This is one of the most famous and enigmatic places in the Eastern Kazakhstan. It’s a unique cultural monument of the Rudniy Altay. The central part of «Ak-Baur» has an amphitheater shape with a diameter of about 25 meters, surrounded by granite formations up to 4 meters tall. It seems that inside this «horseshoe» was an observatory where ancient people presumably observed the starry sky.
One of the most intriguing parts for scientists is a small grotto in the granite wall, about a kilometer south of the astronomical complex. Inside the grotto, there’s a natural hole with a one-meter diameter. Drawings on the ceiling and walls of the cave puzzle researchers to this day. These ancient paintings are unlike any others found before, leaving numerous theories among researchers regarding what ancient artists intended to depict.
The «Ak-Baur» complex resembles many other Neolithic temples found in England, the Caucasus, and Asia. Around 80 petroglyphs have been preserved at «Ak-Baur».
Route description
“Ak-Bauyr” is located about 38 kilometers from Ust-Kamenogorsk city. Leaving the city, we move along Samarskoe highway. We pass by Samsonovka village, turn to Sibinskie lakes. Behind the village Sagyr (formerly Leninka), about two kilometers from it, you need to turn near the sign “Ak-Bauyr”.
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Travel time: half a day
During this time you can not only get there and back without hurry, but also look at the rock paintings.
It is necessary to know
Now “Ak-Bauyr” is protected and surrounded by a fence. It is a cultural monument and entrance to its territory is paid.
Key points of the tour:
– Altar stone;
– A grotto with rock paintings.
Gazebos are installed on the territory of the complex so that tourists can escape from the summer heat. Excursions by transport are not carried out, so you need to explore the area on foot.
If you need a snack, you should take food with you from the city. It should be a dry ration. It is forbidden to light bonfires, roast kebabs, and drink alcoholic beverages on the territory of “Ak-Baur”. The entire territory of the complex is under 24-hour security, and this is 63 hectares of land.