Burkhan-Bulak: Kazakhstan’s Tallest Waterfall (168 m)
Overview
Description
Burkhan-Bulak is the tallest waterfall in Kazakhstan: 168 metres of water falling in four cascades down a rock staircase in the Dzungarian Alatau, at about 2,000 m above sea level. The three lower cascades – the part you can actually see from below – stand 114 m tall on their own. Fed by glaciers and underground springs, it runs cold and clear all summer, framed by spruce forest and alpine meadow in one of the least-visited corners of the country.
Burkhan-Bulak at a glance
| Total height | 168 m over four cascades (visible lower three: 114 m) |
| Altitude | ~2,000 m, upper Kora valley, Dzungarian Alatau |
| Access | 4WD via the Kapal pass, or 1.5-3 days on foot/horseback from Tekeli |
| Season | Summer – early autumn |
| Nearest towns | Tekeli, Taldykorgan |
Getting there – the honest version
There is no easy way, which is the point. By 4WD, two variants converge on Bublik lake: from Kokzhazyk village (22 km from Taldykorgan, then ~37 km east through the mountains), or via the Kapal road (56 km from Taldykorgan toward Kapal village, turning south into the mountains 18 km before it, then ~30 km south-east). From the lake, the Kapal pass lies 6 km north-east; drop into the Kora valley, turn east, and the waterfall is roughly 19 km further. This is genuine mountain driving – a real off-roader and a driver who has done it before, not a rental crossover.
On foot or horseback, the route runs up the Kora valley from Tekeli – one and a half to three days each way through roadless country. River crossings, no signal, no infrastructure: a trip to plan properly, with route registration filed and kit chosen from our gear guide, or with someone local handling the logistics.
Is it worth it?
If your measure of a destination is effort-to-reward, Burkhan-Bulak scores strangely: enormous effort, enormous reward, and almost nobody in the ledger. You will likely share Kazakhstan’s tallest waterfall with your own group and no one else – something no gorge within an hour of Almaty can offer. Want it organised end to end – transfer, horses, camp, guide? Ask us; the Dzungarian Alatau is custom-trip territory and we build those to order.
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Itinerary
Detailed itinerary will be provided upon booking. Our typical tour includes daily hikes through diverse terrains and cultural experiences.
Traveler Stories
Sarah K.
Our guide was incredible - he adjusted the pace perfectly for our group and knew exactly where to stop for the best photos. The whole experience felt effortless, like everything was taken care of before we even thought to ask.
Marco T.
We were a group of 4 friends and the per-person price made it a no-brainer. Private 4x4, lunch included, and the canyon was breathtaking. Way better than the big bus tours we saw there.
Anna W.
Solo traveler here. I was nervous about hiking alone in a foreign country but the guide made me feel completely safe. The trail to Kok-Zhailau was beautiful and the photos he took of me were amazing. Only wish the hike was longer!
David R.
Third time booking with these guys. Butakovka, Big Almaty Lake, and now Titov Peak. Every single time the service is flawless. The fact that it's always private and max 6 people makes such a difference compared to other operators.
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On the channel
83 h
Drone flight hours
What we’ve filmed
59
Hikes filmed
704 km
Kilometers covered
44,439 m
Elevation gained
27
Countries visited
