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Yakov Fedorov CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Ulytau national park

National Park

Protected area in Kazakhstan's Ulytau Region encompassing steppe hills and historic sites; visitors come for horseback rides, steppe scenery and archaeological features tied to nomadic traditions.

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In this guide

Ulytau national park essentials

Country: Kazakhstan
Driest months: Jul-Sep
Pay in: Tenge (Т)
Language: Kazakh
Emergency: 102

Ulytau national park at a Glance

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Ulytau national park

Best in spring or autumn to avoid summer heat and winter cold; Ulytau is steppe and continental extremes apply.

Spring (Mar-May)
Mar-May · 5-20°C (41-68°F)
Wildflowers and temperate weather - good for long horseback or vehicle trips.
Autumn (Sep-Oct)
Sep-Oct · 5-18°C (41-64°F)
Cooler temperatures and crisp air; traditional pastoral activities are visible.

Weather & Climate near Ulytau national park

Climate

Ulytau national park's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -17°C to 28°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 37 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
-39°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -16° - -8° -19° 22 mm partly cloudy 95% 3.5 m/s 0.1 low 8.6h
February Poor -17° - -8° -19° 14 mm partly cloudy 96% 3.5 m/s 0.3 low 10.0h
March Poor -11° - -1° -11° 19 mm partly cloudy 81% 3.7 m/s 0.7 moderate 11.7h
April Good 1° - 12° 4° 23 mm partly cloudy 60% 3.9 m/s 1.0 high 13.5h
May Excellent 8° - 19° 14° 20 mm some cloud 48% 3.8 m/s 1.6 very high 15.0h
June Ideal 13° - 25° 19° 21 mm some cloud 42% 3.5 m/s 1.8 very high 15.8h
July Ideal 16° - 28° 22° 20 mm some cloud 41% 3.3 m/s 1.7 very high 15.5h
August Ideal 12° - 25° 18° 16 mm some cloud 38% 3.3 m/s 1.4 high 14.1h
September Excellent 7° - 19° 13° 15 mm some cloud 44% 3.3 m/s 0.9 moderate 12.4h
October Good -2° - 8° 0° 21 mm partly cloudy 59% 3.6 m/s 0.4 low 10.7h
November Poor -8° - 0° -9° 19 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.5 m/s 0.2 low 9.1h
December Poor -15° - -6° -16° 19 mm partly cloudy 90% 3.2 m/s 0.1 low 8.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Ulytau national park

The nearest administrative center is the regional town (often reachable from Karaganda or other larger cities); travel across Kazakhstan’s central steppe often requires a private vehicle or arranged transport. For international visitors, plan an overland approach from regional hubs and confirm access with local park authorities in advance.

Tips for Visiting Ulytau national park

  • Hire a local guide familiar with Ulytau's wide-open steppe routes - landmarks can be deceptive across vast distances.
  • Time visits for early morning or late afternoon light for photography; midday sun flattens the landscape.
  • Respect herding areas and private pastures - Ulytau's human geography is pastoral, and many routes cross grazing land.