the endemics, and they live here only. The best fisherman catch is late autumn and early winter. The pride of the natural reserve Markakol is not only the lake, but also the taiga forests, clean mountain rivers, gleaming sources. Plant and animal world here is rich and diverse. Subalpine meadows are rich with different plants rare medical plants (golden and carthamoid rhapontic, bergenia and other) Flora of the natural reserve Markakol includes around 900 sorts of plants. Those included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, include such plants as the Siberian dog’s tooth, Altai rhubarb, sweet astragal, fir clubmoss, tulip, steppe peon, Altai gymnospermous. Animal world of Markakol reserve is also interesting and rich, it includes around 55 types of mammals, among which are the brown bear, wolf, moose, roe, elk, boar, American mink, wolverine, ermine, polecat, weasel, badger, otter, sable, Siberian weasel, Alpine weasel, from the Red Book, there is only the snow leopard. Local village Urunkhanka can be proud of its developed touristic infrastructure. Especially for the guests, they built here timber blockhouses, guest houses and yurtas. Local people are interesting as well, they are the descendants of Estonian immigrants. Local sights include also the Marble passage, Zaisan hollow, beehive with sweet Altai honey. As the whole area of Markakol natural reserve, they are protected as the key areal of GEF, UNDP, WWF, NABU and GTZ international programs on preserving the Altai Sayansk biodiversified ecological region.